THOSE SUMMER NIGHTS

[36]

"I just want to stay here and live in such blissful ignorance." He continued, his fingers that were softly brushing against my cheek and my ear, driving me to the brink of insanity.

"But we can't," I said, the finality in my words like a stab in the heart. I hated how there wasn't another choice. After high school was college and after that was work and after that was marriage and kids and after that was getting old.

I wanted to stay here with Atlas entrapped in this little romance for the rest of forever. That was stupid an naive of me, as usual.

Atlas nodded, "What happens to you when you get home?"

I frowned, dropping my head, "I tell Leah and Julia that I'm moving. Leave you and the others. Tell Mom and Dad that I hate them for putting me through this. I'm so proud of Lydia, I am, but I don't want to have to leave. I was practically born in that house."

I laid my head down on Atlas's chest, letting out a small sigh. I looked up at him, softly, "What about you? What happens to you?"

He was quiet for a long time as we listened to the last few lines of the song playing overhead. His hand entwined with mine and he squeezed it gently. I watched as he planted a kiss to the back of my hand.

Back and forth

I'll take that if that's all you askin' for

With my legs up on the dashboard

Only thing in my pocket is my passport, pa-passport

So, do you love me, love me, love me?

Do you love me, love me, love me?

Do you love me, love me, love me?

Do you love me, love me? Oh

"I--" He started, but stopped for a second. I frowned at him, waiting for him to tell me something like he'll probably finish high school and get into a good college, but he didn't.

"My Mom wants to send me to this school in Boston." He started to say and at that moment, I wanted to cry. Not for me, but for him. The last thing he needed right now was his stability pulled from underneath him and that's exactly what she was doing.

"Why?" I asked, helplessly.

He shrugged, a small smile on his lips, "Why do parents ever do shit like that?"

All I could do was stare at him. "They want me to get a better education. I slacked off a lot last year so they're hoping this school will be able to whip me into shape for college."

I frowned, "Well, is that what you want?"

He glanced down at me, shaking his head a little, "I don't really have a choice,"

I nodded, "Did you tell Jude and Dawson?"

He nodded, "Yeah, they've known for a while now."

As I placed my head down on Atlas's chest again, I let out a small laugh. "What?" He asked.

I shook my head, tears clouding my vision. "We're setting ourselves up for failure, you see that, don't you?"

He laughed softly, pulling me closer to him, "Yeah, I'm fully aware."

I buried my face into his chest, "Have you ever felt this way for someone else? Feel like you don't care if you'll lose them in the end, all that you care about is that you get a few days of being in love with them."

I felt him shake his head, "Never, this is all new to me,"

I look up at him, a small smile on my lips with tears in my eyes, "Really?"