I Love You, Best Friend.

Chapter Ten

I told Archer how low Gavin had stepped, and he held me on the couch as I cried rubbing gently at my sore wrists. He was good at listening, and never over stepped the lines unless I wanted him too. 

"Did you tell Cat?" He asked. 

"What?" I wondered out loud, "That Gavin's a dick or that I love her?" 

"Either one," he said, "she should know both. When you're ready of course." 

"I'm not." I said, "Not even close." There was a knock at the door and I shot up quickly. "Oh no." I gasped. 

"What?" He asked, confused. 

"That's either Natalie or Jake! Jake hates me, and I have to fix my makeup. Is it smudged?" 

"No, I don't think so?" He said slowly. I ran to the mirror and looked at my face. There was makeup running from my dark eyes and I jogged up the stairs. 

"Handle that!" I shut myself in the bathroom and locked the door. I dabbed the dark away from under my eyes and adjusted my curls and dress. I listened to the mumbles from downstairs for a minute. It didn't fade out, so I figured it was Natalie. I walked down the stairs and before I reached the last one, I heard a throat clear and froze. 

"Hey," Jake's voice spoke, "I just wanted to say happy birthday Cadence." I took the last step on accident, stumbling into the living room. He looked me over and I looked back. 

"Thanks Jake," I said slowly, "really." 

"I might stop in later, after work if that's okay." 

"Sure," I said, "have a good night at work." 

"I'll try," he said, "have fun at your party." He walked out of the door. I turned to Archer. 

"What the hell did you say to him?" I asked, recalling the mumbling. 

"I told him how things are, between us. Told him you were seeing someone else. He understood." 

"You're seriously too good to me," I said slowly, "I'm a lucky kid." 

"It's not over yet," he said, "I got you something for your birthday." 

"No," I said dramatically, "I didn't get you anything." I felt terrible and he smiled slyly. 

"I don't care," he said, "I wanted to say thank you for being the best best friend." He pulled a purple wrapped box from under the couch and I looked it over. The gold bow was flattened and I grinned. 

"Archer," I pulled the top off, "I'll make it up to you." When I looked into the box a black case shaped like a guitar shined. I gasped and tears threatened to spill over. 

"Do you-" He began but I cut him off. 

"Archer!" I yelled, "This is so perfect!" I hugged him tight and he was struggling to breath. 

"I'm glad you like it," he grinned, "bring that to your place before the party so it doesn't get destroyed." 

"I will," I stood up taking the box with me, "thank you so much!" I was nearly in hysterics. I brought the box across the lawn and set the guitar in my closet. I began thinking of the perfect gift for Archer as I walked back over. I locked my door and the windows before leaving to ensure that nobody will be getting in. When I made it back over to Archer's, he had dumped he ice into the jungle juice. 

"Hey," he smiled, "Nat's here. She's upstairs, she'll be right down." 

"Sweet," I said slowly, "I'm nervous." 

"Don't be," she said and I turned, "I'll be good. Swear." 

"Hey," I turned on her, "how are you?"