Chapter 12

After lunch Atlas wanted to take me somewhere private. I was a little skeptical but I went along with it. It was a quiet ride there. Atlas turned to me while driving and said, "We're almost there, Mira." I raised my eyebrows and I gasped in surprised as he grabbed my hand...again. He chuckled then I looked out the window blushing. I know I should be used to it by now but I'm not. It's not that I don't like Atlas...it's just...the South. If many people found out that we were even remotely interested in each other, it would stir a lot of trouble. Interracial couples are rare around here. We passed by a sign that said The Apple Orchard. Atlas pulled into the place and drove some distance. I noticed a wide are with several things laid out on the ground : painting supplies, drawing materials, bubbles, cards, a stereo and...swimsuits? Everything was surrounded by different colored flowers. Once we got out of the car, Atlas grabbed my hand and we went towards them. We got seated on a comfy red fuzzy blanket.

Atlas seemed nervous at first. I decided to look around some more. There was a big apple tree to the left of us and a lake at a distance. "Ahem!" he said. I turned to faced Atlas. It looked like he was building up confidence in order to know what to say. I gave him an easy smile. He smiled too and said, "Mira, I know we haven't known each other for long but I feel like we have a connection. I don't care what anyone says. Race doesn't matter to me. You are smart, kind, and of course...pretty. Friendship or not I want you to be apart of my life from this moment on." I smiled and we embraced for a good hug. "I feel a connection too Atlas, but.." I pulled back. He immediately grabbed my hands and said, "I know. The "race issue" we can take it slow and hide it for now if you want." I took a deep breath and nodded in agreement. I picked up a bottle of bubbles , held it up, and said, "Really?" Atlas blushed and said, "I'm not rich ya know. I decided to do simple activities. I know it isn't much but I don't want to do normal things with you because you aren't a normal girl." I raised my eyebrows, crossed my arms, and said, "I'm not?" His eyes widened and he said, "No, no, no! That's not what I meant. I meant like...you are special or one of a kind!" I laughed and said, "I'm joking, Atlas. I know what you meant." He gave me a smirk, picked up a pencil and said, "So are you ready? We are gonna draw each other!" I cringed and said, "I can't even draw though. No fair!" He leaned his head to the side and said, I saw a hand drawn picture of a girl in your room. Didn't you draw that? I can tell that you're good. Much better than me at least." I blushed then smacked his arm. "Why were you looking so intensely in my room?" He shrugged his shoulders and said, "That's not important. Now pick up a pad and pencil. Start drawing!" We both did so.

We sat directly in front of each other and started to draw. I noticed certain features about Atlas's face that I didn't notice before. He has a few light freckles sprinkled on his nose and cheeks. His complexion is so clear and smooth. He also has straight white teeth. When I draw a person, I usually start off with a sketch, then work up from there. I was drawing him shirtless at first to get the body proportions right for the shirt I would put on top. He stopped and snatched my pad away. "Hey!" I said. He looked at the sketch, smirked and said, "Perfect vision of my abs!" I snatched the pad back and tried to look over at his. He was quicker than I thought and quickly put the pad close to his chest. "Not yet!" he yelled. I rolled my eyes and went back to drawing. There was a clock that came with the stereo. We both finished at around 3 pm. "We will switch pads on three ok?" he said. "Okay!!" I shouted in excitement. "One...two...THREE!" We both literally threw the pads at each other. We had a short laughter then looked at our portraits. I gasped because he is a LIAR. This picture looked just like me except I had on a garden like top and flowers in my curly hair. I looked up and Atlas seemed to enjoy his portrait as well. He grabbed the basket behind him and said, "Snacks!" I shook my head. "You never say no to food, do ya?" He blushed with a bunch of marshmallows already in his mouth. He offered me some and I took it gladly. We also had chocolate covered strawberries, brownies and some milk in cute little cartons with our names on them. We started to blow bubbles and run around the fields around us. When we got tired, we came back to the blanket and laid down facing the sky. It was a good day. The sky was a good shade of blue. Everything felt alright. All of a sudden, the sun started to come out. All of the rays shined down on us and I blocked my eyes. Atlas got up and helped me up too. "Ready to go for a swim?" he asked. I glanced at a female bathing suit. I picked it up and read the size. "Medium? How do you know my size?" He scratched the back of his neck and said, "I might have asked your Mom about it one time." I smiled, poked his hips and said, "You really planned this out didn't you?" He covered his face to hide the blushing and said, "Ye-yes. Now go put it on and let's go!" Atlas already had shorts on. He just took off his shirt and sat facing the other way with his head down and eyes closed. I went behind the big apple tree and quickly changed.

We raced to the lake but before we stepped in, well, ME. I hesitated. He had a look of concern on his face then realized what was wrong. He chuckled and said, "I know you can't swim. The pool isn't that deep, Mira. let's go!" I held his hand tight and we entered the lake. We had the best time ever, splashing each other and talking. For some reason, the bottom part of my bathing suit got stuck to a rock but when I tried to take it out it ripped. I blushed and said, "Don't come close Atlas! My bathing suit just ripped." He put his hands up and said, "I'll go get my shirt. Don't worry!" He climbed out and raced towards the blanket. I watched him run. His hair blowing in the cool wind and water trickling down those abs. Ahem. Focus Mira. When he got back, he handed me the shirt and I tied it around my waist once I got out the lake. We dried off and change back into our clothes. We laid down again but facing each other talking about anything BUT school and worldly problems. At one point we stopped talking and just stared into each of our eyes. He scooted closer and closer until he was an inch from my face. That was when I had my first kiss.