invisible string | f. zhang

xi. alaska does not look good on maribelle

"Sure," Frank says, "Do I get a kiss?"

Maribelle frowns.

Hazel laughs, "Anyway, what do we do now?"

"I've got to contact a friend—to keep my promise to Ella."

"How?" Maribelle asks, "One of those Iris-messages?"

"Still not working," Percy says sadly, "I tried it last night at your grandmother's house. No luck. Maybe it's because my memories are still jumbled. Or the gods aren't allowing a connection. I'm hoping I can contact my friend in my dreams."

A bump of turbulence makes him grip his seat, "I'm not sure I can sleep. But I need to try. We can't leave Ella by herself with those ogres around."

"Yeah. We've still got hours to fly. Take the couch, man."

Percy nods.

As Percy drifts off, Hazel does too, closing her eyes and leaning her head back. Maribelle glances at Frank, who'd chosen to sit beside her.

"Are you okay?" Frank asks, "You've been kinda quiet."

Maribelle glances at her lap, intertwining her fingers, "Just thinking about the other camp Percy was talking about. I think . . . I think the boy who convinced Gabe to, uh, you know . . . I think he was from there."

"Camp Half-Blood?"

Maribelle nods, "And if we have to go there . . . what if he knows me?"

"Maybe he's not there. He might've been punished for what he had done."

"Maybe," Maribelle agrees.

Frank reaches over and rests his hand on top of hers, "Um, about the stick. My uh—lifeline—I want you to keep it."

"Me?" Maribelle feels the tips of her ears burn as she looks up at him. He was looking at her with such sincerity.

"Yes," Frank nods, he retracts his hands and reaches into his coat pocket, "You trusted me to share with me your past, and I want you to know I trust you too. So, will you?"

Maribelle eyes the firewood, then takes hold of it, "Yeah, of course, Frank. I—thank you." She zips it into her own coat pocket, making a mental note to sew an inside pocket later. She leans her head against his arm this time, heart racing as she does. Frank stiffens and Maribelle quickly moves back, not wanting to make him uncomfortable.

"It's okay," Frank stutters, "That was fine."

"Okay," Maribelle smiles and lays her head against his arm once more. She grins when seeing a faint string leading from her ring finger to Frank's. Her heart pounds harder and closes her eyes, whispering a quiet thank you to her mother.

She was dreaming of him again. Of her, Jason, and Gabe when they were thirteen, Gabe nearly fifteen.

"No, Mari," Gabe tuts, "Your moves are too sloppy."

Maribelle gasps, "You did not just call me sloppy!" She looks to Jason to defend her but she was looking at her sheepishly. "No! Jason don't agree with him!"

"He's right, Belle," Jason agrees, "You need to be more focused. More in sync with the legion."

"The legions not even here," She grumbles.

"Pretend that they are."

"Why can't I just fight how I want to?" She asks, groaning. She flops onto the training arena floor, staring up at the ceiling. Jason and Gabe lay on either side of her.