ATLAS MAVERICK

I caught myself in an uneasy situation. Diana is fast asleep, but my mind can't seem to stop thinking. I avert my eyes from the sky to Diana.
     "The sky is clear," she gasped, gazing at the stars. "It is beautiful." I didn't look at the stars but at her. And before I could think of any decent words, I found myself blurting: "It is beautiful. Magnificent." My eyes lingered a little too long and before I knew it, I met her blue eyes. My breath hitched as I internally started to panic. I averted my eyes, away from her.
"We should be there in ten hours."
I sigh, rethinking that situation over and over again. Thinking about how I could have handled the situation.

"It is still dark?" Her voice fills the silence of the cock pit, causing me to look at her from the corner of my eyes.
"We are flying against time, so it is currently night in America," I inform her. "And I would suggest you sit up straight because we will be landing soon." The words surely need a moment to register in her head, since a couple of moments later she readjusts her position.
     "We are already there? Was I a coma or something?" she questions, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. A chuckle ripples from my throat.
"You were fast asleep for sure. Even talking in your sleep," I drop the subject. Her head snaps to me as she gasps: "What?!" My eyes meet her widened, blue eyes.
     "You were muttering a few words," I admit. "About the Olympics, to be certain." She seems to be at ease, her shoulders slumping down. "Oh, well. It could have been worse," she says nonchalantly.
"Will you be staying in New Jersey as well?" she questions, trying to make conversation. I nod as an answer. "Your father told me you were returning by the end of the weekend. So, he asked me to stay as well." She nods, possibly saving that piece of information.
     "Aren't you tired?" she then continues to ask, it makes me chuckle. "What?" My eyes meet hers for a brief moment, seeing her arching an eyebrow at me.
     "You are a person who asks questions," I simply answer. She tilts her head at me, a defensive look playing on her face. "Is something wrong with that, Atlas?" "Nothing is wrong with that, Diana." My one eye closes swiftly, sending a wink in her direction before I start speaking with the Tower.
     "Anyways, I slept before the flight," I answer. She gasped as she might have realized her father called me during the time I was sleeping. "Did my father call you awake?" There it is, the realization. I slowly nod. "But it is my duty, besides it's common that you get called to work."

"We have landed at Newark Liberty International Airport New Jersey. It is currently ten minutes before three in the morning," I inform. Diana hands me her headset before she exits the cockpit. I follow right after her, following her down the stairs. I retrieve my suitcase and hers before guiding her to the gate. Diana reaches for her suitcase, which I hand over.
     "If I don't get the chance, thank you for flying." Her voice reaches my ears, causing me to look down at her. She runs a hand through her blonde hair and flashes me a smile. I bow my head. "It was my pleasure." I look ahead and I recognize Christopher.
"Papa!" Diana cries out and sprints toward her father. The corners of my mouth curve into a smile as the situation plays ahead. Diana jumps in her father's arms, who twirls her around. Such a heart-touching moment. I slowly approach them, not wanting to ruin their reunion. Christopher places his daughter back on the ground before his eyes land on me.
     "Atlas! I am grateful for your service," he speaks. I send him a smile, "it is my pleasure. The lady flatters me." Christopher glances down at his daughter, who tells him she was seated in the cock pit.
     "Shall we head to the hotel?" Christopher asks. His eyes meet mine, meaning the question occurs to me as well. I agree when Diana agrees. "I am hungry though," she says. Once she started about food, I felt my stomach rumble. "Me too," I tell.
"Perhaps we could eat something. You could go to sleep, Papa. I have been sleeping all flight and for me, it is eight in the morning," she reasons. Christopher laughs and agrees. "Of course, princess."

I check into my hotel room, which is only a couple of rooms away from Diana and Christopher's. I lifted my suitcase onto the bed and started gathering my stuff for a shower because I was desperately in need of one. While checking the time on my phone, I walk to the bathroom. 3.21 AM.
That shower worked wonders and I felt clean after. I dress myself in black cargo pants and a reasonable, oversized hoodie. I glance in the mirror, narrowing my eyes at my hair. I ruffle my hair before shrugging it off. Before leaving, I check the last necessities.
I knock on the door of Diana's room. She opens the door and calls to her dad, "Sleep tight, Papa!" "Have fun." Once she turns to me, I notice we are dressed similarly. She eyes me up and down. "You look good," she compliments. I suddenly feel a little hot. "As for you." I extend my arm, suggesting we should walk.

