Chapter 20

ARCHER'S POV

Loneliness is an abstract entity in which humans as a whole naturally can't bear. If you keep a human locked up in a room for just a week doing nothing, I can assure you you're gonna be dealing with a psychiatric situation for sure. My situation right now is kinda similar to that only I'm not being locked up but it seems like I've been locked up from friends. The only one I had is really mad for what I don't know. The other, I was trying to develop just a friendship bond but her so called hilly Billy boyfriend wants to crush my balls.

I'm literally sitting by the school park trying to formulate an article for an online platform I'm working for staring at the empty clouds like a dumbo who knows not why he's here. I really needed my best friend back. I knew that. But I still don't know what I've done to her to deserve the attitude she's smacking at me. I sighed and focused on my laptop.

"You can do this Arch. You can do this." I muttered encouraging myself and began typing.

"Arch." I heard my name and looked up. There stood the awful toxic friend of mine. I scoffed. Look who came to meet who.

"Sup." I replied and continued with my work not giving her an attention.

She walked briskly to me and held my hand. "Arch I'm sorry." She said.

I frowned. "Honestly Ruby. I'm in a lot of shit right now. I'm damn busy. I'll like to be left alone for now okay. When I'm ready I'll give you a call."

"Hey." I heard that familiar heart warming soft voice and we both turned. What the hell. This ain't good.

"What do you want Hazel?" Ruby began. There she goes again. Always freaking out whenever Hazel surfaces. This won't be good for my work right now. What did she want?

Hazel glared at her for some time stunned before she spoke. "Honestly Ruby. I don't know how or what I've done to offend you to make you chastise me every single time we meet but this has to stop. For Christ sake I don't even know you. I only got to know you from Archer and we haven't even talked in anyway but you just detest me. For no reason. What have I done to you? Look I understand, I get it if you think I'm hitting your man but we're just literature classmates. There is nothing going on between us. Get that into your skull." I felt my chest constrict with the last two sentences. She was right though but I couldn't help feeling hurt about it. Not like I care anyway.

And wait a minute. Did she just call me Ruby's man? Was that what she thought all the while?

"Yeah uhmm.... thanks for the wise speech Hazel but I'll like to clarify something here. Ruby and I are not dating." I said and noticed Ruby turn to me sharply glaring at me. "What? It's the truth. We aren't. Why that look?"

Ruby shut her eyes and took a deep breath. "You know what? Screw this." She said and walked away. I watched as she walked away utterly shocked at her attitude. Something's not right.

"You sure you guys are not dating? Because if you ask me or anyone, it sure looks like it." Hazel said. I turned to her. Why was she here anyway? Well. I've got work to do and didn't need this. I turned to walk away.

"Wait." She said and I felt her silk soft palm on my wrist. It sent Sparks all over my arm. She quickly withdrew it and looked away.

I turned to her. "What?"