The Perplexity of a Shattered Mind.

Im Not In Denial.

Once we stepped into the cool night air I let go of her apprehensively. I realised I was getting too comfortable with this arrangement.

Athena looked up at the sky and I looked around me. We were at a random fast food place connected to a gas station in the middle of literally nowhere.
I continued to walk but very quickly noticed that Athena wasnt beside me anymore. I turned and saw her standing idly looking up at the stars. I admired her awe for a moment before walking up to her and putting my hand on her shoulder.

"This is stunning..." she muttered quietly and I couldnt help but laugh a little. She was so weirdly innocent sometimes.

"Yeah, its pretty nice I suppose." I tilted my head back to look up. I never was one who cared much for staring up at the stars or sunsets because they happen every day and every night...however, standing here with her made me experience them in a way I hadnt before. Although, I was sure that I just liked not being alone.

She looked up in awe and I found myself looking more at her enjoying the stars then enjoying the stars myself.
Her eyes were bright under the moonlight and her pale skin was illuminated in a way that almost shone. I felt my heart pound in my throat and my eye twitched. I cleared my throat before filling the silence.

"Alright, the stars'll never leave us so...let's go in and get some food, shall we?"
I could tell it was hard for her to drag her eyes away and it amused me. She really didn't get out much did she?

"Yeah alright." She took a breath before shifting her gaze back to the dingy fast food diner and we continued walking.

God the smell in there was awful. It was a mix of grease and sweat. I had my fair share of letting myself sit in my own filth but this smelt worse than anything I had emitted myself.
There seemed to only be two teenagers working this boring night shift and they looked pissed seeing as if they'd have to do something. Fucking kids.
My crew ordered first, Athena and I stood beside each other awkwardly. It was strange to go back to not caring after her deciding to patch my feelings up for a little. Maybe it was just me but I felt an awkward lingering tension of sorts.

I watched her from my peripherals. I felt like a creep but what was there else to do as we waited? Stare at her clearly. She looked a little anxious or at least that's what it seemed like on the surface. She stood with her legs pressed together, her hands fidgeting with one another and...well she was standing quite close to me. Had she even noticed how close she was to me? Did she care? Should I care? DO I care? My mind spiralled further until Spencer gestured for us to order now. Fuck! I hadn't even payed any attention or given enough thought to what I wanted.
It seemed however that Athena was paying enough attention and leaned against the counter with her hands.
"Can I just have some fries?" What? Not even a meal? Fuck she would starve at this rate.

"Yknow you can get more right?" I leaned closer to her and muttered.

"Oh I don't ne-"

"Get. More. You'll starve." I urged.
The teenager was looking at us with a confused and almost concerned expression and it was clear I made Athena feel awkward but it was important! Important to me. If she was going to bring it upon herself to take care of me then I have to do the same!!

"Well uh...you heard him" she gestured to me and the teenager rolled her tired eyes before pressing a few things on the cash register and changed her order to a meal.

"Oh, can I have no tomatoes on that?"

The cashier took a breath and nodded, looking towards me expectantly.

"I'll just take the same" I waved my hand dismissively and the cashier nodded. I handed the girl 15 which was much more than needed considering our food was only a couple of dollars but her eyes widened and I could tell I probably made her night. Whatever.
Finally we walked to a little booth near my crew though we were all kinda spread out. I suppose we liked our conversations to be private since we barely got that on the daily.