Chapter 13
The Chance of Love
Mirielle looked around for her friend hoping that she was alright. She was back in the restaurant now though she wasn't working she was talking with a couple new friends. Mirielle smiled and said, "Hey Solana." "Did things go well?" She asked. "Yes, but are you alright," Mirielle asked concern and worry in her voice. "Yeah things are fine" Solana said "You guys needed time alone anyway" Mirielle smiled and said, "Thanks Solana." She then smiled at Solana's new friends. "So did we all do well on our jobs then?" She asked. "Yeah Kenji my boss seems to like me and says I have animal magnetism," Mirielle said giggling softly still surprise by the complement that her boss gave her. "I am not surprised at that" Solana said smiling "Flora seems to like you too" Mirielle blushed and said, "Thanks Solana." "I only speak the truth" She said smiling "So are we heading back now?" "I think we want to get some food first" Gaius said "Can we order here?" "Sure" Solana said "I am not working now" "Alright then let's get some food and eat before we head in for the night," Mirielle said smiling. "I've already ate" Solana said smiling "So you can do that together if you like" "Okay but after that we'll be heading back to the hotel okay," Mirielle said to Solana. "Yup" Solana said smiling "I totally agree with that idea. I need to lay down; I've been walking around and standing up for hours" "Alright," Mirielle said smiling back. The two then sat down at a table as another waitress brought them the menus. Mirielle took her menu and thanked the waitress before she looked in it. She could see every manner of food she ever thought possible, admitted less fish and sea food but still anything she could ever want was available. Mirielle wasn't sure on what to pick since most of this food she had never had before. She looked at Gaius for help. "I think you ought to try some of the salads" He said smiling "I am sure you will like them, I'll have a pasta dish myself" "Okay I'll probably go with the salads and perhaps try the pasta dish as well if it is even possible," Mirielle said. "Sure" The waitress said coming up "You can get a pasta or salad side dish, just take your pick of which one. I would advise the salad as the side myself but that is just me"
Mirielle laugh softly and said, "I believe I'll take your suggestion and have the salad as my side while the pasta is the main." "Alright then" She said as she took the orders and made her way back to the kitchen to turn them in. Mirielle just smiled and then looked at Gaius smiling at him as well. "I think this place is really nice" Gaius said as he looked around, "And Solana seems to like it here." Solana was talking to some of the other waitresses who were on their break. "Yeah she does like it here," Mirielle said. Soon enough the food was brought to them and the waitress smiled as she set the plates for them. "Thank you," Mirielle said. Gaius smiled and thanked her as well before he began to eat his meal. Mirielle also started to eat enjoying her food. "Wow it's really good" Gaius said smiling. "Yeah it is," Mirielle said smiling as well. "It's a good thing this place is close to the inn" Gaius said "We are probably going to come here a lot" "Yeah," Mirielle said finishing up her pasta and started on her salad. Gaius was already about finished with his own meal so he just watched her for now. Mirielle enjoyed her food and after a bit she had finished everything on her plate. Gaius was done as well and he stood offering his hand to her. Mirielle smiled and took Gaius offered hand. They both were standing now and Solana smiled at them and walked over "Are we ready to go?" She asked "Yeah I think so" Gaius said smiling back at Mirielle. "Yeah we're ready to go now and get some deserved rest," Mirielle said softly. "I think that will be much needed" Gaius said softly as he stayed close to her as they made their back to the inn. Mirielle smiled and walked with them towards the inn. Soon enough they were inside and making their way back up to their rooms again. Gaius smiled at her though a little sad again as he walked into his own room. Mirielle didn't know why Gaius was sad about going into his own room but she wish she did so she would know on what she could do. She looked at Solana. Solana had no idea either but she opened her own door and offered it to her. Gaius had already closed his own. Mirielle looked at Gaius' closed door softly before she headed into the door that led to her and Solana's room. "Your guess is as good as mine as to why he always seems sad when we get here" Solana said softly as she shut the door. "He won't say anything to me about it at all. I'm starting to think that either one I have to ask him what is wrong and hope he tells me or two that he doesn't really like being here," Mirielle said. "I know he likes being here" Solana said "Or at least I would think he would, he's an earthbender right? He should feel at home here." "Yeah but it's either that second one or that I've done something wrong," Mirielle said.
