Archer and I managed to remain on fairly good terms after that, if I do say so myself.
We worked well as Heads, did all our work on time and with finesse, and didn't get into a single fight for over a week, which was a huge development, considering how we'd been earlier.
I was even content to forget about our bet for a while, if it meant we could work in peace. It seemed like he thought the same thing, because he didn't try to rile me up even once.
I was sitting in my Math class with Angie beside me. We'd both finished the sums Ms Roberts had set for us, and so we had the rest of the lesson off, as long as we didn't disturb anyone else.
"So," Angie began, grinning from ear to ear, "I see you and Archer are getting along well."
I rolled my eyes. "Yes we are, and so what? After he did those things for me during my period, I guess we learnt to tolerate each other more than before."
She laughed. "Don't try to downplay it, Viv. What he did was incredibly sweet and you've got to appreciate it."
"I do!"
"Yeah, and both Kate and I've noticed how you always seem more relaxed ever since you've been on good terms with him. It's like you're...happier now."
"Pfft, what nonsense! My happiness doesn't depend on him, Angie."
She smirked. "Alright. I won't say anything else, because obviously you'll deny it, but we all know the truth, and it's better if you accept it sooner, ya know."
I scrunched my nose. "What truth?"
"That you still like Archer."
My jaw dropped. "What?! I do not! What made you guys even think that?"
She grinned. "See? I knew you'd deny it. There's no point in saying this to you, Viv, let's drop it now."
"No you tell me what you meant!"
"Nope, sorry." She gave me an all too innocent smile.
And even after incessant pestering, she didn't open her mouth even once.
Our conversation must've been a bit louder that what we'd imagined since Archer, who was seated just two seats diagonally from me, looked up from his work and raised one eyebrow at me.
Back when we were best friends, and eventually together, I'd always envied him for being able to perfectly raise one eyebrow and make it look so...hot. Just like that. I couldn't raise an eyebrow for the life of me and once when I'd tried, Archer had said I looked like a constipated pig. I'd socked him for that one.
Even now he was doing it. I swear he was doing it on purpose, he knew how much I used to like that eyebrow raise. No, Vivian, focus.
"Vivian, could you please bug Angie to tell you whatever she isn't telling you after class? I'm sort of trying to work here," he said, in an amused tone which I didn't like one bit.
My cheeks flushed. "Sorry, didn't realise I was being so loud."
He gave me another amused glance and returned to his sums.
I turned around to see Angie giving me that same amused, teasing smile. I buried my face in the desk. "Oh god, not you too."
°
Later that day, Katie, Angie and I were talking in the common room on a rare night when I was free. Archer and I'd worked surprisingly well over the past week and tonight we didn't have any work, so we could take the evening off with our friends, as Mr Richards had told us earlier.
I was sitting on the rug by the fire, reading a book and simultaneously listening to Angie and Katie fight over who was more fit: Hugh Grant or Jake Gyllenhaal.
"It's obviously Jake! Even his name sounds attractive!" Kate exclaimed.
Angie snorted. "Do you even know what you're talking about? Hugh Grant is way more fit. Have you seen his smile?! It's so dreamy!"
They went on bickering like this and I knew what was coming next. I was silently counting down in my head: 3...2...1...
"Viv, what do you think? Who's hotter?"
There it was.
I looked up from my copy of The Godfather. "Is that even a question? We all know the fittest man alive is Henry Cavill."
They fell silent for a few seconds. Then,
"True." "Yeah, why didn't I think of Henry?!"
I almost laughed. But then I remembered the book I was reading, and the movies based on it.
I sat up. "You know, I can think of many other actors who were really attractive back in their day."
I launched into a full on speech about Al Pacino, Marlon Brando, James Dean and other icons who I thought were extremely desirable when they were young. Kate and Angie were listening intently and interjecting with their own opinions.
I went on, "Yeah, say James Dean. He's called the orginal teen rebel for a reason. I mean did you see his jawline and his intense eyes in Rebel Without A Cau--"
I'm cut off by another voice. "Whose jawline?"
I look up to see Archer standing at the door, looking at us with a strange expression. Jack and Edwin were standing with him, grinning at us.
I narrowed my eyes. "How much did you guys hear?"
Archer smirked. "Enough to know you're drooling over some lad with a jawline. Could that be me?"
I almost gaped at his sudden boldness. But I held myself back. Two can play at this game.
I gave him a saccharine smile. "Now, now, sweetie, I know we should all dream big, but don't you think you're dreaming a little too big?"
Archer's smirk dropped, and the boys snickered beside him. "Yo, mate, have fun getting roasted, I'm gonna go back to the dorm now," Jack said. He gave me a salute, and left.
Archer looked at me challengingly. "You know, you shouldn't test me."
"Oh, did you think I was testing you? I haven't even started."
"Who were you talking about anyway?"
I shrugged. "James Dean."
He groaned. "Oh no, not him again."
He knew very well I had quite a liking for James Dean. Back when we were dating I'd constantly drool over black and white pictures of the actor and Archer would say things like, "You give him more attention that you give me" and "Can we please stop with this obsession for one second? The guy is dead for heaven's sake." I'd proceed to punch his arm for being so disrespectful.
So now it was natural why he groaned at the mention of James Dean, he'd never liked him.
I glared at him. "Why, do you have a problem?"
Archer stared right back. "No, why would I anymore?"
Well, shite.
That one sentence seemed to effectively end all the humour and good natured banter we were having all this while. Who knew one seemingly harmless sentence had the power to bring so many unwanted emotions into my chest?
The temperature in the room seemed to have dropped ten degrees, despite the fire burning in the fireplace. Kate and Angie, who were enjoying the show all this while, shifted uncomfortably and then mumbled some excuse about homework and left. I glared at their back. Thanks for leaving me here all alone with him.
I stared at the fire, not daring to glance at him. I felt him stand in his place for a minute, then come and sit beside me.
I grew rigid.
He sighed. "I'm sorry, Vivian."
I turned to look at him. Of all the things, I hadn't expected him to say this.
"Why are you sorry?"
"For ruining the mood. For ending the one good streak we were having with the whole getting-along thing. I was liking how we were being with each other now and I just had to go and ruin that--"
I placed a hand on his arm. He stopped talking.
"Hey," I said softly. "It's not your fault, don't apologise. You didn't say anything...wrong."
He was silent for a while. Then he looked at me. "Can I ask you something?"
"Go ahead."
"Do you ever think about how we would've been as Heads now, if we...you know? Hadn't broken up?"
I swallowed. Could I tell him I'd thought of this exact same thing more often that I'd like to admit? The very topic brought back painful memories I was too scared to revisit, and the fact that I was having this conversation with the one person who was the reason for all my heartache, was more than enough for me.
But I decided honesty was indeed the best policy. I didn't want to lie to myself, and I knew he'd be able to tell if I was lying.
So I took a deep breath. "Yes I do. I've thought about it quite a lot of times actually."
He gazed at me, then whispered, "So it's not just me then."
I whispered back, looking at him. "No, Arch, it's not just you."
This time, I was acutely aware of how I called him Arch.
And I also noticed how he didn't object.
a/n: so there you have it! another chapter! share your thoughts in the comments below and don't forget to vote! xx