Hercules waited anxiously outside the training hall. Alexia had gone in earlier to take the exam, and he was anticipating the result. He couldn't help but worry, but he had also noticed a renewed confidence in Alexia that morning, which put him at ease a little.
"Herc, don't worry, I'm sure she did fine." Lilith said as she, Jason, and Iolaus joined him in front of the large wooden doors.
"I know. I just hope she realized that she could do it beforehand."
It wasn't long after when the doors creaked open and Alexia stepped out. "Hey guys," she greeted casually.
"So, how did it go?" Hercules asked.
"Well, Cheiron told me that I needed to work on my hand-eye coordination, and I slipped up a bit during the blind drill. He also said that um..." she stopped and smiled. "I passed."
There was a mixture of excitement and relief in the air as her friends hugged and congratulated her.
"Welcome to the academy, Alexia." Hercules said after he embraced her. "I knew you could do it."
She smiled back. "Yeah, thanks to you guys."
"This calls for a celebration!" Hercules announced.
"Sounds good to me." Iolaus chimed in.
"Let's head over to Kora's." Lilith suggested.
"Sounds good to me."
"Iolaus pays." Jason insisted.
"Sounds good... hey!" he exclaimed, but Lilith and Jason had already run off and he was quick to pursue them. Hercules and Alexia followed close behind. The five cadets soon found themselves in a race, laughing and trying to keep each other from getting ahead. Halfway to the inn, Alexia stalled Hercules.
"Hercules, wait. I need to tell you something."
"Sure. What is it?"
"I just wanted to thank you for everything," Alexia said. "For believing in me, and for being a friend even when I didn't deserve it."
Hercules smiled. "No problem."
"It's just that I've never had that in my life before now," Alexia continued, "and it really means a lot to me. Thank you."
"You're welcome," he replied.
Alexia laughed nervously. "Sorry, I didn't mean to get all deep and sentimental on you."
"That's all right." Hercules replied. "Just don't do it again."
Iolaus hollered, "Are you two coming or what?"
"Right behind you!" Hercules called back to him. He turned to Alexia.
"Race you there?"
Alexia smiled wickedly. "You're on!"
The two cadets laughed as they took off to catch up to their friends.