Saving Athena ✓

22) Wither

A t h e n a
(Tw: sexual assault, abuse, self-harm)

I saw the violin man again, and this time, there was a crowd around him, clapping and cheering him on. I walked past and joined them for a bit. He searched the crowd and when his eyes found mine, he smiled. A bright smile that etched his whole face and stayed with me my whole walk here.

✧

Staring at the stars for a while makes you fall deep into thought. I've noticed that from my countless times of dozing off. And Milo isn't here, so I really have no one to talk to. Not that anyone would want to talk to me anyway. And after yesterday's fiasco, I've decided that making friends isn't anything I'll ever be good at.

"Hey, Athena?" A girl calls out, I stop my gawking at the sky and turn to her. "There's a guy at the front asking for you, his name is Ace."

"Tell him I'm dead," I mutter, she conceals a laugh before walking off, and after a few seconds she walks back.

"He said 'rip' and that he'll get you a card." I laugh and shake my head.

"Tell him I'm hibernating," I deadpan, she walks over, walks back, and says, "He gave me a harsh look, said that you never shut up so the chances of you hibernating aren't likely." That has me on my feet in no time as I storm out the back. He's sitting at his signature table with his head tilted back as he watches me.

I stop in front of him and scowl. Then I sit down and tilt my head. "What do you wanna order?"

"Nothing," he shakes his head. "I came to see you." That makes me smile.

"Zella told me yesterday that she had a-"

"Athena!" That familiar voice sends a piercing gasp up my spine. I freeze as Vinnie pulls up the chair right beside me and wraps an arm around my shoulder, he jerks me flush against him. I squirm and try to move but his grip only prevails.

Ace's eyes trail at the arm around me, he scowls before wiping it off and turning to Vinnie with a tight smile. "I didn't know you were working here today?" Ace says.

"Had to come see Athena," Vinnie says. Then he kisses the side of my head and I keep my gaze on the table. "Isn't that right babe?"

I don't respond, so his hand pinches the skin behind my shoulder and I wince quietly before saying, "Yeah."

"Cool," Ace's voice has never been more annoyed.

"How are you doing?" Vinnie asks, he's so close I can feel each breath he takes.

"Fine," he repeats in the same monotone voice. He clenches his jaw and licks his lips.

"I got my submissions in," Vinnie smiles. But it's not the type of smile that makes you want to smile with him, it makes your stomach churn and freeze. "Athena here," he shows me off like a statue. "Was so proud of me, they said I got second place."

"I thought you said you guys weren't together," Ace chimes in, with no hesitation. I let out a quiet breath and fight back tears. 

"Athena?" Vinnie laughs. "Why would you say that?"

"Sorry," I whisper again.

"She made it very clear you two weren't together, what changed?" I plead with Ace, with my eyes, to please stop talking.

"Nothing, she's still mine." Vinnie says, Ace scoffs and leans back.

"She's not an object, Vinnie," Ace sneers.

His grip on me turns painfully tight. "It's just a metaphor.

"Right, well," he drops his soda back. "I have to use the bathroom."