CHAPTER 5

ARCHER'S POV

I walked slowly and steadily home totally dejected as everything that went on today replayed in my head. It's really frustrating. Upon all the promises I made about ignoring their jesting, it all still affected me to the core. I can't take it anymore. I've got to end this with immediate effect. For years, I've been tortured with these by my classmates till all my confidence has been drained and sucked dry. But now's the time to revive it back.

Fuck them all. I'm not gonna care about anyone except Ruby. She's the only reasonable soul I've met in my life. My phone rang and I frowned when I noticed it was an unknown number calling. I wasn't ready to answer new calls yet. Not at this moment. I ended the call and shoved my phone back to my pocket.

I went straight home stopping in front of the too familiar cottage before me. I sighed. I wondered what granny had in store for me tonight. I went in and found her snoring in front of the television. I smiled. She must have gotten so exhausted waiting for me. I walked to her and bent whispering into her ear.

"Granny. I'm home." She stirred and slowly opened her eyes.

"Archie?" She said and I grinned. She got up with a start, busting into the kitchen with speed. I corked an eyebrow. What's going on?

I followed her to the kitchen and saw her panting hard against the cooker using it for support.

"Anything the problem, grans?" I inquired. She smiled and walked to me patting my head.

"It's okay my boy. I just thought I forgot to switch off the cooker. Ain't ready for another fire charade." She said and returned back to her chair. "How was school today?" She asked.

"You know. As usual." I said and she sighed.

" Don't worry. It's your last year. I believe you Archie. I know you'll make it." She said giving me a comforting smile. I smiled back and turned to my room. " I've got your favourite meal on the dinner table. It's warm like you want it." She said and I reversed back to the table and began eating. She chuckled.

**********

HAZEL'S POV

Well. I feel like a bad girl right now. I couldn't just take the image of angry Archer out of my head. The guilt I felt about embarrassing him was eating me up. Come on Hazel. I've embarrassed dozens of people in my life not like it's new to me. But yet I still feel guilty. I sighed and called the number Ruby gave me for the up tenth time. Still switched off.

Whatever, I don't care anymore. If he can't at least pick up to know who's calling, he doesn't deserve an apology, does he? I dropped my phone and laid in bed to get some sleep. It wasn't forthcoming either. I decided to text Donny. After waiting for thirty minutes, he didn't reply either. What the fuck is wrong with everybody?