The Only One (Archie Andrews x OC)

Chapter 8

"Try me." he says.

These two little words cause me to suddenly be back on the beach with him again in North Carolina, four months earlier. He had been teasing me about being afraid of losing against him in our race, and I insisted I wasn't scared or worried about being defeated--I was confident. I wanted him to test me, just so I could prove him I was right. And now looking into his eyes, I can tell that's exactly what Archie is trying to say....What he has been trying to say all along.

I let out a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding, accepting my own defeat at trying to get him to leave this alone. As soon as I do, and Archie sees that I'm letting down my guard, his lips crash onto mine.

The familiar shape and warmth of his mouth sends a wave of relief and euphoria through me. I pull him against me, desperate for more of him. His hands are in my hair, then on my face, then on my hips. His mouth hungrily explores my neck, my jaw and behind my ear. I moan and shiver in delight at the feeling.

I pull his mouth back to mine before I slip my hands underneath his shirt. I feel the smooth plains of his muscles beneath my fingertips, every dip and ridge as I move upwards. I hear a groan escape him as I bite down on his lip playfully while grinding my hips against him at the same time. I smile against his lips, and can't help but giggle.

Archie smiles too, pulling back just slightly to look at me. His hand comes up to tuck a loose curl out of the way. His touch is soft and sure: a combination I didn't know existed before meeting him.

"God I missed you." he says, and I break into a smile while also feeling tears prick my eyes.

"I missed you too Archie." I say, pulling him forward to place a gentle kiss against his lips. His hand stays planted on my face, his thumb making soft strokes against my cheek as he kisses me back tenderly, slowly.

A distant thumping sound catches my attention and I break off from the kiss abruptly, listening.

"Shit someone's coming!" I say.

Archie immediately distances himself and straightens out his shirt and hair. I yank on my shirt as well, tugging it back into place and smoothing out my tousled hair.

"Sit down!" I tell him, and he does so quickly onto the black couch along the wall. I snatch the first guitar I see off the wall and hand it to him before grabbing one of my own and sitting next to him on the couch. "Play something with me!" I say and he looks to me lost before he starts a finger picking progression.

I watch his fingers for a few seconds before catching onto the pattern and mimicking him. Right at the moment we both fall onto the same set of chords in sync, the door opens to reveal my dad and Fred Andrews.

The two men look to us, and Archie and I both look over innocently.

"Oh, there you guys are." says my dad with a chuckle. "We were going to send out a search party." he jokes, and Fred laughs along with him.

"It's nice to see two working so well together, that sounded good whatever it was!" Fred says and Archie and I nod.

"Yeah I just wanted to show Archie some of my guitars and see what he knows, you know. He's doing really well for only having learned a little while ago." I say and Archie shrugs.

"Just have to keep working at it." he says and I smile a little as I try to keep from laughing at the insane cover job we've just pulled on our fathers.

"Well as much as I'd like to say you guys should keep going, we have to be heading out Arch. Both you guys have school in the morning." Fred says to him, and with that Archie gives a solemn nod.

"Sure thing dad, I'll meet you up there. I just have one more thing I want to show Jasmine before we leave. Is that okay?" he asks, and Fred just looks to my dad who gives a shrug and nods.

"I don't see why not. But be quick, it is getting late." he looks to me pointedly and I nod, smiling as I wave him out of the room.

"Yes, yes, it'll be fast don't worry!" I say as the two men leave the room. Archie and I listen for their footsteps to reach the top of the stairs. I look to him. "So what is it you want to show me?" I ask him.

"This." he says, leaning forward to pull me in for another kiss.

I smile and pull him closer, my arms around his neck. Our guitars in our laps keep us at a distance, but it might be a good thing being that if they weren't there, this wouldn't be a quick goodbye.

"I sure hope you make this a regular thing." I say to him and he chuckles. "If you come over after school I have the house to myself until four thirty." I say and Archie grins boyishly.

"Easy there Rockwell," he teases and I laugh as he places a chaste kiss on my cheek and stands up.

I stand as well, and hang my guitar back on the wall in its mount. Archie does the same before I sigh heavily.

"I want this to work Arch...But I need you to be informed too. I know we can't get into it tonight, but can we sit down another time so I can explain why I'm so worried?" I ask him, and Archie comes forward and wraps me in a tight hug.

His warmth and scent surround me; shampoo, soap and cologne all mixed in with something else that can only be called Archie.

"Of course. I have the day off from football tomorrow, does that work?" he asks as he plays with a curly strand of my hair, running it between his fingers. The feeling makes me close my eyes and wish I could fall asleep like this.

"That sounds perfect." I say in relief.

"Then it's a date." he says, and I smile at the sound of it as we separate. He squeezes my hand before we make our way back upstairs to our waiting fathers.

Fred already has his coat on when we get there, and is happily shaking my dad's hand as Archie slips into his own jacket.

"This was a great dinner Mason, please tell your wife the food was delicious. Next dinner will be on us." Fred smiles and glances to Archie as my dad nods.

"I'll be sure to pass that on to Claire. I think we'll be seeing a lot more of each other in the future Fred." he says with a smile, and I can't help but smile myself as my eyes meet Archie's. He grins at me in that handsome boyish way before my dad reaches over to shake his hand. "And it was good to meet you too Archie, I hope you and Jasmine can work on your music together sometime."

"I hope so too." he replies. "Thank you for having us sir, it was a great night." he says solemnly before my dad releases his hand.

"Happy to have you both. Here, I'll walk you out." my dad says, turning with both of the Andrews men and walking them down the hallway towards the door.

I smile to myself as I watch Archie's figure round the corner and disappear from sight. Butterflies fill my stomach that night while I lay in bed, my thoughts intoxicated with that of a certain red headed boy a few blocks away from me. 

A/N: Yay! Our two lovebirds are finally coming around and testing the waters! But are they really out of the woods? Can Jasmine overcome her fears, or will it be too much? Check back for the answers to these questions!

Thank you endlessly for those who are voting, commenting, and most of all reading!

All of my love,

-Undaunted