Rule #30: Keep Secrets
Otherwise, it wouldn't be fun.
- () -
After the last bell rings, Archer and I walk down the steps of the school, towards his car. I glare at him from the corner of my eyes. But Archer, oblivious as always, hums a tune to himself and doesn't notice me.
Finally, I break. "So, what do you want?"
"Hmm?"
"You know what I'm talking about."
"I do?"
"I'm talking about your present, idiot."
Apparently, it's Archer's birthday today.
And I'm the only one who didn't know. I completely forgot that, as a girlfriend, I'm supposed to know about these things. But Archer didn't mention the fact that he was turning eighteen, even though we talked the entire car ride to school.
"So what do you want?" I ask again.
"You already know what I want. I told you a couple of times already."
"And I told you that I'm coming up with a plan for that," I ignore the grin that stretches across his face. "Besides, I mean something tangible."
"I already have everything I want," Archer shifts his weight to help balance the pile of presents he's holding. He got so many that I'm holding some gifts in my arms too. "College acceptance letters, scholarships, my friends, you. What else could I want?"
"There has to be something."
"Let me know once you find it."
We reach Archer's red Audi, sparkling from the free car wash one of his friends gave him this morning. Archer opens the trunk with his foot and we pile his presents inside. There's some from all of his friends, including the swim team, and family. Hell, even Irene, Jake and Andrew sent him a little pocketknife in the mail.
"Think," I say as we get into the car. "Think really hard. What is your greatest desire?"
"A jet pack."
"Something under the price of thirty dollars."
Archer laughs and starts the engine. As he's backing out, his backpack tips over. His sketchbook peeks out from inside.
"Can I look your sketches?" I ask Archer.
"Feel free," He says easily, checking the rear view mirror. "Are you going to try use my artwork to find out my deepest desires?"
"Maybe." I grumble, even though that was exactly what I was planning to do.
Archer's quiet chuckle lets me know that I don't fool him. But I ignore it and pick up his sketchbook, filled the artwork he's created over the last year. Almost all the pages are completed now so I decide to start with the most recent and start with the back of the pages.
Pencil drawings of beaches, school, friends and sky greet me. More than once, I catch a glimpse of my own face. Even though I hate admit it, it's kind of flattering that Archer draws me in his sketchbook.
I pause on one of them. "How'd you get this picture of me smiling? I never smile."
"You do when you're with me."
"Yeah, but I don't show my teeth."
"Yes you do."
"I'll have to work on that," I mutter to myself, then flip the page. "This one is completely blank."
"I know. I'm saving a couple of pages for later sketches."
"Like what? Nevermind," I interrupt myself, catching the smirk that appears on his lips. "Let's talk about something else - like, uh - Dr. Robinson gave me some more homework."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. She says that I have to make amends with people that I have a tendency to get into arguments with."
"That'll take all week."
"That's what I said, " I say, causing him to grin. I shuffle through my backpack for my phone. "So Dr. Robinson told me to focus on people I argue with the most. She says that sometimes insecure people tend to project their faults onto somebody else."
"Interesting. Who are you calling?"
"Bettie."
Archer glances at me, startled, then turns back to the road when he accidentally yanks the car to the right. "You're calling Bettie? With me in the car?"
"Yeah."
"Shouldn't this be a conversation between the two of you?"
"No, I need to have you next to me," I scroll through my contacts, which aren't that many, until I hit the letter D (for Demon). "You're a reminder of how nice of a person I can be."
"I'm surprised you didn't come up with an entire script beforehand."
"I did, but it's better to be safe than sorry," I click the button to dial Bettie, then place it against my ear. The phone rings. "Now, be quiet. I have to focus on the conversation."
Archer pretends to zip his lips.
A click comes from the other end of the phone, and then, "...Peyton?"
"Hi Bettie. This is Peyton," I start, shifting my weight, and begin to recite my script. "After some consideration over my past actions, I realize that I've been a bit of a jerk. Sorry. Now, I'm going to list all the things I appreciate about you."
"What?"
