I Choose All of You

Chapter Eleven

I made my way through the halls, holding my dress up. Atlas and I came to the backdoor of the warehouse, and he unlocked it. A large black limo sat parked just outside. No way. Atlas quickly locked the backdoor again and jogged in front of me, opening up the limo door and gesturing me inside.

"Thank you," I smiled at him, trying my best to crawl inside the small opening on all fours.

To my surprise, Atlas crawls in as well, shuts the door behind him, and sits across from me.

"Won't it be dangerous for you to come along too," I asked confused, yet also excited to know someone there.

He straightened out his suit and we started to move. "I won't be joining you inside. I will only be riding with you and opening your door to ensure you get there safely," he said plainly.

After that, no more words were spoken. I watched as he poured himself some champagne and sipped from the glass. My nerves were really getting to me now. I looked everywhere but in front of me. I touched the leather seats and glanced at the driver who sat so far away. A song softly played in the background and I tried bobbing my head to the music, but it got awkward so I stopped. It's finally happening. I'm going to the Rose Ball. I took a deep breath and tried focusing my nerves. I looked down and saw my legs were shaking, but it was thankfully unnoticeable because of the poufy dress that surrounded me.

"Nerves?"

I glanced up and saw Atlas staring intently at me.

 "Yeah."

He furrowed his eyebrows, studying me, "Leo?"

I rolled my eyes, "No clue. It didn't look like he was at school today, and he's been avoiding me all week." I left out the part about Nessa. Not something I particularly want to talk about right now.

"Don't worry about it. He'll come around."

"How can you be so sure?"

"I can read the kid better than he can read himself. He likes you. He'll get over it."

Atlas said that so nonchalantly. Leo likes me? No way. I must have made a face because Atlas laughed aloud.

"You two will be fine, Sarah. Don't stress over him. Plus if he does anything stupid, I'll break his face in," Atlas said with a smirk.

Good thing I left out the Nessa part.

We continued riding and it got all awkward and silent again. After what felt like forever, my eyes noticed something in the distance. The castle. I spun in my seat to look out the window behind me. We started to turn down a long driveway, following dozens of other limos. Girls in gowns of every color and guys in crisp suits, walked confidently up a long staircase lined with guards to the open castle doors. The building was huge. Much bigger than I expected it to look. I caned my neck to see the top of it but it towered over me. We were getting even closer now. My heart started pumping out of my chest. Nerves flooding my body. How am I going to explore this place in a single night? I'm going to get lost for sure. No. Don't manifest that.

Finally we stopped. I turned back around, but only to make eye contact with Atlas. How long was he staring at me? Was he staring at me? He broke eye contact and cleared his throat, placing his empty champagne glass in the cup holder. He moved past me and opened the limo door. Atlas climbed out and gave me his hand to help me. I eventually planted my feet on the ground, dress and all. I stood there trying to compose myself, as the enormous castle glinted,illuminating the landscape. I straightened out my skirt and Atlas bent down so I could hear him.

"Remember the mission," he said lowly.

I cocked my head at him, "I know."

I picked up the front of my skirt and started to make my way towards the staircase.

"It's just," Atlas began. I spun around to face him.

"I'm sure a lot of people will be staring at you tonight... So try to stay on track," he finished. With that he quickly nodded into the limo and shut the door behind him. I found myself staring at my own reflection in the tinted windows.

"Right," I whispered to myself.

Turning back on my heels, I straightened my shoulders and walked to the bottom the long staircase. Taking in each step, as I got closer and closer to the golden light, emitting from inside the castle doorway.