·Grace's POV·
Stupid, stupid, stupid. That's what I've been calling myself ever since I walked out of St. George's secret spot. I mean, it's his choice, not mine. Who am I to live his life for him? Oh yeah, that's right:
Just the girl who is head over heels in love with him, nothing serious.
I know it was a very selfish move, but I couldn't help it. Archer has become an essential part of my life and now he wants to walk away from it. Just thinking about it makes me want to scream at the top of my lungs.
"Grace, snap out of it. The bell rang almost two minutes ago." Toli prodded.
"Wh-What?"
"You heard her, girl. Either you stand up or I take your disoriented white ass out of here." Isaac continued.
"No need for that, thanks for the offer."
"It wasn't an offer, it was a threat."
Jeez, he better calm down. It's not like I've kept them waiting for an hour, just two minutes tops. Toli and Isaac started walking towards the door, but Katie stayed.
"Are you still thinking about what happened?"
"That obvious?"
"Pretty much, yeah." She giggled.
"Agh! I was such the egotistical brat, Katie!" I put my hands over my face in embarrassment.
"Hey, it's Archer who we're talking about here. I'm sure he will understand your point, as far as I'm concerned. Not that I know him personally."
"And taking into account how I behaved with him two days ago, you never will."
Katie is very empathetic, she tried to understand what I'm feeling right now. The mixture of embarrassment, regret, anger and sadness. Quite the emotional mess.
Being in high school was supposed to make me forget about all of that. However, it only makes it worse.
People look at us, aware of the day before yesterday's events. The student population is divided into two groups:
The ones who stopped thinking I was a looney after hearing the whole story and the ones who still believe I'm a weirdo. What I hate about this situation is how people will remember Scott as an obsessive and crazy murderer wannabe. He didn't deserve this at all. He was bound to be remembered as The Golden Boy, the perfect role model for every guy in this school. Okay, you know what? He was bound to still be alive, period.
It's true what they say, you don't know what you've got until it's gone. It now makes perfect sense.
Before I could process anything else, we reached the parking lot and Toli, Katie and Isaac said their farewells.
"I miss him Grace." Roland confessed by my side, when we were alone.
"I miss him too."
"But he tried to kill you."
"He didn't."
"What?! " He asked me wide eyed.
"It wasn't him. It was a despicable excuse of a being. That's who wanted to kill me."
"Tell me, please. I need to know." Roland was desperate. I understood, Scott was his best friend, but...
"I'll tell you. Someday."
"You aren't ready. I get it."
I nodded.
We stood there for a couple of seconds before I said:
"I have to go. See you tomorrow Rollie."
I got in my car and started it, driving to anywhere in particular. I needed to clear up my head a bit, so I drove and drove for an hour 'till I got to my possible destination.
The graveyard.
After parking the Volkswagen, I went to the closest flower shop and bought a single blood red rose. Next thing I did was to head to the Sutcliffe's family crypt.
The door was open.
I took the chance and entered, not minding the different dangerous scenarios playing in my mind. The place was freezing cold and it made me shiver for a moment. Looking around the crypt, I spotted Archer's grave next to one of the walls. I then laid the rose on top of it, staring at the piece of engraved marble. How sad a freaking stone is able to make you feel.
"It's a beautiful gesture." A voice said behind me.
I turned around in fear and I came to face someone I thought I wouldn't see ever again.
Archer.
"Beautiful but pointless, I'm afraid." He kept talking.
"I came to say goodbye. Truth be told, I was sure you wouldn't still be here."
"But here I am. Wanted to tell me something?" He asked me, showing his characteristic smirk off.
"Actually, yes. I wanted to apologize. I'm sorry for having talked to you that way. The pain it caused me the thought of you leaving me behind was too strong to ignore. You are pretty much my everything Archer, that's what you've become with your stupid smirk and your cocky but caring attitude. You won my heart months ago, way before I realized it. I imagined what my life will look like without you in it anymore, reciting me my favorite poems and scolding me for my impulsive instincts, and it's horrible."
Tears pricked my eyes after telling him how I felt. Sensing my discomfort, Archer closed the distance between us and held me between his arms.
It was the warmest hug I've ever received from him and I loved it. I'm going to miss this so much.
He positioned his mouth next to my ear and whispered:
"You won't have to imagine it anymore."
"What do you mean by that?" I asked, looking at his face for any sign of joke.
"Hey, you two lovebirds! The graveyard closes in 10 minutes, you have to get going!" The person in charge shouted at...
Us.
Don't ask me how the hell didn't my neck break from the violent movement. I turned my head to look at Archer and he was already staring at me, smiling like the happiest man alive.
"On our way sir!" He shouted back, not breaking eye contact with me.
"You better, kid."
That's it. You see that? That's my self control running away from here.
I yelled in joy and jumped on top of him, my legs around his waist while he spun us around.
"You are staying?!"
"Yes. I'm right here, aren't I?"
He kissed me tenderly on the lips. The feeling was heaven sent, may I tell you. If kissing him before was extraordinary, don't get me started with this new feeling.
"I thought I told you both to leave!" The man shouted once again, holding a rake.
Nevertheless, he didn't break the beautiful spell we both were under.
No one ever will.
*****
A.N: FREAKING YES! It felt so good to write this chapter, I swear. You don't know the hell I've been living lately, trying not to tell my best friends or you guys Archer's decision. They were all so sure he was going to turn into an angel. How do you feel about his real decision? Feel free to comment it!
Love,
M³