The Fire of Ares

CH16- I'm joking, unless...

Max.

"So, are you gonna spill, or am I gonna have to find out myself?" Elio asked, catching up to me after school.

I huffed. I kind of hoped he'd forget and leave me be, but boy was I wrong. I know the situation is not particularly bad, but with everything going on, I feel like it comes off as something that it's not. If that makes any sense. Elio already knows about the kiss; I don't want him thinking that there's anything between Ares and me.

"Look, you don't have to tell me if you really don't want to. But do know that I am here if you ever want to talk," Elio said, giving me a tight-lipped smile and patting my back.

"Nothing happened; we just fell asleep during the movie. I didn't say anything because I really don't want people spinning the narrative." I sighed. "Thank you, though. I know if I need you, I can count on you."

Elio smiled. "Good, 'cause no matter what, Max, you're stuck with me."

I rolled my eyes, laughing. "Great."

Elio swatted my arm. "Don't be rude; you know you love me."

"Ugh, unfortunately."

"Whatever. I have to go. Mom's picking me up, and she is not in a good mood."

I waved him off, heading to my locker. Hardly anyone was left in school—only a few leaving from their clubs or practice. I banged on my locker after putting in the code; it always jammed—stupid locker.

"What did it do to you?" I heard from behind me.

I grabbed my backpack and slammed it shut again, knowing who was behind me already. "It's always jammed; that's how I open it. What are you still doing here?"

"Detention because of Dom, remember?" Ares replied.

"Sucks to suck," I joked.

Ares raised an eyebrow and smirked, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Really?"

I nodded.

"Come with me," Ares pleaded.

I shook my head. There was no way I was gonna willingly go to detention for no reason. "I'd rather die than spend a second in detention with Dom."

Ares rolled his eyes. "Dom and I got separate detentions, so 'we' don't cause any more trouble." He emphasized "we" with air quotes. "Plus, I know for a fact Alex already left; I saw him leave earlier. So you'd have to walk home, but I'm willing to take you with me. Plus, I can give you your clothes back."

He had a good point. Alex was my ride. I could call Mia, but I think she works today. Ares was my last option because walking home in 100 degrees, tired, was not one. I rolled my eyes. "Fine," I grumbled.

Ares smiled. "Let's go before I get another week added."--This was the longest hour of my life; I should've just walked home. It was just Ares and me in here with Mr. Green, who wanted nothing but silence. I pushed Ares back the paper we had been using to play tic-tac-toe. He was winning and hadn't dropped that stupid smile about it."I'll be back. Don't talk," Mr. Green ordered, walking out of the room slowly. He should retire; he was reaching his late 70s. I remember my mom saying she had him for a teacher when she came here.

"Your turn."

"I don't wanna play anymore," I grumbled, pushing the paper away from me. Yes, I was being petty, but how had I lost every single game? He had to be cheating.

Ares looked amused. "Are you really that upset that you haven't won?"

I rolled my eyes and didn't answer him. I was annoyed.

"Fine, I'll let you win," Ares laughed. He made a new game and scooted closer to me, so that we were arm to arm.

"No, I don't want a pity win," I whined.

"It's not a pity win," Ares assured me.

"You just said that you'll 'let' me win; that's the definition of a pity win, Ares."

Ares laughed. "Fine, you got me. Let's do something else then," he said, looking at me.

My face got hot by how close he had gotten, and I hadn't even noticed. I looked away and cleared my throat. Why does he make me nervous? "Do what?"

Ares was about to say something when Green came back into the room. "You're both good to go; there's only 20 minutes left," he said, packing up his things slowly. Before he could change his mind, Ares and I rushed out of the room.

The drive to my house was quiet but not awkward. When we got to my house, we went into my room so I could give Ares his clothes back.

"I think this is everything," I said, handing him the clothes he left here this morning.

"Thanks." Ares pulled his shirt off without a thought and his joggers, leaving him in his underwear. My eyes went wide; I tried to look away but failed miserably. Ares didn't notice; he was fixing his pants that were inside-out. I gulped as my eyes traveled down to his abs. How does he have a six-pack? I've never seen him do anything physical. At least, he's never mentioned working out. My eyes didn't travel any further; I feared what I'd see. I don't know what this feeling is; it's new. I don't know if I should invite it in or push it away.

Once Ares had his pants on, he caught me looking at his abs. "Like what you see?" he snickered. I looked back at him and felt my face grow even hotter.

"What? I-I wasn't—"

"It's okay to look, Max," Ares assured me. "And you know it's okay if you wanna touch too." He smirked.

I shook my head. "Shut up. I wasn't." I said again. I wasn't. I couldn't even finish my lie.

"I'm joking. Unless..."

I rolled my eyes. "Put your shirt on, Ares."