Broken

Chapter 85

Makenna shifted in her seat and felt like she was suffocating in the air around her. After she'd gotten back to her room on Saturday, Hee had told her someone stopped by to see her. There was no name but the description she got was good enough for her to figure out who it was. She'd immediately hit the shower and hadn't been able to let it out of her head.

He'd come looking for her.
Of course, she knew it was on behalf of Thea.

She'd gone over their conversation in her head and she didn't fail to notice how much he cared for his sister. The same way she cared for Killian, but he was more open about it than she was.

It was sweet really. Except it had led her to think about what had happened Friday night. Due to what had happened to Thea and the nightmare that followed, she hadn't been able to think past any of those things. But her train of thought led her to remember what had happened after she had beaten the idiot.

The way he'd held her in his arms and run his hand down her hair. It had been comforting and soothing, she smiled just thinking about it. What she found most unsettling was that he hadn't brought it up in their conversation.

Of course, then, it hadn't been up to twelve hours since it all happened. But she couldn't explain why she felt confident that he wasn't going to use it against her. That he wouldn't mention it to another soul.

There was no explanation for where that certainty came from, but no matter how badly she thought her reputation would be ruined if he told anyone, the panic failed to set in. It was just pure, unshakable confidence in him.

"Did Thea reach out?"

Makenna snapped out of her thought and shifted her gaze to him,
"She did."

Atlas looked at her and waited for her to go on,
"And?"

"And if you're looking for more information, you won't be getting it from me."

Atlas smiled and shook his head,
"You must know I find this whole dynamic with you and my sister absolutely bonkers."

"You don't say," Makenna kept a straight face, "I wouldn't have guessed."

"A month ago, neither would I." Atlas said, "You've gone from wanting to hurt her to caring about her."

"I don't..." Makenna began but stopped knowing her words wouldn't convince him, "You know I could say the same about you."

"Please elaborate." He offered,

"You've gone from wanting to get rid of my brother to not caring at all," She said, "What happened?"

"I don't not care." He said, "It's my sister's relationship and I will always care. But..."

Makenna waited as Atlas struggled to find the right explanation.

"My relationship with my sister is more important."

The smile was slow but soon Makenna was grinning and Atlas felt the air get knocked out of him as he forgot how to breathe for a moment. He'd seen her smile but this one felt real. Her entire face lit up and there was a twinkle in her eyes, even if it was of mischief, he didn't mind it.

"Did sweet Thea threaten you?" Makenna held back a laugh as she pictured Thea threatening him,

Atlas smiled and his head fell,
"Not..." He chose his words carefully and lifted his head, "verbally."

Makenna's laugh was soft and quiet like she didn't want anyone to hear her and he just watched her in awe.

I'll be a clown if I get to see you smile for a few seconds.
His words came back to him and in that moment, he knew how true they were.

If it was at his expense that she got to laugh, he would watch his pride burn.

"Well whatever Thea didn't say," Makenna held back a smile, "I will say that I'm glad you're leaving them to figure it out on their own."

Atlas was lost in her eyes for a moment but he nodded eventually,
"Me too."

Something was different.
He knew it but wasn't sure what had changed.

"Had a nice day yesterday?"

Makenna was surprised by the sudden change of topic,
"You could say that," She said, "No one came looking for me, or scared me and made me fall, or bribed me into becoming their friend."

"Woah, slow down there," He had an amused look on his face, "So you do admit that I scared you."

Makenna opened her mouth and closed it,
"For the lack of a better word."

"And who would dare bribe you into becoming their friend?" Atlas leaned into the table, resting his arm on top,

"Some arrogant jerk."

"Ah." Atlas nodded like he understood, "Too bad though because you don't fall for things like that."

"I don't."

This confused Atlas because the opposite was true. He couldn't take his eyes off hers,
"Then why are you?"

Makenna kept her gaze locked with his,
"Am I what?"

"Friends with him."

Makenna was silent for a moment,
"Well, it's definitely not because he bribed me."

"Didn't he have good leverage?"

"Oh, he did." Makenna said, "A very good one actually."

"Then what?" Atlas was getting more confused,

"He isn't the type."

Atlas raised a brow in question.

"To follow through on the threat."

Atlas was stunned,
"You're calling him chicken?"

"No. Far from it." Makenna's voice remained neutral and the silence stretched for a long moment, "He's trustworthy."

Atlas leaned back into his seat and let out a quiet huff like the breath had been knocked out of him.
"You don't say."

"Do you think it's naïve of me to think so?"

Atlas quickly shook his head,
"No. Not at all." He paused, "What brought this on?"

Makenna's gaze fell down to her drink and brought it to her lips,
"A series of events." She sipped while she looked at him,

Atlas smiled to himself,
"I'm pretty sure he feels lucky to have you as a friend."

"Well, it won't be long." Makenna rose up from her seat and grabbed her bag,

"Long for what?" Atlas frowned,

Makenna paused and looked at him,
"For luck to turn into regret." Makenna turned around and left the café.

Atlas sat there completely stunned at the direction the conversation had gone. One second, they were civil and having an actual conversation, and then boom, she's back to being completely vague.

He couldn't help but wonder why she thought he would regret being her friend. She was either looking out for him or protecting herself. But the latter seemed more believable than the former.

What is Makenna so afraid of?
He wondered.