CHAPTER 2

ARCHER'S POV

I noticed she was sitting alone and wondered what was wrong. Was she deserted by her friends? Well feels like an opportunity to get to talk with her. Donny left the cafeteria with some of his gang and I siezed the opportunity. I took my food and walked over to her table. I noticed the rest of Donny's gang were seated in other tables close by. I shrugged. Not like I can't handle them. They are not Donny after all.

They glared at me when they noticed where I was heading. I smiled at them and got to her table but unfortunately... Someone set his foot in my way and I tripped over it falling face down right in front of her spilling my spaghetti sauce all over my uniform. Everyone busted into a fit of laughter. She placed her hands on her mouth giggling trying to suppress a laughter. I knew why they were laughing. Because I was the victim. If it was any other person, they wouldn't laugh. I angrily got up to face the perpetrator. He just sat comfortably in his sit chewing his fries and smirking at me.

Finally, my anger got the better of me. I walked over to him and he stood up from his chair towering above me and I paused. I gulped down a huge lump of saliva looking up at him.

"Why would you do that?" I said giving up the idea of attacking him.

He smirked cracking his knuckles. "I thought you wanted a fight." He replied. By now everybody's attention in the cafeteria was focused on us. Someone brought out her phone and began recording us. I clentched my fists and took a deep breath.

I turned and walked away towards the restroom. I'd rather drop it than get beaten up and become a humiliated viral sensation. I'm not cut out for fights honestly. I've always been that way. As I left, I heard murmurs everywhere in the cafeteria.

"He is and will always be a loser. He can't even stand up for himself." I heard someone say.

**********

" You know. If you had just minded your business and found your own chair, none of these would have happened to you." Ruby said. We were seated by the bleachers in the school playground munching our snacks. She heard what happened to me and assisted in getting another uniform for me to change into. I don't know what I would have done without her. I was grateful.

I ignored her comment though and continued eating not uttering a word. What a humiliating experience. And right before Hazel. She was even giggling.

"Archer." Ruby called and I turned to her.

" Yeah."

"Tell me. You still have feelings for Hazel don't you?" She asked scrutinizing me.

I avoided her gaze. No matter how hard I wanted to, I couldn't hide it from my best friend. I slowly turned to her and nodded lightly.

She inhaled and I thought saw her eyes water. She blinked her eyes quickly. "Are you okay?" I asked leaning towards her and holding her shoulder.

"I'm cool. I need to get to my next class. Lunch time's over." She said and walked away briskly.

I watched as she went away. Was I imagining the tears I saw in her eyes now? What was wrong with her?