The Guidebook To Sobriety

Chapter 4

Our group's meeting room wasn't on the third floor since it served as the second residential area which meant, you guessed it --more stairs. There better not be an activity like hiking in the woods because there was more than enough traveling to be done indoors.

The fourth floor, much like the first one was much different from the second and third floors. It was much more spacious with pristine bright white walls that felt eerily comforting with the matching tiled floor. The walls were glass-paned so that you could see a view of the outdoors from a towering height.

"Looks like some hospital that costs millions just to have more deaths than successful cases," I commented dryly.

"Well...that's one way to look at it," Atlas replied, bounding on ahead and glancing out the window. "Maybe we'll see an eagle or something out here."

"Unlikely," a lyrically melodic voice sounded from behind us. "They don't usually come out this far; only the boring stuff like robins and woodpeckers."

We turned to see an absolute beauty making her way toward us. Her figure was alluring as she sauntered past us, her tawny skin appearing to glow in the sunlight streaks that blessed her skin as they streamed through the window. Her light brown hair was crafted into a long ponytail that bobbed around distractingly as she walked.

My guard immediately went all the way up. I was accustomed to attractive women turning up their siren powers when they saw me in clubs and bars. More often than not they were more interested in the fame and money that came with me, rather than me alone. 

I'd skipped the learning that the hard way part and just categorized every attractive lady as dangerous and gold-diggers. Sure made things much easier that way.

"You a bird watcher?" Atlas asked, seamlessly falling into step with her as she walked by. "I happen to be one myself."

I rolled my eyes. I didn't need to know him more than a few hours to tell that he was lying his ass off, but I had to respect the quick execution. Maybe he really did know information about birds from the National Geographic channels he seemed to only be allowed to watch.

"That didn't know eagles fly out this far?" She pointed out.

"They aren't my specialty is all. I more keep track of our smaller winged friends, they're closer to my heart after all," Atlas replied after a brief pause.

"Oh? Then you would be able to name four types of bird migration, wouldn't you Mr. Ornithologist?" She asked with a mischievous grin as she stopped in front of the first door in the hallway marked Ravens.

Watching Atlas squirm uncomfortably and avoid eye contact with a 5'2 female was bound to be the highlight of my week. Eventually, his frantically searching eyes latched onto me and he gave me a pleading look as if I was the acclaimed ornithologist.

Apparently, his Nat Geo channels didn't cover the basics. I weighed providing assistance or just acting oblivious and decided it'd be more fun to help out.

"Seasonal, altitudinal, latitudinal and irruptive," I recited, walking up to the pair. "Atlas handles the more practical side of our group while I handle the theoretical part."

The girl was clearly stunned, judging by her wide eyes and inability to form words. I guess I didn't fit the description of an animal lover, which was good because I wouldn't exactly describe myself as one.

"We should get going, we're probably late again," I said, cutting her off as she opened her mouth to reply, guiding Atlas forward with a slight push. When we were out of earshot of the girl I looked at Atlas with a shake of my head. "Real smooth, Romeo."