The Dark Path (Part 1/2)

Birthday Boy

A few months later…

[Archer’s POV]

“Come on, Archer!” Alexis said to me as she grinned. She ran to her garage as she pulled me by the hand. Man, this girl can run fast. If I were to stop running now, I would probably be dragged along the ground for a while she realizes I stopped.

Alexis had called me earlier to come to her house. At the time, I was busy trying to finish some assignments. If Miles had called, I would have immediately disconnected. It may sound rude, but Miles sometimes continues talking even when the person on the other side disconnects. I doubt he even knew when the other person disconnects.

But when Alexis called, my heart jumped at the sound of her voice. At first, I stammered. Fortunately, she didn’t suspect a thing. So, she invited me over and well, here I am, almost having my arm ripped off.

Alexis’ compound was bigger than I last remembered it. There was trees of all sorts and the grass was so neatly cut, it looked like the fake grass on those football fields. However, Alexis assured me it was real alright.

She came to a stop in front of her garage. She let go of my hand and stepped forth, placing her hand on a scanner. Then, she keyed in a code really fast. After all that, she took a few steps back. She fished out a bandana and handed it to me.

“Here, put this on.” she said.

“What’s this for?”

“Oh, it’ll be surprise.”

“Okay, I’ll put it on. How much do your dances cost?”

Her smile disappeared and her jaw dropped. “Oh my gosh, Archer! I expected better from you! From Miles maybe, but not you!”

Chuckling I said, “Sorry. I‘m playing with you.”

I put on the bandana and tied it tightly behind my head. “Hold my hand, Archer.” she said. I reached out and held my hand. I sighed. Her hands felt so nice to touch. Alexis pulled my hand and I followed. Thankfully, she didn’t run this time.

As she pulled me along, I thought back for the past few months. We’ve really gotten to know each other a lot more. She’s been really open to me now. The only problem now, or more specifically for me, is that I still haven’t asked her out. I sighed. I am pathetic. I can’t even ask a girl out. Actually, it’s not my fault. I’ve never asked a girl out before. Now, I really wish I had paid more attention to Miles when he was in action.

Alexis let go of my hand. “Alright, Archer. We’re here. You can take the blindfold off.”

I slipped off the blindfold slowly. The first thing I saw was the shape of a car under a large cloth.

“A…car? You blindfold me just to show me a car?” I felt confused. What does this mean?

“Stop talking, dum-dum, and remove the cover.” Alexis instructed me.

I did as she told me to. I gripped the cloth with both hands firmly and pulled it away. As the cloth fell away, a car revealed itself. However, it’s not just any car. It was=

“A 2013Mitsubishi Evo XI…” I said. “It’s the car I’ve always wanted.” I turned to Alexis who was smiling coyly. “Alexis, who is this for?”

She laughed. “Archer, it’s for you.”

“For…me?”

“Yes, silly. It’s your birthday, remember?”

Birthday? Oh, right! My god, how could I forget my own birthday?! I looked at the car. “Yes, I remember.” I ran my finger across the hood of the car. It was so shiny, I could see my own reflection in the hood.