Rule #3: No Physical Contact
Don't kiss anyone. It leads to a dangerous game.
- () -
"What's Plan A?"
"What?"
"You said something about Plan A yesterday."
I stir my cereal, watching the flakes swim in the milk. I remember the exact conversation Archer's talking about, where I accidentally mentioned Plan A while complaining about Andrew. After I recognized my mistake, I changed the subject quickly so he wouldn't notice. Clearly, he did.
"Um, I don't remember saying anything about a Plan A.
Archer leans forward, resting his elbows on the table. "You're lying. I can tell."
"What," Despite our conversation, I smile. "So you have the power to read my mind now that we're in a relationship?"
"Not all of your mind. I still don't know what Plan A is."
"And you're never going to find out."
Melody runs down the stairs with an all-pink outfit on, effectively ending our conversation. I finish the last of the cereal, then put it in the sink. Archer hands me my backpack and we head outside. Melody greets Raquel, whose car is apparently fixed, with a hug.
"I bet Melody knows what Plan A is," Archer says.
"She doesn't."
"Liar," Archer grins.
I scowl.
"Melody!"
"Stop," I clamp my hand over his mouth. Nobody in my family knows that we're dating yet and I want to keep it quiet just in case mom's spying on us from one of the windows. "Fine, I'll tell you. Just get in the car and shut up."
Pleased, Archer gets into the driver's seat. I slide in next to him. Since Julia's sick and couldn't make it today, we have the car to ourselves.
I knew I would have to tell Archer about my mission to get rid of my crush on him someday. But IÂ wanted to have that conversation in three or four years. Maybe I should tell the story really quietly while he's driving and he won't pay attention to me.
Archer starts the engine, then looks at me expectantly.
I swallow nervously. "Are you going to drive?"
"Not until you tell me what Plan A is about."
"Didn't Andrew tell you?"
"I didn't let him."
I pause. That's actually sweet of him.
"We're going to be late to school," I say.
"Then you better tell me what Plan A is quickly."
"Fine," I position my body so that it's facing the window and I don't have to see his expression. A chuckle from behind me lets me know that Archer knows exactly what I'm doing. "Okay, so you already know that I created some plans to get rid of my crush on you."
Archer begins to back the car out of the driveway.
"Plan A was to use a rubber band to get rid of my feelings for you. Everything I would get - ugh, this is embarrassing - butterflies or something stupid like that, I'd snap the rubber band so that I feel pain instead."
"Hang on," Archer says, as if he just understood something very important. "Was this when you got your flu shot? I thought it was because you were scared of the flu shot but it was actually because you had a - had a -"
When Archer's voice fades out, I look over my shoulder. Archer's biting his bottom lip, a sign that he's fighting the urge to smile.
"What?" I snap. "It was a good idea. It had scientific basis to it. "
"I didn't say it wasn't," Archer says, but the edges of his lips twitch. "How many of these plans did you have?"
"...six."
There's a full-on smirk on his face now.
"Shut up," I say.
"I didn't say anything."
"You're secretly making fun of me."
"What, so you have the power to read my mind now that we're in a relationship?"
"I told you to shut up."
He laughs.
- () -
Archer greets me at my locker during lunchtime. Sebastian isn't with him, so that must mean he's here for me. My theory is proven when he corners me with his arms, keeping me from moving to my usual space in the parking lot.
"I missed you, Peyton."
"It's been four hours since we last saw each other," I point out. When he doesn't move, I roll my eyes. "I missed you too, Archer."
Archer grins and leans closer. "How's life dating me?"
"Same as usual," I flick his nose. He blinks. "Except I'm dating you."
"Well, it's about to get even better."
"And why is that?"
"You said if I came up with some rules that I could add them to yours, right?"
I hesitate. There's a gleam to Archer's eyes that makes me suspicious. "I guess. Why? Did you come up with one?"
"Three, actually."
"Oh."
"The first one is that you have to sit with me during lunch."
So that's why he cornered me today. My first instinct is to protest or argue, since having lunch with other people is low on my list. Right above wearing actual gym clothes during gym. Then, I take another second to think about it.
Archer agreed to all sixteen of my rules, so the least I could do is follow some of his, right? It's just lunch with his friends. No big deal.
"Fine," I exhale shakily. "Let's go."
