20. FRIENDS

20

FRIENDS

Summer

The next week is pretty hectic. I have three assignments and by 5 p.m. on Friday after my test, I am ready for the chariot of Elijah to come for me. I have no energy for anything. Logan and his buds have a party tonight and I declined because I am not in the mood.

It's been such a long week that I haven't had time to physically check on Arch again. I know he's said he's fine, but I have a deep-seated need to want to see for myself.

Walking back to my dorm, I find Hazel's door open with music spilling out and a few voices and I go to her room. Gabby and Lin are seated on her bed.

"Hey, guys," I greet them tiredly.

"You look like hell," Lin says, and I grin.

"I would punch you in the face if you weren't so pretty," I say walking in.

Hazel comes out of the bathroom with a makeup palette in her hand.

"I thought the party wasn't starting until later?" I ask.

She kisses my cheek. "It does, but we are going on a triple date, remember?" She's basically bouncing with glee and I sit down on the bed.

I forgot about that. It was supposed to be the four couples, but I declined knowing I'd be dog tired, and needing sleep. Logan understood and for that I was glad. He's been supportive the past week. Not pushing me for things and just being overall chill. I guess the head was better than I thought. Gave the man a whole new personality.

"I'm so jealous," I lie.

"You can still get dressed and come along," Gabby says.

"Don't lie to her, she looks like hell," Hazel says and I give her my eye. She shrugs in amusement. "You need to sleep. And if you are up for some action, you can always come to the party later," she says looking into the palette and perfecting her crease painted with pink and orange. It's really pretty.

"I don't know. I doubt I'll even be able to wake till morning."

I get up.

"Well, your loss. You will miss Landon and Gabby's fornication." Hazel smiles.

Lin and I laugh and Gabby glares.

"Well, bye girls." I kiss all of them on the cheeks. "I will congregate with you tomorrow. Don't forget to sin," I say and they all chuckle.

I walk to my room then shower. Sitting on my chair, I pull my phone. I haven't checked in with Arch in over 24 hours.

Sup?

Archer: Nothing much, sup with you?

Long week.

Yeah, tell me about it.

My brows furrow involuntarily remembering coach benched him for his health.

School?

A few minutes of silence go by.

Yeah.

Something about his answer doesn't give me confidence. I get dressed and fold back the pajamas I had taken out. I need to check on this boy. He needs to tell me he's fine to my face. I throw on jeans and a t-shirt with a big sweater on top.

Stepping into my sneakers, I leave, making sure Hazel's room is now closed and they are gone. I walk across campus, and I get to the house. I don't knock, just open the door and the house is quiet. Okay, maybe this wasn't a great idea. What if he isn't home?

You home?

Climbing up the stairs a pinging noise like a notification greets me.

No.

What the fuck?

Really?

Now I just want to hear if I heard wrong. Sure as shit, the cellphone pings again.

Out of campus.

What the fuck?

Then why is your cellphone pinging in your room, Deltona?

Standing outside of his room, I don't knock but he knows he's been found out. He doesn't open and I stand outside for a minute. I hear footsteps finally and the door opens slowly. A shame-filled Archer revealing himself.

"Don't hit me," he says in a small boyish voice.

I huff and push the door.

"You are unbelievable."

"I'm sorry, okay."

"Why?" Doesn't he want me here?

"Because I knew you'd come and…I…it feels like I'm manipulating you to come to me if I report to you."

I feel that in my gut. My mouth parts before I bite my lower lip, pulling myself together. The mood sours instantly.

"But you know that's not…"

"I know."

"That's not what I think. That's not how this is. I care for you, and I know you will never manipulate me." I step closer as he hides from my gaze.

"It feels strange, Peach." He walks past me, heading to his desk.

"We are friends, Arch. In every sense of the word. I don't want you to hide things from me. Do you understand?"

He sits and his gaze still isn't on me.

My heart hurts with every step I take towards him. I take his face in my hands. He has deep circles in his eyes and his blond strands are disheveled, he's clearly been running his hands through them. This poor boy.

I exhale.

"How long?"

He looks into my eyes. "Four days."

Fuck.

"Before then?"

"When you were here." He confesses.

A tear escapes me, and I can't help it.

"No, Peach, please don't cry. At least not for me. Don't cry." He holds my face and gets up from the chair pulling me to him.

