have been texting back and forth and finally decided on a date. He had told me that the show would start at 8 and that he'd pick me up at 6 for dinner.

So far, what I've learned about Elijah is that he's from D.C. He told me he's been living there since he was 12 and liked it. He also told me that his parents went to Georgetown and that he'd be going there this fall.

He seemed pretty sweet and funny. He was sorta relaxed and kinda made you smile with just the smallest of words.

Tonight, Leah had helped me get ready while Julia, Jude, and Atlas went downstairs to check out the little shops that lined the sides of our hotel. Dawson was spread out on my bed, complaining every once in a while that we were taking too long. Him and Leah were supposed to meet the others downstairs a few minutes ago.

"I'm sorry," I groaned as I slipped my heels on. "I'm almost done,"

Leah gave Dawson a sharp look at my frustration, effectively making him shut up.

My dress was on, my makeup was done, and my hair was curled making me ready to go, but I couldn't get myself out the door. I took a deep breath to calm my nerves. He said he'd be here in 10 minutes so I had some time.

"Babe," Leah frowned, placing her hands on my shoulder, "What's wrong?"

I shook my head, smoothing down my dress, "This is a date, right?"

Leah nodded, "Yeah, that's exciting."

I shook my head, "I haven't been on a damn date in almost two years. What if—"

"Hey, hey," Leah said, brushing my hair back softly, "It'll be okay. Not every guy you run into will be like him, okay?"

I nodded, "Yeah, I guess, but I can't help thinking that he will be."

Leah smiled softly, tucking my hair behind my ear, "You'll be okay. Elijah seems like a great guy and if anything were to go wrong, I'm one call away, okay?"

I nodded, taking a deep breath, "Yeah, okay."

"Just have fun," She smiled, taking my hands in hers, "You're going to the damn opera, Ede."

I let out a small laugh, "Yeah, okay." I pulled her in for a hug and she panted a small kiss on my head, "You'll do great,"

I nodded, "I love you so much,"

She pulled back and winked at me, "I love you more. You wanna get going?"

I nodded and before I walked out, I glanced at myself in the mirror. I've never had to question whether I looked good for someone because I rarely ever cared. I haven't since Keldan, but now... I couldn't help myself.

I couldn't help questioning whether the dip in my hips was attractive or not. I couldn't help but wonder if my face was too chubby or not. The dress I was wearing was flattering... It really was. I just hope it was flattering enough.

I brushed back my hair and smoothed down my dress once more, following Dawson and Leah out the door.

When we finally made it downstairs, we were surprised to see the rest of the group laughing and talking in the lobby. Julia waved us over when she saw us.

We quickly walked over to the group and Jude smiled at me, "Eden, you look amazing."

I smiled, my cheeks burning softly, "Thank you,"

Julia smiled softly at me, taking my hand in her's, "You excited?"

I shrugged, "A little nervous, but yeah."

She rolled her eyes, a small smile on her lips, "You have nothing to worry about. He'll have a hard time doing anything, but be nervous of you."

I laughed, "Yeah, we'll see."

I tried my hardest not to meet Atlas's eyes, but when they finally did, I wondered if going on this date was a good idea. His eyes weren't as angry as I expected them to be, but he still was. His hands were fisted to his sides and a small frown rested on his lips.

I wanted to tell him something, but wasn't sure if I'd be fixing the situation or making it worse.

My question was answered when Atlas got up and grabbed my hand, pulling me towards the direction of a hallway leading to the pool and bathroom area. He stopped me behind a corner, a deep frown on his lips.

"I shouldn't care," He breathed, running his hand through his hair, "I really shouldn't care, but I do."

I blinked, "Okay,"

"Don't okay me. Tell me that I'm not being stupid and senseless by caring so much. Tell me that last night wasn't just a stupid thing that happened."

A small smile stretched the corners of my lips, making the frown on Atlas's lips deepen, "Why are you smiling?"

I ran my hand through my hair, "You talk a lot around me,"

His face blanked and a small laugh escaped my lips, "I'm sorry,"

He shook his head, "Answer me before I actually fucking lose my head."

Watching him on edge and flustered like this was different. He was usually really calm and collected, barely uttering four words at a time. But now... He couldn't recollect himself.

I guess I wasn't the only one left confused after last night.

A ding came from my phone and I quickly glanced at the screen. A text from Elijah lit up my screen, telling me that he was waiting outside.

I looked up at Atlas, letting out a small breath. He was keeping his distance, a smart choice with the conversation we were kind of having.

"I've been having a hard time convincing myself that last night wasn't anything. It was stupid of us to do because like you said, we're not good for each other. You see that, right?"

He blinked at me, wrapping his head around everything I just said. Eventually, he nodded. I continued.

"This summer will be over and whatever it is that happened will all be in my head. I don't want that. I don't want to go home and sit on my bed and cry about all the ways this summer made me feel and not have it anymore. If I'm going to have it, I want it forever."

