Guardian Angel

Chapter 6

Have you ever had one of those days that start off absolutely horrible and everything seems wrong and you feel like crying but then something or someone makes it all better? A day that seems to be the worst day ever and ends as your best day ever? I had that once. That day changed my life forever. I just didn't know it back then.

Veronica is rushing through her apartment. She overslept and will probably be late for school. She pulls her favorite white sweater over her head before she takes a bite of her sandwich and stuffs some papers into her bag. She dressed Everleigh first so the little girl now sits at the table, eating some cereal. Her legs swing back and forth while she watches her mom run around.

"Ev you done?"

"I'm not hungry anymore"

Veronica sighs she grabs the bowl and places it into the sink. She's so hectic that she didn't even notice how some of the chocolate milk splashes onto her sweater. "You don't have to finish honey. We skip brushing our teeth today. Come on love, mommy is late. Get your backpack, put on shoes and then let's go"

"Mommy?" Everleigh asks. She points to the stain on Veronica's sweater but she shakes her head. "Not now sweetheart. Please hurry"

Everleigh shrugs before she puts on her favorite pair of boots, grabs her jacket and her backpack and follows Veronica out of the apartment. In the elevator Veronica helps her daughter to put on her jacket. She kisses the top of her head before she gets up and takes Everleigh's hand. "I'm sorry I'm so stressed this morning. I barely slept, I was up all night, thinking about stuff and then I overslept and I hate being late"

"It's okay mommy. I still love you" the three year old says, staring up to her mom. A big smile grows on Veronica's face. "I love you more honey"

When the elevator doors open Veronica snaps back into her hectic state. She picks Everleigh up so she can walk a little fast. She's lucky Everleigh's day care is only two blocks away.

When Veronica was finally about to leave, Everleigh starts crying.

"Mommy I don't want you to go"

"I know mi amor but mommy needs to go to college. I'm already really, really late. I promise you we can have a special mommy daughter evening later but I need to go now. I love you more than anything" she kisses her head and quickly walks away. Everleigh is screaming and crying and it breaks her heart but she's late and she knows the longer she stays the harder it is for Everleigh to let go.

Just as the bell signals the beginning of the first class she runs into her classroom. Someone is in her way though so she bumps into a chest and stumbles backwards. A hand on her waist steadies her.

"Sorry" she mumbles and looks up. A pair of beautiful hazel brown eyes stare at her and a little smirk sits on his lips.

"No worries"

His hand is still on her waist but for some reason Veronica doesn't care. "Are you knew here? I've never seen you before"

"First day today"  he smiles "Archie, Archie Andrews and you are?"

"Veronica Lodge. Welcome to hell"

Archie laughs and finally releases his grip. He crosses his arms in front of his chest. His eyes quickly travel up and down her body. He blushes but Veronica is too tired to notices.

"Uhm Veronica, you have something on your sweater"

Veronica looks down. She groans when she sees the big stain. "Stupid chocolate milk"

"You drink chocolate milk?" he chuckles.

"No but-" Veronica stops mid sentence. A lot of people judged her when she walked into to school with a baby bump. People were making fun of her and said mean things. Rumors were spread. She loves Everleigh but she doesn't want to tell the new guy about her. He seems nice. She doesn't want to scare him away and she doesn't want another potential monster who says mean things about her and her daughter. She bites the inside of her lip before she continues. "Yeah I do. Gotta problem with that?"