Wrong Time

Chapter 27: Is This The End?

·Grace's POV·

A month since Scott stopped talking to me. Weeks after Archer and I fought over our relationship. Countless of sleeping hours lost because of my now longer and scarier nightmares.

And here I am, barely standing.

What I'm most ashamed of is that falling out with Scott isn't as important for me as not having seen Archer for more this long. I know I should be more affected by the fact that one of my best friends and I no longer talk, but Archer comes first. He always will, as much as I try to push him away.

Isn't it funny how someone I met a few months ago has become such an essential part of my life? I would put my life in his hands in the blink of an eye, and I know he would do the same.

He loves me. And I love him.

I can't get over that fact. He said it so confidently, so sure of himself. I didn't say it back.

Why didn't I do the same as him?

I'm one hundred percent in love with Archer. All my efforts to avoid the situation I'm in backfired, as you can see. It's just that I was in shock. Archer was the brave one out of the two of us, naming what we were (and hopefully still are) both feeling. Now all I can do is wait for the calm after the storm. Talking things out a bunch of days after a fight is better than doing it while the incident is too fresh. The last thing I want right now is to have Archer yelling at me and vice versa.

Love is not always a bed of roses, but I'm willing to try. Now that I'm thinking it, I'm putting myself out there, risking my heart along the way.

I swore I would never do that for anyone, and now look at me. I guess the reason of my behavior is that I've finally found a person worth fighting for.

In addition, even if we don't date anymore, we can still love each other. Boyfriend and girlfriend are just labels, what matters is the feeling: a deep and beautiful soul connection between two people who cannot longer see themselves living without one another.

Scott thinks that I have that with him. He couldn't be more wrong. Once you get to experience it, you know you will never be the same. I only was his saviour, and the gratitude he feels for me confused him, making him think that it was love. You can't simply love someone because he or she cheers you up.

I feel tenderness while talking about Scott. It's Archer who I am crazy about.

"You seem distracted. Is everything okay?" Toli asked me. The two of us were currently in the bathroom waiting for Katie to finish.

"Archer and I fought some days ago over our situation." I huffed, looking at the floor in desperation.

"Thought that you were happily dating. What happened?"

"He got mad because I'm scared of my feelings for him. But it's natural, isn't it? I mean, he is dead after all and we both are developing such a strong love for each other. I'm sure one day he will finally go to heaven, and what will happen to me, huh? I'll be left here on Earth, heartbroken."

"I see where you are coming from. You followed Katie's advice and look where it led you. You are hopeless. Well done Katie!"

"HEY! At least she experienced what to expect from a real relationship." Katie responded. "Don't worry Grace, it will all turn out to be fantastic, you'll see. Even if you two aren't together anymore, you know how love feels."

"We haven't broken up yet. We aren't talking at the moment, that's all. I don't feel the need to apologize for being careful around him, you know? He should understand why am I like this. However, I must tell him I love him, I had neither the chance nor the guts to confess. Turning up at St. George's correctional one of these days doesn't sound bad at all, does it?" The question was directed to the two of them.

"You really should, otherwise you will regret it one day." Katie answered me.

As I was about to talk, Ella opened the bathroom's door and entered.

"Hi girls! How are you doing?"

"Katie and I are peachy, whereas my friend over here-" Toli surrounded my shoulders with her right arm. "-is literally freaking out."

"Can I help you with that?" Ella looked like someone who can be trusted, but I barely know her.

"It's just boy issues. There's this one boy who I am in love with, but he is trouble. I mean, he's not in the best of the situations. He told me he loved me while fighting over my fear of my own feelings. Now I'm overthinking it and I don't know what to do." I explained.

"Sounds bad."

"That's because it is. And you haven't heard the whole story..."

"Well, you have told me you love him right?"

"With all my heart."

"Then trust my words, please Grace. Don't give up on him. He might be in this difficult situation you have described me, but you are both in love and that's what counts. Love is the strongest of forces, don't you ever forget."

The look on her face was concerning. The intensity of it, as if pleading me to stay by Archer's side by all means. I was intending to keep it that way.

"I will Ella. Thank you."

"You're welcome. Go talk to Archer as soon as you get the chance. Letting him go will only make things worst."

"Sure, will do."

Ella then left the bathroom, excusing herself after washing her hands.

Wait. How did she know his name was Archer? I don't recall telling her...
I decided to go after her and ask how does she know but, when I opened the door, I came face to face with Scott.

"We need to stop bumping into each other every single time I go to the bathroom." I tried to joke.

The bags under his eyes were too noticeable, as well as his bloodshot eyes.

"We surely do." He smiled a little, this is a start.

"What happened to you?" I tried to catch his arm, but he was fast to remove it from the spot.

"You know, the love of my life turned me down. No big deal."

"Scott, you are confused. Being your day-to-day aid doesn't make me the love of your life. It makes me your friend."

"Grace, with all respect, don't you dare tell me what I'm capable of feeling and what not. I am pretty sure I came clean to you a couple of weeks ago and explained that what I feel for you is real. Just because you are scared of your emotions doesn't mean we all are."

"You heard?" I asked him, shocked.

"Next time, try not to talk in a place where someone can eavesdrop easily, G."

After that, he turned around and left. It's true though, we've been so careless. At least it's just Scott who heard and not someone like Lacey or any of her minions. If not, I would have been damned.

                               *****

A.N: What has just happened?! Grace's world is crumbling down beneath her feet. It's only matter of time until it all falls down. But the question is: Will it? Stay tuned and you'll know!!!
Love,
M³