Our Secret to Admire

Chapter One - Atticus Baker of all People

The last couple months of school for the rest of person's life is hard. Every hour, day and week over the past 12 years has lead to these last few months. Prom was talk of the town at this point in the year, only 2 months away - I couldn't give a shit.

The boy I had just spent 3 years of high school thinking was going to be my prom date was no longer my date and I was obviously going alone. So I don't care. Its my fault - I broke up with him so close to prom but if you think I was going to spend one more day in that sobbing, dark hole relationship you're kidding.

"What's going on now?" I ask walking up to my best friend Jane, I can see the distress look painted on her face from a mile away as she stares into her locker, lost in thought.

She looks up at me and lets out the biggest sigh "I don't understand men, Lia"

She's a bit dramatic.

"What happened" I repeat myself

"Will you believe that Arlo is not going to ask me to be his date?" she says as if her world is coming down completely.

"What makes you so sure about that Jane? Prom is 2 months away dude. He has a lot of time to ask you" I say with a hint of sympathy in my voice.

"Uhm... hello Hallie, its 2 months away!!! He should have asked me months ago because now even if he does plan on asking me to be his date it is way to late to coordinate our colours." she says throwing her hands up and back down like a......child

"And maybe colours aren't important to him, he's a boy-he probably hasn't even considered colours."

"You're right but he also told me 5 minutes ago that he wants to go alone with the boys..."

"Okay, so then he's clearly got his prioritise mixed up. You need to talk to him about this Jane." I say, a bit bored of the conversation. She always expects me to make her problems go away when really all I can do is listen. I cant force Arlo to ask her out.

"I knew you were going to say that" she huffs

"What else can I do or say besides that, he's not my boyfriend," I argue, "but if he was my boyfriend, do you know what I would do?" I question.

"Communicate?" she groans, as she rolls her eyes. I nod, happy with myself, I taught her well. "He's not even my boyfriend," she says, I burst out with a single 'ha' hinting at the fact that that is one of the biggest lies I have ever heard, "he is not. He hasn't asked me out and we haven't had that conversation either," she says defensively.

"Janie, baby... its been 10 months.... you could've had a kid by now. If situationships carry on longer than 3 months - you're dating. Otherwise you're both just stupid." I say patting her on the shoulder and adjusting my bag on my one shoulder and walking off. Home time.

"He's the guy, that's his job!" She says walking after me. "Shouldn't that be his call?"

"You've got to--"

"Talk to Arlo" She says cutting me off, "yup, got it, whatever. How are things going with Nick? Have you guys spoken at all?" she asks changing the topic.

"Yeah, he called me asking, once again, why I broke up with him. We spoke for an hour - I think it was more of a closure call though" I say.

"Well that's good that you got closure. Does he finally understand why you left him?"

"I would like to think so... I'm not sure, he said he understands and thanked me for telling him but who knows if he actually processed it."

"So true, that man doesn't listen. I've got to go - Love you" she says walking in a different direction as her car is parked on the other side of the school.

"mmhmm" I mumble as she gets further away and i get closer to the exit, towards the main parking lot.

⌯⌯⌯

I decided to treat myself to a hot chocolate after school, one of the best things I could've done for myself considering it was a cold day and the past few days have absolutely sucked. I have a go-to place, a desert bar called shakes and stuff.... best hot chocolate your lips will ever experience.

"Hallie fricken Johnson" I hear coming from somewhere behind me once I walk further into the dessert bar. I swing around to see the gorgeous face of Atticus Baker, Attis for short.

"Atticus fricken Baker" I say with a smile on my face. Attis was a senior at our school last year. He was awful to talk to in school but once he left he became more pleasant, I would only really see him at parties now when he's off his face so maybe he's just a friendly drunk...

"How's your boyfriend treating you" He asks giving me a tap on the shoulder.

"Like a queen" I sigh, shooting a smile in his direction.

"Don't lie, I heard you two broke up." he says chuckling.

"Then why did you ask!" I exclaim, rolling my eyes back.

"I wanted to see if you would be honest and tell me," he admits with a smile on his face "he lucked out though, you're a very pretty lady you know that" he says tipping closer to me, almost as if he wanted to whisper that in my ear is avoid people hearing.

My stomach dropped hearing Attis say those words. I wont lie that throughout my 3 year relationship with Nick I had the smallest crush on Attis. In a long term relationship its hard not to have a small attraction to other people. But being single for real this time and speaking to Attis with no boundaries feels ... weirdly freeing.

"You think so?" I respond, playing it cool.

"Hell yeah, Lee. I would've snatched you up a long time ago if you hadn't been taken by that dick." He says.

"I didn't know you thought of me that way, very nice to know" I respond rocking back and forth with a smile painted on my face.

"Very nice to know is it?" He repeats after me with a grin, I nod, still smiling - I can feel my cheeks blushing. He looks me up and down before speaking again, "So come on, why did you guys break up?" he asks.

"Its a long story" I say hoping to get out of explaining.

"I've got time and you seem to be alone, so come on." he says looking around and then proceeding to usher me to an empty booth.

I sigh and let him lead the way. I never thought I would be explaining myself to Atticus Baker of all people.