*Rebecca's Pov*
I woke up and looked around, my vision was blurred but I quickly realized I wasn't in my bed. I also realized that I was in bed with someone snoring next to me. Then it hit me...I must of fell asleep watching a movie at Archer's. I checked my phone and it was about 7:47 p.m. a little while later Archer woke up with a little smile on his face.
"I have to go" I sadly informed him.
"Please stay" he pouted.
"I can't, sorry" I frowned back.
"Damn, please come back soon"
"I will"
As he walked me to the door, I noticed that there were no lights on in the house. It seemed cold and empty, it wasn't the same beautiful house I walked in earlier. I don't know how Archer could stay in this big house all alone.
I drove home and got ready for work.
******
*Archer's Pov*
I wish Rebecca could've stayed with me. I hate being in this house alone. I'm kind of used to it now. My dad is barely here, I wouldn't be surprised if he has an apartment near his job or something.
Since I had nothing to do I decided to go down to my art studio.
Ever since what happened to my brother Cam, I've been painting. It gets my frustrations out. Whenever I feel any type of stress or pain, I paint. No one knows about it, I'm very sensitive about my work because it's all of my emotions in abstract, nobody would understand. My dad's never here so he never noticed, I don't even think he knew about this secret room back here. I've never even told Shane about it. I showed Rebecca because I wanted to show her there's more to me than what my reputation seems. I knew she wouldn't judge my paintings or say something stupid about them.
An hour later I finish a painting. Unlike the other ones, this was a happy one. Probably because all I could think about is Rebecca. I go upstairs and lay down and instead of going to sleep I think about her.
This is the first time I've ever thought about a girl like this, she has the potential to be my girlfriend. After everything that I've witnessed I can't believe I'm actually thinking about having a girlfriend. I promised myself i'd never have one of those, I promised myself I'd never trust a female but for some reason I trust her. What the hell is wrong with me? I barely know this girl.
******
*Rebecca's Pov*
Me and Archer have been spending a lot of time together. Today I chose the date. Something I used to do with my mom when I was younger. I was excited to share something I love to do since he showed me his paintings last weekend.
"Hey beautiful" he greeted me as he got in my car.
"Hey" I smiled.
"So are you gonna tell me where you're taking me yet?"
"Nope, I want you to be suprised"
I drove 15 minutes and finally pulled up to my destination.
"Oh hell no, I'm not doing this" he laughed after he read the sign to see where we were.
"Why not?" I frowned
"I've never ice skated before"
"I'll teach you"
"You just want to see me bust my ass"
I smirked "Well... now that you brought that up, hell yea" I laughed.
We put our skates and got on the ice. It was colder in the rink then outside, I was freezing. Archer and I held hands as I tried to show him how to skate. He looked so scared it was cute. As he tried to skate he panicked then fell, bringing me down with him. We both laughed and got up.
"You have to be relaxed"
"Now you tell me" he smiled.
"Now glide, one leg at a time"
He tried but slid and fell again. I laughed at him and his cheeks instantly became red.
"It's okay, it takes time" I helped him up. Instead of replying he tried again. This time he was doing good. A little slow but it was better than falling every minute.
"Do you mind if I leave you for a sec?" I asked, I wanted to show him my moves.
"Go ahead, I want to see how good you are"
I skated so fast and did little tricks I remember from when I was younger. It brought back memories and made me think about when mom used to bring me out here. I remember one time we were holding hands skating and a little boy fell and I tripped over him bringing mom down with me. I laughed at her face when she was falling. She was shocked and we both just sat on the ice laughing until our butts got cold.
"You looked good" he said as soon as I got back to him.
We skated until our ankles got sore and then left. We picked up some food and went to his house. We ate in his room and watched tv.
*Archer's Pov*
Looking at her while she's watching tv, I hope she doesn't notice me staring at her. Her eyes are back to normal, meaning her eyes are filled with hurt again. When we went ice skating her eyes were glittering and filled with happiness. I had to find out what's hurting her so much.
"So you like ice skating huh" I interrupted whatever she was watching.
"Yea, it's cool" she smiled slightly.
