Chasing Jupiter ✔️

Eight

The rest of September passed quickly, with no more drunken nights. I made sure to limit myself enough to be safe to drive home by cerfew. Archers car was officially fixed and he's back to racing with me on weekends. He no longer gets mad when I win, finally growing used to the fact that I can't be beat. He's gone up in ranks to being second best, always finishing just seconds after me.

It was officially October which meant it was my favorite time of the year! Halloween! I mean I've been planning my costume since last Halloween. So if that doesn't show my obsession I don't know what will.

Archer and I have spent most of our afternoons working on our project. He has even taught me to edit videos flawlessly, using videos he took of me racing for examples. I've started posting them online. They were a bigger hit than I thought and my follower count is rapidly rising. I even went out and bought a camera of my own, which has really helped my end of the video project. He is slowly becoming one of my best friends. Which is a good thing compared to where we started.

It's Thursday today, there's no school for the rest of the week. Some teachers work days or something. Archer and I have agreed to meet up and work on the project at noon. As I was getting dressed my phone blares out Laci's ringtone.

"What's up chica?"
"Hey! What are you doing I miss your face!?"
"I'm getting ready at the moment, Archer and I have to work on our project."
"Oohh, the boyfriend is coming over."

When she called him my boyfriend I fell over tying to put my jeans on. "Ahh!"
"What was that?"
"No-nothing..."
"Uh-huh?" She didn't believe me but dropped the subject.
"Lace, he isn't my boyfriend, he's my partner for the project. That's all!"
"Whatever you saaay!"
"It's the truth! We were assigned to work on this project together, so we may have become friends but that's all there is to it. Sorry to burst your fantasies."
"If that was true, then why did you fall over when I called him your boyfriend?"

I couldn't even think of a logical response. I mean Archer was very attractive, but looks don't mean everything. I did a once over in the mirror. Black beanie, my necklaces, a ripped cropped top that says 'witchy woman', red ripped skinny jeans, and black converse. I looked good.

"J?"
"Shit yeah? Sorry!"
"You got quiet on me there."
"I was getting dressed."
"Mhm, sure you weren't thinking of your man? At least admit you have a crush on him."
"I'm hanging up now!"
"Have fun with your-"

I hang up the phone before she can finish her sentence.

*****

"So we have alot if information about each other, but we need raw footage. I already have some of you from race nights, but that isn't enough."
"Please tell me I'm sober in the clips you have?" I beg him. Archer just laughs before reassuring me that I am indeed sober.

We were currently laying in my backyard, it was a beautiful day out. To beautiful to be inside working. "Hey Ju, I was looking over my notes the other day and I noticed you never answered the last question on the list so. What's something you want to do before you die?"

"You never answered the question on what makes you happy." He rolled on his side, staring at me. "I said I needed a rain check on that one. Don't change the subject princess." A small shiver runs up my night when he calls me princess. Having grown quite fond of the nickname.

I decide to let him keep his rain check a while longer.

I'd been thinking about this question alot lately. "I want to drive on the Autobahn. No speed limits there." He let's out a hearty laugh. "Of course you would say that."
"Shut up dragon boy." I threw a handful of grass at him, giggling.

"Game one!" Archer jumped up grabbing me by my ankles, throwing me over his shoulder. This is another habit he has picked up over the past month. Whenever I don't immediately follow him, he resorts to carrying me. He abruptly plops me on my butt, we were now in the front yard. "Archer what are you-" I was cut off by a handful of leaves hitting my face. "What the hell?" Where did he get the leaves from? Looking around I see him holding a small branch with it's leaves missing. "Did you really carry me all the way up here to throw leaves in my face?" He nods, his face is cold but I can see the amusement in his eyes.

Looking up at him with an innocent smile on my face I scotch closer to him. He drops his angry facade, smiling down at me. So I kick his legs out from under him, making him fall next to me. I bust out laughing as he lands with an audible "oof".

"Truce?" He smiles, holding his hand out. "Truce." I smile back placing my hand in his. He jumps up, still holding my hand, gently pulling me up with him, and then throws me back over his shoulder. "Come on." I couldn't even ask where we were going, he was carrying me towards our cars. He opens the door of his cherry red Toyota Supra. I get in the passenger seat, while he runs back into my house.

"So where are we going?" I ask when he returns. He starts the engine and smiles. "You'll see. Put this on." He throws a blindfold in my lap and my cheeks flame red.

Good God.

*****

"Come on Archer just tell me where we are going."
"No can do princess. It's a surprise."
"I can tell that from the fact that you blindfolded me. What's with the theatrics."
"It brings some fun into life. Don't act like you aren't theatrical. I see the way you drift past those finish lines."
"Of course you do because you're always behind me." I stick my tongue out in his general direction. "I'm going to pretend like I didn't hear that. Besides lucky for you, we are here." I reach up to take off the blindfold. "Uh-uh princess, you can take it off when we get inside." I groan in annoyance, but knowing how stubborn he was I comply. I can hear him get out of the car, then a few seconds later my door opens. His hand slips in mine pulling me out of the car.

"Is this the part where you admit that you're an ax murderer and kill me?" Archer doesn't reply, pulling me along with him. "Archer come on this is silly!"

"Just be patient princess, were almost inside." I can hear him opening a door, gently pulling me inside. "Hi welcome to Olive Garden! How many?" I squeal ripping the blindfold off of my face. "You didn't!" I squeal! "I did! Two please." He tell the hostess. I told him weeks ago that this was my favorite restaurant. I didn't think he would remember it.

*****

After eating my weight in bread sticks and the most amazing fried lasagna ever I was stuffed to put it lightly. We were back in his car now driving in a direction I knew all to well. The windows were open and my hair was whipping in the wind. As we drove up the mountain I couldn't help but take in the amazing view. It looked even better during the daytime.

"You know, I've never drove this slowly here. It's always about the race. Kind of nice to take in the view." I'm not sure if I was talking to Archer or myself. "It sure is beautiful."

We spend the rest of the ride up in a comfortable silence. Just enjoying the view.

Reaching the top he pulls into my parking space. "Is her majesty the Queen alright if I use her spot?" I put my finger to my chin pretending to think. "I guess she's okay with it, seeing as she's with you." Without another word I jump out of the car.

Seeing my reserved sign gave me a cheeky idea, I'll have to text Mac about it later. "So what are we doing here?" Curiosity was killing me. Pulling out my camera I started to record random things. "I've never been up here during the day." I quickly pan the camera to Archer hoping to catch some footage. "It's so peaceful, no crowd, no DJ's, no roaring cars. It's nice." I shut the camera off before he notices me recording him.

"It is nice." I take a seat on the hood of his car next to him. Just enjoying the view. He wraps an arm around my shoulder causing my heart to skip a beat. I play it cool, resting my head on his shoulder. Even though internally I'm freaking out.

Get your shit together J!

Sitting in silence together I couldn't even pay attention to the view, all I could think about was his arm around me. How well my body fit with his. How comfortable I was with him. How the littlest things he does makes me smile.

Maybe Laci was right...

I think I have a crush on Archer.