Almost seven years later
Archer and I didn't let go.
Over the past few years, we'd laughed together, cried together, kissed, and had so many adventures side by side. Of course, we'd also had our fair share of fights, but they'd never threatened the strength of the bond we shared with each other.
Archer had kept his promise all these years, and always trusted me, even when we were living in two different towns, in different colleges away from each other. He'd never once doubted me, and I couldn't be more thankful for the way things had turned out.
Now, after our education was over, we'd all forged our own paths for ourselves. At 24, I was a full time artist with my own studio, and exhibiting my works at various galleries all over London.
Archer had decided to combine his love for football and photography, and was now a sports photographer for ESPN, covering all the key Premier League matches and even a few Champions League fixtures. I couldn't be prouder of the man he'd become.
I still kept in touch with Kate and Angie, and even with Beth occasionally, although it was infrequent. Kate was a research fellow at a prestigious institute in Germany, while Angie was a designer for a lifestyle magazine. We were all busy with our own lives but still managed to catch up now and then, and were still the best of friends. But now I also had other close friends from uni and work.
Things had admittedly changed, a lot. We weren't the same people we used to be in school, but that was a given. We had new people in our lives, new friends, partners and work. For example, Kate and Dean had broken up after a few years of dating, but they still remained friends, and now Kate was really interested in a German researcher she was working with. God knew how that would turn out, but that's the thing- one never knew, but one had to try.
Angie had settled down. She'd met this lad called Mark in uni, and they'd remained together even after graduating, and now they were engaged. The wedding was scheduled for next year.
Archer and I hadn't really talked about our plans for the longterm as such. Of course, we'd imagined having our own family and how many babies we'd have and what we'd name them, but that was all banter. We'd just been joking around and fighting over baby names.
We'd never actually, seriously discussed our future, but I knew he was the one for me. I'd always known. Even after such a long time, when we were both adults, with new commitments, new lives and new people in them, I'd never had any doubt.
Arch had been my first kiss, my first time, my first adventure, my first I love you...my first everything. I mean, we both said I hate you a lot more than its opposite, but we knew what we really meant.
And I'd never forget the first time he actually said he loved me.
We were back home for a break from uni. Archer and I were lazing around at his house, eating crisps and playing FIFA.
Suddenly, as he was sitting on his bed with the controller in his hands, I heard him draw in a breath. His eyes were alight with excitement and anticipation.
He was about to pack a player.
I too leaned forward in my seat to see which player it would turn out to be. Arch already had an impressive squad to choose from in FIFA, whereas my team wasn't that strong yet. So I really hoped he wouldn't be lucky enough to get another great player.
But to my utter frustration, he got Mbappe. MBAPPE.
My jaw dropped as he let out an impossibly loud cheer and threw his hands up in the air.
I couldn't believe him. "You arse! How can you be this lucky! Why don't I pack any good players?!"
He simply smirked at me. "That's 'cause you're a nincompoop, and I'm just better than you."
I glared and punched his arm. "God, I hate you so much."
"But I love you."
I froze.
What?
I slowly turned to him. "What?"
His eyes were wide too. "What?"
"You said you loved me."
He looked so nervous. "I did?"
"Yes!"
He looked at a loss for words for a moment, but then he closed his eyes and gave his head a small shake.
"Screw this. I love you, Vi, I always have. I'm not gonna take it back. I meant it."
I stared at him, unsure of how to respond, as my heart swelled. He knew I loved him too, we both knew. But after a second, I felt the need to reach forward and hug him tight, as I whispered, "I love you too."
°
We'd come a long way since then. Now we were full time adults, with a lot of responsibilities and commitments. But one thing which had never changed was that one statement, those three words we'd said to each other while playing FIFA.
Or the other three words we said almost every alternate day. I hate you.
I smiled to myself as I thought about all this while going back to our apartment from my studio after work.
Today, Archer and I would spend some much-needed time together after a hectic week, when we'd both been extremely busy with my new painting and his constant PL coverage.
I unlocked the door to our apartment and on entering, I found Arch already sitting on the sofa, leant over something on the centre table. I couldn't make out from here.
He turned and smiled softly at me when I entered. "Hey, Vi."