"One: I appreciate your Christmas present. I had a lot of fun playing with the animal toys, especially the rubber pig," I say and glare at Archer when he snorts. "Two: I appreciate the fact that you actually answered the door for Archer and Sebastian on Christmas Eve when I asked you to do it."
"What?" Archer says. "You asked Bettie to -"
I shush him.
"Is this a joke?" Bettie demands.
"No. Three: I appreciate the fact you told Archer about the nudes because I probably wouldn't have the guts to tell him about them myself." I continue, really getting into it. "Four: I appreciate that you made that plastic star that we always put in front of the Christmas tree. It was a lot of fun to burn."
"That was you?"
"Now, I will get to the root of my problem with you. I think it's because you remind me of Gwen from high school. You're both cute nerds with an evil side. Gwen went after Xavier. You went after Archer -"
"What does Archer have to do with this?"
"Oh - um, nothing. Forget I said that part," I say and Archer snorts for a second time. "Anyways, what I meant to say is that I was so insecure about myself that I got angry at you instead. So, it's not you. It's not me. It's the both of us. I forgive you -"
"Why? I didn't do anything."
" - and I forgive myself. Good bye Bettie. I hope we will be better cousins in the future -"
"Screw you."
I hang up, satisfied.
Archer's biting the back of his thumb to keep from laughing.
"I think that went well," I tell him.
"Glad to hear."
I turn my attention back to his sketchpad. A few drawings bring up ideas - he drew a treasure chest, so maybe I could buy him a pirate costume? - but nothing truly inspires me.
Then, I come across a page filled with a bunch of little scribbles. In the corner, Archer's draw a set of simple paw prints. Even though the design is simple, something about it draws me in.
"I was looking forward to giving you a tattoo."
And, just like that, an idea pops into my head. I take out my phone and snap a picture of the paw prints.
- () -
Peter is a little upset after the whole ordeal with Harper so I'm a little apprehensive about talking to him. But this is for Archer so I raise my hand and knock on his office door. He opens the door, bags under his eyes, wrinkles creased on his cheeks.
"Hey Peyton."
"Hey Peter," I swallow. "Do you mind if I leave early today?"
"Why?"
"Archer's birthday is today. I wanted to surprise him at work."
"Oh yeah," His face clears a bit. "Nearly forgot. Give this to him, will ya?"
Peter hands me a small box wrapped in holographic wrapping paper. How did he know? How does everybody know? I grab the present and bid Peter farewell. Halfway through the door, I glance back. Maybe Peter needs something too.
I store that thought in my head for later, then walk to Archer's workplace.
Even though Archer and I have known each other for months now, I haven't visited his tattoo parlor - Get Inked is the name - more than twice. So when I step inside, I look around again.
Classic black and white tiles cover the floor. Soft neon lights cast red and blue glows over the customers faces. Each black leather seat has its own set of matching mirrors and countertops. A soft buzz from the tattoo needles drifts throughout the shop, a blank backdrop against the rock 'n roll music playing from the speakers.
My hands are already sweating. I wipe them on the back of my jeans.
One of the men, clad in a simple black shirt and shorts, steps up the cash register. He has ten piercings, just on his face, and greets me with a bored smile. "Did you make an appointment or is this just a consult?"
"I'm here for Archer?"
"Arrow?" The man glances at my hair and his expression clears to one of recognition. "Ah, gotcha. Arrow, your girlfriend's here!"
Everybody, including the tattoo artists and their customers, turns to look at me. Panicking, I put on my classic grumpy expression on my face and hope the drums of the music drown out the beat of my heart. Archer steps out of the office, sleeves rolled all the way up instead of his elbow, and grins.
"Thanks Spike," Archer raises an eyebrow once he spots me."Peyton?"
I raise my own eyebrow in response. "Is that a lip piercing?"
"It's fake," He takes the ring out and puts it in the pocket of his shirt, grinning. He walks over to me and squeezes my shoulders. "Not that I'm complaining, but what are you doing here?"
"What do you think? I'm here to get a tattoo."
"You are?"
"Yeah, of this," I show him the picture of the paw prints that I took from his sketchbook. "You said that you wanted to give me a tattoo, remember?"