Atlas's frown deepened, "So, we should stop,"

I didn't say anything as I looked at him, waiting for him to explain what it was we should stop. Whatever it was we had would not last, I was sure of it.

"No more meeting each other late at night, no more talking about all the things we want to do, no more telling each other about our childhood, no more secrets, no more touches, no more showing me your favorite songs, no more fights, no more—"

"Stop," I breathed and he did. He looked at me, wondering if I was really willing to give all that up. Was I really going to throw this away so I wouldn't get hurt in a month?

I glanced at my phone as it dinged again. "You've shown me that there is so much more to life than the packaged, artificial shit. I want to stay here wrapped up in this little world we created, but we can't."

"Because we'll get hurt?" He asked.

I nodded, tucking my hair behind my ear. With a small sigh, Atlas pushed off the wall he was leaning on and closed the abyssal distance between us. His hand reached up, holding the side of my face to him. Our faces were an inch or two apart and the. Smell of my perfume mingled with his cologne, making my head spin.

"The pain is what makes all this worth it," He breathed, smiling softly against my jaw. And as my hand reached up to hold him to me— bury my fingers in his hair, wrap my fist around his shirt, cling to his body and beg for more— he pulled back a fraction.

"Think about it," He said before he turned around and walked further down the hallway. My vision blurred and my knees buckled as I tried to regain my composure.

With a deep breath, I shouldered my purse, smoothed down my dress and made my way to the front door where Elijah was waiting.

The night was young and stars glittered in the sky. Young couples giggled as they passed us by, clinging onto each other.

I looked up at Elijah as we made our way from the restaurant to the opera house. He had a small smile on his lips as his hand softly wrapped around my hand.

We finished having dinner and all throughout I was basically doubled over in laughter. Elijah wanted to know more about me so I told him about the little things I did in my free time like walking, drawing, and a couple of other things. They weren't really unique or anything, but I didn't have anything to say.

When I asked him to tell me something about himself, he told me about his family at home. Aside from his grandmother who he seemed really fond of, he told me about his parents who surprisingly (to him) were still happily married. He said that they had met a few years after college at a baking competition.

He also told me that he had a younger brother and sister, Matthew and Jasmine. They all lived together in a house in D.C.,but Elijah was in the process of moving out on his own in a month.

His hand in mine tightened and I snapped out of my thoughts when we arrived in front of the tall, grand-looking building. People of all ages walked in and out of the building, dressed in fancy dresses and large coats.

I looked up at Elijah, frowning slightly, "This better not be boring,"

He let out a small laugh and I smiled, "Think of it as a concert, but you're not allowed to sing along with them."

I nodded, "But if I do sing along, will they kick me out?"

He nodded, "Definitely,"

I let out a small laugh, "Well, lead away Mr. Ross."

He smiled and led me down the sidewalk and to the entrance. He showed the man behind the glass booth our tickets and we were let in immediately after.

The inside of the building was exquisite. The walls were tall, holding up an even higher ceiling. The walls were a soft cream color and the carpets were a deep shade of red. Overhead, extravagant chandeliers of glittering gold, silver, and diamonds shone.

I let out a breath, walking only because Elijah was leading me into the room we were supposed to be in. We stepped onto the elevator and the doors shut behind us. I leaned back against the glass and Elijah stood next to me. His hand brushed mine and his side was pressed into mine.

I turned to him, "This place is beautiful,"

He turned to me, a soft smile on his lips. His eyes flickered to my lips before he met my eyes again, "Yeah, it is."

I smiled, softly, "I'm having a lot of fun, y'know?"

The smile on his face widened and his brown eyes seemed to swirl under the warm light in the elevator, "The night isn't over yet,"

The elevator doors slid open and Elijah led me out the doors and down a quiet hallway. He pulled me towards a door with a golden handle and pulled it open. He led me through the door and the door shut behind him.

In the little booth we were in, there were two rows of seats. The first two held five seats and the one behind it, the same. Elijah led me to the front and took a seat on the second seat, I sat next to him on the first.

He leaned in, "Best seats in the house,"

I looked at him and smiled, "Really?"

He nodded and I looked out of the little balcony we were sitting in. "What's the singer's name?"

He leaned back in his seat, "Adrienne Cariveau,"

I nodded, "When does it start?"

He laughed, "It'll start, just sit back and relax."

I smiled, leaning back and tightening my hold on Elijah's hand. When the singer stepped onto the stage, my phone vibrated in my pocket. I fished it out and glanced at my screen.

A text message from my Mom illuminated the screen and I swiped open the text.

Call me whenever you can. We have some good news.

With a small smile on my face, I pocketed my phone and settled into my seat. The lights dimmed, the crowd quieted, and as the first notes fell from the singer's lips, I was entranced.

And as Elijah's fingers danced and traced the softness of my fingers and palms, I caught myself staring at him and wondering if Atlas was thinking of me right now.

With the reminder of him came one of the last things he told me. The pain is what makes all this worth it.

And maybe, just maybe, I didn't mind getting hurt all over again.

Hey guys, I've been updating everyday now. WOW, that's crazy!

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