Atlas High

Chapter 8-New Friends

Ellie Hall Point Of View

Ellie's Point Of View...

    The cheers coming from Kyle, Tristan, Jack, Aria, and Hunter overpower the pouts and frowns that Eric, Sebastian, Angel, Stephanie, Ash, and Leo have on their faces. By the end of our game, the score was 15 to 14 with my team being the winners of our game. After celebrating our victory Jack and Stephanie moved to the monkey bars while Aria and Asher went to the swing set. The other guys were passing the ball to each other leaving me and Hunter to walk the trail. 

            The thick woods and dense greenery that surrounds the trail makes me feel as if I was in another world. The sunlight that comes through the leaves forms shadows on the ground. The slight breeze causes the trees to sway with one another in a theatrical way. I was so mesmerized by the beauty that surrounded us I hardly notice when Hunter intertwined our hands. Using his thumb he began to rub in a circular motion. Making me relax and lean into him while we walk together.

    At this moment I felt at peace..a feeling that has alluded me for months. A feeling I know I will not be able to feel again until I heal and fix those broken pieces. I don't know when that will happen or even if it will happen but hopefully, I am the only that will see me this broken. I never would have thought this would have happened to me or that I would end up this messed up. With those thoughts in mind, I sigh and look up at Hunter who slows down to a stop and looks into my sapphire blue eyes. The second his hand landed on my cheek I felt the warmth he radiates off. He caresses my cheek making me close my eyes enjoying the feeling he makes me feel. It feels like a million little sparks are on my cheek right now. 

            "I can't wait for our date, Ellie." He says in a husky voice while leaning in and placing a gentle kiss at the center of my forehead.

            "Me too Hunter," I say wrapping my arms around his torso. The smell of his cologne fills my nose making me snuggle more into his chest never wanting to let go of him. 

    We go back to the others who seem to be enjoying their time at the park. About an hour passes before we leave the park to go back to our original plan and that is to explore the city of Atlas. We leave the park to the famous Atlas riverwalk called Atlas Gates. It is said to be absolutely breathtaking for its diverse wildlife and vegetation. Passing the golden gate of the riverwalk we were immediately surrounded by thick patches of woods and grasses. In other areas, you could see rows and rows of different flowers and in others, you could spot the slightly deep blue water. The purple-pink sunset creates the perfect canvas for the couples to enjoy the romantic moment with each other.

    I walk us over to a wooden bench that is secluded from the rest of the riverwalk but it still overlooks the purple-pink sunset with the river in the background. The only thing that you could hear was the sounds of the birds and the flow of the water. The sounds coming from the water and the animals add to the peaceful feeling this place creates. To my far right, I can see a steel bridge that is connected to the edge of the riverwalk where it is covered in lights. I can see groups of people and couples dressed in there best who walk on the bridge that leads them to a booming restaurant in the distance. 

    I was so focused on the people on the bridge that I failed to notice Hunter slip his arm around my waist. That was until I felt him pull me closer to his muscular body. His hot breath on my ear slowly moves to my neck where I feel him kiss and nip the length of it. He slows his kisses at the base of my neck where he starts his mission of leaving a hickey. I bite my lip harder trying my best to suppress a moan from leaving my lips as he continues to give me kisses where my jaw and neck meet. He stops mid-kiss when he hears my brothers yelling our names. He gives me one last kiss before releasing me and helping me up from the bench. 

    Once I stand up he slips his arm around my waist and intertwines our hands. I look up to see a smirk on Hunter's face which makes me blush remembering what happened a few moments ago. The moment my brothers saw how close we were they gave Hunter a glare that made him let go of me but, he still held my hand in his. He leads us to a nearby statue where Ash and Aria are.

            "Hey, Ellie could we talk?" Aria asks me once we are in hearing distance. 

            "Sure," I say and follow her lead to a nearby flower patch. 

            "I was wondering if we could be friends..you know Ash and I dating and now maybe you and Hunter. I was hoping we could be friends." She says with hopeful eyes that make me smile. 

