The Keys

Chapter I... Ok, What is this? - Atlas

RIIIIIINNNNNGGGGGG!!!!! Riiiiiinnnngggggggg!!! I jumped out of bed, sweat running down my face. "Damn! I forgot to turn off my alarm..." I quickly hit the off button and look at my clock. 'Wow! 8:24! I never wake up this early on a Sunday.' I thought to myself as I groggily get out of bed. I walk over to the window to see the beautiful Houstonian sunrise. As I looked out my window a soft knock followed by a sweet voice called to me, "Atlas," It called. "Are you up yet?" The voice can and only belongs to my loving little sister Avalon. "Yeah." I answered as i begin to tredge to the door. "Vylad wants to know if you are going to want breakfast." I open the door to reveal the small 15 year old girl. Her raven hair was a bit messy as if she had woken up a while back, she was still in her gold t-shirt and black leggings she wears to bed like pyjamas and she was holding Vylad's little kitten Ej. "I would, but I forgot i was supposed to go to Jonathan's for breakfast today. Do you guys want to join us?" I admit. 'That's why you left your alarm on ya dolt!' I mentally scream at myself. "I'd like to, but I'm going to ask Vylad. He's still on the couch napping with Charlie." Charlie is our German Shepherd who loves taking naps with everyone on the couch. I give her a slight chuckle and nod, "Well give me both your answers later. I'm going to take a shower." Avalon looks at me with a smile and runs down the stairs. I close my door and head to my bathroom and proceed with my warm shower.

"Now I'm awake." I say to myself as i walk to my closet and begin changing. My outfit consisted of a red flannel button up, blue jeans, red and black dress shoes, my glasses and my men's dress gloves. Once I had finished changing, I walk to my mirror and comb my hair to the right and then gave it a ruffle to mess it up a bit. Content with the style i leave my room and walk down stairs to see Avalon and Vylad waiting for me all dressed up. Avalon had brushed her hair, put on her gold blouse, bleached blue jeans, gold high tops, and her golden gloves. However, Vylad had his platinum blonde hair in his original sideswoop style, he wore a wine button up, black jeans, his wine coloured chukka boot looked polished, his jean jacket looked pressed, he had his glasses on and in his arms was little Ej. 'I swear that kitten has gone everywhere with us.' i thought to myself and I'm not joking. He takes it to school too. "I'm guessing you guys want to go?" I ask them with a smile. "Yeah, Jonathan's breakfast is amazing!" Vylad exclaimed and Avalon just nods. "Before we go two questions. 1. Did you feed Charlie? 2. Where's dad?" Avalon answers both questions, "Yes, and dad when to the office. He has a project that is almost due." With a nod we walk to the door and open it. First thing we were hit with was the morning sun and warmth. (You might be thinking why we are wearing gloves and jackets in Houston, Texas. Let me tell you, it's the endings of May and we are 100% weird.)

The walk to my car was filled with joy and happiness you could tell we were all in a good mood. Once we got it, Vylad in the back with Ej and Avalon riding shotgun, I turned on the car and we were on our way. Not 15 minutes later we reach a familiar beige two-story house that belonged to my friend Jonathan. "Hey Atlas. Who else is here or coming?" Vylad asks once he sees the car that belongs to my best friend Ace Jones. "Well, to be honest," I begin as I park the car in the driveway. "He invited all 12 of us and if I brought you you never know who else brought their siblings." I answer him. I shut the engine off and unbuckle the seatbelt. Vylad nods and opens the back door and gets out. Avalon and I follow his lead and get out of the car. We walk to the door and this time Ej was walking next to Vylad. I knock to be greeted by Ace. He had re-dyed his hair green from the top and this natural black at the bottom, his black t-shirt had guitars on it, his jeans were a dark shade of green, his converse were black with white music notes, and his dark green electric guitar strapped on his back. "Hey man!" He said giving me a smile.

