Craving Forgiveness

8

"Wait in the car." Erik demanded in a hard voice.

You grabbed his arm,"what are you doing?"

"I'm going to go talk to him."

"Erik. Don't-"

"Just because he's the president doesn't mean he can treat good people like trash."

"Erik please." You said in a soft but firm voice. "I just want to go. Can we just go?"

He looked at you for what seemed like forever. "Alright. Let's go."

The ride home was quiet and seemed never ending.

When you arrived Charles was waiting in the foyer,"oh thank goodness. Atarah, are you okay?" He said concerned.

"I'm as okay as I can be with someone I've known my whole life treating me like a criminal."

"You shouldn't have gone." Erik said angrily as he marched up stairs.

You let out a heavy sigh and slumped onto the floor with your head in your hands.

"You should know better than to listen to Erik by now." Charles consoled.

"He's right Charles." You looked up at him.

"I'm in over my head."

"You're not. You're doing what your father would want."

"But is it worth it? I mean, if I lose my life in the process is it even worth it?"

"I refuse to let anything happen to you. And I'm sure Erik feels the same way."

You gave him a smile and a nod while getting up," I think I'm going to go take a nap."

"Yes of course. We'll have dinner waiting for you."

You smiled at Charles before walking up to your room.

You crawled into bed and soon fell asleep.

"Erik?" You croaked sitting up,"how long have you been sitting there?"

"Not too long. I heard you call my name and I came in but you were sleeping."

You looked down nervously and felt your face getting hot.

"This has to stop Atarah." He said earning a confused look from you.

"What does?"

"This." He gestured from him to you," Us."

Your heart broke but you tried to stay calm," there is no us Erik."

"Says the girl calling for me in her sleep."

"Please leave." You coldly demanded.

"Atarah I'm sorry but I don't want this. I don't want us. I don't want you."

You fought back tears as best as you could, "Leave Erik."

He stood from the chair beside your bed and left quietly.

A second after there was a knock on your door.

You dried your tears as best as you could. "Come in."

You saw Hank enter the room with an apologetic look on his face, he sat on bed beside you," I didn't mean to eavesdrop. Charles and I were coming to check on you and see if you wanted anything."

You gave him a weak smile," where's Charles."

"Probably lecturing Erik."

"Ugh." You slumped against the headboard.

"What did I do to that man? Why does he despise me?"

"He's just hiding from his feelings I'm sure."

"I don't think so Hank. He sounded sure."

"You deserve better than him anyways. He's a jerk."

You laughed, "I know."

"Would you like some ice cream? I'm sure we have some in the freezer. We could eat it and watch cartoons and forget all about our problems."

You smiled widely," well what are we waiting for." You and Hank hopped off the bed and headed down stairs.

You and Hank watched a few hours of cartoons before you fell asleep.

You felt like you were flying and you opened your eyes to see what was going on and you saw Hank above you carrying you.

"Has anyone ever told you that you're abnormally strong for your size?"

He smiled down at you,"it's a perk of being a mutant." He said and placed you on your bed, "goodnight and don't stress about Erik. I can beat him up if you want."

"Haha, no it's fine. Thanks for offering though."

He was outside of the room looking in," don't mention it." And he closed the door.

The next morning you were awakened to the sound of voices outside your door.

You quickly got dressed and went to see who it was.

"Man, you guys must really enjoy conversing outside of my room."

Charles looked at you and smiled," I apologize." He gestured to the blonde guy he was talking to, "Alexander Summers this is Atarah Kennedy."

He rolled his eyes at Charles and put his hand out," Alex."

You shook his hand and smiled," it's very nice to meet you. Good to see a new face around here."

"Oh I'm sure of it." He responded with a smile.
You, Charles and Alex chatted for a few minutes until Hank called down for breakfast.

———
You were in the garden reading when you saw Alex walking up.

"So, Atarah. That's a cool name." He said blushing and trying to stay cool.

"Thank you Alex is a pretty cool name too."

" I don't mean to pry and of course you don't have to respond but what are you doing here? At the mansion I mean. Not specifically here in the garden." He blabbed nervously, you smiled.

You explained the situation to him and talked for a few more minutes.

"So where's your um..boyfriend?" He asked.

"Oh I don't have one." You laughed out ," actually I never had one come to think about it."

"Really? That's surprising."

You cocked your head to the side,"how so?"

"Well you're gorgeous! You're absolutely breathtaking."

"Aww you really mean that Alex?"

"Of course. And you're intelligent and funny and you just have a great personality."

"You're too kind."

"I um. Actually wanted to ask you something." He paused nervously," would you like to go on a date with me?"