Athena’s cellphone started to vibrate on the coffee table only to see Daniel calling her. “Hey baby.” Athena shyly answered, whenever she called him baby she got butterflies in her stomach. “Hey honey, you al right?” Daniel’s tone changed to worried and more obsessive. “Yes, I'm fine, I was just telling Jenny about the night we had.” Athena giggled as she looked over to Jenny with a red tomato face. “Oh, you better not tell her the juicy details, Will and I will come over in a couple of minutes for that study group thing.” Daniel chuckled as he felt happy that she is boasting about him at least. “Okay baby, I’ll be waiting for you.” Athena ended the call and stared at his caller ID image for some time, he was the only thing she could think about the whole day; Jenny snapped her fingers.
“Hey!” She yelled from across the room. “Oh, sorry, didn't realize I zoned out.” Athena leaned back into the couch flustered, thinking how one man could change her whole life around completely.
Daniel knocked on her door. “Come in!” Athena yelled from where she was sitting. He opened the door slowly and walked straight to kiss her, he missed her. “You do know you don't need to knock anymore right?” Athena shyly fixed his shirt and hair for he just got out of bed. “Well, I'm not knocking on your door; I'm knocking on your heart my love.” Daniel smiled, Will started clapping and crying hysterically as he overheard their conversation by accident.
Athena blushed even more than she normally does, not realizing that there is elephant like ears in the room, being the center of attention felt weird to her, she was always neglected by everyone.
Daniel made her feel special in every way possible, like a treasure that waited a hundred years to be found. Athena and Daniel sat on a couch only made for two people as they started cuddling under a light blanket, only covering their legs.
“This is weird, you 2 are cuddling, I'm over here, and jenny is over there, different subjects and shit. How is this going to work exactly?” Will stated curiously awaiting an answer. “Well, this is a remix of a study group, you do your own thing but as long as the vibe in the air says study, then you should be fine.” Jenny replied with no patience in her tone for Will.
What got her panties in a bunch? Will thought to himself as he plugged his laptop in charge and started studying.
Daniel and Athena laughed at the both of them, knowing they don't like each other very much after Will got Jenny stoned and drunk at the same time, and left her hanging in the toilet to take care of herself, or the time jenny smeared toothpaste all over Will’s eyes while he was asleep, making it burn constantly throughout the night.
2 hours passed by, the vibe of the room became slower and slower, as procrastination started to take over. Athena noticed and got up to heat some water for tea, Daniel laid on the couch half passed out from a chapter he was reading about the back story of the Mona Lisa painting.
Will, throughout the time kept mixing, trying to improve his skills as he always wanted to be a world renowned DJ, fascinated by the music all around gave him energy to proceed, It lifted his spirit giving him patience for the day. Trapped by chains written in blood, he could not escape the tight grip of a single page.
Scrolling through her books Jenny studied history. When she was a little girl movies like Indiana Jones got her mind boggling from adventure to danger. Excitement of uncovering the hidden secrets of our past society drove her even more to having a degree in it.
Athena carefully walked over to the coffee table and poured everyone some tea, she left biscuits on the tray for anyone to grab. She went back and sat next to Daniel making sure not to wake him up.
Hours flew by so quickly, everyone felt fatigue in their own way. “Well, would you look at the time; I think that’s enough for today. Plus the exam is only tomorrow so I think we would be fine.” Daniel chuckled as he rested his head on Athena’s shoulder. “Yeah, I better start cleaning up this mess.” As soon as Athena got up Daniel lifted her from behind and sat her back down on the couch. “You don't need to clean, I’ll do our part, so don't move.” Daniel spoke with a finger in the air like he was talking to a little kid. “Will, would you be so kind to come and help me; the ladies can sit this one out.” Will got up reluctantly looking over to Jenny. “You’re lucky he asked me.” Will whispered softly to her as he started to clean up the coffee table.
Athena’s ass began to vibrate; she took out her cellphone from her back pocket to see whose calling, as she got up and walked over to Daniel. “Thank you baby, my mom is calling, I’ll go stand outside okay.” Athena kissed him and walked out the door making sure she closed it properly, the music Will began to play wasn't very appealing to her mother.
“Hey mom” Athena leaned against the wall close to the door, wondering why her mother is calling. “Hi Athena, how’s my baby doing? Happy birthday!” “I’m fine mom, it was yesterday but thanks, where are you?” Athena asked as she heard people loudly negotiating in the background. “I’m sorry baby, I’m in Greece, I told you I’d be here the next time I call.” “Oh, how is it there?” Athena asked interested for she always wanted to go there.
“Not bad, the weather is amazing, I’m buying so many clothes I don't know where to put them all, it's getting ridiculous.” “That’s great mom, will you be coming back to New York anytime soon, I haven't seen you in a year and I have so much to tell you.” Her voice began to break, the only blood that should truly care, or thought she cared. “Don’t worry, I’ll be there soon, and we’ll have lots of girl time.” “I met someone, he’s my everything and I love him so much mom, and he made me this surprise date yesterday which was really amazing; we have been together for about 4 and a half months now.”
