Stockholm Syndrome? ✔

S.S 24

Archer's POV

Something I should have learned from being with Len was to not ignore things and hope they would resolve themselves one day. With Len I'd ignored his hints that our relationship was over, hoping for a rational explanation of being stood up countless times when I should have realized he was trying to tell me he didn't want to be with me anymore. It was idiotic of me now that I thought of it, but I was still in the same situation. I didn't know where I stood with Felix.

Felix and I did things that acquaintances or even friends didn't do. Yet we never said anything about it. It was what made me make a decision. I liked talking to Felix, he was easy to tease and I liked doing that. I couldn't shut him out because I'd just miss him terribly. But the intimacy between us had to stop, for my sake.

He'd mentioned hookers and that morning when he kissed me I just wondered if he didn't see me as one. I let him kiss me whenever he wanted to. I gave him more than my lips. Yet there was nothing between us, much like a hooker and a client. I couldn't let him treat me like the many hookers he probably used.

I was glad he explained the message in his note, but I also realized he hadn't intended on doing so. If he could slip a note under my door he could knock and actually talk to me. He hadn't intended on doing that and had only been forced to when circumstances brought us together. It was a low blow, but it brought things into perspective. It was about time I established clear boundaries.

When I walked into my apartment building, I planned on going to my apartment and straight to bed. I wasn't in the mood to talk to people, but I got just that. Clark called before I even got into the apartment to ask if I was on my way back. I could hear Stella urging him in the background. I knew from that call that it had been Stella's idea. She was possibly still angry at me but she cared enough to want to know if I was okay.

I couldn't lie to Clark so I told him I had just gotten to the apartment. I got into the apartment before there was a knock on the door.

I went to open.

"Hey guys", I greeted Stella and Clark, who were already bickering at the door. They were pushing each other. "I seem to be interrupting something. Should I come back later?"

"No!" Stella shouted and pushed Clark out of the way for good measure. I hadn't seen her for quite some time and she looked beautiful with her blond hair styled in a messy side braid. She had added some red highlights, which mixed well with the blond.

"Um..." I started, not knowing what to say.

"I am still mad at you", she said putting emphasis on the 'mad' "...but I was worried. So where the hell have you been?!"

She really wouldn't be Stella without her bossiness. I felt like hugging her at that moment. Regardless of my attitude the past few days she still cared.

"Would you guys like to come in?" I asked opening the door wider.

"Don't dodge my question", she said sternly while walking in. Clark followed. I had a feeling she had dragged him there.

It wasn't surprising that the two of them were together even after the shoe incident. Clark had sworn not to talk to her after that painful incident but here they were - together. I was certain Stella hadn't apologized for almost taking his eye out. It was the usual. They couldn't stay away from each other even though they "detested" each other.

We sat in the living area. Alex wasn't there and I had no idea where he was.

"Start talking", Stella demanded.

"I...uh..." I started but she cut in.

"Seth saw you leave with some guy", she said. She wanted to tell me that; before I could even think of lying to her, she knew some of the story.