Atlas

Nine

It was a Saturday, and I was walking to the library. Having finished every book in my house, I had become extremely bored and wanted new ones. My next exam wasn't in three weeks, so I had plenty of time.

Reece was always taking care of Dimia these days, and if he wasn't then he was studying and Dimia was rehearsing her lines, which didn't leave a lot of room for socialization.

I climbed up the stairs. It was six, and the library was closing in an hour. I had planned to come sooner, but groceries and dinner took longer than I thought it would.

A familiar sight greeted me as I entered the literature section. There, in his corner, was Atlas. He was scribbling furiously into a notebook.

"Hey." I smiled as I walked over to him and took a seat, uninvited. My lack of manners was almost funny.

"Grace." He greeted. He didn't smile – obviously – but he seemed more tired than usual. The area under his eyes was darker, and his shoulders slumped.

"How long have you been here?"

"Since the morning." He pushed his hair back with his fingers.

"You're going to go crazy."

"I have no choice."

I pressed my lips together. "When was the last time you did something fun? Do you ever spend time in your apartment?"

"I don't remember, and yes I do." Atlas looked a little irritated, but I was pretty sure that irritation was stemming off the literature books.

"No you don't."

"Quit it." He scolded. "Why are you always so sure you know everything?"

"I don't know everything." I replied. "But I know you're always out because I see you always out."

"Fine." He sighed. "I just don't like my apartment."

"Why not?"

He shrugged.

"You can't not like the place you live in. Plus, it's beautiful."

He looked up at me with a scowl. "Are you done?"

"No." I suddenly got up and extended my hand for him to take.

"What are you doing?"

"You're coming with me."

"I can't, I got plenty of work to do."

"The library's closing anyways." I nearly rolled my eyes.

He looked at me, then towards my hand. Letting out a breath, he grabbed my hand and got up.

His skin was warm, and softer than I expected. "So you came here just to talk to me?" he said while putting his books in a black bag.

"Exactly." I beamed. "I'll be right back."

While he was packing up, I picked up two random books that I hadn't read before. On our way down, I stopped at the self check-out desk.

The walk home was mostly quiet. Atlas seemed lost in his own thoughts so I didn't bother him. I got a few texts from dad talking about stuff like my bank account, and Reece's mom had shared a video of a thunderstorm in Seattle on a group that consisted of the three of us – me, Dimia and Reece - and all our parents.

"It hasn't rained here in two weeks." I observed.

Atlas glanced at the sky. The sun was setting.

By the time we made it back to Atlas's apartment, it was already dark. Atlas opened the door. "I don't know why you're doing this." He said.