"You seemed happier"
"Yea, I used to go there when I was younger" she hesitated but continued "My mom used to bring me" I looked deep into her saddened eyes.
"Where's your mom now?" I asked, knowing I'd regret asking.
"She...died" she looked away from me as she said it, probably trying not to cry. I grabbed her and held her closer to my chest.
"Sorry, I shouldn't have asked that" I definitely didn't want to see her like this.
"It's okay, I would've had to talk about it sooner than later" she smiled.
"What about your mom? " I cringed when I heard the word "mom".
"My m-mom...left me and my d-dad" I choked on my words.
I've never told anyone besides Shane about this. It mad me think about the day she left. I heard her on the phone with someone and she talked like she was a teen in love. She was saying that she was going to pack her things and she'll be there later on. It hurt me so much, I went to my room and cried. When I heard my dad come home I was scared. Scared of what was going to happen when he saw her packing. I waited for an argument but it never came. She came in my room and told me her and dad were having problems and she'd be back once they solved them. The next day I told dad what I heard and he told me he knew everything but he thought things would get better. I felt unwanted. My brother tried to comfort me even though he was hurting too, we were all we had.
"Archer" "Hellooo" I snapped back into reality when I heard her voice.
"Yea" I replied quickly, kind of embarrassed that I zoned out like that.
"I said she's missing out on a great person" she smiled.
"Thank you" I kissed her. I couldn't help it. I needed her touch, her everything. All these years I've been running from love and now I just wanted her. I know I don't love her...yet, but I want to. I want to help her get through whatever's hurting her and she seems like she could help me with my problems. Something about her makes me want to risk my heart.
We shared a passionate kiss until I broke it up to get some air.
"Please stay the night with me tonight" I whispered, barely breathing.
"Sure" she replied before grabbing my face back towards hers.
********
It felt good cuddling and waking up to her in my arms in the morning. I watched her sleep a bit before I slid from her to make her breakfast.
My dad taught me how to cook when I was younger but instead of cooking I usually ordered out. I wanted to make her feel special though. I made her pancakes, bacon, sausage, eggs and brought up to her with some apple juice.
She was still sleeping. She looked so cute and angelic I hesitated to wake her. I brought the tray to bed and tapped her lightly. She gave me a death glare before she sat up, it was cute.
"I made you breakfast" her face lit up as she saw the food.
"Thanks! I would kiss you but I don't want to ruin the moment with my morning breath"
I held my nose " I didn't want to say anything but since you brought it up..."
"Asshole" she laughed.
I handed her the tray and she downed all the food in no more than 5 minutes.
"Damn, you eat fast" I laughed. I actually liked it. Usually girls eat little to nothing and take forever to finish it ! I remember this hot model chick was eating barbeque chicken with a fork. Like seriously, who the hell eats chicken with a fork? Turn off.
I wanted her to spend the day with me so I gave her one of my button ups to wear .
When she came in my room my jaw dropped. Her black hair was wet and curly, my shirt looked like a dress on her, the two top buttons were undone and her cleavage was present, her long legs were exposed and the shirt clung to her shape. I must admit, I wanted to have my wicked way with her but I care about her I can't.
"So what shall we do today?" I asked.
I saw her look at something in my closet and smiled.
"Oh gosh, what do you wanna play?"
"I'll beat your ass in Wii bowl"
"Oh yea? I'd like to see you try" I teased her.
We played for what felt like 2 hours then I decided to prepare a few snacks for us, some hot chocolate and light up the fire place. She wanted to watch some 80s movie 'Secret Admirer'. I laughed after i figured out why she kept smirking.
"Ha ha very funny" I murmured.
"It's okay, I found the letters cute"
******
*Rebecca's Pov*
As we watched the movie, I saw Archer laughing. I found the movie funny but the coincidences made it funnier, like how I thought that Hunter was the one sending me them. I wanted it to be Hunter but I'm kind of glad it wasn't. Him and Alexa are inseparable and me and Archer are getting closer.
After the movie I just wanted to get to know him more. I know the egotistical bastard from school that I steer clear from but I want know the real him, the one who paints.
