The Dark Path (Part 1/2)

The Family Photo

[Miles’ POV]

I was just not pleased with Archer these past few weeks and during that time, he has either forgotten or cancelled guy time with Tyson, him and me. The first time was when we were suppose to watch this movie he really wanted to watch. Tyson and I waited for him outside the cinema for the first thirty minutes when the movie started.

I’ve tried calling him several times but he didn’t answer. It was only after the movie that we went to his house and found him having a video call with Alexis. It was okay then because Archer just wasted his own money on his cinema ticket.

The second time was worse. There is this douche bag named Jake who thinks he is the best basketball player on the team. He challenged me to a three-on-three match to see who is the better player. I didn’t want to look like a wimp and back out. Besides, I was the team captain. My reputation would be ruined if I chickened out.

Naturally, I called my two comrades, Tyson and Archer. Archer may not be the best player in town, but he and I have together for so long that we have something like a mental link that enabled us to understand each other without saying anything. I actually thought we do it. Just TEN BLOODY SECONDS before the challenge match began, Archer called to say he couldn’t make it.

I was to scream all the vulgar words I knew in every language when Tyson told me we had to start. We were outnumbered and not surprisingly, we lost. Due to this, our coach is actually having consideration of putting Jake as the captain. Guess where Mr. Steele was? Teaching Alexis how to play guitar at his house.

The third time was past unforgivable. Archer is a member of some club at school that tends to hang out at some really cool places. The club is a members thing only but members are sometimes allowed to bring a few guests. That time, the club were partying at some dance place. Tyson wanted to go, so he asked Archer and I tagged along. Tyson and I got there early. Archer wasn’t there yet. We told the bouncer about Archer. He let us in, only reluctantly.

We spent only fifteen minutes in there when the bouncer told us Archer wasn’t coming. He dragged us out and tossed Tyson and me, we actually flew, into a dumpster. The dumpster wasn’t the worst. Someone must have had too much of a drink and puked their innards into the same dumpster. To put it in a less disgusting way, you could say I didn’t  have Tyson’s good luck. Where was my so-called best pal ever for the past decade? At the ice rink with Alexis.

So no one had better tell me I had no reason not to be pissed at Archer.

“Alright, guys. Remember to wipe before you come in to my house. My parents are quite strict about this.” Alexis announced when reached the front door of her mansion.

We all did as she instructed so. I didn’t want to make any eye contact with Archer or Alexis. I let them step in the house first before I entered. I may not like Alexis so much at the moment but looking around her house, I had to honestly say it was too much to take in. The first thing I saw was a large circle marble table with delicious, fresh looking fruits.

“You may take some of the fruits if you like, Miles.” I turned my head and found Alexis standing right next to me. She wasn’t looking at me directly. She had her gaze focused on the fruits on the table. I didn’t say anything. I just looked down at her, unblinking. When she noticed I wasn’t answering and just looking at her, she shifted her gaze at me. Finally, I sighed and grunted. She smiled but it was more like scared smile than the archetype happy smile.

I reached over the table and grabbed some red grapes. I popped a few in my mouth. They were delicious! I didn’t want to admit it though. So I held an emotionless expression.

“Are they okay?” Alexis said as she rubbed her upper arms.

“Yeah, they’re okay.” I mumbled. ‘Liar!’ my inner voice spoke. ‘They’re ambrosial!’