Chapter 18

ARCHER'S POV

I walked home feeling triumphant in my heart. I finally had a chat with the queen herself and the girl of my dreams. It felt so good. I was so elevated and just wanted to hop into bed and have a very nice sweet dream about her. Good to know at least she wasn't as arrogant and proud as I assumed her to be. She's a young girl in need of educational assistance and I'm volunteering to help. Donny shouldn't take it the wrong way though. I'm not the kind of person to break other people's relationship.

I got home and found granny packing her stuff. I frowned. What's going on?

"Grans? Any problem?" I asked. She turned to me.

"Ohh. Archer? Oh thanks goodness you are back. Can you help me get this zipper closed?"

I walked over to her and assisted her. "You haven't answered my question you know."

"Sorry this came late Arch but..... I am returning to Italy tomorrow." I felt my heart burst. I fought hard to contain the stream of tears forcing their way out of my eyes.

"W... Why?"

She smiled. "My boy. Don't do that now. I've just got serious business doing over there. By the next two months, I'll be back I promise."

"Two months?"

"Yeah. Is it too much?" I nodded and she chuckled. "Stop acting like a kid. You ain't a kid anymore. You're a grown-up okay. Now promise grandma you'll be a good kid."

"I promise. It's just.... I'm gonna miss you ma." I said and she beamed.

"I'll miss you too sonny. By the way, where was that happy face I observed coming through that door before this crisis?"

I remembered Hazel and smiled. "It's nothing. Just something at school." I replied and walked up to my room.

"Hmm really?" She said giving me a knowing smile

. I chuckled. "Say, how about we have a little farewell party before you sleep." She asked. I paused in the middle of the staircase.

"Farewell?"

"Nah. Come on not like that. Come over. I'll get the cookies." She waved me over and walked into the kitchen.

**********

School the next day was cool as usual only I had to deal with Ruby's sasiness. I tried greeting her this morning but she passed me by like some poor beggar.

I walked to my locker and took my books when a pair of hands slammed it shut. I looked up to face the intruder. My heart jumped into my throat. There she stood with those glorious crystal blue eyes and magnificent blond hair. She was beaming beautifully. What was giving her this much joy? I wondered.

"Hey. What's up?"

She chuckled. "The sky's up." She replied and I laughed. "I uhh....went to get my result for yesterday's test and decided to bring yours also." She said and gave me an envelope.

"Oh thanks. How was yours?" I asked collecting the envelope.

"I uhhhh.... don't know yet. Wanted you to check yours before I check mine." She replied pouting. I smiled. She looked so cute doing that.

"You nervous?" I asked.

She chuckled. "Kind of." She replied and beamed.

I grinned. "Okay. As you wish my lady." I made to open the envelope and then, the king surfaced.

"Hazel?" I heard his thick baritone voice and gulped.

She turned to him. "Hey. Hello baby." She replied and walked to him wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him on the cheek. I looked away clentching my fists. "How's basketball going?"

"Cool hon. What are you two doing here?" He asked. I gulped once again.