Just In Time

I. our secret moments

A/N: This is only a short story and I haven't written an AU in the longest time so please bear with me!

Everyone seemed happy to celebrate their after graduation party. Sanya organized this party for her batchmates, she knew that they would hardly see everyone again after this celebration. No teachers were in sight and the drinks were flowing. A famous DJ was playing her set. For the first time in months, no one was fighting. Even Archie was smiling from ear to ear. For the first time, he was drunk without taking any drugs. He wasn't even craving for it, he had a different kind of drug now. She was across the room, talking to Sky, and smiling from ear to ear.

Archie couldn't help himself but to smile and stare at her longingly.

"Uy, Archie! Ikaw ah, kung makatingin ka kay Roxy," said Kenjie, who was smirking at him now.

"You know, Kenjie, thankful ako sayo. Iniwan mo si Roxy nung gabing yun. Salamat bro!" Archie was so happy that he hugged Kenjie, who was stunned by the unexpected gesture. Kenjie never expected that. Archie was always grumpy, always shouting. He was actually ready for Archie to lash out at him, he was kinda used to it now. But this... This was different. Archie became different.

"Huh?" reacted Kenjie. Archie just smiled at him and walked towards Sky and Roxy.

"Hey," Archie said, looking at Roxy. "Mind if I borrow Roxy for a bit?"

Sky looked at Roxy, the latter just nodded as if saying that it was okay.

"Sure, doon muna ako Roxy ha," Sky left them alone. Everyone was dancing and talking, while the two were at the corner staring at each other.

"Roxy, you look so beautiful," Archie said while showing his sweet smile to Roxy. He was slurring his words, but it was cute. Roxy didn't want to say that out loud but she knew that she's attracted to him.

"Hoy Archie, lasing ka. Nagusap na tayo kanina, final na yung decision ko," Roxy was determined not to be swayed into changing her decision. Her decision was for the best, she didn't want to be with someone just because of societal expectations on women. Even if she was attracted to him, he's definitely not a husband or a partner type.

"No, Roxy. I know that, but please let's have fun tonight? You and I? Maybe for the last time as classmates?" Archie's smiles never faltered, but he was still hurt by what Roxy told her earlier. He knew he couldn't and shouldn't leave her.

Roxy sighed and just said yes, she knew that he would leave her alone if she told him that. But, she wanted him to stay, at least for now.

"Oo na Archie, basta need ko umuwi before 10 kasi alam mo na," she said checking the time. It was already 8PM. Archie nodded eagerly and promised her to call her an Uber later. He didn't want to drive and risk Roxy and their baby's safety. The news was still sinking in for him, but he knew. He knew from the moment Roxy ran from him during Prom. So much things had happened that he couldn't digest and think about it.

"And bakit ngiti ka ng ngiti? Ang creepy mo ha," wondered Roxy. She had never seen him so happy.

"What? You told me the best news. I know it will be difficult, but I'm ready for it."

"But don't worry! I'm not trying to change your mind now, I just want to enjoy this night with you," Archie reached out and held her right hand. She could never deny his effects on her, she was feeling all these things. So she let him hold her hand. Just for tonight. Maybe.

"So what do you want to eat or drink?" He was leading her to the bar, she was behind him looking at their intertwined hands. A small smile creeping up on her face.

"Hmm, orange juice lang," she said. She was never a drinker even before she got pregnant. Archie handed her a glass of orange juice while holding his own in his other hand. Roxy was eyeing it with her brows furrowed. The distaste was apparent on her face.

"Promise, this is the last one. Then after this, we can do whatever you want," he was drinking his favorite whiskey and coke.

"Hmmm, gusto kong makipagkwentuhan sayo," while she knew that she teased him for his lack of brain cells, she was still interested to know what was inside his brain.

"We can do that now," Archie was feeling insecure because they had never really had a normal conversation except that one time in his car.

"So, Roxanne Cristobal, what do you wanna know about me?"