Thank you for your lovely reviews.
Mara: Glad you liked the characters, they won't stay that way though ;) I'll try to update as soon as I can.
Shioban: I guess he was a little yes, she was always there after all. Glad you like it so far.
Lvingphai: Thanks you very much. Do keep tuned. ;)
Emerald Amber: Thanks. My idea exactly, he does except Alexander's help eventually but first he wants to prove himself. He's capable of doing so much if you let him.
XZanayu: Thanks you. I will do my best.
You're not like your mothers.
you're not like the others
You're not quite like anyone else,
They don't even know you,
Got nothing to show you.
Teenage Jail by The Eagles.
Chapter 3: First Steps.
Months later Leonidas organized games for Alexander and his classmates to see how fit they were after the long winter. Each day there was a new discipline or two, ranging , for example, from running to archery, in which they all had to compete going round by round, eliminating contestants until the winner remained.
The first few days passed by swiftly. Alexander won each discipline but he had a feeling the others let him win, all but Hephaistion who always became a close second. When the fifth day ended, Leonidas called them all together.
"Well done. Tomorrow, we have swimming. Have a good nights rest and I'll see you all tomorrow after-noon."
Everyone nodded happily and wandered of while Alexander stayed behind, with a look of fear on his face staring in the direction of the stream. Turning around, he came face to face with Hephaistion who has also remained behind and watched him closely. Re-building his walls, cursing himself he gruffly said;
"What?" before briskly walking away leaving Hephaistion staring after him with a knowing look.
That same evening Alexander waited until everyone was asleep before creeping down the hall and outside. Not knowing he was being followed he made his way to the nearby stream.
Shedding his chiton, not aware eyes were following his every movement, he waded into the water until it reached his knees and stopped. Alexander trembled in the water, due to the cold and the fear he was feeling. See, Alexander couldn't swim very well, so he decided to practise so he would not make a fool of himself the following day.
He looked at the sky, sending a silent prayer to the gods, hoping they were listening. He took a deep breath before wading further until the water came to his waist, he braced himself in the fast-moving water and walked on.
Suddenly his foot came into contact with a slippery stone and he lost his balance falling into the cold water. Due to the shock of the colder water and the intake if breath he made, he swallowed some water filling his longs. Alexander disappeared under the water and hit his head on a stone.
Everything went black and he couldn't tell the difference between up and down anymore. Feeling this was it, he lost consciousness.
Suddenly someone dived in the water and grabbed his arm, dragging him back on land. The next thing Alexander knew was someone sitting on him, hands pushing hard on his chest.
"Come on. Breath! Breath!"
Opening his eyes, he came into contact with Hephaistion's worried blue ones. Before he could react Alexander started coughing, Hephaistion moved of him and rolled him on his side while he coughed up all the water he had swallowed.
Rolling back and gasping for air, he closed his eyes again waiting got the pain to subside. A voice called him back to the present.
"Are you alright?" feeling soft hands touch his face Alexander opened his eyes and ones again stared into Hephaistion's worried face.
"Hephaistion?" asked Alexander as he tried to sit up with the help of Hephaistion, groaning as he did. Hephaistion merely nodded and asked,
"What were you trying to do?" not aware of his hands caressing Alexander's neck,
"Swimming…." Muttered Alexander embarrassed.
"I could see that but why?"
"I can't swim…" whispered Alexander so quietly expecting Hephaistion to start laughing at him but when he didn't Alexander looked up to see understanding in his eyes. They stared into each others eyes for the longest time, enthralled by each others presence, slowly moving closer. A sudden noise made them realise their positions and Hephaistion remove his hand, stepping back. Alexander missed Hephaistion's warmth and suddenly felt cold, he quickly put on his chiton.
"Thank you for saving my life." Said Alexander still feeling embarrassed. A wet Hephaistion just shrugged. Not knowing what to say Alexander turned to walk away but Hephaistion's comment stopped him.
"I could teach you…" muttered Hephaistion not wanting Alexander to leave.
"What?" stated Alexander shocked.
"To swim. I could teach you…" said Hephaistion, eyes glistening in the moonlight. Alexander stared at him like he saw a ghost.
"Why?"
"Do there has to be reason?" asked Hephaistion shrugging. Alexander raised an eyebrow in disbelieve and Hephaistion sighed frustrated.
"Fine. It was just a suggestion." And he began to walk away but was quickly stopped.
"No, wait! I'm sorry…" Hephaistion turned around, "I'm not used to people offering to help me without wanting something in return…" confessed Alexander looking down.
"Well, I'm not like most people." Said Hephaistion walking closer and stopping in front of Alexander,
"No, I noticed that…" said Alexander with a smile earning one back.
Hephaistion stayed true to this word and taught Alexander the basics in no time. They laughed and had fun. Talking about Hephaistion's first swimming lesson and laughing at the disaster that ensued. They enjoyed each others company for several hours before going to bed, feeling happy. Alexander believed the first steps to a new friendship had been taken.
The next day however, Hephaistion acted like nothing had happened, avoiding eye contact with Alexander at all cost, this of course made Alexander angry, who believed their differences were settled.
To top it of all his hard-work and near-drowning were in vain because Alexander received a letter from his mother and left to visit the palace for a day.
On the seventh day of the games, Alexander was still angry, for several reasons: one being his mother and two being Hephaistion who still didn't talk to him. So, Alexander took it out in the wrestling pit and his partners, defeating them one by one until he and Hephaistion were the only ones remaining. They fought for a good time, Leonidas watching every move, and they were evenly matched. Suddenly Alexander's anger left him, giving Hephaistion room to beat him. Soon Hephaistion sat on top of Alexander, who had his face in the sand, desperately trying to free himself but couldn't. Leonidas declared Hephaistion the winner and congratulated him and asked,
"Shake the hand of the Victor Alexander. Go on." Seeing Hephaistion look at him with a gentle smile, he suddenly remembered being ignored and got angry again and tried to attack Hephaistion. Leonidas however held him back, knowing Alexander's temper as he lost.
"Now, Alexander. Calm down. Hephaistion won fair and square."
Alexander still struggled but calmed down when Hephaistion stepped closer looking into his eyes and said,
"Would you rather I let you win, Alexander?"
Alexander stopped struggling, wiping the sand of his chiton, smiling at Hephaistion, who he knew was right and promised;
"No. But I will beat you someday Hephaistion."
Hephaistion smiled, excepting the challenge, and nodded before extending his hand which Alexander shook.