Chapter Text
Right after Auberon’s dramatic exit, Sol dropped back into her seat. Folding her arms, she stuck her bottom lip out looking off into the distance.
"Sheesh, who does he think he is? To think there was someone more annoying and self-centered than Jason himself."
"You do know I can hear you right?" Jason asked, combing his fingers through his hair, trying to look as cool as possible.
"It was meant for you to hear, duh," she mocked him. Juno tried to bring the group back together.
"Shall we have another round of drinks? We still have a few champions that haven't gone yet."
"I'll go next!" Jason volunteered quickly. Sol rolled her eyes.
"Nah, I think imma head out now. It was nice hanging out with you all-" Sol started to get back out of her seat, but tripped on the leg of the chair and landed face-first on the ground.
"Oh my, Sol are you alright?" Josephine asked as she and Aiden jumped up. Aiden was already picking her up off the floor. Sol was just laughing.
"It's a good thing I fell after he left!" Her face was burning up. All that alcohol finally caught up to her. She continued to laugh as she leaned on Aiden and Josephine for support. Emmet was close behind.
"We are gonna take her back now, it was nice to meet you all," Aiden said before they left the bar. Jason leaned back in his chair.
"Soooooo, who's ready to hear my story?"
Sol could not walk straight. She continued to hold on to Aiden as Josephine and Emmet cleared the way in front of them. Sol dragged her feet along, making it harder for Aiden to assist in her walking.
"Sol, please pick up your feet," Aiden asked, trying to adjust his hold on her. Sol threw her head back, laughing. She could barely understand what he was saying.
"Pickled feet? I didn't know you liked weird stuff like that!"
"Not Pickled feet! Pick. Up. Your. Feet!" He tried not to blush at her comment. Her voice was sweet and made his heart flutter as she slurred her words. She was undeniably cute and it was hard for him to keep himself together. Well, if she wasn't too busy tripping over her feet. “Can I get some help?” He asked. Josephine went back to support Sol on the other side.
“Is she giving you that much trouble?”
“JOEY!” Sol was beaming upon looking at Josephine. All three less intoxicated champions were a bit startled. A few Athenians watched with curiosity.
“Who is she talking to?” Emmet asked.
“Your guess is as good as mine,” Josephine stated.
“Well, the closest name here to Joey would be…” Aiden started. Sol latched onto Josephine's arm.
“Joey! Let’s be best friends okay!?” The boys looked at Josephine.
“I guess that would make you Joey,” Emmet commented. Now Josephine was blushing.
“With me?” Sol nodded her head.
“Mhmm, I want Joey to be my bestest friend!”
“Why me? We just met.”
“Becauseeee...we both come from the same pantheon!”
“Is that a good enough reason to be best friends with someone, Sol?”
“Mhmm! I like Joey! She seems so nice. I want to be best friends with Joey!”
“Okay, okay I get it. How could I say no to that? I’d love to be your best friend Sol.”
“Yay!" Sol cheered, causing the group to be startled again. Josephine laughed at her new drunk best friend.
“Hey Sol, if I’m Joey, who's that?” She asked, pointing at Emmet. Emmet, who was watching their little exchange as they grew closer to the Acropolis, shook his head.
“Don't you dare start-”
“Emmie!” Sol answered cheerfully. Emmet slapped his forehead as Josephine laughed at the nickname.
“That’s right. That's Emmie! Would you like him as a best friend too?” Sol looked Emmet up and down. Emmet felt uncomfortable with the fact that she was sizing him up. He kept quiet as he awaited her answer.
“Emmie is cool! We can be friends,” She gave him a thumbs up. Emmet turned his head forward to hide his embarrassed face.
“Your approval is unnecessary but appreciated,” he said softly. Josephine was having a great time.
“And this guy right here? Who is he?” she gestured at Aiden. Aiden was patiently waiting for his nickname. Sol was still holding onto his shoulder as she looked up at him. Her gaze seemed to stare right through him until she smiled.
“Aydie~” She sang the nickname to him. Aiden could feel his heart beating harder. It could be the little bit of alcohol in his system finally getting to him, or just because he was entering the Acropolis and his powers were returning to him, his body was heating up quickly. His blushing face could not be concealed. He fixed his lips to speak.
“That’s right. It’s Aydie. Can we be best friends?” Sol pouted, causing Aiden to feel a slight tinge in his chest. Would he be rejected? How embarrassing that would be, but that was not the case.
“I thought we were already best friends, Aydie…” Aiden could see tears welling up in her eyes.
“Aydie! Look at what you did, you are making my best friend cry!” Josephine began to tease Aiden, pulling Sol into a hug and patting her head. “It’s okay Sol, don't cry.”
“Wait a second, I didn't- I mean- Sol, listen to me for a moment…” Aiden pleaded. Sol peeked over her shoulder to look at Aiden. “I made a slip of the tongue. You were my first friend here, right?” Sol looked upon him silently for a few more moments.
“Well...yeah…”
“I deeply apologize,” Aiden bowed a full 90 degrees, “I won't do it again.” Sol seemed to fill with happiness once more.
“You guys are the best-” Sol said before vomiting in front of her. The warm and fuzzy feeling was short-lived as they quickly made their way to her room.
*****
Sol winced as she tried to open her eyes. She was back in her dorm and her head was pounding. Holding her head she propped herself up to find herself back in her dorm room. The confusion made her head throb even more.
“What in the-”
“Well look who's awake!” Sol painfully turned her head to the voice speaking. Josephine was sitting in one of the two chairs in her room. “I was starting to get worried about my best friend.”
“Your...best friend?... Are you referring to me?” Sol said as she took the cup of water that sat on the bedside table. She took a sip as Josephine clicked her tongue.
“Who else could I be talking about? Do you not remember making the request two days ago?”
“Wait...I asked you? To be my best friend?” Sol felt a rush of embarrassment come over her. Especially since she couldn't remember it. She put the cup back on the table slowly.
“Josephine, I-”
“Joey.” Sol blinked a few times. There was no way she knew about that nickname right? She must have misheard.
“Jose-”
“Joey. I very much like the nickname you have bestowed me.” Sol hid under her comforter. “Please make sure you use it from now on.”
“...Joey…”
“Yes, Sol?”
“If I called you Joey...does that mean...the boys…”
“Oh, Emmie and Aydie? Yeah, that happened. Right before you vomited you gave Aydie his.” Sol pulled her hair. How could she face them now? There was no way she could face them knowing that her nicknames have been exposed! Josephine could hear a high-pitched sound coming from under the blanket. After a few seconds, Sol uncovered herself.
“Wait, did you say 2 days?”
“I was wondering if you heard that part.”
“Jose- I mean, Joey! The first matches start today!”
“Don't worry. We’ve got a few hours until that starts.”