Atlantis Read Online Free PDF Page A

have to try again later.”

    We walked back towards my house. The blaring midday sun seemed to wash out the colors of the street. It all looked yellow. I looked over at Charlotte strolling along beside me. Even her walk was happy. But in the cruel colors of the day, she faded. All I could think about was Elliott.
    “ I’m starting to think you made this Elliott up.” Charlotte could never go long without breaking the silence.
    “ I don’t think you can imagine physical contact,” I countered.
    “ What!”
    “ No. Not like that .” I backpedaled. “We held hands.”
    “ Why? You just met.”
    “ Yeah, I know. But there is something so familiar about him. Like I’ve known him for a really long time.” My mind started to wander.
    Charlotte had more than enough information in her gossip arsenal to talk for days. I zoned her out as we walked. It seemed that I was distracted so easily lately. I hadn’t realized that we had passed my house and were already halfway down Boulder Lane until Charlotte paused her loquacious ways to concentrate and primp. I looked at her, confused by the uncharacteristic silence. Then I realized where we were, Nicholas’s. Charlotte knocked on the door.
    “ Are you serious?” I said tilting my head.
    “ What?”
    “ I don’t feel like watching you flirt.” I turned to leave before Nicholas could see me. I liked him fine, but things had seemed to get awkward lately with Charlotte’s ever increasing infatuation with him. I heard the door open behind me and Nicholas bounded out.
    “ Hey Lil.” Nicholas said as he clobbered me from behind.
    Damn. “Hey Nicholas,” my voice came out muffled as I freed myself from his grasp. “What you up to today?”
    “ Hanging out with you hoes, of course.”
    I smiled. Nic had started calling us hoe’s, himself included, after some movie he saw last month. He loved movies.
    “ Hi Nic.” Charlotte said, trying to include herself in the conversation. “What are we doing?” she asked him.
    I couldn’t help but notice, that the way she said we made me think she would rather I weren’t here, also. Though I knew why she dragged me along. Even though Charlotte was a chatterbox twenty-four seven, she couldn’t seem to construct sentences around Nicholas. And I saved her from the terrifying silence.
    “ I dunno,” he answered. “We could all go to the park.” He winked at me. We both knew of Charlotte’s dislike of my meadow.
    I smiled as Charlotte struggled for words. “Can we do something a little less... Addams Family... please?”
    Nicholas and I exchanged a loaded glance. He was going to make her suffer.
    “ Come on. Last time we were there I’m sure I saw your name on one of the headstones. Don’t you want to go check it out?” He managed to turn and wink at me.
    “ Nic,” Charlotte whimpered.
    My park freaked her out. For some reason, she didn’t find it to be the peaceful haven I did. Death freaked her out even more, and the thought of her name on a rock was putting her on edge.
    Nicholas just smiled. That did it. Charlotte ran off pouting.
    “ I guess I should go apologize.” Nicholas said reluctantly, rolling his eyes.
    “ You’d better,” I chuckled. “Why do you have to push her buttons?”
    “ Because it’s sooo easy.”
    “ Yeah, but you should give her a break, on occasion.”
    “ I’ll consider it, but no promises.”
    “ Good luck. She’s really on one today,” I said as I gave him a hug.
    “ Thanks. See you later.” Nicholas ran off following Charlotte’s trail of tears, and I turned to go home.

    I took the stairs on my porch two at a time, as usual. A brown paper wrapped package was leaning up against the door. I guess no one was home. I bent down and picked up the toaster sized box and went inside. I gently tossed the box on the kitchen table when my name on the recipient line caught my eye. Who would send me a package?
    Curious now, I examined it closer. There was no return address. Just a few