"I don't think you would have done anything wrong" She said softly as she got ready for bed now. "Maybe he is scared that he might do something without realizing it" "I hope he will tell me soon," Mirielle said before she also laid down. "I am sure he will" Solana said lying down now, "Maybe he is sorting it out in his own mind" "Yeah maybe. Goodnight Solana," Mirielle said. She had once again brushed her hair and put it in a braid before she laid down. "Good night" Solana said softly as she laid down as well, she had already brushed her own hair and took it out of its braid. Mirielle began to fall asleep though she was having trouble because she was worried about Gaius. It was getting to the point where she couldn't even close her eyes without seeing his sad face. Since she couldn't get to sleep because of her worry Mirielle got up and moved quietly out of the room shutting the door and going over towards Gaius door. She wasn't sure if she should knock or go right in the room. From the crack beneath she could see that a light was on inside. He was still awake. Mirielle gently knocked on the door when she saw this. "Yes?" She heard Gaius respond from the other side. "Who's there?" "It's me Gaius. Mirielle may I come in," Mirielle asked. She heard some quick shuffling around and then Gaius opened the door. He was breathing softly but quickly. "Is something wrong?" He asked with worry. "No but I am worried about you. You seem sad when you went to your room Gaius won't you tell me about it please," Mirielle asked her worry showing in her blue eyes. Gaius smiled softly when he saw her blue eyes. "I was thinking about us" He said softly as he let her in. "What about us," Mirielle asked as she entered the room. "I want us to be closer then we are" Gaius said softly after he seemed to get up the courage to say it out loud. "Close in what way Gaius," Mirielle asked curious and wanting to understand.
Gaius smiled at her gently his eyes sparkling even in the low light of the room, "I really care about you Mirielle" he said. "I really care about you too Gaius," Mirielle said softly seeing the sparkling in his eyes. "Was it your worry about me that kept you awake?" He asked. "Yes," Mirielle answered though she believe that is the truth she couldn't help but think that it might have been because of something more as well. "I thought about you too" He said softly "I just don't know what would happen between us, the closer we get the more I feel like Solana will feel sad" "I know what you mean," Mirielle said she then told Gaius what she and Solana talked about before Solana went to sleep. "I hate to see people upset" Gaius said "Especially girls, I wish I could please everyone" "That's impossible to do Gaius," Mirielle said softly moving to sit down. "I know that" Gaius said "But I still can't help to want that. I wish we knew someone for her" "I do but the problem is I hadn't seen him in a long time," Mirielle said. "Are you talking about your friend from the fire nation?" Gaius asked "Do you think they would get along?" "Yes, I'm talking about him. They would have to get to know each other first but yes I'm sure they will get along," Mirielle said. "It's too bad he isn't here in Ba Sing Se" Gaius said. "Yeah that is too bad," Mirielle said sadly. "Did you say he was a trader?" Gaius said "Back before the war?" "Well he was with the traders so I guess he can be one," Mirielle said. "You should probably head back to your room" Gaius said softly "Don't worry I'll be alright" "Do you want me to leave really Gaius," Mirielle asked standing up and looking over at Gaius. "No" Gaius said "But I don't know what would happen if you stay here the whole night with me. There is only one bed in here"
Mirielle looked at the bed and then at Gaius and looking straight into his eyes she said, "I trust you Gaius." "I know you do" Gaius said "But I don't know if I trust myself" Mirielle looked at Gaius and then thought of Solana. She knew that Solana wakes up early so she believes it might be best to go back to her room. "I guess I should head back into the room then," she said. "If you think that would be best" He said softly smiling at her. Mirielle smiled back but before she headed over to the door she moved closer to Gaius and gave him a tight hug. Gaius smiled at her again and hugged her back softly, careful of his own strength. Mirielle let the hug last a while before she gently back away and looked into Gaius eyes and gave him a soft smile. She then began to move towards the door to leave the room. Gaius quickly went to the door to open it for her as a gentleman his eyes sparkling again as bowed to her leave. Mirielle smiled and gave Gaius a kiss on his cheek before she walked out of the room and went to the door to her and Solana's room. Gaius put his hand against his cheek after she kissed it and shut his door softly. Solana was still resting peacefully when Mirielle came back into the room. Mirielle smiled and went to her own bed believing that this time she will be able to get some sleep. As she lay down her thoughts were still on Gaius but this time instead of his sad face they were of his smile and sparkling eyes. Mirielle smiled and went to sleep.