Before I change my mind, I duck under Archer's arms and head in the direction that I think is the cafeteria. Archer stands still for a couple of seconds, shocked, then catches up with me.
"Wait, really?" He says.
"Yeah."
"Wow," Archer tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. His touch, even though I should get used to it by now, continues to send fireworks through my body. "I thought we'd argue for at least five minutes before I'd be able to convince you."
"Dr. Robinson said that the foundation to every relationship is compromise."
"You've been talking to Dr. Robinson about our relationship?"
Why do I let these things slip? I glare at Archer and he laughs.
"I'm sorry," He says. "That's just so cute to think about. You, sitting in the a therapist's office, listening attentively to Dr. Robinson's as she gives you relationship advice."
"Don't call me cute."
"You have pink hair, Peyton. You're cute."
"I hate my hair," I grumble, even though I don't. "Maybe I should cut it all off."
"Don't you dare," Archer tugs gently on the strand that he tucked behind my ear. "You know what? I'm making a new rule right now. You can't cut off your hair."
"Fine. What else?"
"I get to call you cute nicknames and you can't protest."
I scrunch up my nose. "Fine."
"You're very agreeable today, bear cub."
I scrunch up my nose even more.
"No making silly faces either." Archer flicks my nose the same way I flicked his earlier.
We enter the cafeteria. The buzz of the collective student body and smell of greasy pizza is familiar in the way that it makes my skin crawl. Archer, without an ounce of hesitation, leads me to a table in the center that's already packed tight with a dozen people. He squeezes in the middle and drags me next to him.
As I look around, I realize that I know most of the faces from Archer's swim team and group of friends. Kya, Archer's homecoming date, is sitting directly next to left. She eyes my lunch bag with curiosity as I take out my veggie sandwich and bag of cucumbers.
"Everybody, this is Peyton. She's my girlfriend now," Archer announces and pats the top of my head.
"That sucks for Peyton," Kya says, raising her eyes. "Archer sucks at being a boyfriend."
"Hey!"
"All he would do is come over to my house and take naps. One time, we took a picnic date and all he did was sleep on the grass."
"Stop that. You're going to scare Peyton away."
"You come to my house and nap all the time," I remind him. "Why would I be scared?"
Archer doesn't say anything, just glares at Kya grumpily. Kya doesn't notice because she's pointing at my lunch. "What is that?"
"Sliced cucumbers."
"Weird. Can I try one?"
I hand her a sliced cucumber.
Meanwhile, Archer takes out his own lunch, which is just a bag of chips and a can of Sprite. I'm the only one who notices. Everybody else acts as if this is completely normal for him. What is he doing? What happened to the Archer who helped Sebastian and me cook in the kitchen?
"Is that all you're eating?" I ask. "I thought you had a swim meet today."
Behind me, Kya makes a sound of disgust that lets me know that she does not like the taste of the cucumber slice.
"I overslept so I couldn't make lunch," Archer says.
"How often do you oversleep?"
He thinks about it. "Most of the time actually, so maybe I'm not oversleeping."
"You should eat healthier," I say.
"Here, try to have a cucumber slice. It's healthy," Kya shoves the cucumber past me and towards Archer, who scowls at her.
"I hate cucumbers."
I offer him half of my sandwich. "Eat this then."
Archer looks at the sandwich, made fresh this morning, then back at me. "Does it have cheese?"
I roll my eyes. "Yes."
"I'll take it," Archer takes a bite of the sandwich, even though it's still in my hand. "Wow, this is good Peyton. You may not know how to make sauce, but you're good with bread and cheese."
"I'll make you some more tomorrow." I place the sandwich in his hand. "Since you're too busy oversleeping."
"I can't believe my girlfriend's making my lunch," Archer muses, pleased, and takes another bite.
It annoys me how pleased I am that he likes my sandwich. I turn back to my own side and take a bit, enjoying the crunch of spinach and lettuce.
I notice that Sebastian's nibbling on the other hand of the cucumber slice I gave to Kya a few minutes ago. She must have convinced him to take it.
Even though I barely speak, I have fun watching Archer joke around with his friends. Unlike me, he's totally at peace in the middle of a crowded cafeteria. He's in his natural element.
Maybe this wasn't so bad after all.
