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The sleepover was a blast! They all ended up falling asleep around one that morning and when they woke up for school Claire let Amara borrow one of her outfits for the day, and even insisted that she could keep it.
They were all giggles the whole day whenever something from the previous night had been brought up. However, tonight was special for a different reason. Mali, Joey, and Atlas were all going to Millennial Hill, which was the best place to view the stars.
"I really can't wait." Mali said. "In South Domino you always kept the porch lights on because it was more likely for someone to break in if you didn't, so we never really got to see the stars. Mom always said that they were gorgeous."
"They are." Joey agreed. As they walked up the hill, a few minutes away before the sun completely set, he patted the picnic basket in his arms. "I hope we brought enough food, dad says that I have mom's bottomless stomach."
"I'm sure we'll live." Atlas replied, more interested in looking up at the sky than anything.
"What'cha lookin' at?" Mali asked. Atlas jumped a bit, looking down at the other. With the moon and stars shining above, he could see them reflected through Mali's eyes. It also softened her features, and as a soft breeze brushed past, her hair (that she was growing out) moved in it's wake. He felt his face heat up and pointedly look back at the sky.
"The constellations." He answered after clearing his throat. "Even though there are lots of books about them, I've been charting them myself." He pointed up at the sky. "See, there's the big dipper and little dipper… and that's orion."
"Wow… I never thought I'd be able to see them for real." Mali smiled up at Atlas and gave him a light punch to his shoulder. "You're one smart kid, I'm sure you're dad's real proud." At the mention of his father, Atlas's entire demeanor became depressed and he looked to his right.
"Yeah… proud."
"Come on, you two, we're almost at the perfect spot!" Joey called from ahead.
"We're coming!" Mali shouted, grabbing Atlas's hand and pulling him along, not noticing how her friend's face had started to become very red. They hung out there until it was midnight, laughing and joking around. Mali had bid goodbye to Joey and now she and Atlas were walking to their dorms.
"Hey… Atlas?"
"What is it?" Atlas asked.
"Are you really doing ok?" Mali looked Atlas straight in the eye and he sighed.
"I can't hide it from you forever, can I?" He asked. "I'll tell you a few things, but you can't tell anyone else."
"You know how well I can keep a secret." They had stopped walking. Atlas bit his lip before pulling out a necklace with a strange stone on it- it looked to be the same color as his aqua eye. "What's the matter?"
"Dad gave me this." Atlas swallowed. "But… things have been stretching thin with me and my dad's relationship, they were before we were sent here. And… I'm scared." He admitted. He placed his hands on her shoulders and looked down before looking her in the eye. "I can't tell you more than that, but… if something bad happens, and I'm in the center of it all, I want you to grab this necklace and rip it off of me. Stomp it into the ground, throw it in a pit of acid, whatever you can do. But… don't do it until then. Please." Mali looked up at him, extremely confused, but she nodded determinedly.
"I promise, Atlas. I promise." He smiled and pulled her into a hug, which she returned full-heartedly.
"Thank you."
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