Athena filled with joy as she wanted to tell her mother about Daniel for so long, expecting her to be happy for her. “Yeah, that’s nice, I have to go.” “Okay, I love you mom.” Athena says but noticed the call has already been ended before she uttered those words, shocked that her mother couldn't care less. Feeling empty inside for her mother was never there. Like a ghost that comes and goes as it pleases, emotionally detached, it could only tear Athena apart even more.
“Hey bro, can you throw me a soda from the fridge please, this dj-ing is making me thirsty.” Will chuckled at Jenny but she gave him a disgusted look in return. “Heads up man” Daniel threw a can of cranberry soda to Will and went to sit down on the couch. “Hey Jenny, how long does she usually take to speak to her mother?” Daniel looked at her demanding answers. “Well, usually just 5 minutes.” Jenny replied with a confused face wondering why he's asking such a weird question.
Daniel got up to check on her for it has already been 20 minutes that Athena first went out. “She’s not here!” Daniel yelled from the door. Will and Jenny got up at the same time and ran after Daniel. “Where could she have gone?” He began to panic, scared she might get hurt.
I hope it's not her ex.
Daniel thought as he tried to call her cellphone continuously, but got no answer every time. They took a seat close to the campus library after searching for 2 long hours. Daniel looked up, worried out of his mind. He saw Athena sitting on one of the campus roof-top buildings all alone, looking down at ants walking by, living their lives.
“How do I get there?” He stood up and pointed straight at her. “I don't know! Maybe look up a blueprint of the campus buildings on Google.” Jenny replied.
Athena couldn’t see them as they were too far for her to notice. Sitting on the edge she felt alone, with only one step away from heaven’s gate; something pulled her back, an unseen force that drives the human being every day to impossible heights. Caught by fake arms her heart started to pain.
Will and Jenny went back to the dorm letting Daniel handle the situation. “This is so crazy; I never thought one of my friends would try to jump of a building.” Will looked at Jenny with a straight face, baffled by what is happening. “Yeah, I just hope she's okay and doesn’t do anything crazy.” Jenny agreed and stayed two steps ahead of Will. “Now we wait, impatiently
.” Will began to laugh at how fucked this situation has become, the essence of it slowly began to creep up on Jenny’s shoulders.
Jenny and Will arrived at the dorm and sat, waiting for an update from Daniel.
“You love being on the edge don't you.” Daniel stood a couple of feet away trying not to scare her as he tried to catch his breath. “What do you want!” Athena yelled at him, as tears fell from her eyes. “I want you baby, forever.” He spoke in a subtle tone, caring only for her safety. “Can you please just leave me alone, I don't want to see anyone!” Athena, physically hurt from emotional stress, couldn't handle the pressure weighing on her head. “Baby please, if you jump I'm jumping right after you I swear!” Daniel tried to convince her the best he could, his heart rate increasing rapidly every second.
The queen stood up, but the ants won’t notice her perfection; only one could. “Sweetheart I'm begging you please sit back down.” Daniel couldn't help but feel emptiness in his heart; he bent down on his knees with his arms wide open, hoping to catch her. “Daniel I love you I really do but I can’t do this, this is way too much for me.”
Athena took off the necklace Daniel bought her and held it tightly in her hand. “No, no, no, baby please put it back on please!” Daniel’s voice got more desperate by the second, fearing he might've pushed her to the point of no return. “You’ll have a better life without me Daniel! Trust me! I’m not worth your time.” Athena threw the pendant right at him with a brutal force show casing anger.
Daniel picked it up from the floor and put it in his pocket. “Do you see this? It’s in my pocket okay because I'm going to put this necklace right where it belongs!” He couldn't take the pressure, knowing that if he loses her he loses everything, he got up, and took a step towards her. “Daniel! I’m fucking serious stay there! I don't deserve you baby, I'm sorry we crossed paths, I’m not good for you.” Athena pleaded to him, listening to her brain, but her heart told her to step down and take the chances that came with Daniel.
Athena fell under a heavy panic attack and became weak within her knees and held on against the wall for support. “Baby Can I please come to you? You're the love of my life, if I didn't care about you I wouldn't have been here in the first place!” Daniel took another step towards her, slowly. Athena kept crying to the point it became too blurry for her to see. “Athena White! Please come to me baby please! I won’t be able to live with myself if I lose you like this.” Nothing but the truth came out of Daniel’s mouth.
Athena fell to the ground hopelessly. Daniel took this chance and quickly ran up to her, picking her up and carrying her a few meters away from the building’s edge. Holding her tightly, he couldn't have been more relieved. Athena felt small in his arms, vulnerable in every sense of the word.
She kept pouring her heart out, and couldn't stop for a second. Her breathing became slower and slower as time passed by. Daniel kept rubbing her back, holding her like an infant trying to comfort her as much as he could. He kissed her too many times to count, for how lucky he just got to have her back in his arms.
