Chapter 51

After Makenna had gotten all the books she needed, she took a detour to the classics section. She was ready to pick up another book and wanted to see if there was one she hadn't read or would like to read again. She was flipping through Northanger Abbey when she felt like she was being watched. She felt the person approach and as soon as she caught a whiff of his perfume, she smiled to herself.

She felt him standing so close to her and her body wanted to lean back into him, but she forced herself to stay still and pretended to be unaware of him,

"Did you get lost?"

When he didn't answer, Makenna turned around to look at him. She caught his gaze just before it dropped to her lips, and the look she saw in his eyes made her swallow.

"I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be."

Something about the way he said those words while he looked at her made Makenna's heart pop,

"Well, I should leave and let you have the place all to yourself,"

Atlas smiled,

"You know what I meant,"

Makenna tried to hide her smile but Atlas was so in tune with her, he caught it.

"I like getting to uncover the different sides of you."

"Ah, is that what this is about?" Makenna asked, "You peeling back all my layers?"

Atlas looked away, smiling in embarrassment as she used his line from last night. Makenna smiled, liking to see this side of him.

"Are you embarrassed?"

Atlas shook his head, looking back at her.

"I like this,"

"Our meaningless banter?"

Atlas nodded, lifting his hand to tuck her hair behind her hair. Makenna tried to stay still as his fingertips caressed the spot behind her hair and down her neck when he brushed her hair behind her shoulder.

Makenna bit the inside of her lower lip as her eyes dropped to his. When she returned her eyes to his, she realized he'd caught her. She spun around and took the books she'd gotten from the shelf,

"We should go,"

Atlas watched her in amusement as she gathered all the books. His gaze shifted to her profile only to stop short when he noticed the ink behind her ear. He frowned to himself, wondering why Makenna had the Greek letter - delta - behind her ear.

Makenna stepped away from him walking a few steps before she stopped and looked at him,

"Coming?"

"Yea," Atlas caught up with her and they headed back together,

Makenna winced when she arrived at the table, instantly feeling the tension at the table and it wasn't between her and Atlas. They both glanced at each other but sat down without a word.

A few hours went by and they were quickly getting exhausted but tried to pull through for another half hour.

"Alright, I'm calling it," Makenna was the first to say,

"I honestly have to say I'm surprised we lasted this long," Will spoke for the first time since they sat down,

"I'm so ready to be done with finals, I need a break from this endless routine,"

"After assessment week, I was ready to be done,"

"Just one more month and it's over," Will said,

"For you," Vanessa said quietly but everyone heard,

Will and Vanessa looked at each other for a moment before looking away.

"Atlas, when do you plan on taking your final exam?" Vanessa asked,

"Hopefully, by the end of July."

"July."

Atlas looked at Makenna who spoke,

"If I'm able to cover the rest of my courses,"

Makenna nodded, taking note of his emphasis on 'if'. But it didn't do anything to stop the anxiety she started to feel when she realised he wasn't going to be around for much longer.

Makenna smiled,

"I'm sure you would,"

Atlas clenched his jaw and remained quiet.

Makenna turned to Will,

"Got plans after you're done, Will?"

"I was thinking I'd get my Master's degree," Will said, "But I could also join the workforce."

Vanessa sighed beside him and Will looked at her, concerned,

"Are you ok?"

Vanessa looked at him and everyone else at the table,

"It sounds crazy talking about graduating and getting jobs." She said, "It feels like I should still be playing with mud in my backyard,"

Will smiled,

"You still can,"

Vanessa looked at him and smiled,

"Will you join me?"

Will's paused for a moment, his smile gone,

"I've been waiting for an invitation like this my entire life,"

Makenna looked away from them, feeling happy that the tension had shifted to a different kind of tension.

"I think our study environment has something to do with us feeling tired," Atlas said, "The same routine, the same place, the same...everything."

"Studying anywhere else sounds a lot better than coming here every single day," Vanessa said,

"Then we can study at my place and if we need to switch it up again..."

"My place," Will offered,

"Oh, I'm in," Vanessa grinned,

"Sounds like a plan," Makenna added,

"Great!" Atlas was looking forward to it,

"Drinks, anyone?" Vanessa packed up her books,

"Metro coffee?" Makenna followed suit

"Of course,"

"I'm down,"

"I'm in," Will said,

"Let's head out," Atlas added,

They all packed up and returned some of the books they didn't need. Then they headed towards the counter to check out the books they were borrowing.

Will drove them to Metro Coffee and they all headed inside. Makenna felt like she hadn't been there for a long time. In all honesty, she had tried to avoid it as best as she could because of the group she previously hung out with, especially Hee.

Makenna thought it weird how she now saw them as 'a group she used to hang out with' and not 'friends'. Ever since things started to change with them, she often wondered why she began to hang out with them in the first place.

Atlas, Makenna, Vanessa and Will walked into Metro Coffee - Vanessa and Will going in first. Makenna almost stumbled when she saw her usual table was occupied with none other than the 'group'. But she kept walking like she hadn't seen them, feeling Atlas close behind her.

"Are you alright?"

"Yea,"

They all stopped at the counter and Makenna spotted Alfie heading their way.

"Hi," Makenna smiled,

"Haven't seen you around in a while,"

"It's been...busy."

Alfie nodded in understanding,

"What can I get you?"

They ordered their drinks and grabbed a table at the other end, near the window.

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