A Muffin a Day

Chapter Two, The playground

Jay

I eyed Archer, then my phone. "I'm going to go hang out with a friend...You...Stay put." He'd sit up looking at me. "You're funny...Do you really think I would believe you? You're lying...You are going to the police..." I'd shake my head, "No...Really. I'm going to hang out with my friend." He'd nod, "Oh yeah? What's their name?" "Why would I tell you?!" I'd question. " I barely know you!" The doorbell rang, causing us both to look over. We both practically rushed to the door. He pushed me out of the way, opening the door first. Lacey looked at Archer, her eyes wide. "Wow...You are big...Heh..big.." She'd snicker. "Can I help you?" He'd question, gritting his teeth. I stood behind Archer, hoping Lacey wasn't going to be hurt. She'd look down before she poked his stomach. "Wow, you are big." She'd snicker again. "Can I help you?" He'd repeat, slapping her hand away. She'd nod, "Yeah, I'm looking for Jay! We're planning to hang out." She'd smile. Archer would look back at me, his eyes narrowed. "Yeah...They're over there..." Lacey would poke him again before he moved away. He already seemed sick of her. I looked at Lacey, nervously smiling. "Heyyy...Lacey...How are you?" I'd look at her worried, trying to hint at the fact I was in danger. Lacey would smile, "I'm good! Who's that behind you?" I would look back at Archer, who was sitting on the couch's armrest, crossing his arms. "That's uh...Archer...he-" Lacey cut my sentence off, "Is that your boyfriend?" She'd question, giggling. I would pause, "Wait- hold on-" Archer would come up behind her, nodding. "Yeah, yeah...That's it. I'm Jay's boyfriend, Archer." He'd put his hand out. Lacey would smile, shaking his hand, "Lacey! I'm so glad you're dating Jay! She's been so lonely!" I would gasp, embarrassed "Lacey!" She'd snicker, letting go of his hand, "It's true, Jay! Anyway," She'd look at Archer, "Would you like to come too? We were going to hang out at the park." Archer would chuckle behind me, "I'd love to." Oh great. He's coming along... I'd sigh, seeing Lacey wasn't picking up on my context clues. She barely ever does if it doesn't have to do with where her mind goes half the time. And trying to mouth it wouldn't work, she couldn't read my lips well. She'd turn to go to her car, and I would follow her, trying to tell her before Archer got closer. Lacey opened the car door, getting something from the passenger seat. "Lacey...he is not my boyfriend..." She'd giggle, grabbing a plastic bag that was filled with something. "Sureeeee, you just don't like that I know your secret." She'd giggle, looking at me as she shut the door. "No- Lacey- Really he isn't-" I would pause smelling chicken, "Oh my god...what is that smell.." She'd giggle, "I got us Grazing Came's! That really good chicken place!" I gasped, grabbing her shoulders, "Lacey...Have I ever told you how much I love you..." She'd smile, shrugging. "Probably." Archer would clear his throat behind us. He was really tall, but I couldn't tell if his shoes added something, or if he was genuinely that tall. We all walked towards the park, the playground equipment being seen from where we all were. Lacey ran over to the equipment, got inside the playground, and sat down. I walked over and sat near her. Archer would narrow his eyes, looking at us all. "Aren't there tables..?" I'd shrug, "Hey, nobody asked for you to come, you can always leave." He'd groan, going up the small steps of the playground, ducking his head so he wouldn't hit his head on the roof. I could have sworn I heard him mutter, "I'm too old for this..." He'd plop down in front of the slide, he was next to Lacey. She'd smile, handing me a stylophone container with chicken in it. She'd grab one for herself, looking up at Archer. "We can share if you want...I don't mind." He'd look down at her, his gaze looked so cold. "I'm...good, don't worry about me." She'd shake her head, "No no! Have some, I insist!" Lacey was just like a mother, pushing you to eat. He'd look at me, his gaze seeming annoyed. He looked back at Lacey. "Alright...If I have one...will you not bug me?" She'd nod, smiling. He'd sigh, taking a chicken from her container and eating it. He'd pause, looking down at Lacey. She'd giggle, looking at him. "I know that look," She'd smile. "Someone likes it, but doesn't wanna admit it!" He'd scoff, crossing his arms. "Sure, Lacey...Whatever makes you happy." She'd snicker, rolling her eyes. "You can have some, silly. I don't mind!" Lacey would smile, looking at me. Noticing I was enjoying my food. "Soo!" She'd start, me and Archer in the middle of chowing down on the good fried chicken. "How'd you two meet." I'd look at Archer, shoving chicken in my mouth so he had to talk. He'd narrow his eyes, before looking at Lacey. "Your friend, Jay brought me medical assistance when I hurt myself in a MartWall parking lot...As you can see, it's the same sweater." She'd nod, "Must be all those video games where you need to heal things..." He'd shrug, "I wouldn't know." Lacey would smile, looking at me, "When was your first date?" I'd look at Archer nervously, not being able to think of anything. Thankfully, Archer butted in. "I haven't taken them anywhere yet...I'm trying to afford that nice place downtown..." Lacey would nod, buying our web of lies. We all finished our food, and Lacey went down the slide, "Let's go on the swings!" she'd say excitedly. Regardless of her age, Lacey would probably be enjoying a swingset in her late seventies. Archer would look at me, "She's...interesting..." I'd nod. "C'mon! Go down the slide!" She said to us both. "I'm not going down a damn slide..." Archer said, being difficult. I'd sigh, "You have to, or Lacey will think you're not fun." He'd stare, "Why in hell would I care if a 5'3 woman doesn't find me fun..." I'd roll my eyes, "Be a normal height, and maybe you'd understand." I'd begin to pick up the trash and put it back in the bag. "I'm not going." He said, deadplanting it. I'd sigh, "God damn it, Archer...Just go!" I'd shove him, pushing him down-...Or...I thought that'd work. He went an inch or two, stopping. I'd look at him, shocked. "Great..." he'd groan. "God damn!? Why is your ass that fat!?"Lacey would yell. I'd look down at her, "Lacey!" She'd shrug, "We were all thinking it!"