Atlas

Thirty One

It was midnight and I couldn't sleep.

I never thought I would be one of those people. People who cant sleep. I usually dozed off quite fast. Perhaps Atlas was rubbing off on me. 

 Tonight, I laid shuffling and groaning in bed, a few tears slipping out. I stared at the ceiling. Counted sheep.

I knew how it was going to go.

I would stay in bed, tears would fall. I would think of him. The tears would fall faster.

I did not want to bawl my eyes out again.

So I got up. Decided that instead of walking around my apartment like a zombie, I might as well walk around actually fully functional.

Rubbing my eyes, I grabbed a mug and switched on the coffee maker. As the hum shrilled through the quiet midnight air, I went through my phone.

Dimia had sent an outdated meme on the group chat and Reece had responded. Another close friend from high school had also replied and the conversation kept going.

I went through it and found myself smiling. It was crazy how your friends could change your mood in a heartbeat.

My phone buzzed as another text arrived.

Phoebe – You up?

I poured the coffee into the mug and took it to the table. I typed a quick response.

Me- Yes :) what's up?

Phoebe – Will you sleep anytime soon?

Me- Doesn't look like it. All good?

Phoebe – I need someone to talk to. Mind if I come over? I just finished my shift at the bar.

Me- Of course not. Come!

I finished my coffee and made sure my apartment was as neat as it could get. When Phoebe rang the doorbell, I heard footsteps across the hallway. I knew who it was before I even looked. And I'm glad I didn't.

"Atlas came with you?"

"Yeah." She said, stepping in and hugging me tight. She was a little taller than me, her frame thin and delicate. "The bar was slow today. Ben let us off early."

"That's nice. Would you like tea?"

"Yeah." She said, taking off her shoes and coat. "Do you want me to make it?" she asked. "Grandma taught me really well."

"Yeah, if you want." I smiled. I led her to the kitchen. As she poured water in the kettle, I handed her a packet of biscuits.

"Yum! I'm starving." She practically ripped it open.

"I made pasta today for dinner. Do you want me to heat you up some?"

"No, love. Thankyou." 

I leaned against the counter. Her presence was comforting. This was the first time me and Phoebe were practically hanging out. It wasn't awkward or anything, in fact, I was glad.

When the tea was done, she brought the pot over to the living room, and two teacups.

"So," I said, flopping down on the couch. "What's up?"

"Nothing in particular." She explained. "I just needed someone to hang out with. To talk to. It gets so lonely at home."

"Right. You live close to the bar?"

"Twenty minutes away." She tucked her hair behind her ear. From the vibrant blue she had when I first met her, she had now changed it to a caramel brown. It looked really good on her.