As we make our way through the hotel, I have a question burning on the tip of my tongue. A nervous jolt charges through my body. Just ask! My mind scolds.
"Diana?" I question. She hums in response, waiting for my question. "I think it will be wise if you and I have each other's number. May we be separated," I reason, glancing down at her. Her eyes meet mine.
"You are clever," she replies and pulls out her phone. She hands me her phone. I put my name and number in her contact, calling myself. "Got it."
"Do you have any preference?" I question, stuffing my hands in my pockets. She remains silent for several moments. "No," she then replies.

We wander through the streets before our eyes catch a cozy place.
"This looks great," she says. I take a glance inside and agree, not knowing I have walked into a karaoke bar. We sit down at a table, hoping they would still serve food. At ... Half past five in the morning.
"Hi, we just traveled here and we were wondering if you are serving food," Diana asks the waitress. "No, it is not common but we want to make an exception for you," she replies. "That is so sweet, thank you!" Diana orders a pasta pollo while I order a pizza. She walks up to a podium, speaking in the microphone.
"We have new guests tonight," she speaks and I feel my heart sink. "Now it is a rule that new guests will be singing a song. Give them a warm welcome!" I glance at Diana with widening eyes and she glances at me with that same expression. She then shrugs and takes my hand.
"Nobody knows us, let's go!" I watch her with a horrified expression on my face. She walks up to the stage, dragging me along. We search for a song for us to sing.
"Where the Wild Roses Grow?" she questions. "It is a perfect duet, not that hard." I inhale through my nose and exhale through my mouth. "Fine." She holds a microphone in her hand, just as I do.

"They call me The Wild Rose," she sings. "But my name was Elisa Day. Why they call me it I do not know. For my name was Elisa Day." She looks me in the eyes while she sings her words.
"From the first day I saw her I knew she was the one. She stared in my eyes and smiled," I sing. "For her lips were the colour of the roses. That grew down the river, all bloody and wild." I glance into the audience. I meet the eyes of a man, eyes cold as ice. A shiver runs down my spine, so I focus my gaze on Diana.
"When he knocked on my door and entered the room. My trembling subsided in his sure embrace," she sings. She turned to the audience before turning to me. Looking me in the eyes. "He would be my first man, and with a careful hand. He wiped at the tears that ran down my face."
We sing the song and I enjoy this moment. It seemed like an intimate moment. The dedication and emotion in her eyes. It was mesmerizing. Diana ended the song and engulfed me in a hug once she was done. She turns to the audience and elegantly bows. I thank the audience with a bow. My eyes cross those of that same man with the icy blue eyes. His eyes averted from mine, fixing on Diana.
I couldn't help but feel uncomfortable under that man's gaze.

We return to our table. Soon after, the waitress arrived with our food. "Thank you," Diana smiles. I thank the waitress and look over at Diana. Her face is directed at me, but her eyes aren't. I glance over my shoulder, meeting those cold eyes. I turn to Diana with a scowl on my forehead.
     "He gives me the chills," I admit. Her eyes focus on mine as she pouts, considering my words. "Hmm," she hums, "I'm not sure yet. However, we should eat. Enjoy." "Enjoy," I force a smile and start eating. It is truly delicious, especially after a flight.
After the waitress retrieve our clean plates, the tables are shoved to the side. They must be near closing time. I was wrong. Couples move to the pit and start dancing, slow dancing. I look down at Diana, who fails to suppress a chuckle.
"We surely did choose one hell of a restaurant," she laughs. Her laugh makes me chuckle. I find myself in a bold mood and about to ask her to dance. However, a man appears in front of us. The man with icy blue eyes. He wore neat pants and his white shirt was rolled up to his elbows.
"Do you dance?" he questions, his accent betraying his Irish roots. Diana looks the man in the eyes, crossing her arms over her chest. I assumed she was declining his offer, but instead, she said: "Only if I'm asked properly." The man huffs a chuckle and holds out his hand.
"My lady of Britain, will you dance with me?" he questions. I glance down at Diana, seeing the corners of her mouth curl into a small smile. She lays her hand into the man's hand, who then guides her to the dance floor. I see how he places his hand on her lower back. He just snatched her away from me, in front of my nose. A wave of jealousy engulfs my veins as I watch on.
My urge to leave is increasing with the minute. However, something tells me I shouldn't leave her behind. I just couldn't.