Daniel held her as tight as he could, feeling paralyzed from the head down from how much he panicked. “Don’t you ever do that to me again” He spoke in a concerned tone, not wanting to lose someone as special as her. “I’m sorry.” Athena cried into his shirt not wanting to let go. “I can’t lose you okay baby, I fucking love you so much.” Daniel took her face looking directly at her as he spoke. “I love you too baby, I don't know what I would do without you.” Athena said, feeling weak, her heart felt things she never did, a true love. “Now tell me what happened.” Daniel took her hair and carefully put it behind her ear.
Athena’s eyes were redder than a stoner could ever imagine. Daniel took out tissue from his back pocket and whipped off her tears that wouldn't stop flowing like a waterfall; he held her head close to his chest. “Do you hear that? It only beats for you, do you understand that baby?” Athena nodded her head slowly and kept holding on to him.
Daniel reached in his left pocket and took out the necklace he bought for her and carefully put it back around her neck. 30 minutes passed by and Athena finally calmed down, almost in a sleeping state as she felt comfortable within his arms. “It’s my mom.” Daniel got surprised as he heard her speak softly after so long. “It’s okay baby take your time.”
Athena tried her best to ease up, but couldn't help tearing up in the process. Memories flew through her brain like a swarm of bumble bees flying against a brick wall.
Memories of her growing up with a mother that she could barely remember being there;
Only pictures could take her back for the heart didn't store any recognition of her, or their time together.
“My mother couldn't care less, I tried telling her about us but she just brushed it off and obviously had to go do her thing. Clothes are more important to her than my wellbeing. I’m just so tired of all of this Daniel, it’s a lot to handle and sometimes I just feel like I want to die.” Athena shared something with Daniel that she has kept in her heart for as long as she could remember. Him being the first one to hear what’s deep inside her heart; He kept silent so that she could speak her mind, just listening to every word she has to say.
“Sometimes I feel as if I shouldn't have been born in the first place, like I was a mistake into this world but she doesn't want to admit it. I don't even know my own father Daniel. She never made me see him; there was always an excuse not to visit him. I don't know his name I don't know anything. And to top it off the only memory I have of her is being away, she thinks she can send me money and nice things, but I’d rather have a motherly figure in my life than that. Money can’t solve everything if there is no love in between, and I bet she thinks money can solve everything.” She said.
“When you came along I had no idea you would mean so much to me. You are truly the only one I can depend on, and that scares me. Every one tends to leave me, and I don't want the next person to be you. I’m sorry I yelled at you.” Daniel looked away for a few seconds as he couldn't bear to see the pained expression flowing on Athena’s face. The question he never wanted to hear suddenly became his main concern. “You won’t leave me right?” Athena whispered looking up at him with watery eyes.
Daniel’s heart sank to the bottom of the ocean, knowing that he will have to; Melissa gave him no other choice but to leave in the first place. Daniel wanted to start crying as the lying got too much for him, but he knew he has to stay strong and wait this out. “Never, I’m always going to be here.” Daniel spoke but his heart broke into little pieces. Athena acknowledged what he said and leaned back against his chest, only to hear a heartbeat that would fade from her memory.
Daniel and Athena stayed on the roof of the building for 10 more minutes, grasping the moment they almost lost.
Daniel opened the door for her and stepped inside her dorm. Will and Jenny got up quickly to check if she is okay. “What the fuck were you thinking!” Jenny scared for her life reacted like she was her mother, searching her for any scratches or bruises. “I can’t fucking handle this, I’m calling Tony, I need to calm down, and you fuckers especially need to calm the fuck down.”
Will frantically holding his head, happy that she's okay, calls Tony as quickly as he could to arrange a few joints for the group to smoke later.
Passed out, and not being able to move the next day they all woke up panicking, thinking about what will happen next. Daniel and Will quickly ran to their dorm and changed clothes as fast as they could, and so did Athena and Jenny. Tony started to laugh at how frantically they were moving. “Maybe it’ll be better not to smoke a day before an exam next time.” Tony hysterically got up and left with his hands in his pockets.
The four of them quickly gathered their things and rushed to the exam hall to take their exams, and get them over with.
A cold breeze swept through the exam hall, the sun hid itself behind a thick layer of clouds, making it impossible to have a good day to write an exam.
The
re’s eyes the size of basketballs that stare into your soul, only trying to find a fault. Silence above the crowd, as no one made a sound. Deep beneath that excruciating silence you can hear growling, frustration, and confusion. With only 30 minutes left on the clock.
“Sweetheart, do you have the answer for 2B?” Athena silently tries to whisper as the moderator just happens to pass her. Daniel nodded his head and wrote on his hand L.D in capital letters.
Athena smiled as she knew what he was saying and wrote it down quickly.
Athena got up and swayed her ass towards Daniel as he looked at her intensively walk over to the moderator to give in her exam papers.
Daniel tried to get up but couldn't as he noticed she gave him a very obvious boner.
He waited a while until it was gone and rushed over to give them his papers and ran outside to see her.
Bittersweet Love Page 10
