A/N

Hey guys.

So I just want to thank those of you who have read this book so far.

You have no idea how grateful I am.

Hope you enjoy.

😊

**************

When I walked into the room I saw Archer sitting on a stool, while a man spoke to him in a very enthusiastic manner and cleaned up his face wounds.

The man looked middle age, maybe in his forties. He had brown hair with a few bits of grey showing through. He spoke in a gruff voice, but spoke with passion.

"That's Garry, He's Archers Coach." Cody informed me.

That makes sense. He looks like he's been a few fights of his own back in his day.

After Garry finished speaking to Archer, he came over to say hello to the guys.

"Hello my boys. How're you doing? We haven't had a chance to catch up in a while."

"I've been good. I'm up for a spot on the national swim team." Devin said proudly.

"Wow, but we always knew you'd get there. Well done boy."

"And you, Cody?" He asked a second later, after patting Devin on the back with a proud smile.

"Well Gar, absolutely nothing has changed." Cody said with a grin.

"Well boy, at least you're doing well where you are." Garry said shaking his head, while he chuckled.

He only then noticed my presence. He looked to me and his eyes lit up.

"Well hello dear, I noticed you in the crowd cheering your little head off." Garry said with a smile, "Are you here as a supportive girlfriend or a tag along supporter?"

I heard Archer clear his throat from the corner that he was standing in, as I looked over to see him shuffle around with his head down.

"Hello, sir. Um, no. I'm a supportive tag along. My name is Aurora." I said awkwardly with a small smile, as I held out my hand for him to shake.

He took it, and clasped his other hand over it as well.

"My mistake. I can only hope a girl as lovely as yourself would take one of these moronic boys." He said glancing playfully at the boys. They held their hearts with their hands, acting wounded, causing me to giggle.

"Nice to meet you, Aurora," he said smiling. "Please call me Garry, 'Sir' makes me feel old." Garry was chuckling to himself.

"Yes, of course. Garry." I said nodding my head.

"Well boys, it was nice seeing you. And you too, Aurora." Garry said with a smile. "I have to be off, money collecting time." He laughed rubbing his hands together.

"Bye Gar." I heard Archer say, as Garry made his way out.

"Be ready to train for next week's win, kid." Garry declared as he left.

"He's nice." I giggled out after he left.

"He's the best." Archer stated as he made his way over to our side of the room.

"Oh my word, Your face." I gasped, with my hands now covering my mouth. how did I not notice the extents if his wounds before? He had three cuts, one on his eyebrow, one by his lip and another on his nose. A bruise was already forming near his eye.

"That's barely a scratch, Aurora. You should've seen him after Ben." Devin cringed at the, clearly gruesome, memory.

"Chill, Aurora. It'll barley be noticeable by Monday, when we have to be at school." Archer said chuckling. "The bruise will be in its last stage of healing and the cuts will be as noticeable as a paper cut."

I wonder how I've never noticed his constantly battered face around the halls of our school. He says that it won't look bad when we're at a school, but there will still be some evidence of his fight.

I do remember the one time I saw his face really messed up, but I assumed he had gotten into a fight at school. This at least explains that.

I mumbled an 'okay'.

"So... what did you think of the whole thing." Archer asked rubbing the back of his neck. "Not bad for your first live match I hope."

"Are you kidding, she was basically swooning." Devin mocked.

"I was not!" I cried out. i could feel my ears burning red.

Archer stood there with that damn arrogant smirk if his, lightly chucking to himself.

"I really enjoyed it. But I was not swooning, Devin." I said laughing, emphasizing his name with a distasteful tone.

"I'm glad." Archer said smiling.

Archer has a really nice smile...

"Right, we ready to go?" Cody said bringing me out of my thoughts.

"Yes please, I'm starving." Devin said, holding his stomach.

I could go for some food too, now that I think about it.

"Alright, I'll go start the car. Be out in five minutes." Cody warned.

"Shotgun!" Devin called.

I groaned.

"You can't always win, feisty." Cody mocked.

Devin ran out, with Cody close on his tail.

"Your friends are children, you know that?" I said giggling.

"They really are. They're good guys though."

The group seem to be really close. I never thought guys had groups as close as, I've come to realize, these three are.

I stood waiting for Archer to finish packing up his belongings and, to my disappointment, put his shirt back on. I didn't even realize that he had changed out his shorts for a pair of black jeans, which looked good on him of course.

He looked up at me after zipping his gym bag closed.

"Let's go."

After walking out of the main entrance, and Archers wave goodbye to the front desk man, we walked out into the freezing cold air. I shivered, visibly shivered.

I said to Archer, "You were really good."

"You think so?"

"Did I not just say that." I said using his words from the other day against him. Playfully this time.

He grinned at me, realizing what I had done.

"Haha, I see what you did there."

I smiled up at him, pushing his shoulder.

After a moment of silence, Archer said, "Thanks, Blondie."

The ride in the car was filled with Cody and Devin arguing over where to eat. Which was ridiculously funny to witness. So, Archer and I chuckled from the back seat as we watched both frustrated boys go at each other.

"No ew. We can't go there!" Exclaimed Cody.

"Why not? You love their food."

"Not right now." Cody said, looking disgusted.

That face was enough to make me laugh even harder.

"Why don't we just get pizza?" I said, through a giggle, hoping to end this conversation. I'm too hungry to spend another ten minutes driving around arguing over a place to eat.

"Aurora's right. Let's just go to Pete's. I'm hungry and don't want to waste anymore time." Archer demanded.

The moody tone he used was priceless. I snickered with my head in the directing of the window, to ensure that he wouldn't see me laughing at him.

"What?" He looked at me confused.

"No, no. Nothing. It's those two." I lied.

But my response earned a suspicious look from Archer.

