Fixated

((14))

After my mother had calmed down tremendously, she considered hiring security. 

"We just don't have the money!" I yelled, my mom glaring toward me as she held Jasper to her chest. 

"I don't care, we have to do something!" She yelled back. 

It wasn't like I didn't care, I cared more about Jasper than I cared about myself. If something was for his protection I don't care what it could cost me. I would do absolutely anything to protect him, he's the purest thing about my life. 

"I know that. Don't you think I get that?" I said, my voice calmer. 

She faced me now, letting Jasper go for the first time since we told her what happened. 

"I know you do, which is why you know you need to get a job," She said, her face completely serious. 

It's crossed my mind to get a job a few months back, but my mother told me not to. She was too afraid that my stalker could easily get to me at work, but I guess things change. 

"I tried to get a job right before I graduated, Mom. You told me not to," I said, rolling my eyes. 

Granted, I probably shouldn't be throwing out this much attitude when she's kind of right. 

I won't admit that now, though. 

Throughout this whole entire argument I can't help but feel bad for Archer, he's just standing near the kitchen awkwardly. 

Me, my mother, and my brother are all standing around the kitchen table. 

My stare must have lingered on him for too long, soon mom was on him too. 

"Archer, I know this is inconvenient for you, but could you stay tonight? I'll set up the couch downstairs and you can run home and get some clothes, please? I hate to ask, but I would feel so much safer with a man in the house," she said. 

Before she even finished he was already looking at me. 

"Would you want me here?" he asked, his attention directed toward me. 

"Yeah. You know I do," I mumbled, my eyes landing on his. 

He seemed to think for a bit, his eyes slowly shutting as he did. 

"I'll stay. But can I ask why we don't just call the police?" He asked, his eyes meeting mine once more. 

My mother must've nearly fainted at the gasp she just made. 

"They never do anything. Those police are terrible at their jobs. Always telling us to stay calm, they'll protect us. Well where are they? Not keeping us safe, that's for damn sure,"  My mother started, stopping once for breath. 

I decided that if I didn't stop her now, she'd have his head on a stick for asking 'such a stupid question.'

"Mom," I interjected, trying my best to give her a look that said everything. 

"The police are not to blame. It isn't their fault. They are just doing their job, we could hire security and then be mad at them if they aren't doing their job," I said, glancing back at Archer. 

The look on his face was new to me, it almost seemed like... respect. 

"I'm sorry I asked," Archer said, giving my mother the space she needed to breathe. 

She had a way about her, my mom that is. She always blew up at the smallest things, then she felt bad about yelling at me. It was the same now, I could see her apologetic eyes.