I sniffle in his arms. All my own tiredness from the week comes back.

"I am tired, too. I want to sleep."

"Do you need me to leave you alone?" He stares at me, still holding my face, with nothing but pure intention and concern.

"How can you when you need sleep too. Come on." I step back from him and pull my sweater off.

"Can I lend you something sleep friendly?" He looks at my jeans.

I smile. "Yeah, please."

Moving to his closet, he fishes out a pair of his sleep pants and a white shirt. I take it and he leaves the room for me to change.

He finds me in bed waiting for him after I shout to him I'm ready. He changes too and switches off the light. It was dim anyway. Putting my phone on silent, I turn it down. I don't need any interruptions tonight and Arch needs uninterrupted sleep too.

Archer comes behind me and he holds me this time. My body fits into his like it was made for it.

"Goodnight, Peach," he says in my ear and a shiver takes over my body. My body remembering everything about us.

"Goodnight, Deltona."

It doesn't take long for me to go under.

I wake up in the middle of the night and hear his light snore. Smiling, I turn to him. He instinctively lies on his back, and I nestle myself in his chest. The back of my head knows I shouldn't be doing this, that this is possibly more dangerous than I want to admit, but also, I am not really doing anything. There isn't anything sexual between me and Arch. Just a friend helping another friend.

I just watch him sleeping.

Stretching my hand to take his phone from next to mine and I open the camera. I can't take the picture with my phone, but I still want this one. Maybe he will smile at his own cuteness when he wakes up. He stirs a little at the flash, then turns to his side pulling me closer, his face dipping to my neck. I close my eyes and after some time, I go back to sleep.

In the morning, I wake up feeling happy. Then freeze remembering where I am and what I feel between my legs.

Well, fuck.

"I was afraid of waking you." Archer's guilt-filled voice fills the room and I move away. Only turning when I am a safe distance from him. His face is filled with worry, and I look away from him.

"Um, I have to go." I get out of bed. Why this felt like a great plan last night I don't know, but it seems dumb now that the sun is up.

07:21.

Well, just fuck me then.

I hear him moving around the room and he places my clothes next to me before he exits the room. I change quickly and take my phone as I get up. I find him at the door and it's a little awkward.

"Uh, want me to walk you?"

"No," God no. "But thanks."

I know he's just as flustered as I am.

"Okay, l-let me know if you get there safely," he says as I basically sprint to the stairs.

Luckily, the house is quiet. The rest still sleeping. I don't know why I'm tip-toeing.

"Good morning, Sunshine." Jaden laughs.

I jump. Fuck. Just when I thought I had escaped. I turn to find Jaden and Harvey approaching from the laundry. Damn it. Why are they always in there?

"Morning to you too." I pause. "It isn't what it looks like."

They both laugh.

"Interesting…" Harvey says, climbing the stairs. Not giving me room to respond.

Asshole.

Jaden takes a seat on the couch and turns on the TV. Not giving me any more attention. So I turn and leave.

I take that moment to check my phone and messages.

Seven missed calls from Logan and 3 messages.

19:21 I am at your dorm. You must be out cold.

00:28 I miss you, hot stuff. I'll come in the morning when I am not drunk. I miss that mouth.

I grimace a little.

07:14 Was just at your dorm. Hazel says she hasn't seen you since last night. What's up? You avoiding me?

I groan loudly. Fucking Hazel. I really should take back my key from her. Wasn't she supposed to sleep at Trev's last night? And what happened to girl code? I don't doubt she tattled enthusiastically to Logan. I swear she is always on his dick.

I stop by the coffee shop for a wake-me-up. Already this weekend is starting on a negative note, and I have another test and assignment due next week. But I need to get my laundry and things out of the way before I get on my books.

As I stand at the line, I think about Logan. He's a great guy and has been nothing but good to me. So, am I going to tell him, should I tell him I slept at Arch's last night? If I don't, isn't that suspicious? Shouldn't I want to be honest and open with him? If I hide this then it's not going to look great. I mean, would I believe him if he slept over at his exes, and he said nothing happened?

But I haven't done anything wrong, surely, he knows to trust me and trust that I am faithful to him. After getting food, I head to my dorm.

My soul almost leaves my body when I find Logan in my room.