It has been three months since we graduated. Everything has been crazy busy, but I'm loving it.

A week after we graduated I received the news that I was accepted into my first choice university to study veterinary science. I was ecstatic, so were my parents, and after we found out we went to celebrate. I told Archer about it on the way to the restaurant and he insisted that he join the celebrating, so he did.

Archer himself was accepted into one of his choice universities to study Architecture while he continued to pursue his boxing career. Luckily his campus was only half an hour away from mine.

That was a few months ago. Since then we have started our courses and we've been loving it.

Archer and I decided to move into an apartment together that was between our chosen universities. It would be easier for us to travel everyday and we wanted to try living together. So far it has been fun. Our families and friends have come to visit us several times. The girls have stayed over and so have the guys. We've become the designated 'host house'.

Our apartment is on the fifth floor of a the apartment building, s we have aa pretty amazing view. The front door opens onto a wide space area with large glass windows that allow the view of the city to easily be seen. The living room sits against the windows with two large, light grey couches, a coffee table and a tv. The kitchen is separated from the living room by a small space and a granite counter. There are stools spaced along the side of the counter for us to eat our meals. There is a hallway that leads off onto the left which holds a bathroom, an office and a bedroom.

The building even has a gym and a pool.

It's a homey place to live, that offers some freedom to start our lives. We enjoy living here together.

Every now and then Archer and I argue over stupid things like which way the toilet paper should be, but other than that it has been a peaceful and pleasant experience.

"Aurora!"

I'm currently been sitting on the couch in the living room working on a paper assignment, but was interrupted by Archer's scream.

"What!?" I yelled in response, laughing softly to myself at his desperate tone. I know what he wants. There are no towels in the bathroom and he's just taken a shower.

"Help!" He yelled. "It's cold."

"I'm coming." I laughed as I stood up off the couch.

I grabbed a towel from the closet and handed it to him through the crack in the doorway.

"Here." I said grinning to myself. "This is why I said that you need to check the rack before you get into the shower." I lectured.

"Yah, yah. I know."

"If you know, then why is this the fourth time this week that I've had to do this?" I grinned to myself as I spoke to Archer through the door.

He opened the door and came out with his towel wrapped around his waist.

"Okay, mom." He joked.

"Don't." I warned, causing him to laugh.

"What are we doing today?" He asked.

"I have to complete half of my assignment before I can do anything." I informed him.

"Come on." He whined. "It has been a few weeks since you've had your cast removed. Lets finally do something fun." He looked down at me with big, pleading eyes.

"Fine, let me just finish half of my paper. It won't take long." I said.

"Fine."

I grinned sweetly.

"Don't do that." He said.

I left to continue my paper, laughing as I made my way down the hall.

It took me half an hour to complete the first half of the assignment, which meant that I could finally join Archer in whatever plans he had for our day.

I walked into our room and looked at him as he watched tv. When he noticed me come in he looked up at me.

"Finally. I was about to fall asleep."

"Don't be dramatic." I laughed.

"Okay so are you ready to leave?"

"I need to know where we're going to be able to know what to wear."

"Dress however you'd like. It shouldn't be too strict."

"Where are we going?"

"Surprise."

"How many times are you going to do this." I said frustrated. "I need to know how to dress."

"I told you how to dress."

"That never helps."

"I tried." He said unfazed. "And hurry up we're going to be late."

"Wait, so you already had this thing planned?"

"Yes. Now get dressed, I'll be waiting in the living room." And with that, he left.

"Moron." I mumbled after he left the room.

"I heard that!" He yelled as he walked down the hall.

Shit.

Because it was warm outside, I chose a white sundress with a blue floral pattern to suit the weather. It was comfortable and I wanted to enjoy the elements of the summer air.

"Archer." I yelled. "I'm ready."

I walked down the hall and met up with Archer by the couch.

"Lets go."

"Cool." He stood up and grabbed his keys from the counter.

He placed his arm over my shoulders and we walked out of the apartment, locking the door behind us.

"You look gorgeous by the way."

"Awe, thank you." I said smiling up at him.

