ONE
It's late evening on a Saturday and we're in Archer's old tree house like old times. The old brown wood was sturdy but ugly and cheaply made by his father before he left them. We're sitting side by side, I'm slouched over with my arms wrapped around my legs. He's casual, in his element, shooting helpless creatures like he used to do. It's kind of nice, hanging out here like we used to as kids. Just one room filled with forgotten toys, books, leftover snack wrappers and a faded poster of Scarlet Johansson. We're seniors now, basically eighteen and things are different.
"Watch this," Archer says, aiming his sling shot at a couple of squirrels. He lets loose the rubber and the rock sails across the lawn. "Shit! I missed."
"You shouldn't be doing this," I say dejectedly. "It's sadistic."
"And you should shut up," he says, dark eyes flashing with anger. We stare at each other but I look away to watch the scurrying squirrels.
"Look over there," he says pointing to a nest in a nearby tree.
"Archer?" I question him. I should keep my mouth shut but I hate when he practices and I'm too chicken shit to stop him.
He takes aim again and we watch the rock fly toward the nest. "Bull's-eye!"
"Wow," I praise sardonically. I twirl a loose nail nervously as I scan the muddled sky. He lays his slingshot next to him officially ending target practice. I turn toward him, "So, Archer are we going to the party tonight?"
"Rian's?" he says impassively.
"Yeah," I say quickly. "Remember he invited you?"
"Huh, I don't know," he says sounding disinterested.
"Why?" I ask. Rian Cho was his friend and he would want him to come.
"It'll be boring," he shrugs.
"But everyone's going," I add. "We have to go."
"No," he insists, tone firm. Rattled, I tinker with my armband trying to think of a way to win him over.
"Roxanne's will be there," I add even though I secretly hated her.
"When do you care about her?" he grumbles.
"You do sleep with her," I state, keeping my voice flat. "She thinks you're going too."
He's silent as I wait for his verdict. "Beg," he finally says so straightforward that I thought I misheard him.
"What?" I say to confirm.
"You want to go, so beg," he says turning toward me with a dark glint in his eyes.
"Please, can we go please," I beg, bringing my hands together for good measure.
"Not good enough," he grumbles.
"Please, I'll owe you," I say knowing I'll pique his interest. He's quiet for a second time and suddenly I'm afraid.
"Fine," he softens.
"Thank you," I say wondering what would he want me to do?
"Don't thank me yet," he says rubbing his sunkissed bronzed skin. I look down at my pale arms and sulk. "You're hungry," he asks pointedly while looking at me.
"Are you?" I counter.
"Good boy," he says a small smile on his devilishly red lips.
We gathered our stuff and climb down the rope ladder and into the house. Archer goes into the refrigerator and starts pulling out lunchmeat, cheese, pickles, mustard and mayo.
"What time is the party?" he asks, lathering the bread slices with mustard.
"Nine," I say, grabbing plates.
"Here," he says, hanging me a completed sandwich. I bite and chew as he watches me. He eats slowly his eyes tracking mine like a predator stalking his prey. I dust off the crumbs and grab a water bottle. He stalks toward the staircase. "Come on."
Once in his room, he closes the window shutting out the neighbor's loud ass dog. Satisfied, he jumps on his bed, stretching out his long legs. I shuffle over to his desk, at his computer chair.
"There've better be weed," he says running his hand through his messy black hair.
"Definitely," I say reassuring him. Rian doesn't smoke much but he's generous.
"Rian's a couple of miles away so I'll just drive there," he says.
"Okay," I agree.
We don't say anything for a while, I just look around the room, sneaking peeks at him.
"Jesus, your curls are out of control," he teases reaching for a handful.
"Oh God no," I say pushing his fingers away.
"You look like a blond Harry Styles," he laughs.
"And?" I said flicking my curls out of my face.
"It's cute," he says and the admission hangs in the air between us.
"Thanks," I say hesitantly. His comment warms me but I ignore the feeling.
"Pout for me," he mocks.
"Can we talk about something else," I say, cheeks flaming. He knows I'm self-conscious but he likes pushing anyway.
"What time is it?" he asks.
"Nine," I said looking at his computer's clock.
"I'm horny," he says.
Instantly, my glaze drifts to his bulge and I lick my lips nervously, waiting for his command.
"Come here," he murmurs sensually in his deep voice. Immediate shivers race down my spine as I move toward him. I crawl on the bed over his outstretched legs, basically straddling his lap without touching him. I'm just hovering over him, looking into his dark blue eyes. His eyes never stray off me as he methodically unbuttoned his pants.
"Suck it!" he harshly demands. My dick twitches in my pants as I grope his penis through his boxers. I'm drooling as I lick alongside his rigid length wetting the soft fabric. I unravel his ten-inch cock and suck on the head. He smells so good and taste kind of earthly.
"Don't be coy," he warns as I slurp around the tip. He takes my head and forces me to deep throat him. Expertly, I loosen my throat inhabiting him to slide down with ease.
