Blood Lust

Chapter Three

I wake up to my head pounding. Like there's a little creature in my skull hitting it with a hammer.

I grab my phone and look at the time. 3:46 am.

I get out of bed to grab medicine when a shadowy figure outside my window catches my attention. I pull the curtain back slightly and see Atlas standing in the yard beside my window, looking towards the road. What's he doing up so late? He doesn't see me. He looks like he's talking to someone but I don't see anyone else. Until I do.

A girl, no older than me, steps toward Atlas from the shadows. She doesn't stop walking until she's right up on him. As fast as lightning, he pushes her against the fence, angling her body away from the window. I can't see what he does now, but by the way his head is angled, I think I know.

I remove myself from the window to go get the medicine I need. Walking downstairs in the dark with a hangover is so fun. Going to the kitchen I get a glass and fill it with water. I also grab Tylenol from the medicine cabinet beside the fridge. I walk around the bar to sit where Atlas was sitting yesterday.

I set the pill on my tongue, take the glass of water against my lips, and I swallow. The pill goes down with ease. Even after a few minutes, I just sit there. I'm not tired so I just sit. And I smile when I think about Tyler. I can't believe I made out with Tyler Evans. I can't believe I almost had sex with Tyler Evans. I keep thinking about Tyler when the front door opens and closes. I don't need to look to know it's Altas.

"Oh." He says. One of the very first words I hear him say. "I didn't know anyone was up." His voice is deep. Raspy almost. I'm kind of shocked by it. I get up to leave. "I was just leaving." I take my water and walk towards the stairs, passing him by. I look to him to, about to say goodnight, when I see his lips. "Hey, I think you have something, on the corner of your mouth." I point to my mouth to show him. "Oh," he wipes with his thumb. Something red stains it. "Thanks."

I give a weak smile and turn to walk upstairs. "I know I haven't spoken much to you, but it's not because I'm a dick." I stop walking halfway up the stairs and turn back to him. "What?" "The reason I'm here," he pauses, "my parents died." "Oh. I'm sorry." I say and I mean it. He doesn't talk for several moments. He begins again. "It's just me now and when Forrest heard, he offered me a place to stay. Not permanently but for now." "Hey, you can stay as long as you want or need." I give a genuine smile now. "And you can talk to me too. Anytime." He smiles weakly. "Thanks." "Now if you excuse me, I've got a bad hangover and am really tired so I'll see you in the morning."

"Good night." I swear I saw the corners of his lips move up.

******

It felt like a dream.

My encounter with Atlas. Felt like a dream.

His parents are dead. I had no idea. Of course I didn't because he never talked to me but he did last night. I feel like I should do something for him.

I get dressed. I put on my dark red tank top, ripped blue jeans, and red vans, I leave my bedroom and head downstairs. I take my phone out of my pocket at the edge of the stairs and notice a text.

?: Hey Thalia, this is Tyler. I got your number from Elinor.
I can't help but smile.
Thalia: Oh hey! How's it going
My phone immediately dings with a text.
Tyler: It's going good, it's be better if I could see you today.
Thalia: What's stopping you?
Tyler: Nothing, so wyd today?
I walk to the living room and sit on the couch.
Thalia: nothing but I might be hanging with a boy later
Tyler: oh really, is this boy good looking
Thalia: he's okay
Tyler: :/
Thalia: i mean, i can't remember if he's hot or not, i need to see him again to be sure
Tyler: How about I come over at lunch
Thalia: that'll be perfect