Losing You's a Thing That I Dread

Chapter 18: Archie

A/N: Filler chapter. Kinda. Parang ang layo pa ng Chapter 25. Sorry about the typos! Just wanna get this over with. 😅

Happy reading!

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Monday, 08:22 AM

It may not seem like it, but Z’s obsession with happily ever afters and Disney Channel movies was definitely unrivaled. He could still remember the countless HSM, Camp Rock and Teen Beach Movie marathons he’s been dragged into.

And while Archie was trudging through Northford’s busy corridors, he could almost hear one of the Jonas Brothers on repeat and singing “I need to find you, I gotta find you.”

Not that his girlfriend was really missing, but it has been more than 24 hours since he last saw her. Definitely felt more than a day since they last talked. He checked his phone again and made sure nothing was wrong - but she hasn’t replied to any of his texts. 

He didn’t know if Roxy was just running late, which rarely happens, or if something came up. 

Too worried and impatient to scroll through his contacts, he quickly typed her number on the screen, and pressed his phone against his ear. 

Pick up, baby. Pick up. Come on.

He turned left. and that’s when he bumped into the last person he wanted to see.

“Watch it,” she cried. Then her face lit up the moment she realized who he was.

Archie held the girl’s arms until she regained her balance. Then he moved back two steps and glared at her.

“Are you following me?” He asked incredulously.

“And if I was?” Ava returned, teasing. 

Archie stared at her in disbelief. Then he shook his head in frustration. “I don’t have time for this.”

It’s true, though. Mr. Chua only gave him 15 minutes to run to the parking lot and grab his wallet - a made-up story, so he could go looking for Roxy. 

He started for the auditorium at the end of the hall, but his ex grabbed his left hand.

“Aki, wait -”

“Let go, Ava,” he growled, and she immediately dropped his hand. 

He sighed impatiently and turned around. He could see a trace of hurt on her face, but he couldn’t care less. He knew her, and he wouldn’t fall for her tricks again. 

“It’s ‘Archie.’ You don’t get to call me ‘Aki’ anymore,” he said firmly, making sure she understood.

“Sorry, it just slipped,” she murmured. Then she smiled brightly and asked, “Can’t you at least spare me five minutes?”

Over a year ago, he would have done anything - everything, just to earn one smile.

“Please? For old time’s sake?”

Old time’s - the one where you cheated on me?

He took a deep breath, and tried to dial his temper down. The last thing he wanted was to come across as bitter and angry. Because the truth was, he just didn’t care. She’s nothing more than a small blip on his radar, a nuisance at most. 

Ava inched closer, albeit hesitantly. “You didn’t even let me in your condo yesterday. I just wanted us to catch up.” She ran her index finger across his chest and grinned. “I didn’t plan to scare off your new plaything.”

Archie gently took her hand of him. “Girlfriend,” he corrected her. “Roxy’s my girlfriend.”

The girl frowned. She was probably having a hard time wrapping her mind around the fact that he’s in a committed relationship.