Faded Embers

12

Atlas' POV:

My phone has been ringing nonstop for the last ten minutes, but I can't find the will to get up and answer it. I don't like to cry, but I've had my face shoved in my pillow with tears sporadically leaking down my face for the last few hours. I'm such an idiot and I just want to wallow and cry in my own self pity and hatred.

I hear the front door open and I groan when I feel someone flop onto my back and put their mouth by my ear.

"Stop being sad and go get your mans," Calin whispers in my ear, acting like the little devil on my shoulder. "He said he'd go on a date with you if you asked..."

"I forced him to kiss me and made him uncomfortable! Plus, I didn't even fully come out to him so he's probably confused by who the fuck I like," I whine pitifully, pushing my face deeper into my pillow and making it hard to breathe.

Calin pats the back of my head. "It's okay, Atlas. You're such a great guy and Sean does think you're attractive! Just get over your fears and ask him on a date! You need a good relationship and Sean is such a good guy," he exclaims, climbing off of me so he can rub my back in a reassuring fashion. "I believe in you, Atlas. You're the only one who doesn't believe in you."

"I'm a failure," I mumble into my pillow. "He's so much better than me! I'm such an idiot!"

"Aw, Atlas," Calin whispers, laying beside me and getting my face out of my pillow. "You are not an idiot. Well, I mean, you did date Veronica, so you're not the smartest person alive, but you aren't a complete idiot."

He manages to pull a small laugh from me. "I was so stupid to stay with her while she hit me," I say in a quiet voice because I was.

I'd be so mad if Miles ever hit Calin and he said it wasn't a big deal. How could I have been so stupid to think that it wasn't a big deal that she was hitting me? Whether she's a girl or not, abuse is abuse and I just disregarded it as if it was nothing!

"Yeah, but now you have a chance to ask a cute guy on a date and have a potentially positive relationship!" he exclaims, grinning widely. "God, the double dates with Miles and I would be so cute!"

Of course he'd be excited for double dates; knowing Calin's kinks and how excited he gets, he may want a foursome with myself and Sean if we end up together! He's definitely a wild one.

"It's two in the morning," Calin says, taking my phone from the nightstand and opening it up. "Sean is probably still awake."

"So?"

"Ask him on a lunch date. You two need to talk!"

I groan and watch Calin press on Sean's contact and start calling him. "Wait, Calin!"

He shoves the phone to my ear as Sean answers.

"Hello?" Sean asks, sounding a little tired but not as though I just woke him up or anything like that. "I hope you aren't drunk again."

"I'm not!" I shout, before wincing at myself. "Sorry. I'm not drunk, I promise."

Calin gives me a thumbs up and I glare at him.

"I'm glad to hear that," Sean says. "Uh, why are you calling me, though? Not to be rude or anything, but is there a reason for this?"

"Yes!" I clear my throat and try to relax a bit because I'm super nervous right now. "Um, I'm really sorry for earlier. You know, when I kind of made out with you?"

Sean laughs, and the sound makes me feel warm all over. "Yeah, that was... it was something."

"I'm really sorry for grabbing you and not asking and just surprising you with that because it was pretty fucked up of me and-"