Ari sat back down. As kind and quiet as she was, she had a hidden dark side that came out when her friends or family were in trouble. She clenched her fists and her jaws, avoiding Miles' gaze. She couldn't make herself look at him for the fear that he would be scared of her, just like everyone else.
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Lewis did another loop around the table and passed by Ari's seat. He patted her shoulder and murmured, "Thanks kid. I can hold my own, but it still means a lot."
Miles gave one last hateful look to the girl before returning to Ari. “Hey, are you alright?”
Ari gave Miles and Lewis a small nod, not looking up from her plate. "I'm fine." She said softly, more to herself than to them.
"You don't sound fine," Miles replied, setting his elbows on the table. "In fact, you sound the opposite of fine,"
(I've gotta go for a little while)
(okay, see you later)
Ari pushed her plate away from her. "It's a long story." She mumbled.
"I'm listening," Miles said, pushing the plate back to her. "Eat. It makes everything better."
Ari pushed the plate away again. "I'm not hungry."
"Fine, then." Miles said. "At least tell me what's going on,"
"The prophecy. I know that everyone else is worrying about it to but, we're underestimating it. And 'child of Posiedon'? I'm the only one. And 'take charge'? I can barely hold myself together. How am I supposed to take charge? And I just found out that my dead sister is actually very much alive, and has been just a few cabins away from me for who knows how long? And…………" Ari hesitated. "Today, seven years ago, my mom was killed in a fire."
Miles was a little taken aback. All that stuff made his worry look like he'd just lost his socks. "I can't reassure you about you being in the prophecy, but I can tell you that you'll do fine. I just saw how you stood up for Lewis. You've got the bravery and the strength, you might just need some help building it up more." Miles said. "And if you ever need a shoulder to cry on, just look at all of us. We'll be there."
Ari finally looked up at Miles. She gave him a weak smile. "Thanks, it means a lot." (Btw Ari is fifteen)
(okay, cool)
"And I meant it all," Miles reassured. "Are you going to eat, or can I?"
Ari smiled. "All yours my friend." She pushed the plate over to Miles.
(Okay so since we're doing the whole Viva/Miles thing then I have an idea. What if Miles and Ari became best friends, basically siblings. That would be really funny though, because they could play some pretty hilarious jokes on the others.)
"Nice," Miles exclaimed, taking the food. He was about to dig in when another conch horn sounded. "You've got to be kidding."
Ari sighed. "Let's go." She stood up.
Miles took one bite out of the meat before standing up. They walked to the place we was just at, with the fire. Hopefully it won't turn pink this time… he thought as they entered.
Ari hung back as far as she could, not wanting to go near the fire. Chiron walked over and patted her back comfortingly, then went to address the crowd of teens.
Miles started walking to the front, but noticed Ari sit right at the back, so he went and sat next to her. He was really hoping he'd get claimed tonight.
"Hello, everyone," Chiron addressed. "We will soon get the camp songs, but first, I must bring attention to the elephant in the room."
Not the prophecy, not the prophecy, not the prophecy… Miles thought, crossing his fingers.
"The prophecy. We… have to choose who will go on the quest," Chiron continued.
Ari noticed Miles crossing his fingers, then his look of disappointment when Chiron said prophecy. She smiled. Then she stood up. "Um…..Chiron…………I think I have to go." Chiron nodded, but yet another Ares kid stood up too. "And why is it so important you go?" She sneered.
"Leave her alone," Miles barked. He looked up at Ari. "Ari, you've got to stay. You're the only kid of Poseidon,"
"That's why I have to go. I'm needed on the quest. Not here, even though I hate saying it." Ari told him.