The Key to the Oleander

Chapter Seven - Athena

Ace drives away once I shut the front door behind me which I secretly appreciate. It feels nice to know you have someone that looks out to protect you.

I turn around and jump slightly at the sight of my parents standing in front of me.

"Yes?" I ask before yawning. What time is it?

"How was your date?" My mother smiles. I look at my father who stands shortly behind her, silent and standing still with no emotion.

I ignore him and look back at my mother. "It wasn't a date, Mom." I smile softly.

My mom opens her mouth to respond but my father beats her to it. "We don't have all the time in the world, you need to marry." He snaps. I look at my mother, raising my brows to see if she'll defend me for once.

She opens her mouth, closes it, then opens it again. "You're father's right, dear. You need to get married soon." Anger and hurt bubbles up inside of me. I can't help but feel an ounce of betrayal as well.

"It's like you're not even your own person! Everything he says, you are quick to agree with." I shout, squeezing my phone in my hand to help put out my anger.

"That is not true." She retorts, though her voice is filled with uncertainty.

"Athena Mae Dior, you better quit this right now. You're lucky we're even giving you time to get to know Ace and Miles." My father fumes, pointing his finger at me.

"You're lucky I'm even going along with this marriage. Technically, you can't force me to marry anyone now that I'm over eighteen." I snap back.

My father yanks my arm, opens the front door, and shoves me outside.

"Technically, this is my house which we don't need to keep you in now that you're over eighteen." He slams the door in my face.

I run down the driveway and down the sidewalk before sitting down, holding back tears as I turn on my phone and hesitantly click Ace's contact, calling him.

"What?" I can tell he's annoyed just by the sound of his voice, making me instantly feel guilty and I start to regret calling him.

"Nevermind, sorry. I'll call someone else." I try my best not to make it obvious that I'm crying.

"Are you crying? Athena, are you okay? What happened? Where are you?" He demands.

"I just got kicked out, I'm on the sidewalk by my house." I answer, my voice cracking.

"I'm coming." He says before hanging up.

Around ten minutes later, I see his car speeding down the street. He runs out of the car and pulls me into a tight hug. Pulling away, he cups my face into his hands. My heart warms up as I realize how worried he is.

"Are you okay?" He asks once more. I nod. I can tell he doesn't believe me by his pointed look.

"You can stay at my place tonight, okay?" His voice is so comforting and I don't want to say no but I begin to feel guilty.

"No, I don't want to be a burden to you." I shake my head, looking back down.

"Hey," He lifts my chin up with his finger. "Never think you're a burden. You're far from a burden to me." I feel my face grow red and I can't stop myself from smiling, even in this mood. Thank the Gods it's dark out.

He grabs my hand, leads me to his car, opens the door for me and shuts it behind me.

The whole car ride is spent in comfortable silence, but once he parks and I frown, confused when I don't see his house in my view. Instead, I see trees in front of us with lights gleaming through the cracks of the branches and leaves.

"Where are we?" I ask, turning toward him. He smiles at me before he gets out of the car. As I'm about to open my door, he rushes and opens it for me, offering his hand which I don't hesitate to take.

He pulls me into the trees and when I see what's behind them I gasp.

The whole view of Atlas City is laid out in front of us. I slowly scan my view in awe. The city lights sparkle, some buildings so tall they seem like they could touch the clouds, and others small. It's the most beautiful sight I think I've ever seen.

"Lay with me." He says, gesturing to the ground. As soon as I begin to lay down, he does too. I feel the grass underneath me, tickling me and once I adjust myself to where it doesn't bother me I turn my head to look at him and see that he's looking up at the sky. I notice that I've never seen him smile this much, and I feel glad that this moment with me made him at least content.

"There's the big dipper." He whispers, pointing at one of the points in the starry sky. My eyes follow his finger and I connect the stars of the big dipper.

"I wish I could stay here forever." I sigh softly, turning my head to look at him to see he's already looking at me in admiration.

"Me too, love, me too."