Chapter 13: Stolen Ideas

Sabrina’s POV

Atlas and I have been working tirelessly to prepare for the making of the prototype. We’ve been in and out of meetings trying to make sure everything runs smoothly. Atlas has been a little tense about having to present the prototype to all the important people in the company.

A couple of weeks ago, I thought I overheard some of the board members talking about potentially taking the company away from Atlas. I don’t know the context of the conversation or how they would even be able to do that, but now I’m worried that if the prototype isn’t a success that Atlas might lose everything.

I’m sitting in class, my mind wandering away from my lecturer talking about adverbs and semi colons. Having this new job has been distracting me from my college work. I need to start writing my major piece because I’ve been putting the work Atlas needs me to do at the top of my list.

My pen taps against the top of my laptop as I stare absentmindedly towards the front of the room. The thought of having to write a ten-thousand-word short story on top of everything else I have to do is making me anxious.

I’m anxious that Atlas’s prototype will be a flop, but it won’t be because it’s a fresh and new idea. I can’t shake this feeling, though, that I’ve heard this idea from somewhere before. I’m not saying I thought of it myself, but I do remember someone from my childhood mentioning the idea to me.

My lecturer is using the sentence ‘my childhood friend and I are awfully close’ as an example to try and get us to point out the adverb and to apply grammar if need be. As I’m staring at the sentence, a sudden thought hits me.

I know where I’ve heard this idea before.

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*Flashback*

Ashton and I are sitting in the playground eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. His Mom makes the best sandwiches, so she always makes sure to pack one for me in his lunchbox.

“You know,” Ashton says, licking his lips, “I’ve had an amazing idea.”

“What’s your new invention this time?” I ask, always eager to hear his new ideas.

Ashton is always trying to find the perfect idea to create a prototype. That’s his dream; he wants to be the next big inventor.

"Well,” he begins, “I want to create a ring that acts as a home security system. I haven’t fleshed out the idea, though. But I think it has the potential to make a lot of money.”

I’m always astounded by Ashton’s mind. We’re only in the tenth grade and he’s already planning his future and how he can become successful.

“That sounds amazing!” I exclaim, turning to face him, “You’ll be a billionaire before you know it.”

Ashton chuckles, “That’s the plan. I want to be able to buy my parents a new house, so they can finally leave the dump they’re living in.”

“You’re amazing,” I breathe, a big smile on my face, “I know your family will appreciate the help.”

“And,” he continues, never taking his eyes off me, “I want to be able to give you the world. I want you to be able to live a comfortable life where you don’t have to worry about money or where you’ll be living.”

I tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear, trying to hide the redness on my cheeks, “You’re too good to me, Ash.”

Ashton places a gentle kiss on my forehead, his soft coconut scent filling my nostrils, “I would do anything for you, you know that, right?”

I smile, “Of course I do.”

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Ashton.

I haven’t thought about him in years. He was such a huge part of my life until he moved to New York City with the promise of keeping in touch, but I never heard from him again. It broke my heart and crushed me for many months.

Dylan was there for me when Ashton stopped speaking to me, picking up my broken pieces until he was able to put me back together. Ashton knew I was in love with him, but he chose to leave me behind with no explanation.

Thinking about him now is causing my heart to break; not because I miss him, but because he has had his idea stolen from him. I don’t know where he is today or how is life turned out, but I can’t stand by and watch his idea be ripped away from him by Atlas.

Moments later my lecturer announces the end of class. I’m quick to gather my things and rush out the room. My head is all over the place and I can’t decide on what my next course of action should be.

Do I sit idly by and allow Atlas to produce a prototype of Ashton’s idea, or do I put in my resignation letter as soon as possible? This is something Ashton could’ve benefited from greatly considering how terrible his home life was. If Atlas goes through with this, Ashton could lose everything.

The train ride home is excruciatingly long and uneventful. Atlas has tried to ring me multiple times, probably about his schedule or meetings, but I sent them all to voice mail. I know I shouldn’t be this heartbroken by my boss stealing my childhood sweetheart’s idea because I hardly know either of them at this point.

Atlas is someone I met a mere month ago and I haven’t known the real Ashton for years.

Despite the facts, my heart is leaning towards protecting what Ashton wanted and has dreamt of for many years. I know Atlas needs to do what is best for his company, but everything he is doing is wrong and it needs to stop.

I pull my phone out and send a text message to Dylan: ‘I’m quitting my job. Atlas and his company have stolen Ashton’s big idea. This needs to end.’