We took the elevator down to the parking lot and walked toward his car.

"What do you want to do for your birthday tomorrow?" Archer asked me. "Just you and me."

"Hmm, I'm not sure." I thought for a second. "I'll think about it."

"You let me know when you have an idea." He instructed.

"Will do." I said smiling.

Tomorrow will be my nineteenth birthday. I haven't really given much thought to what I might do for my birthday considering I've been so busy.

Archer's birthday was last month and all we did was go out for dinner and a movie, as per his request. We spent the night out with our friends the next day, because they insisted that we all do something together.

"Maybe we do what we did for your birthday." I said as he started the car. "Dinner and a movie."

"Maybe. That was enjoyable."

"Okay. So that's one option." I started a list in my mind.

We drove for a while until eventually we came to a stop outside of Devin's place.

"Why on earth are we here?" I asked. "And this isn't a place that needs 'reservations', so why'd you say that we'd be late?"

"I needed you to hurry up. I didn't feel like waiting." He said casually.

I groaned. "Wow."

"Just come on." He said chuckling.

I got out of the car and walked up toward the house next to Archer.

"I can't believe you did that." I said annoyed, though I couldn't help laughing slightly at his idiocy.

"You'll forgive me." He said as he opened the door.

As we walked in I was met with all the faces of my friends who yelled, "SURPRISE!"

To say that I nearly 'crapped myself' was an understatement. I had not been expecting that at all, but I was definitely happily surprised.

"Oh my f- Guys!" I yelled, holding my hand to my chest.

"Happy almost birthday." Cody cheered.

"You still mad at me?" Archer asked.

"No." I said through laughter.

"Good." He kissed me on the cheek.

"What do you think?" Caitlyn asked as she approached me.

"Was this you?" I asked.

"Who else would it be?" She laughed.

"True... Why though?"

"You deserve it. Plus we all love you, so we decided that it was good idea.

"Well thank you, it's amazing." I said gratefully. "I love you guys too."

"Of course, Ar." She said giving me a hug.

It makes sense that they chose Devin's house to have the party considering that it was as extravagant as it was. He had a pool, he had all sorts of gaming equipment and it was overall a place of luxury. I'm not sure how his parent afford to live in a place like this.

I went and greeted all of my friends one by one as they came.

When I got to Cody he had his arm around a girl that I had never met before.

"Cody, who's this?" I asked.

"This is Kaylie. She's from my Computer Programming class." He introduced.

"Hey, Kaylie. It's nice to meet you. I'm Aurora."

"I know. I've heard a lot about you, you and everyone else here. It's nice to finally meet you all."

"How come have you kept her hidden for so long, Cody." I asked joking.

"Why is that, Cody." Kaylie joined in on my fun. Both of us crossing our arms over our chest.

Cody looked shocked at the sudden two against one dynamic.

"I did not ask for this." He said. "White flag." He held up his hands in surrender.

Kaylie and I looked at each other and burst into laughter.

"I'll see you guys later, I'm going to find Devin."

"Hopefully we'll get to talk more later." Kaylie said.

"Definitely."

I walked around the house looking for Devin, until I eventually found him sitting and talking with Martin.

Well shit. Who knew he'd be here.

I wonder if Archer is aware of his presence.

I haven't said a word to him since the incident with the kiss and it was too late to turn around, considering that they already saw me standing there.

"Hey." I said awkwardly as they looked up at me, while I stood in the doorway.

"Hey, Ar." Devin greeted. "How're you enjoying your party?"

"Its great, thank you."

"Hey, Aurora." Martin said looking between me and the floor nervously.

"Hey."

"Does Archer know that he's here." I asked Devin.

"I'm not sure, but it shouldn't be a problem. He's still one of our friends, Ar." Devin said.

"Plus I have a girlfriend." Martin added. "Archer shouldn't be too worried."

"Oh. That should make it easier." I said laughing, a little relieved.

"Hopefully." Martin agreed. "I do not want to be hit by Archer again. The guy can hit."

"Yah." I said recalling the memory.

