Atlas

Seven

Grace

The next few weeks passed by quickly. My histology results came out – I passed, and so did Reece. My mom warned us not to let that get to our heads, that just because we were smart kids didn't mean we need to study and work harder. Typical mom talk. You can't get through med school just by being smart.

Reece of course, agreed with her profusely. Reece not only respected my mom but adored her. She was one of the reasons he wanted to be a doctor in the first place, unlike his own parents who were accountants.

Dimia got busier and busier, until the only time I saw her was the weekends. She took up extra dancing lessons, came home late, did everything to prove that she was just as worthy.

My heart hurt a little for her. Growing up, Dimia's grades weren't always as good as Reece's or mine's. Which meant she always had something to prove. That, and being a middle-class immigrant's daughter meant her parents were stricter than any of ours'.

Which is why when Reece called me one Monday afternoon and told me what had happened to Dimia – my heart nearly stopped.

"She sprained her ankle."

"She what?!" I was walking back home and nearly stopped in my tracks.

"She—"

"I heard you!!"

"Then why are you—"

"Where is she? I wanna come see her."

"She's okay. We just got back from the hospital. She's asleep." Someone was walking towards me just as I was entering my building. It was Atlas.

We had spoken a few times since I had made him lunch a few weeks ago, but the conversation never lasted long.

"Reece!" I whined. "Why didn't you call me sooner?!"

Atlas gave me a small nod as he walked past. I realized he didn't smile much. I would have said hi, but I was clearly pre-occupied. Atlas left and I walked into the elevator.

I would have said hi, but I was already preoccupied.

"Because you had class. And don't worry, you can come over tomorrow. She'll be happy to see you."

"Is she okay?"

"She's fine, just stressed."

"Okay...okay...just...call me if anything happens."

"Will do. See ya later, Grace."

I cut the call. It was Monday afternoon, and it was raining outside. Figures, it was always raining in this town.

I sat nervously at the dinner table, clicking my nails against the marble. When that didn't work, I busied myself in doing household chores.

I cleaned first, and then did the laundry. My laptop got me pretty distracted for a bit, and when I looked outside, the sun had already gone down. I decided to play some old Maroon 5 tracks.

I had just finished vacuuming when my mom called.

"Hello, love. How are you?"

"I'm okay. It's raining, mom. It's always raining here."

"I know, darling. I distinctly remember telling you that before you left." She chuckled. "And you wanted to go anyways."

"Yeah, I remember." I muttered.

"How's everyone? How's studying going?"

"Studying is boring. Reece is okay. Dimia sprained her ankle."