Finding Atlas

"Look, I'm sorry you had to see that. Well, I'm sorry you had to see me like that and I'm sorry you saw my mom like that and I'm just, I'm sorry." His knuckles turned white as he clenched his fists. Atlas, being a complete Southern gentleman, decided that he'd walk me home since my own house was just down the road.

"Hey, it's okay," I said as I smiled at him. "Your reaction was actually... surprising. I mean, yeah, you had a panic attack, but you didn't go crazy on her, right?" Atlas winced when crazy slipped out of my mouth. We walked in silence for a few more minutes before we stopped in front of my house.

"Listen, I know we just met and all, but I'd like you to know that you can tell me whatever. You can talk to me whenever, okay?" I asked him as he walked me to my doorstep. He smiled and shoved his hands inside his jean pockets before replying, "Okay. Have a good night, then," I smiled back at him, then rooted around my backpack's front pouch for my house keys.

"Hey, wait!" I turned around, and Atlas was jogging back over. "I'm Atlas," he said as he stuck his hand out. I didn't want to sound like a creep, so I didn't tell him that I already knew what his name was, so I just went along with it.

"I'm An—Calista," I stopped short before I could embarrass myself. After he shook my hand, he smiled that half smile again before saying, "Andromeda, got it," then walking off. I unlocked the door before walking in and shutting it behind me, then ran to the window in time to see Atlas's dark figure walking away, his shadow following behind him in the glow of the setting sun. I breathed out a breath I was unaware I had been holding before another caught in my throat. How had he known my name?