- () -
Since there's no work today, I spend the afternoon doing my homework during Archer's swim meet. I sit on the bottom row of the bleachers, where there are less people to annoy me, and cheer him on silently.
Archer's really good at swimming, which shouldn't be much of a surprise. He's beautiful too. It's sort of an art watching him fly through the electric blue water, sun shimmering over his wet muscles as he comes for air and ducks down again.
I want to take a picture.
No wait, that's creepy.
Around an hour into the match, when I finish most of my homework, I text Jake and Irene about my relationship status with Archer. I tell them everything, starting from our dating and leading up to our conversation this morning.
Peyton: So, I think we should kill Andrew as soon as humanely possible for betraying the rules of friendship. Say aye if you agree.
Jake: aye
Irene: i cannot belive it took so long for you to let us know about something this important
Jake: *believe
Irene: shut up
Peyton: Sorry, I just didn't know how to tell you.
Irene: hmm, maybe you could have said something like 'hey, i finally hooked up with Archer after six chapters of trying to get rid of my crush on him. i thought you should know since you're one of my best friends'
Jake: its eight chapters if you include the therapy and christmas ones
Peyton: Stop breaking the fourth wall because you're mad at me.
Irene: don't try and chanbe the subject. you had an entire week to tell us about your relatonship
Jake: *change
Peyton: *relationship
(Irene is offline)
I look up just in time to see Archer win second place.
The coach blows his whistle, announcing the meet has ended.
Archer climbs out of the water after congratulating the first place winner. I hold my breath when he pulls his swim cap off, letting his soft brown locks rein free. He brushes a hand through his hair, scanning the crowd until his gaze pauses on me.
I hold two thumbs up.
Archer smiles and returns my gesture by giving me a thumbs up of his own.
We watch each other for a few seconds. Some of the water dribbles down the dips in his chest so I try to focus on his eyes instead. I don't know what he's looking at but one of his teammates has to nudge him on the shoulder before he snaps back to attention and walks into the locker room with other members.
I return to my phone.
Jake: come back irene
Jake:Â weren't you going to ask Peyton something?
Jake: ok fine I'll ask it.
Jake: irene wants to know if you'll come to our graduation.
(Irene is online)
Irene: yea!!! you should definitely come!
Peyton: To Chicago?
Irene: yea
I take another minute before responding. Irene recently informed me that Xavier and Gwen have gotten back together again. The thought of accidentally running into them makes me a little nauseous. But I do want to see Irene, Jake and maybe even Andrew again.
Peyton: I'm not sure.
Irene: aw pleas? i'll kill Andrew for you.
Peyton: No. I kill Andrew.
Irene: :(
Peyton: I'll think about it. Promise. Archer's coming out so I have to go. Ttyl.
I sign off before either of them can respond.
Since neither of his parents came to the swim meet today, I'm the only one to greet Archer as he walks out of the locker room.
He has a duffel bag hanging over his shoulder and his hair is still a mess. His shirt is somewhat damp and clings to parts of his chest, outlining some of his muscles. I pretend not to notice as I walk up to him.
"Congrats, " I punch him on the shoulder. "Now I know why you're the captain of the swim team."
"I got second place."
"That's better than third. Or fourth. Besides, it's no fun if you win the first time anyways," I fold my hands behind my back. This encouraging thing is kind of awkward. "There's no improve that way."
"Wise words," Archer grins. "I just realized that I never told you about my third rule."
I think back. "Oh yeah, I guess you didn't."
"It's about PDA."
This surprises me, especially considering how social Archer is. "You don't want it?"
"Just the opposite. I do."
Archer pulls me in by my waist and plants a loud kiss on my mouth. His damp shirt sticks to mine when I pull away. A couple of people glance briefly in our direction before turning away. I shake my head, but don't move away.
Behind us, a five-year old giggles.
- () -
*Rules of a Rebel gets 200 reads*
me: nice
*Raphael's Castle gets 2 reads*
me: YES THANK YOU READER WHO HAS BLESSED WITH FORTUNE UPON THIS MAGICAL NIGHT -
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Dedications go to EnchantressGirl101, itzval17, vicotry_dance123, Caka-1, ToriKretschmar, dissilyn1234, and _sleeping_w_sirens_.
Thanks for reading!
QotC: What would you like to see in Archer's point of view? And would you be interested in seeing more glimpses of Peyton's past?