My Buddy Archie [1]

28..

"Okay," I kissed Archie on the cheek before moving over to Niall. "I'm going." He gave me a pout but I just kissed him on the temple and quickly gathered my dirty breakfast dishes to place them in the sink. It was better if I didn't let him look me in the eye while I was lying-avoid eye contact. My eyes always gave me away.

"When will you be back?" Niall asked.

I kept fluttering around, pretending to look for my keys. "Um around four or five."

"I hate that you work on the weekends now..." He muttered.

"Yeah, I know. I'm sorry. It's just how it is." I started making my way out of the kitchen, towards the coat closet. "Do you want me to pick something up for you?"

"No," he sighed. "That's fine. We're going to pick up my mum then spend the day with Liv-I'm sure they'll feed us." His defeated voice almost broke my heart, but I continued to shrug my coat on. "Archie, wanna tell Connie to have a good day?"

Archie lit up, flapping his hand as a wave, "Have a good day, Connie. Bye, bye."

"Bye you two." Mine and Niall's eyes locked. His face changed, so subtly, but I knew he knew I was lying. I should've kept avoiding eye contact. I nervously scratched the bridge of my nose before breaking eye contact. "Call me if you change your mind about wanting something."

"Yeah...okay, see ya."

I gave him another meek wave before rushing out the door.

----

Bucky let me use his car today so I was able to drive myself around. My conscience was yelling at me the whole drive, scolding me for lying to Niall. For lying to him during the past several weeks. But a part of me always well justified my actions. We all have certain things we'd rather keep to ourselves-and that's completely, okay. As long as I'm not hurting anyone or myself, it's okay for me to do this.

But I could tell Niall was getting suspicious. For one, he knew I didn't wear skinny yoga pants and tank tops or sweatshirts to work. That gave me away before anything I said did. Second, I gave him some bullshit excuse last month that I suddenly had to work on Saturdays. Just out of nowhere. He had to know I was lying, but since I knew he wanted to trust and believe me, he didn't ask questions.

It killed me when we'd have such good mornings, he'd be smiling and content looking, then I would literally watch the happiness fade when I said I had to go. I wish I had the confidence to just tell him, but then I'd fear his questions afterwards.

I pulled into the Hampton Hotel lot and parked, then grabbed my bag from the back seat before hurrying inside.

The front desk guy and I made eye contact, exchanging a knowing nod. He was the only person that knew I came here. If it wasn't for him, I probably would have to pay an arm and a leg to book this room once a week. He's also Gemma's brother and I knew I could trust him to keep his mouth shut about my whereabouts to Bucky and Gemma-and Niall if they know each other. Niall seems to know everyone somehow.

I continued down the hall, cringing at the expensive looking wall paper and silver wall lights attached to the wall. My mother and I used to always come here, and back when I was little I would count how many lights we'd pass until we got to our destination. The memory only made me feel worse. Mum wouldn't be happy to know I was lying to someone I cared so much about. She would give me the 'you need to trust people, damn it' speech.

"Jesus," I muttered, pushing my shoulder into the last door. I stepped into the dark room and waited for the door to close before flicking a light on. A heavy sigh pushed the air from my lungs as I looked around, memories flooding back to me.