back to the chalet.

I didn't know quite how to recover from what had happened. It was a small interaction, inconsequential even, but there was just something different, like me being the one to initiate contact had messed with something.

Or that even with no one around we needed to convince we were in a relationship, and we had still... flirted? Was that what that was? Was Archer flirting with me?

"I just need to get changed," I tell Archer when we make it through the door. He nodded and disappeared, saying something about needing a shower. Instead of using the one in our room, he snuck off down a side corridor to where I assumed another one would be.

I was grateful, to be honest. Space wasn't such a bad thing when my brain was this much of a mess.

I see a small trail of water, and figure either Noah or Autumn was back.

As I make my way to the room, I hear voices. Their words are swallowed almost entirely by the walls, but I can just make out that there's two of them and they don't sound all that happy with each other.

I knew I shouldn't, like really shouldn't stick my nose where it's not wanted. But has that ever stopped me before?

The voices were a little louder now, so that I could pick out words here and there. I looked to the room to my left, figuring they were in it. The door to the room was open a fraction, enough for me to peek in for a second and then go on my way.

Only, the whole 'only for a second' was thrown out the window when I froze, stiffened completely.

"You agreed to it!" I could hear Autumn's voice was shrill and irritated. "Just sex. That was the whole point of this. I thought that was what you wanted, too!"

I crept closer, until I could see in.

Autumn was standing with her side to the door, and whoever she was talking to hidden around the corner.

The person sighed. I imagined them running their hands through their hair, pulling at the ends in frustration.

"And we also said if either one of us got into a relationship, this—" there was a pause, like he was gesturing between them both. "— would be over. So you want to throw away us for what? Some instructor? Give me a break."

"Jacques and I are not in a relationship! How many fucking times? It was a date, that's all," she was shouting properly now, and I wondered if Archer would be able to hear the show, too. I hoped not. "Besides, you can't talk. Who was that girl texting you? Hm? You have no right to be mad at me."

"You're trying to make us even then?"

"I can't believe you," she cried in outrage. "Not every little thing in my life revolves around you, Noah." Noah.

I should have known. I should have recognised that voice, the unmistakable dusting of a spanish accent appearing every now and then. But more to the point, I should have kept walking. I shouldn't have been such a nosy bitch.

"You know what? Have fun with Jacob."

"It's Jacques," she said through gritted teeth. "And you know what? Maybe I will."

"Good."

"Fine."

"I won't be waiting for you when he's done with you."

Her face was a vibrant red and her hands were shaking, and I knew it was just an amount of time until she detonated. "Oh, just fuck right off."

Noah didn't say anything else and that's when I realised he must be making his way to the door.

Fuck fuck fuck

Eavesdropping was one thing, but getting caught? That was quite another.

I could hear his footsteps now, much closer than I'd first expected. And so, giving me a lot less time to fucking run.

He yanked open the door. Then slammed it soon after.

Don't go right. Don't go right.

I thanked every god I could think of that he went left, storming away too quickly to notice me trying to push myself as far as I could into the wall. Maybe I really was magic.

The door was opened once again.

Nevermind.

Autumn stood, practically shaking from what had just happened. And when she spotted me, eyes still consumed by rage, I genuinely feared for my life.

"Oh, Jolie. I didn't see you." That was kinda the point.

"Yeah," I said, really glad I wasn't on the receiving end of her telling. But then, the night was still young and all. "I was just going to get changed but I—"

"So you heard all that then."

I nodded, silently. "You want to talk about it?"

"Pretty much the last thing in the world I want to do right now."

Archer would be out of the shower now, probably changing. If I timed it right I could— Jolie, stop being an absolute perv.

"I'll leave you to it then."

She grabbed my arm as I went to walk the way I'd be intending in the first place. "I wouldn't mind some company, though."

***

We spent most of the night watching the films she'd stocked up on over the last five years. She'd collected quite the range— from 'Beauty and the Beast to 'The Conjuring.'

For the majority of our time, we just changed between different Disney films.

"How long have you and Noah been...?" I asked, biting my lip nervously for her reaction. Although she'd cooled down a hell of a lot, I knew it wouldn't take much to have steam practically coming out of her ears again. "You don' have to talk about if you don't want to," I said, hurriedly.

She sighed. "It's fine, really." She fiddled with the blanket covering the pair of udon the floor. We'd had the choice between one of the most comfortable beds in the world and the hard floor, and so obviously, we'd chosen the floor. "Maybe two months ago. The first time we slept together was an accident, in all honesty. We were both completely wankered."

I chuckled. "The beginning of every good love story."

She groaned. "Don't even. It shouldn't have happened in the first place."

"You like him, though," I said. "Can't deny that."

"Of course no— okay, yes, I care about him but that's because we've known each other for years and years and years... and he gives the best head I've ever had."

"Oh my god," I said, wrinkling my nose. "Gross."

"It's not like anything other than sex can happen between us," she said, leaning on her hand and picking up another chocolate. She popped it in her mouth. "He's Archer's best friend. Archer will kill me when he finds out."

"But you're one of my best friends and I'm dating your brother."

She looked over at me. "Yeah, still not best pleased with that imagery."

"I really am sorry I lied to you about it at first," I said pausing the film so that her attention was on me, my words more to the point. Ursula was on the screen, her tentacle things wrapped around Eric, suffocating him. "It just kind of... happened."

"I of all people can appreciate that," she said, burrowing herself more under the covers. "I love you and all, Jolie, but if you hurt him I'll be doing that to you." She pointed at the screen. "But don't worry, I'll do the same to him if it's the other way around."

"A win win for you then." She smirked.

***

We must have fallen asleep on the floor.

I couldn't conjure the energy to force my eyes open, but I could hear what was going on around me, mid-slumber.

"She's not waking up anytime soon," I heard Autumn say.

Someone sighed. Archer's voice replied, sounding further away than it actually was in my foggy state, "I can't just leave her on the floor."

"Carry her then," she said on a yawn.

"Carry her? Autumn, you do realise—" he must have realised her silent state was because she'd knocked out. "Typical."

I felt hands, strangely tender, making their way under me. They were sure to not touch anything they shouldn't, and pulled me up and to his chest. I nuzzled closer to the warmth emanating from him, sighing contentedly.

I would definitely not remember this in the morning.

"Night Jolie," he said quietly.

He must have taken us back to our room, but I was too tired to notice or care or overthink it.

Night Archer.