"Just in time. Jon, was just about to ask how many of us were there." He beckons us in and shuts the door. We walk down the narrow hallway and reach the living room that is currently full of friends and some of their siblings. Vylad was about to speak when he was interrupted by someone saying they were going to make a list of people here. "There must be at least forty something people in here!" Vylad exclaims as he goes to sit down with his friend Aeolos. "Atlas, Vylad, Avalon, Ace, Travis, Nicolas, Jarvis, Henricus, Leo, Alize, David, Lucus, Remus, Sage, Blake, Poseidon, Adrien, Athena, Aeolous, Alchemy, Astoria, Austin, Lily, Zane, Sage, and Amapola. Wow, a total of about 26 people came!" Jonathan shouts in surprise. "Not to mention Ej, and Forest. They need to eat too!" A blonde boy known aa Henricus, the jokester of the group shouts, earning a few chuckles and giggles here and there. "Oh please, spare us the stupidity. It's 9:47 in the morning." The ice blue coloured hair boy standing opposite him called out. That comment earned more reaction of gratitude, laughs, and comments. "Lucus is right! They don't count as people. I made them special food," said Jonathan walking back to the kitchen. My palms begin to sweat as everyone stands up and begins to walk around. I back up to the wall as my breathing fastens along with it does my heart beat. "Too many people in one spot." Ace looks at me and pulls me to the less crowded kitchen. Jonathan was getting the pancake mix ready when we walked in. One look up is all Jonathan did as he sighed and pointed to the top shelf, "Earl Grey is in there. I have some milk left in the fridge. Atlas, you need to find a way not to get claustrophobic during breakfast or you'll end up eating in the bathroom again." All i managed to do was sigh."He's got a point." Ace said as he began to heat up my tea. "For 3 years straight, you've eaten in the bathroom. Everyone knows why, but everyone wants you to join them. I know you're claustrophobic and all, but Atlas you gotta pull yourself together. We will even give you the seat at the end of the table! No one to your right and none to your left!" "I know guys, but you can't stop your fears so suddenly. It takes time; and the end seat sounds ok... That way is I do go full freak out, I can just get up and leave to the bathroom." They sigh and Ace hands me my Earl Grey with milk. I have to try.

After being in the kitchen for 20 minutes Jonathan had finished making breakfast and we helped set up the table. The table was filled with plates, bowls, glasses, and silverware wrapped in napkins. One dish at a time was brought out. Pancakes, toast, oatmeal, bacon, sausage, bagels, biscuits, cereal, and eggs. Then came the pitchers of drinks: milk, coffee, juices, and teas. To finish the food placing we brought out jams, jellies, cream cheeses, hot sauces, and butter. Ace quickly ran outside to tell the guys breakfast was ready, while Jonathan went to the livingroom to tell the girls. I sat at the table's end seat while everyone walked in sitting in their places of choice. Vylad and Zane had walked to the patio and placed their pets there for there breakfast. Jonathan ran to them with two bowls that were filled with homemade pet food that looked real fancy. "So! Joining us today At?" Henricus shout drawing attention to me. "Heh, yeah... I'm gonna try. No promises. You guys know how I feel about crowded areas..." I replied almost a nervous wreck, when the purple haired girl, named Astoria spoke up, "At least you're trying! That beats last year!" Many people answered in agreement and joyously. "Ok guys now that we are all seated! Dig in!" Jonathan exclaims contentedly and everyone did. I got some tea, pancakes, bacon, and eggs. All was delicious and I had not the urge to run! They were my friends, why should I be afraid to sit with all of them? "Yo, blondie. Why all the smiling bro?" Leo, Henricus' youngest sibling, asked. "Oh no reason. It's just that I've never been able to eat with you guys for three years. And now, I can!" My little moment was beginning to click in other's heads. "Damn! I didn't even realize that you managed to not, you know, freak out!" Alize exclaims and many people laugh. "Raise glasses please!" Lucus shouted and everyone did. "To Atlas! May he join us in every meal, as long as he has the end seat! Congratulations on taking this milestone that has plagued you, our comrade since 9th grade!" "Here here!"