Forked Roads Back

88 - ARCHIE

FOUR YEARS AGO

"MATTY, WE NEED TO be over there."

I interrupt him as he blasts past a sign that says the exit for Heathrow is in one mile.

He zips left, making me grip the door handle on instinct.

It baffles me how he even passed his driving test, let alone first time, and I don't think I'm the only one who's terrified of his driving. In fact him swerving makes me regret not asking Tessa to come... but as I think that, a pang hits my chest.

"Matt, what's the hurry?" I ask, looking at the speedometer, trying to keep my voice from going all high and squeaky in terror as he approaches the chicane at rocket speed.

"More time for this lunch you've promised me," he winks and I shake my head. I promised him no such thing.

"Hey, it's the last supper mate. Remember me, Mils and Dad aren't coming over in December so we won't see you for like a year."

Fuck I hadn't even thought of that. I was just thinking about Tessa.

I always thought that Millie could come whenever she wanted, same as me, but I never thought of Matt. How bad of a friend am I.

"Oi, it's fine." He taps my arm and a little bit of relief floods through me. "I'll be busy with football anyway, and I know Millie will find a time to come over to avoid doing schoolwork."

I laugh. That sounded like Millie.

"I suppose. Plus, I'll come across on all my holidays, as I finish way earlier than you guys. I'll be finished for Summer at the beginning of June."

"June?" He turns his head, horrified at the fact I finish a month and a half before they do. I can't help the smug grin I have on my face, because I can tell how much it bothers him.

"Yep. Anyway dude, what's number six?" I ask, enjoying the game of him distracting me. It seems ridiculous, but it seemed to be working so far.

He thinks about it for a second, drumming his fingers on the steering wheel before smiling. "This car probably."

I nod. He's lucky because, although Tessa can drive, she doesn't mind letting other people drive. Tessa's always the person in charge of the music, and Matt's the one who drives,  and it works. Tessa's got a very eclectic musical taste, one which I've grown to love so much over the years.

"It is pretty cool to be fair." Andy asked me what he thought Matt would want, and I just said everything. "Although the more you drive it like this, the shorter it will last," I joke, looking at the speedometer again.

"I'm going at seventy," he says, taking his foot off the gas, letting it drop down to eighty.

As he moves into the fast lane, it's quiet between us, and as I keep glancing into the backseat, I'm rstarting to think I'm an idiot for having Tessa stay behind.

I pull out my phone to text her as I ask him what his next choice is, and I stop texting when he says it.

"Seeing Tessa so much happier."

I turn my head and beam. Remembering how much of a tough time he'd had at the beginning, it's great to hear him say that. I don't miss the cold shoulders and the arguments, and basically being told to choose between the two of them. Instead, we're all closer than ever.

"Even if it is with you," he adds with a laugh.

I roll my eyes and shove his shoulder, showing him my middle finger.

He laughs back but adds more, which surprises me."No, in all seriousness, she's herself with you."

I frown. "She's always been herself."