I smiled back. "Hi. I didn't realise you'd be back before me."
He nodded. "I got an early day off for a change."
I grinned. "Great. Then we'll have more time together. What have you got there?"
I walked over to where he was sitting. He had some pictures spread out in a neat arrangement on the table.
I frowned. "What's this?"
He shifted. "These are some pictures I found today. I was going through our photo albums. These are some of my favourite ones, so I brought them out and was looking at them here."
I smiled fondly as I saw the pictures. They were all taken on different holidays when Archer and I went on trips to various places around the world together.
I sat down beside him to get a better look.
"These are some of my favourites too. This first one was in Marbella, right? Then this one was in Amsterdam, then that one was in Rajasthan. Oh, this one's from Rome! Then where was this? Oh, yes, when we went to visit your relatives in Yorkshire. Then this one is from Madrid, at the clásico, and this one is from Egypt. But what about this last one? What's this?"
I peered more closely at the last picture. In fact, it wasn't a picture at all. It was just a blank piece of paper the size of the other photos, and it had a question mark written on it in black marker.
I looked at Archer. "What's this?"
He smiled and shrugged. "Just something I made. It symbolises the question of which adventure we'll go on next. Where to, miss?"
I laughed as he quoted Titanic. "Definitely to the stars this time."
He smiled at me, his golden-brown eyes filled with a deep kind of fondness that made my heart melt.
His eyes twinkled as he said, "Now since you love puzzles so much, here's one for you. Look at those pictures once again, and tell me what the first letter of every place spells out."
I scrunched my brows in confusion and turned towards the pictures again.
Marbella.
Amsterdam.
Rajasthan.
Rome.
Yorkshire.
Madrid.
Egypt.
And a question mark at the end.
Oh.
Oh.
Oh my god.
My heart started beating wildly as I turned to look at him. I hadn't even realised when he'd shifted from his place on the sofa, to where he was right now.
Kneeling on one knee on the floor. With a ring in his hand.
My hand flew to my mouth as my eyes widened and my heart threatened to come out of its ribcage.
He laughed seeing my reaction.
"Vi," he began, taking a deep breath. He'd been laughing just a second ago, but now I could see the nervousness in his eyes.
"We've been through hell and back together. I hurt you once, and to this day, I still curse myself for it. But I made you a promise all those years back, and I intend on keeping it till the day I die. As much as you annoy me, as much as I say I hate you, I only hate you sometimes. But I love you all the damn time, and I still can't get enough of it, enough of you. And we've already gone to so many places, experienced so many memories and adventures together, but I can't wait to share a thousand more with you. So, here's a question. Will you--will you marry me?"
I stared at him, agape, as he looked back with nervousness, waiting for a reply. But how could I form a coherent response when I couldn't even think straight?
But after a second or two of frozen silence, the dam finally broke, and the tears started to free-fall. I nodded vehemently, tears streaming down my face as I laughed and reached down to wrap my arms around him with all the love my heart could give.
"Yes, oh my god, of course yes!" I replied breathlessly. I didn't know if I was laughing, or crying, or both. "Was there ever a doubt?"
His eyes lit up as he gave me a million dollar smile, and held my face in his hands to give me a long, lingering kiss.
Afterwards, he took the ring and carefully slipped it on my left ring finger. It looked beautiful, a platinum band with a diamond glittering on top, like a promise.
I stared at it for a long time. I couldn't believe this just happened. And the fact that he'd thought of such a unique way to propose. I couldn't even decide if I felt elated, over the moon, or plain pissed out drunk.
I reached forward and kissed Archer again. "I love you more than I can possibly express."
He pressed his lips to my forehead. "You don't need to express anything. I know."
I smiled, and thought of how I couldn't wait to call Mum and Dad, and tell them about this. Or video call Angie and Kate to show them the ring.
But most of all, I couldn't wait to walk down the aisle and spend the rest of my life with the one boy who'd managed to steal my heart, and had no intention of giving it back.
Yes, he'd most definitely taken me to the stars.
a/n: ahhh hope you guys liked this epilogue! one more bonus chapter is left, and no points for guessing what that'll be about! xx