THOSE SUMMER NIGHTS

[13]

[13]

- EDEN -

-

I WAS MAD but I was trying not to show it. Julia and Dawson were talking about God-knows-what and Leah were telling Jude and Atlas about the time we went to the park and got hit on by some guys, but they left us alone when we started to bark at them. I tried not to smile at the memory.

I was trailing behind them acting like there was something much more interesting on my phone because I was a little salty. I frowned at Atlas when he peeked back at me.

When we left the hotel, we walked for a few minutes to the nearest place for breakfast. I was cramped into the middle next to Dawson and Julia. Right across from me sat Atlas, his long legs tangling with my short ones under the table. I tried my best to ignore the feeling of his lean, strong legs pressed against mine, but a girl could only do so much.

The little fucker knew what he was doing too. Every time he'd readjust himself and move his legs under the table, hence making his legs brush against mine, his blue eyes would gouge my reaction. Eventually getting sick of it, I "accidentally" kicked him under the table. I apologized profusely, but we both knew I wasn't sorry.

After breakfast, I realized that if he wanted to, he could beat me up and have his way with me until I was unrecognizable. After that realization, I kept my distance.

I was shaken out of my thoughts when Jude spoke up next to me. I looked at him, a thin smile on my lips.

"Why are you being so quiet?" He had asked.

I huffed quietly, crossing my arms slightly, "Atlas is unbearable."

Jude laughed loudly and almost doubled over from his fit, "Really? Wow, that's news to me."

I frowned at him, "Stop mocking me. Tell me your secret. How'd you get him to stop annoying you?"

Jude quieted down and looked at me, an amused smile on his face, "He's not annoying."

I frowned, "What?"

Jude nodded, "Yeah, it's just how he is. He's quiet, keeps to himself, but that by itself stirs a reaction out of almost everybody."

I frowned. "So, what does that mean?"

Jude sighed, "Think about it. Has he ever really done anything to annoy you? Like did he make fun of you, or laugh too loud, or..."

I frowned, shaking my head slightly. Jude smiled, "See?"

"So you're telling me he's annoying me because he just does? Because he's hard-wired to look at you and just annoy the fuck out of you?"

Jude frowned, "No. Maybe his relaxed nature just sets you off or something."

I groaned, rolling my eyes, "Would you like to switch rooms with me then?" I quickly pulled a smile onto my face to sell my argument.

Jude laughed, "Get to know him. Once you do, it'll be hard not to like him afterward."

I rolled my eyes, "Yeah, yeah."

I looked up to see Jude frowning, slightly. He then pulled his lips into a small smile, "Hey, look at it from his side. You must annoy him like crazy."

My jaw dropped as I stared at Jude, "Hey, I thought we were friends. I do not annoy him. I'm like an angel."

Jude snorted, but quickly covered his laugh with his hands, "Sure you are."