            I giggle before answering her, "thank goodness you feel the same way...so friends Aria?" I ask her while opening up my arms for a hug. 

            "We should ask Stephanie if she wants to be friends too," Aria says while hugging me back.

            "Of course we should," I say with a giggle. 

            "Hey, Aria Ellie wait for me!" Stephanie says jogging to us. 

            "Perfect timing," Aria says with a smirk. 

            "Yeah?" Stephanie says confusion clear in her eyes. 

            "Yes, Ellie and I were wondering if you would like to be our friend. You know since we all have someone we like in this group of bad boys." 

            "Plus I could use some friends since I'm new and all," I chime in hoping to guilt her in.

            "I was just about to ask you guys the same thing," Stephanie says to us making all of us break into laughter. Our laughter was short-lived like many moments today by a message from Hunter. 

    (Phone conversation)

            Hunter: We have a reservation at 8:00 at Terra e Mare. Dress like the angel you are!

            Ellie: Okay but I'm leaving my wings at home..can't afford to ruin them. 

            Hunter: Next time ;)

            Ellie: We'll see if there is a next time

            Hunter: Oh baby I know there is gonna be a next time

            Ellie: Your that confident huh?

            Hunter: Yes I am...I'll pick you up at 8:00, see you then!

            "I'm sorry guys but could I ask for a big favor?" I ask and they nod their heads before I speak again. "Could you help me with my date tonight with Hunter?"

    They both nod happily. I sigh heavily feeling less nervous about this date. 

                                                                ....Back At The Hall's House .....

            "Aria you are on makeup duty and I will be curling your hair, Ellie," Stephanie says while getting the curling wand. 

            "Why don't we play a game since we are going to be here for a while," Aria suggests to Steph and me. 

            "What kind of game, Aria," Steph asks her as she plugs in the wand. 

            "One of us asks a question and we all answer. Simple and easy," Aria says while she primes my face. 

            "Okay, who wants to start?" I ask putting my phone down.

            "I'll go first," Steph says then waits a moment before asking us a question. "Have you guys ever had a s*x dream?" she wiggles her eyebrows. 

            "Yes I have and I am not ashamed of it," Aria says with so much pride. "Can't keep my mind off of Ash for long and that goes when I am sleeping." 

            "What about you Ellie?" Stephanie asks as she grabs another strand of my thick hair. 

            "Actually no I have not," I say with honesty but that seems to have surprised them so I continue. "You do know I have three very protective brothers who let zero guys get close to me. I have had a few boyfriends but I've never dreamt about." 

            "Okay Ellie...but that will change once Hunter asks you to be his girlfriend," Aria says with certainty. 

            "That is if he asks me out." 

           "We all know that he is going to ask you out Ellie," Steph says.

            "Maybe..." I whisper

            "Now my turn. Have any of you guys ever gone streaking?" Aria asks 

            "No one is getting a free show from me," Stephaine says with so much sass that she places her hands on her hips. 

            "Never again..never again," I say to them before asking them a question. "Girth or length girls?" 

            Steph looks deep in thought until Aria speaks up. "It has to be both...a balance between both that can take you-" 

            "Okay, Aria geez..you and Ash really have been going at it huh?" Steph asks her. 

            "Oh, yes we have...let's just say he is packing in those tight skinny jeans he's wearing."

            "Now that we know Asher is satisfying our girl Aria, it is my turn to ask you guys. Would you ever have a threesome?" 

            "I don't think so..I'm not into sharing my man," I say and I can see Aria nodding her head in agreement. 

            "Favorite season?" Steph asks us

            "Spring," I say

            "Definitely fall," Aria says

            "Where do you guys want to visit?" I ask them

            "I want to visit Jachthaven Reitdiep (Waterworld), Netherlands..it is so beautiful," Aria says.

            "I would like to visit the cathedral of lights in Sydney, Australia," Steph says.

            "Favorite s*x toy?" Aria looks at me then slowly does she look at Steph.