"I'm going to go find Archer. You two should talk." Devin said.

"Uh, sure."

"I'll see you guys later." He said. "We missed you, Ar." Devin added before he left.

It's true that I haven't seen my friends in a while, because I've been so busy. It has only been two weeks, but that's a long time for people to be apart when you have grown used to constantly having them around.

I awkwardly took a seat next to Martin on the couch.

"So..." I started.

"Aurora, I'm so sorry for everything that I caused. I know that what I did was wrong. After Eli told me about your accident all I wanted to do was apologise and come visit you in the hospital, but I knew that it probably wasn't the best idea."

"Don't worry about it. It's okay. I'm over it, Archer is over it. We're all good."

"But it's not. I know that what I did could have potentially broken the two of you apart and you landed up in hospital. That was a real asshole move on my part."

"I forgive you."

"I don't know how, but I'll take it. Thanks."

I gave him a reassuring smile.

"So, tell me about this girlfriend of yours."

He blushed at my words.

"Her name is Emily, I met her two months ago." He explained. "I was in a bad place, but then she came along..." He stopped, recalling the memory.

Cute.

"She's amazing. She's studying art at the university that I'm currently at."

"She sounds great. I'm happy for you Martin, truly."

"Thanks, Aurora." He said. "I'm happy."

I gave him a soft smile as I watched him thinking about his girl.

"I'm going to find Archer. I'll catch up with you later?"

"Sure." He agreed. "It was nice talking to you again."

He stood up to leave as well and we walked out of the room together.

"Bye." I said, as we went our separate ways.

I made my way back into the main living room in search of Archer. He was playing a game of pool with Ethan and Jake, who were both shouting.

"What's the problem over here." I asked laughing.

"Your boyfriend over here is a cheat." Ethan accused.

"Na, Ethan's just a bad looser." Jake defended.

"Who's side are you on?" Ethan asked Jake.

"The right side." Archer added.

I laughed at their stupidity.

Boys.

"Well don't worry, Ethan. I have come to save you, I'm taking Archer away."

"Thanks, Ar." He gave Archer a look of mockery.

I laughed. "Archer, come." I demanded.

"Yes ma'am." He chuckled as we left the table. "Lucky for you boys, my lady wants me."

I laughed and dragged him away. Archer placed his arm over my shoulders when I had managed to crate distance between us and the table.

"Did you cheat?" I asked as we made our way outside into the garden.

The sky was starting to get dark with the later hour.

"Of course not. I don't need to cheat." He stated arrogantly.

"Someone's a little cocky." I said.

"You like it." He teased.

"Maybe." I couldn't hide the smirk that formed at his words.

He pulled me closer into his arms and kissed me on the head.

I enjoyed his embrace for a moment.

"I spoke to Martin." I confessed.

"He's here?" Archer asked, shocked. He looked around.

"Yes." I said. "And you have absolutely nothing to worry about."

"And how are you so sure?" His tone serious.

"He has a girlfriend. She's studying art."

"Why do I need to know that she's studying art?" He asked with a smirk.

"I don't know. I thought it was interesting."

"Weirdo."

"You like it." I joked.

"Maybe." Archer smiled.

I laughed at the fact that we repeated what we had said, only a moment ago.

Archer pulled me into his arms and placed his forehead on mine and let out a sigh.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"Nothing, absolutely nothing." He said smiling. "I'm content with life."

"Oh really?" I teased.

"Yes." He said. "And I owe a lot of the thanks to you, Aurora West."

"I can't take all the credit." I laughed softly.

Archer placed his lips over mine and kissed me softly, allowing me to sink into him.

Archer has been the cause of a lot of improvement in my life as well, there's no denying it. My life has been better since he walked into it, wearing his arrogant smirk as he did so.

I thank God for bringing Archer into my life and I hope that he never leaves.

"I love you." Archer whispered as he pulled away.

"I love you, too."

****

A/N

Hey guys.

The next, and last, chapter is the epilogue.

I'm sad that Archer and Aurora's journey is over, but Espen's is also about to begin.

Hope you enjoyed.

xxx