Make Me Stay

Chapter Eighteen

She told Aaron everything that night. Being as calm and open minded as possible, he told Atlantis that he would handle it, not knowing what that meant at the time. And she she spent her time in Aaron's study, reading manuscripts that he allowed her to read and watching re runs of pretty little liars.
Aaron never told her what he did to handle the situation, and she never asked. It was a week ago that the incident happened, she hasn't received one text or voicemail since. Atlantis would like to think that everything is okay, that she's safe now, but that's not the case. Ever since opening up about how she feels, after the panic and anxiety attacks, it felt like the let in her demons and they are eating her whole.
The young girls mind is plagued with thoughts and depressions. All hauntings that had kept her captive back in Toronto, at the home she would never go back to.
She no longer has the motivation that she once attained to continue on with her art. For her, that was a hard hit, knowing that she wouldn't be able to do something she loves for however long it takes for the depressions to pass.
When Atlantis and Aaron were only mere friends, she had been very good at hiding her emotions and feelings. But ever since she became close with the man, her acting and her facade started to crumble away, Aaron had made her love.
But now, as she sits at his desk, reading a story that he write when he was just a child, she feels almost sick. Outside, the sun shines and people walk the streets, enjoying their days. While Atlantis sits alone in the apartment, not really living and undergoing the same daily routines. And so she texts Aaron, telling him that she is going for a walk. It's kind of his thing, to know what she's doing at all times. It's in her best interest of course, because all he wants is her safety, but she knows he's being over protective. Grabbing her maroon jacket from the hook by the door, Atlantis stuffs her phone in one of the pockets and makes her way into the fresh air of the day. For autumn, the weather radiates a early spring, just leaving winter, but the leaves falling from trees tell her otherwise. Small puddles of water left over from days of rain litter the streets and sidewalks. Atlantis doesn't care though, she walks right through them, the fresh air filling her nose. All around, the atmosphere is different from what she has been accustomed to in the apartment. People walk the streets, laughing and talking, children play on the wet playground in the park and people walk in and out of buildings as they go about their days.
It's in that moment that Atlantis feels free, like a different person from the one she had been only mere minutes before. A cool breeze sets in as the young girl walks the path that will lead her to her favourite book shop around. It's nestled in between two cafes, making the whole feel of the store more homely and comfortable. It always sells the best books, old ones that you won't be able to find in any of the new book stores, and some best sellers, but not too many of those.
All the nicest people seem to hang out at Barles Books, each one engaging in conversation at the sight of the young girl. That's what keeps Atlantis thee for hours, the people, the literature, and the coffee.
Now of course, she has to leave at some point, mostly when Aaron calls her home to tell her that dinner is ready. But this time, she sits on one of the bean bag chairs in the back of the store and tries the escape all of her haunting emotions. A copy of The Beetle and The Bard rests in her hands, a classic read and one that the young girl enjoys very much. The store is quiet this evening, and with her latte seeming to be her best company, she indulges in the worlds of the literature that she holds so carefully in her hands. It's the vibrating of her phone that brings her back to reality, telling her that she has responsibilities outside of her little world.
Upon seeing that the caller id says Aaron, she picks up the phone.
"Hello?" She asks as though she has no clue who is on the other line.
"Hi, I'm calling to see what my little sea city would like for dinner." Aaron jokes, his voice comforting on the other line.
"How about some pasta? I haven't had that in forever." Atlantis' stomach grumbles at the thought. Aaron had been getting her to eat more and more every day, some days getting better, and others not so much. It just so happens that she feels the need to eat a living meal with her boyfriend.
"Ah pasta, I shall have the chef whip up the best in the house." Atlantis giggles.
"And I shall be home soon then." The pair say goodbye and hang up the phone. A sigh escapes Atlantis' lips as she places her book back on the shelf and leaves the store, latte in hand. Oh how she would love to travel again, but with the complications that had come from a adventure, maybe it's time for her to stay home and lead a simple life.

I'm not really sure where I was going with this chapter but THERE IS ONE MORE CHAPTER LEFT + the epilogue so yayyyy.
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