The Wait (On Hold)

Day 0

I watched as Callie ran her hands down Atlas's chest and it disappeared from view... lower. My back straightened and my eyes narrowed. Atlas had turned to steel, his indigo eyes trained on the pretty blonde in front of him, dark and angry. Hurt. She'd hurt him so much. Sadness spread through me at the thought that she could do this to him... and continue stringing him along as if it were a game.

I slanted my body to the back and slid my eyes along to the right and met eyes with Garrett. His own onyx ones slammed into mine. They were narrowed in anger. We decided with just our gaze who we'd go after.

Atlas, I called dibs.

He nodded, then hesitated. I straightened at that. Everyone knew I loved Atlas... except maybe Atlas. Though he wasn't blind to the fact that I liked him more than just ... more. Garrett—Atlas's other best friend, other than my brother—was ensuring I knew what I was doing.

I nodded at him. I know what I'm doing.

He walked past me and murmured under his breath, "About damn time, Lenny." He skirted along the small groups of people that tried to catch his attention. They all saw what he was looking at and became quiet. All their expressions turned sour.

No one liked Callie.

Except Atlas.

He was the only reason anyone tolerated her. I watched as Garrett got to the.. I hesitate to call them a couple; two of them, would have to do. He murmured something to Callie, who turned her brown doe eyes up at him and smiled impishly and reached out to run a hand along Garrett's front. Atlas's expression was walled down, but I saw the fire in his gaze. Garrett shifted away from the touch, but not before grabbing her hand and strategically moving her away from Atlas.

I saw Atlas's shoulders spread and realized that he was taking a deep breath. His eyes remained on Callie until Garrett escorted her out. She protested the whole way, her eyes catching Atlas's and pouting at him as if asking for help. I could see that he struggled to stay put and not follow her and help her. I let out a slow breath when I saw him meld into the shadows and disappear.

Just before Garrett stepped out of the house, his eyes met mine and for the first time I saw desperation in his onyx eyes.

Help him, they said.

I immediately took off, wading though the thick crowd moving to the thumping music in the party. This was Atlas's house. I had been here a million times, but even if you knew the house, unless you knew Atlas, you wouldn't be able to find him.

And I was born to know Atlas. I knew every nook and corner and dirty secret he had. Not because I sneaked and snooped, but because I loved and I noticed. He was all that mattered. So much so that my brother—who was technically entitled to feeling anger and betrayal at my feelings—has never protested against my intentions. He's only ever watched carefully before confronting me one day.

I stood tall and didn't deny my feelings. I met his eyes, letting them speak for me. Nothing would shake me on this. The very depths of my soul had chosen him, nothing would change that. My brother (Jake) became very quiet before walking away. The next day all he told me was that he wouldn't stand in my way...because he didn't need to. I didn't understand it then, it was only later that I realized that my brother knew that Atlas himself would stand in my way to him—ironically.

My feet took me straight to the very back of the house and down the little hatch that would lead me to...

Atlas.

Broad shouldered. Golden skin. Dark strands of hair that fell over his eyes no matter how many times he tried to push them away. No matter what hair cut he chose, it would grow out and fall into his eyes. His nose was thin and strong, flaring slightly at the ends. His eyes were deep indigo, his lashes dark and long, caressing his cheeks and brows when he blinked. His cheekbones were high and gave him a regal look. His jaw was cut from stone. He was so tall and strong and like his nemesis, he carried the weight of the world on his shoulders, quietly. No one knew what was inside him or how much he struggled.