Fixated

((21))

Raeleigh's P.O.V.

"I'm so glad to be home," I mumbled, leaning against the wall next to the kitchen. 

Archer sighed, setting my mother's bags at her bedroom door. 

I was at the hospital for two weeks yesterday. I was discharged today, and I think that the only person happier about it than I am... is Archer. 

"No kidding," He mumbled, walking toward me.

Archer and I haven't had very much time to ourselves since I got shot, which really made both of us kind of short with each other lately. 

I really can't stand it.

My side was hurting from the walk up the steps to the house, and I still have to walk up the stairs to my room. 

"I think I'm just gonna go lay down. I'm so tired," I mumbled, trying to break the awkward silence. 

"Alright. I'll go get your bags. When did your mom say she'd be home?" He asked, starting toward the door. 

"I don't remember. Some time around dinner. She had to go to the court room to give her personal accounts with, uh... Evan," I mumbled. 

Every time I said Evan's name my stomach dropped, it didn't help that Archer would wince as I said it. 

"Oh right," He mumbled, leaving the door opened as he walked out to his car to grab my bags. 

I turned and headed for the stairs, doing my best at taking things slow. 

The first few steps were alright, but the rest were more difficult. I was practically wheezing by the time I reached the top of the steps. 

I held my side as it burned like hell, the sound of Archer's voice making me jump as he sprinted up the stairs. 

"Are you okay?" he asked, his eyes wide as fear set in him. 

I felt him behind me before I saw him. He had his hands supporting me as we both walked into my room. 

I sat on the edge of my bed, closing my eyes for a second. 

"I'm fine," I mumbled, trying to calm him down. 

"No you aren't. Maybe you should have just waited down stairs, I could've helped you," He mumbled, running his hand through his hair. 

"I said I'm fine, Archer."

I didn't mean to be so snippy with him, the pain pills don't help that much, though. 

"Fine."

He got up quickly, walking toward my door. 

"Where are you going?" I called after him. 

"Home. Obviously you don't need me here," He yelled back at me. 

"You're right, Archer. I don't need you here. I want you here. Why are you being like this?" I yelled, standing quickly and walking toward him. 

"Oh, so you want me here? Why?" He yelled. 

"Why wouldn't I, Archer?" I yelled back, my breathed heavy as I matched his gaze.

I ignored the pain in my side as I stood straight, trying to be as tall as him. 

"Because you almost died!" He yelled, stepping toward me. 

I stayed silent when he stepped even closer. 

"You almost died. I almost lost you and maybe that broke me. Maybe I could've used someone to talk to and I couldn't talk to you at all. My parents don't care. Could you believe that I actually called them and told them what happened? You wanna know what they said? They asked me why I had called them. I needed you and I couldn't talk to you. I couldn't do anything. I just sat there, knowing that this was my fault."