The next day before classes began, Alexia was introduced to the rest of the cadets. There were whispers and snickers among them about having another girl, but she quickly shut them up with her fierce glare, and the students in the front of the room heard a low growl coming from her throat. The new pupil took a seat in the back row, ready to begin working. Hercules smiled and waved at her from where he was sitting, but she ignored him and concentrated on the lesson being taught.
I guess getting through to her isn't going to be easy, Hercules thought to himself. He tried to focus on his schoolwork, but he kept glancing over at Alexia. There was still a great sense of mystery about her, and his curiosity continued to grow. There was something different about her, although he didn't know what. What he did know was that if she maintained her strange and elusive behavior, he wouldn't be able to find out.
---
"Thank the gods it's lunchtime. I am starved!" Iolaus said as the cadets made their way to the dining hall that afternoon.
"When are you not?" Jason teased. "Hey, since we were let out early, why don't we head over to Kora's?" he suggested to his friends.
They all agreed and were on their way out when Hercules noticed Alexia sitting at one of the empty tables by herself.
"Hey guys, why don't we invite Alexia?" he asked.
"Why? She won't want to come." Jason told him.
"Yeah, ever since she came here she's been doing her best to avoid everyone." Iolaus concurred. "You share a bunk with her Lilith. Has she said anything to you?"
"Well, I've tried to talk to her a few times, but she doesn't say much." Lilith replied. "It's like she doesn't want people to know her. If that's the case, we should probably leave her alone."
"Well, I'm going to ask anyway." Hercules said. "You guys go on ahead. I'll meet you there."
"Whatever." Iolaus mumbled as the trio left.
Exhaling deeply to shake off his nerves, Hercules casually walked over to the table where Alexia sat.
He cleared his throat and smiled. "Hi," he said as he slid onto the bench across from her. She looked up briefly to see who had spoken, then continued to eat the heinous stew in front of her.
"Listen, um, my friends and I are heading to the local inn for lunch and we were wondering if you'd like to join us." When she didn't respond, he added, "The food's a lot better, and we thought it'd be nice to maybe get to know you a little." Still more silence followed his words. He attempted one more time. "So what do you say?"
Alexia swallowed what was in her mouth so she could speak, although what she had to say was about as pleasant as what she was eating. "Look demigod, I don't need you, or your friends, or anyone else at this academy to pretend to be nice to me because I'm new here."
"I just thought—"
"Well you thought wrong," she replied tartly. "I can take care of myself and I don't need anyone's help or pity."
Hercules shook his head in disbelief. "A warrior can't always fight their battles alone, you know. They need to trust and depend on their comrades."
"Well I'm different. I can make it on my own." Her eyes gleamed with hatred and distrust. "So do yourself a favor and stay out of my way." With that she turned away from him, wanting to be left alone once again.
Hercules rose out of his seat, his eyes glued on the cruel, uncaring person in front of him. "If you're going to push everyone away and reject their kindness towards you, then fine. That's your loss."
He abruptly whirled around and headed out the door, pausing to take one last look back. He was done trying to be nice to Alexia. He had truly wanted to befriend her at first, but if she had that kind of disposition, she wasn't worth his time. Hercules turned around and started jogging to meet up with his friends.