"I did," Archer bites his bottom lip, eyes raking over my body, with a small smile. "But I thought you were afraid of needles. Are you seriously going to let me give you a tattoo?"
"That's what I said."
"Damn," says Spike. "That's some hardcore shit."
"I think so too," Archer squeezes my shoulders again. "Come on, I'll lead you to my chair."
"You have a chair?"
"We all have a chair."
Archer sits me down on his chair, then takes my phone to examine his artwork. His eyes flash with recognition at his own design, but he doesn't say anything. I lean back to watch him. Archer copies the design to a sheet of paper that he'll use as a reference.
Somehow, I'm already nervous. The thought of a needle coming in contact with my skin just once is enough to make me scream, but this is a hundred times worse.
I remind myself that I always wanted a tattoo and that this is the perfect time to get it.
Archer finishes his design in the next minute. He holds it up for my approval and I give my nod of agreement. While he pulls on his gloves, I tug off my jacket and set it on the arm of the chair. I exhale shakily. Archer rolls up his sleeves even further and peels the design off.
"Where do you want the tattoo to be?" He asks, rolling his chair next to mine.
"Shoulder."
"Are you sure? I am your boyfriend after all, so I could always put it somewhere more..." Archer draws his finger down my arm. "Intimate."
"Shoulder."
Archer laughs and rolls up my sleeves.
He places the design on my shoulder so that he knows how the tattoo looks on my skin, examines it with a soft smile, and opens the draw to get out his equipment. I look in the other direction, where Spike man flips through a Sports magazine. When Archer starts the machine, I can't help but flinch.
"Relax," Archer pulls the hair away from my shoulder.
"I am relaxed."
"You're about to cry."
"Shut up. I am not going to cry."
I end up crying.
The needle doesn't hurt as much as I thought it would. The tears came mostly because of my fear and not the pain. I bawl throughout the entire session, no matter how much Archer (or some of his coworkers) comforts me.
Finally, he turns the machine off.
"Are we taking a break?" I say, wiping away my ruined mascara. "Because I'm doing fine. Ignore my tears."
"All done," Archer stands up and kisses my cheek.
"All done? Already?"
"Already?" Spike, one of the coworkers who had been watching us, scoffs. "I think you spent the entire tissue box in one sitting."
Archer takes off his gloves and starts to put the equipment away. Meanwhile, I turn to the mirror to check out my first tattoo. It's even better than I imagined. The tattoo looks like a kitten set its paws in black paint and then placed them on my shoulder. The area around it is swollen and has little bumps, so Archer places a large bandage over it.
"What did you think?"
"I like it," I say, looking up at him. "Even more than I thought I would."
He pats the bandage on my shoulder. "Glad to hear my skills are satisfactory."
"How was that for a birthday present?"
"Pretty good, Peyton," His lips quirk up. "Pretty good. I got to admit I'm impressed."
"So I win."
"It's a competition."
"Yeah, but I still win."
- () -
Since Archer's coworkers like me (they thought it was hilarious how much I cried), we end up staying longer than we expected too. So when Archer and I finally arrive at the party, we're half an hour late. At this point of time, Archer and I arrive at the party a little late. At this time, the party to in full-blast, with flashing lights and deafening music.
But when we walk into his backyard, it's completely silent. Archer's friends are gathered to the side, awkwardly watching two people fight. With a start, I realize that the two people are my mom and Melody.
"What's going on?" Archer asks Kya.
Kya shrugs, but she's frowning. "Melody and Mrs. Monroe were just talking, but then something happened and Mrs. Monroe started screaming at Melody for something.
"Family disputes," Sebastian rolls his eyes. "Always a party-killer."
I sigh. Why is it always my family? I push Archer with the rest of his friends. "Wait here, I'm going to figure out what's going on."
"Yes ma'am."
Straightening my sleeves so that it hides the tattoo, I walk over to mom and Melody. Now that I'm closer, I see that it's less of a screaming match and more of mom yelling at Melody. Despite her personality, Melody doesn't say anything back. She just sulks in the corner, with red eyes, and sniffles.
