Our Messed Up Thing

chapter 4

Tomorrow is the big day.

The day I move to L.A.

I'm excited, but worried. Well, I'm gonna ignore those annoying things going by the name of emotions.

Today is the day I have to go to school to check all of my grades have been transferred and sent to the school in L.A. It's also the day I'm saying goodbye to everyone. From the girls i will miss Nadine the most. It's a good thing we went shopping together before me leaving. I'm waiting outside my house for Archie's dad to come pick me up, as Archie has to do the same.
       After  a couple of minutes, a shiny silver Mercedes pops up. I automatically identify it and run towards it realizing we're very late.

"Sorry we're late sweetheart, Archie and I had some... Issues to solve." Mr Scott's voice sounds so dry. As I sit in the back middle seat, I realize Archie's nose and cheeks are flaming red, but most definitely not in a runny nose way. It's more of a I've just cried way which makes me shift uncomfortably in my seat. I try to make eye contact with him every time he looks to his left but I fail as he doesn't direct any attention towards me.
         The rest of the ride is uncomfortable. Mr Scott tries to make small talk but my answers are really short hinting at him the fact that i'm not in the mood to chat. However, I didn't answer in such rude ways like Archie. His dad asked him if he already has another book in mind he'd like to recreate and Archie would just snort or look out the window as if no one is talking to him. He didn't even bother to say hello to me, so there's no way I'm talking to him.

When we arrive to the school Archie suddenly takes his bag that was sitting next to me, without looking at me - like he has done during the entire ride - and in a sudden angry movement kicks the door open and shuts it abruptly. I am caught off guard and I only realize how open my mouth is when Mr Scott tries to apologize for his son's behavior, even though we're practically family. "He's just in a bad mood. We argued this morning and he's really confused. I know you're usually the one to help guide him through these things but I think he needs to handle himself alone this time." He gives me a sympathetic smile and turns back to look at the road again.

"Oh, um... I understand." I don't understand. "Thank you for the ride Mr Scott," Worst ride ever.

I don't understand what is up with Archie, and to be honest, I'm scared to find out. He hasn't been this angry or rude to his dad before, specially not in front of me...
          As I leave the car, I take a deep breath before taking the first step. As I'm walking, finally entering the building which cools me compared to the warm weather outside, I notice someone leaning on my locker. I notice Arch's hair, but he's talking to two other guys. Yeah, I know them, they're from the football team. I decide against walking towards them but then realize I need to go to my locker, so I gather the courage and do so. Two seconds before I arrive, Archie turns around to look at me. His face is covered by a frown while the other two have mischievous smiles plastered on them.

I try not to worry and instead turn to my locker and start de-coding it. Archie has his back to me and I notice the football players leaving him. After opening my locker, its door blocks any sight of them. I'm relieved by that and focus on what I need from the locker. I take all the books I have to show my teachers. When closing it, I am startled by Archie's face to my right. I jump and couldn't have made it more obvious. I let out a deep breath I didn't know was being kept inside my lungs.

"Hey," He says. What the- 'Hey'? Seriously?

"Hi." I reply, I'm not in the mood to argue.

"How are you?" Wha-...?

I look at him with a Do you think i'm stupid kind of face and turn around to walk in the other direction. "Okay, okay, I'm sorry!" Many people are looking at us now, and I see the football team members whispering and looking at me. I feel invaded, i need my space. "Gigi, where are you going?!" To be honest even I don't know the answer to that. My feet are just dragging my body somewhere without my brain's permission. I was going to go with that plan until Archie sprints to stand in front of me blocking my way forcing me to stop. All eyes are still on us. He notices how uncomfortable I am and looks at everyone else in the room. "What the hell are you all looking at? Don't you have classes or something?" He shouts. I'm surprised by his rudeness. And I can tell everyone else is too because of their faces. However, they all stop staring which makes me much more comfortable. He knows I don't like it when there's unwanted attention surrounding me.