Hug

Third Person's POV

June 6, 2xx1

"Anyway, we won't stay here for long we just stop by to say that we're not going to go home together later with you guys and we probably won't be able to go to work later. The club is so busy right now we can't leave early because we are only freshmen, they expect us to be more enthusiastic about the upcoming meeting because it for us as well." Beatrice explained.

Alia doesn't want to be left out again so she asked: "Can I go with you?"

"The club can only excuse 2 members per section, and we can't change Fatty's name on the list anymore. Sorry maybe next time, I'll definitely ask you out first by then." Beatrice apologized. If it weren't because of the fact that she knew they are only going to be doing errands there she would have asked out Alia instead of Flint, but she doesn't want to be tired by doing errands for her senior that's why she asked Flint to go with her so that she'll be free of errand.

"Anyway, I go now Kathleen. See you later at the boarding house! Hey, Fatty let's go!" Beatrice bid her farewell and called out Flint who haven't even managed to take a seat yet.

From Atlas's perspective, Flint appeared to so exhausted that he didn't even manage to chitchat like how he used to do. Atlas can't help but feel pity for him, as he saw Flint being drag away by Beatrice.

Alia ate the snack given to her by Beatrice because she's super hungry as of the moment. Meanwhile, Sophia saw how Alia enjoyed the Food that Beatrice gave to her, she can't help but feel envious. Ever since she gained consciousness in this world, she wanted to have a big sister and a big brother. She read in the books about how the older siblings spoiled their youngest, this started her cravings for older siblings. And it just so happen that her ideal big brother and sister is Atlas and Alia. She likes how Atlas answered her curiosity patiently and she likes how cool Alia is. Sadly, Alia doesn't like her, but she vowed that she'll make Alia like her in the future.

The Afternoon class passes by quickly, all the subjects are minor that's why Atlas became bored and by the time he woke up, it was already dismissal. Sophia stayed by his side until he woke up when he glanced around the room half of the students were already gone, including Alia.

Alia who has no one to talk to all day was the very first person to exit the room. She couldn't take it anymore, she'd rather go home than look at Sophia and Atlas seating together. The only problem was that it's not only their section who was dismissed at this time, other section and year level was also dismissed. And it's only for this building, the moment she managed to get out of the building by being pushed by the crowd, she was faced by another set of crowd from other courses, high school students and faculties. She was facing a dilemma that she has always faced due to her low sense of direction, seeing crowds makes her dizzy. She looked around hoping to see Atlas, it may be because of the fact that every time she faces a problem Atlas was always there to save her. After seeing that Atlas wasn't nearby, she couldn't help but feel disappointed, she remembered that Atlas was probably together with Sophia at this moment.

She stood still in the midst of the raging crowd of Students wanting to get out of the university, some are looking for their friends, some are going to another building to continue there class. All in all, it was chaos that is surrounding her. She was pushed by the passing students, she tried to resist but it only made things worse. She was pushed aside by one student causing her to fall down, "Oh, I'm sorry!" the student said nonchalantly. She tried to grab the student and make him apologize but because she's in the ground the student was able to escape.

She was about to stand up but another student pushed her accidentally, she falls down once again. She was so frustrated that she wants to punch the student who pushed her and didn't even apologize to her. As a girl she can't help but tear up whenever something frustrates her, this day can be considered as one the worse day she experienced.

"Are you okay?" Alia heard a familiar voice, and as she lifts up her head she saw Atlas. She was surprised to see him here, and like every other girl, she teared up even more when she heard the phrase 'Are you okay?'

"Hey what happened?" Atlas saw her teary eyes as she bows her head down to hide her face from him. He kneeled down to face her, Atlas was worried about what happened that it's enough to make this cold girl cry.

Alia's pent up frustration ever since this morning erupted. She feels so lonely all of a sudden just wants to cry. In the midst of her sobs she felt a warm object hugged her from the side, she knew it was Atlas but instead of pushing him, she leaned her head to his chest. She enjoys the warmth Atlas gave her, it was the first hug that ever comforted her after all the things that happened to her. She was forced to leave her home even though she doesn't really have any experience of being independent because she was treated like a princess in the Martinez's Residence. She experienced a fire incident the very first time she stayed at a hotel all alone, she experienced being chased by 4 assassins, and every single time she's in danger Atlas was there to save her.

She was unconsciously being dependent on Atlas, and the moment she saw that Atlas was being more warm to Sophia she can't help but feel jealous about it. Atlas was the very first person to make her feel safe, that's why she's worried that Sophia might take him away from her. These things kept on bothering her earlier.

Atlas just hugged her tightly, this is the thing he does to his younger siblings in the orphanage when they are crying. He just hugs them until they stopped crying.

'What are they doing?'

'Urgh! PDA!'

'No to PDA please!'

Both of them were aroused from their separate little world by the comments of the passersby. Only then did they realize how weird their position is.

Alia immediately pushed Atlas and ran, she was hoping that it's the exit of the school but it's not. She goes against the flow of the people making her go inside the campus. Atlas who saw this can't help but smile after seeing her ran away in shame, he immediately followed her.