Bruised

Chapter 26

It's easy to take one look at someone and judge them for the decisions they make. A second longer and you begin to realize that just like you, they have a life filled with hardships and it's as beautifully complex as yours.

Atlas had seen that in Makenna. There were layers to her that had him intrigued. He remembered the first few times they met, he wanted to peel back those layers and discover the girl that remained at the core. Now, he was just as close as he was then. But he'd seen different sides of her that sometimes didn't fit the person he saw when he looked at her.

He'd taken all those pieces and tried to put them together, but no two pieces fit and it ate at him. He desperately wanted to get all the missing pieces and put them together, but he also had to be careful because he didn't want to do anything that would spook her.

Focus.
Atlas reminded himself.

He'd tried to stay focused for the majority of the time he'd been at the library. But any slight movement Makenna made distracted him. He'd caught himself staring at her profile one too many times. He'd tried to be subtle about it but even then, she made him aware she could feel him staring at her without looking at him or saying anything. She would lift her gaze from her book, drum her finger on her book, or sigh in what sounded like annoyance in her voice. All those things made him smile and direct his gaze back to his book.

She'd flipped the page of her book once and when she placed her hand back on the table, it had been an inch close to his. His breath left him and he could've sworn Makenna went still beside him. He shifted his gaze to their hands, almost like he imagined it, but her finger moved in his direction just as quickly as she fisted them.

It was a few hours later when the morale dropped and Vanessa mentioned how hungry she was.

"Tell me about it," Will cracked his neck, "We all need sustenance,"

"I could use a bite," Atlas fell back into his seat and glanced at Makenna,

Will followed his gaze and looked at Vanessa who understood the assignment,

"Mac?"

Makenna looked up from her book at Vanessa.

"Wanna go get a Big Mac?"

Makenna smiled to herself, once again remembering why she liked Vanessa,

"Does it have to be a Big Mac?"

"She's game," Vanessa shut her books, "Let's go people."

Will and Atlas shared a look and said nothing as they packed up their things. They left the library feeling high on having covered a lot in a few hours. They headed towards the parking lot and got into Will's truck with Atlas riding shotgun, Makenna behind him and Vanessa behind Will.

"Everyone in here 21 and above?" Will asked as he pulled out of his spot,

"Yes, sir," Vanessa answered,

"Doyle's it is," Will pumped his fist, "Best food I've tried this side of Washington,"

"Can't argue with that," Makenna muttered,

"My stomach hasn't shut up since it heard food," Vanessa scrunched her face,

"We'll be there in three minutes, babe,"

Everyone's gaze shifted to Will. Vanessa looked at him in the rearview and when he realised what he'd said, his gaze met hers.

"Did you just call me babe?"

"It sounded like I did," Will looked unsure, "I'm sorry, it..."

"No," Vanessa stopped him, "I mean, it's fine."

Makenna looked at Vanessa who looked away from the rearview mirror with a hint of a smile on her lips. She wondered what was going on in Vanessa's head and waited for the moment it would just be the two of them to ask. Will glanced at Atlas who was trying not to laugh at him.

At Doyle's, they got a table and Makenna was instantly surprised when instead of Vanessa, Atlas moved to sit beside her. Will did the same with Vanessa and Makenna let her guard down a little bit.

Atlas looked around and his eyes landed on Makenna who'd leaned back into the seat when he had his elbows on the table, hands clasped. Just then, she turned and caught his gaze. Neither of them had the intention of looking away and they both knew it.

"Menu,"

Atlas looked at Will and took the menu from him while clearing his throat. Makenna smiled to herself and her gaze dropped to something on the menu that Atlas was perusing.

"That tastes good," Makenna leaned in subconsciously,

Atlas shifted his head, his gaze meeting her. He was surprised to find her closer than she was a second ago, but he didn't say anything to make her aware of it. His gaze dropped to her lips and the memory of kissing her rushed to the forefront of his mind like it had been waiting for its cue.

"It does."

Makenna's gaze shifted from the menu to his eyes and she watched as his gaze lifted from her lips to meet hers.

"I was talking about the food," She ignored the pop of her heart and focused on getting the point across,

"I wasn't,"

If Makenna's pulse was racing a second ago, it was on an energy boost now. Swallowing, she realized how close she was to him and she quickly pulled back wondering how she'd gotten there.

How does he do that?
She asked herself. The way he captivated her and pulled her in was so hypnotising that she found herself wanting to remain deep in the haze.

"What are we having?" Will asked,

Makenna snapped out of her thoughts and looked at him. They all mentioned what they were having while the waiter took notes.

"Drinks?"

"I'll have a sweet tea, please," Vanessa said,

"A be...", She stopped herself and remembered she was around different people. She didn't have to put on a show, "Water for me."

Atlas looked from her to the waiter,
"Surprise me, something non-alcoholic."

"Uh, I guess I'll have what she's having," Will gestured towards Vanessa, "A sweet tea."

"Will that be all?" The server confirmed before he left,

"Yes, thank you." Atlas shut the menu and put it aside,

"How long will that take?"

They all smiled at Vanessa.