"...don't understand why this came up all of a sudden. What was the need to go out and experiment like this?" Mom demands - or more like screams. "What would my mother have to say about this?"
"It's not your mom I was worried about," Melody snaps, her voice shaky. "When I told you, I thought you'd be more supportive."
"What's going on?" I say, stepping between the two of them.
"Nothing."
"No, it's not nothing," Mom snaps her furious eyes to me. "Peyton, did you know about this? About Melody and Raquel?"
"What about them?"
"Apparently, the two of them have been -" She sputters for a few minutes, almost as if the words are painful to get out. " - dating for the last few weeks. In secret."
Melody and Raquel? I glance at Melody, whose eyes are downcast. Dating? So that's why she and Raquel have been hanging out so much lately. I knew they were good friends, but I never would have guessed that they were dating in secret.
"Yeah, of course I knew," I lie, shrugging. "What's the big the deal?"
"The big deal. The big deal is that she's been hiding this from us all this this time. The big deal is that she says she's -" Mom cuts off then and takes a deep breath.
"Gay?" I finish, a little taken back by her response. "So what? I thought you said that you supported gay people."
"I do support them. But it's a different matter when your own daughter -" Mom cuts off then, eyes darting back to the crowd gathered to the side. For the first time in our conversation, I think she realizes that they are other people watching us fight. In a calmer voice, she continues. "It's a different matter when your daughter keeps secret from you."
"Well, if I knew you were going to react like this, I would kept it a secret for longer," Melody mutters under her breath, but still doesn't look up.
"Not another word out of you, young lady," Mom snaps. "After all these lies, I think I have every right to ground you -"
"I told lies too," I blurt out, unable to stop myself. There's no time to weigh the pros or cons of what I'm about to say, so I just go ahead and say it. "How's this for a secret? Archer and I are dating."
"What?" Melody says.
"What?" Mom says.
"Yeah, we've been dating for almost two months now. Surprise," I finish with a sarcastic gesture of my hands.
"Y-you and Archer?" Mom sputters, eyes growing wide. Thankfully, some color is coming back to her face. "You better not be lying, Peyton. I'm not in the joking mood."
"She's not lying," Archer, who had somehow walked up to us without me noticing, steps behind me and wraps his arms around my waist. He kisses the top of my head. "Nice to see you again, Mrs. Monroe."
"You too. I - Happy birthday," Mom rakes her hands through her hairs. "I need - I need some time to think."
She walks back into our house. We watch her silently. Once the door closes behind them, the tension breaks. The DJ starts the music again and people turn towards each, excitedly talking about the events that just transpired.
Despite her tears, Melody manages to smile at me. "Thanks."
"For what?" I grumble. "I didn't do anything."
"Thanks to you too, Archer," She glances at the two of us and shakes her head. "Man, you two are a weird couple, but strangely fit together."
"Thanks," Archer says.
"Maybe we could go on a double date sometime -"
I pretend to gag, causing both Archer and Melody to laugh.
Melody's phone rings then. Her caller ID reads Raquel with three hearts after it. Melody blushes under our knowing stares and walks away, placing the phone next to her ear. "Hey - turns out you were right. My mom took it well. She says that it's okay that I'm gay..."
Melody sits on a fallen log and continues the conversation.
"Sorry about that," I tug out of Archer's embrace and turn around. "You probably didn't want that kind of drama on your birthday."
"I don't mind," He says. "Besides, you just gave me an extra birthday present."
"I did?"
"Yeah, I don't need to subtly drop clues about our relationship to my parents anymore," Archer waves to his parents, who were standing in the corner this whole time. "So, you just broke some of your own rules."
"Yeah," I roll my eyes. "I do that a lot these days. Let's grab some cake."
Archer slings an arm over my shoulder. Together, we walk towards the buffet table, where the rest of our friends await us.
- () -
Lol, does anybody remember that one chapter I introduced a pig named Piggy and then never talked about it again?
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Dedications go to Kace4Monbebel_, hanhan72, Golden_Rose546, kikiki9sds, griffin_03, and LittleTot. Love you all!
Thanks for reading!
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