"Fuck yes," he moans. I want to make him happy so I bath my tongue around his pole. He grabs fistfuls of my hair, gyrating his hips making me breathless. But, I don't panic instead inhale through my nose. I continue to slurp and suck until shortly he's shaking from an orgasm.
"Come on," he goads me. "Take it. Fuck, I'm cumin!" He yells, rocking against me as I gulp and choke down his explosion. I gently and attentively lick the residue from his limp penis and laden balls. I tease his piss slit, collecting the remaining droplets.
"Damn," he says out of breath. I lick my lips while sitting back, finding space near his side.
"I'll have to keep you around," he chuckles meanly. "My little blond whore."
"You're an idiot," I snap at him. Now I'm a slut?
"And you're a little bitch, my fucking bitch," he berates me all playfulness gone.
"Why do you do that?" I ask, tears gathering in my eyes. God, I didn't want to cry in front of him but he makes me feel so vulnerable.
"What?" he says dismissingly as he takes out his phone.
"You put me down constantly, it's like you hate me," I say turning away. "But you keep me around even though we're more than best friends at this point."
A pregnant pause in the clammy room. "I do hate you but I'm also in love with you," he says suddenly. I look at him waiting to see a hint of a smile or "just kidding" coming next but his face is serious. A cold glare is frozen on his face, I look away scared. But then the left side of his face raises up his signature lopsided smile.
I just stare horrified; he's smiling like everything is fine but his eyes are still blank and cold. He gets up and heads toward the bathroom and it isn't until I hear the running water that I exhale.
LATER
We're in his car, heading toward Rian's. The atmosphere is stagnant as he drives while I just stare out the window. The radio is blaring a generic pop song so Archer turns the volume down. Eventually, we arrive but the driveway and streets are overcrowded.
"Stupid fucking parking," he mutters angrily.
"I see a spot there," I tell him, pointing across the street.
We walk up the driveway and he barges through the front door and into the living room. It's packed with dancing bodies and intoxicated people.
"Hey Archer!" I hear across the room where some guys are chilling. He walks toward them, leaving me alone. I head to the kitchen to get a beer from the keg stand. It's crowded here too as I maneuver through people. I grab a red solo cup and pour myself a bit. It's warm and gross but I greedily gulp down the remaining dregs.
"Thirsty or just overcompensating for something," a smooth voice says from behind me. I turn and look up at Rian, he's taking a sip from his cup. His bright green eyes look glassy but intense and I'm drawn to them. He's tall but shorter than Archer. Tousled short dark hair and an angular strong jaw.
"Thirsty," I reply coolly. "What do you think I'm overcompensating for?" I pour myself another one when I see Archer walk in the room. He has a lit joint in-between his lips, I quickly pour another cup for him.
"Can I hit it?" I ask him.
"Yeah," he says taking the cup I offer him as he passes the joint. I quickly inhale the pungent smoke as he watches us over the rim of his cup.
"See Roxanne anywhere?" Rian asks, finishing his drink.
"No," Archer says as I cough, he swiftly retrieves the joint and takes a puff. "Come on," he says, passing the joint back to me. I look at Rian but he's looking at Archer. We finish the joint and return to the living room. I'm tipsy and high as I walk to the couch, plopping down. Archer walks toward his friends group and Rian joins them. I'm in a haze when I finally spot Roxanne coming into the living room. She looks absolutely stunning with long dark hair and dazzling green eyes. She walks farther into the room toward her friends. Rachel Win, who's super annoying whispers into her ear and my heart sinks when Roxanne smiles at Archer. She struts toward him and I look away when Archer quirks a smug eyebrow at her.
I stand up and leave for some fresh air. I walk outside to the patio where there's a few people hanging out. I sit down in a chair and just watch the sky, contemplating.
"Are you into stars or something?" A high pitched voice accuses me. I follow the sound to a random girl staring at me.
"What?" I say, confused.
"Stars?" She says coming closer. "Do you know what each star is called?"
"No, just bored," I lie. She nods in understanding. She's cute in a understated kind of way with medium length brown hair and pretty hazel eyes.
"Yeah, well this isn't exactly my scene either," she confesses. "But my best friend wanted to go and I'm by nature a pushover so..."
"My situation is the opposite and similar," I tell her. "I've convinced my best friend to go and now I just want to leave."
"Can I sit?" she ask politely. I nod as she takes the chair next to me. "I've seen you at school mostly with that guy."
"Archer King," I say automatically.
"Yeah, him," she says while kicking her feet. "Lots of girls have crushes on him. My best friend actually came here to seduce him, her words."
"Really?" I say shocked. She sounded resentful of her friend if you asked me.
"Yeah, she ditched me to swoon over him with the other groupies," she says, frowning.
"You sound..." I start but falter because it's impossible to even voice. Did she not like Archer?
My face must have been flabbergasted because she speaks up panicking. "I mean I see the appeal but he's just so mysterious. I like a more open book type of guy, you know."
"I understand," I tell her. Archer's unreadable to most so he does have a layer of mystique about him. Hell, I don't even know where I stand with him half the time. "And your secret is safe with me."