            "Oh my god, Aria! Is Ash not giving you enough that you need to ask us stuff like this?" I let a chuckle slip from my lips once I see her blush a dark shade of pink.

            "I think your right Ellie...look at her she is blushing." Steph gently slaps Aria's shoulder. 

            "Favorite food?" Aria asks trying to change the topic. 

            "Pizza!" all three of us yell but our laughter was interrupted by the ringtone of my phone. Since Aria was doing my nails since she already finished with my makeup it was up to Steph to tell me who was calling me. 

            "A Nicolas Pavlov is calling you," Stephanie says as she makes her way to me, but before she could hand me my phone I turn away from her.

            "Decline it Steph," I say in a whisper voice to her.

            "What?" Steph stops where she is at, confusion is clearly visible in her features. 

            "Decline the call Steph..please decline his call," I say in a louder voice than before. I keep my eyes shut as tight as I can not want to let a tear fall because of him. 

            "Ellie, why are you crying? Ellie, what is wrong?" Aria squeezes both of my shoulders slightly shaking me. 

            "I-I-I-..." I stammer until I take a deep breath trying to calm myself down before I talk to them, "It's nothing guys..." I try my best to sound convincing but the tears that are flowing down my face are probably ruing my makeup. 

            "Ellie something is clearly upsetting you..and I'm sure it has to do with whoever Nicolas Pavlov is," Stephanie says while going to the door.

            "Wait! Where are you going Steph?" I start to panic realizing she is going to get my brothers. 

            "To get your brothers, maybe they can help get the truth out of you," She says near the door.

            "No no Steph really I'm fine...you don't need to get my brothers, okay?" I try my best to sound convincing. I wipe away the tear that managed to escape my eyes. 

            "Ellie your clearly upset and you won't tell us what is bothering you," Steph says with a huff clearly getting annoyed by me. 

            "Ellie what's wrong...tell us so we can help you." Now it was Aria turns to try to get me to explain things. 

    I sigh in defeat...I know that I won't be able to talk them out of this. Even though we've been friends for a short time they are already so protective of me. I'm glad I have them on my side. I move to my bed and motion for them to come to sit beside me. For a few minutes, I do nothing but look at my hands until I decide I am ready to tell them about him and what happened when last year.  

            "Ellie we are here for you," Aria says and Steph nods her head in agreement. 

            "Take your time Ellie," Steph moves closer to my side and so does Aria.

            "Whatever I say has to stay between the three of us, okay? This can't get back to my brothers or Hunter or anyone else." I all but threatened them which would have been funny in it of itself but there is no room for humor right now. When I am certain they will keep this between us I continue, "I-I don't...I don't know exactly when it all started but about a year ago in Bay City, my brothers and I were focused on our junior year for many reasons."

            "Angel and Triston are both quick on their feet and they can easily elude the other team making them amazing wide receivers. Their talent on the field made our football team undefeated for another season. They didn't just play the game but they played the field, with their good looks and charming attitudes made the entire female population chaise after them. Eric, on the other hand, was the complete opposite of Angel and Triston. The only thing he had on his mind was wrestling, he eats, sleeps and breaths wrestling."

            "Every possible hour he was doing something to improve for his upcoming season. He was at the gym working on how much he could bench, his cardio endurance, and flexibility. He'd review his matches criticizing himself just like his coaches would." I let a chuckle slip out at the end as I picture him in his room in front of his tv going over every single frame figuring out if he could have won earlier. "Looking back Eric and I was doing the same thing. We both were trying to improve our skills, work on our weaknesses, and dedicating our bodies and minds to improving." 

            "This went on for the first 3 months or so were all three of us balanced our hectic school schedule with training. That was until an exchange student from Russia came to our school..his name was Nicolas Pavlov." By now I am looking out my window admiring the view I see before I look away and to them. "His 5'11 muscular physic, pitch-black hair paired nicely with his grey eyes and his flawless skin. He knew how to charm the girls at my school." 

            I take a moment as the memories of him flood my mind. I take a deep breath before I continue on with the story...