The two in front, were silent for a bit, clearly thinking over my and Archer's preposition. They shared a glance.

"I could do with pizza." Devin finally said nodding his head.

"Yeh, me too." Said Cody.

Archer and I looked at each other with satisfaction.

When we pulled into the parking lot I noticed the large luminescent, orange sign that read: Pete's Pizza Parlor.

It had its original brick walls and a large window that spanned halfway around the front of the parlor and went around the corner, to cover the most of the another wall as well.

It looked really inviting.

When I stepped out of the car, the cold air hit my cheeks and the wind blew my hair into my face.

"Oh my shit it's cold!" I cried out.

I earned a look from the boys.

"What!?" I asked annoyed.

They all laughed at me.

"Girls should dress for the weather rather than to look good."

"This is one of my warmest jerseys. I thought I'd be okay!" I said with a huff.

"I have an extra jacket in my gym bag, if you're that cold." Archer offered.

I stood there contemplating whether or not to take it. I was really cold. Who am I to decline such a perfect offer? Archer looked at me waiting for my answer.

"Oh my word, okay. Yes please!" I accepted.

"I'm going in, it's cold out here. See you inside." Cody said.

"I'll go make sure he picks a good booth."

Archer was fiddling inside his gym bag for a bit before he released a big jacket from inside.

It looked so warm.

He came over to me and handed it to me softly.

"Thank you." I said with relief.

When I put it on, Archer's scent invaded my senses. It smelt so good. And it was warm, really warm.

He smelt like his cologne, which had a hint of cinnamon and the rest was a husky guy deodorant smell. You all know the one.

"No problem."

We made our way inside, spotting the two idiots shoving one another into the booth. Luckily it was on the side, but the corner, but close enough.

I hate sitting in the middle of restaurants. I feel trapped by people's stares. The corner feels like a protective hug by the restaurant itself. The edge will have to do.

We made our way over to the other two, and took a seat opposite them.

"Wow, Aurora. That actually suits you." Cody said smiling.

"Oh really? Thanks." I said hugging the jacket closer.

Soon after, the waiter came over to take our order.

"Good evening and welcome to Pete's pizza parlor. What will your orders be tonight?" He said with a friendly smile.

"I'll have the large meat lovers, please." Devins said.

"Oh that actually sounds better than what I was gonna order, I'll have that too please." Cody gushed.

"A large pepperoni, please." Ordered Archer.

The waiter looked over at me waiting.

"Um, a large feta and avocado margarita pizza. Please." I said awkwardly.

The boys looked at me, almost flabbergasted.

"I'll have your orders back to you in twenty minutes. Is that all?"

"Round of Sodas, please." Cody stated, still looking at me.

The waiter nodded and left, which left me to fend off some the looks from the guys.

"For a small girl, you have a large appetite." Archer said.

"I'm a growing girl, who is very hungry." I said casually.

"Still." Devin said widening his eyes for emphasis.

They chuckled at me And I gave them a look. That was the end of that. Don't mess with a hungry teenage girl.

*~*

We've been talking and laughing, probably irritating the people around us, for the last few hours.

The boys have some hilarious stories about the things they've done at school and with their 'lady friend' endeavors.

I've been cackling like a crazy person at the nonsense that comes out of their mouths.

"It was the most awkward thing, for the too chicks I mean." Devin explained. He is currently telling me about the time he accidentally invited both the girls he had been stringing along, at the time, to one of his swim meets. They both showed up, but realized the situation when both came up to Devin, after his race, to give him a well done kiss.

It was hysterical the way he told it.

I felt bad for poor girls, but they should've seen it coming. Devin is the definition of a player.

"I still can't believe you forgot that you had invited the other after inviting the one." Cody said, shaking his head.

"Yeh, that's the problem with this situation. Not the fact that you were straining two girls along at once." I scolded, with a light laugh.

They all chuckled.

Once the cheque came my belly was happily full and I was starting to get tired. It was around ten to ten now and we were getting ready to leave. After we each paid for our meal, and finished off our sodas we headed for the door.

"I still can't believe you at an entire large pizza by yourself." Archer said in disbelief.

"Me neither." Cody mumbled.

I just laughed at them.

You'd think people would know by now how much a teenage girl could eat in one go.

*~*

By the time pulled up to my house I was getting sleepy. I blame the days excitement, the warmth of the car and my full belly.

I opened the cat door and was stepped outside, the air still freezing.

"Bye, Feisty." Cody called from the inside of the car, too cold to get out.

"Yeh Bye, Aurora!" Called Devin.

"Bye guys." I said giggling.

"Bye, Blondie." Archer said as I closed the door.

I made my way up the steps of the house and into the warmth through the door.

The house was quiet, except for the slight noise of the TV playing in the living room. I went in to see who was awake.

My mom and dad were passed out in front of the TV, with their usual Saturday night movie playing. I kissed them both on the head and covered them properly with the blanket.

When I got to my bedroom door, I could hear my sister and Melody, her friend, still talking and giggling inside her room.

I knocked on the door, opened it and peeked my head inside.

"Hey." I said quietly.

"That looks like a new development." She said accusingly, pointing at Archers jacket around my body. I forgot that I had it on. Oops.

"It was cold, he let me borrow it. No big deal." I defended.

"Mm, sure." Melody chimed in.

"No one asked you." I chuckled.

"Just wanted to say goodnight." I said through a yawn.

"Goodnight." They both said in unison. I shut the door and turned away. I heard them giggle from outside the closed door.

After shutting the door to my room, I took a minute to stop. Archers scent still present.

A big smile appeared on my face. I'm really glad I agreed to go with. I like those boys a lot.

I was now settled in my bed, smile still present on my face. The days events played over and over in my head as I began to drift slowly into sleep.

For the first time in a while, I had not trouble falling asleep.