"So... how long have you been painting?" I asked, he looked caught off guard.
"Um... about 2 years" he kept looking at the fire.
"Oh cool, have you ever wanted it to be displayed?"
"That's my dream, but when I'm ready to show people"
"I think you should share your talent"
He smiled at me with a twinkle in his eye. I've never seen him as happy as he was when he talks about painting.
"I have a question..."
I sighed "Go ahead" I hate when people say that, it makes me nervous.
"Every year I have a Christmas party, and I wanted to know if you wanted to be my date?"
"Of course! When is it?"
He smiled "The 23rd since it's on a Friday and you should just stay the weekend with me"
"Um, well I have nothing else to do so sure, will your dad be okay with it? "
He frowned "He probably won't even be here"
"Oh..." I didn't know what to say. I could hear the sadness and disappointment in his voice.
For the rest of the day we cuddled in silence. Both of us in deep thought. I thought about mom and I couldn't help but wonder what he was thinking about.
*****
"Hey guys" I greeted my friends as I sat down at the lunch table.
"Hello Mrs. Polasky" Bianca teased.
"Ha ha . Chill" I gave her a straight face.
"How are things going with you two?" Jenna asked, smiling.
"Well... great, I guess. He asked me to be his date at his Christmas party. Please tell me you guys are going" I crossed my fingers.
"Duh! He throws the best parties"
"Good, I don't wanna be stuck with the schools jerk offs all night"
"They're not that bad when they're drunk, they're quite the entertainment" Bianca laughed before she continued " I remember last year Liam Roy stripped butt naked and ran through the house and down the street and Jake Taylor hung his clothes from a tree" the whole table laughed.
"Oh. my. gosh. Did he ever get them down? " I asked between laughter.
"Well... The next morning they found him butt naked in the bathtub"
We all laughed and made predictions of what would happen this year.
******
"So what are you gonna get Alexa?" I asked Hunter, as we walked through the mall. He was getting a present for Alexa and I was getting a present for Archer. I still didn't know what to get him because he seems like he has everything.
"I have no clue, I guess we need eachother huh"
"Get her something shiny, girls like that type of stuff"
"Good idea"
"You really like her huh" I raised my eyebrow.
"Yea, she's a sweet girl"
"I like her"
"What about him? You hated his guts now you're buying him gifts"
"I know, I got to see another side of him, he's amazing when it's just us"
"I can't believe you have HIM falling for you, he's never spent more than a week with a girl"
I smiled. I was happy, I felt special. I didn't want to do anything to ruin it.
After what felt like forever, Hunter bought Alexa an infinity necklace encrusted with diamonds it was beautiful, I was kind of jealous. I found a perfect present for Archer, I couldn't wait to see his face next weekend when he opens it.
******
"What are you wearing to the party?" Bianca asked as I sat down at the lunch table.
"Umm. Not sure yet" Shit. I never even thought about what I'd wear.
"We're going to the mall after school, you should come" Jenna smiled.
"Okay, I guess I'll meet you guys in the parking lot and follow y'all 'cause I don't really know the way"
"Okay. I'll text you"
*****
"I'm going with Shane to Archer's party" I hear a familiar voice. Crap, I'm stuck in the bathroom stall once again because of the stupid cheerleaders.
"But Vanessa, I thought you liked Archer?" One of her stupid cheerleader friends says.
"I do but he's acting like his usual self, you know he doesn't like to show his friends that he likes a girl but once he sees me with Shane and how hot I look, he'll get jealous and want me back" she high fives her stupid friend.
"I hear he's taking that girl that hangs out with Jenna and them"
"Come on, it's Archer. He's only taking her so he can get her drunk and sleep with her remember what he did with Samantha last year, and Lauren the year before that?"
"Oh yea, that's right. Poor girl, and she's cute too" her friend laughs.
"Let's go before, Mr. Beard has a bitch fit"
Great. I know that Archer wouldn't treat me like that but I don't want people think I'm his whore of the night. Last thing I need is a bad reputation or more male attention. Maybe it's a bad idea to be his date.