CASSIE: Can I stay here with you for a while?
ARCHER: Sure, I wish you’d tell me what’s happened, but you’re welcome to stay. I have a spare room if you...
CASSIE: *giggle* Why would I want that after this?
ARCHER: I was just being a gentleman, I dare not presume!
CASSIE: Everything is just so messed up right now, except you. You’re the only thing that makes sense, that gives me hope. Archie I love you!
He didn’t say it back, why would I expect him to? He made me feel loved and yet he couldn’t say it. I’d find out later why, and the reason was extremely sweet albeit frustrating. I always hoped that Archer Clancy would be my first, I didn’t plan this when I ran to his door, but I was so glad that it happened. I made Johnny wait, I wasn’t ready and to be honest I wasn’t sure he was the one. I had no regrets over sleeping with Archer, it felt right in more ways than one, this was meant to be!
I spent several days at Archie’s, we just lounged around and watched television, ate sushi and takeaway food until we couldn’t lift ourselves from the couch. I was so happy, but in the back of my mind I thought about my dad and brother. The aftermath of my mother’s betrayal, we had all been betrayed by more than one person! Me? It was her and Johnny!
Archer never pushed, I knew he wanted to know what was bugging me, but he never once forced me to tell. He just did everything I asked of him, he was perfect.
ARCHER: Of all the people who have worn that shirt, it suits you the best!
I had no idea what he meant, maybe Fallon pranced around in it, all I knew was that it was his favourite and he let me wear it for days.
When I was finally ready to tell him the truth about my sordid family, absolutely everything including Malcolm’s games and Johnny’s lies, he didn’t seem at all surprised over the Nancy and Bella coming out party.
ARCHER: I knew she was cheating on your dad, I also knew she was cheating on that person with another person, I’m guessing it was Nancy.
CASSIE: Well that’s great, everyone knew but me! Even Johnny lied to me!
ARCHER: It wasn’t my secret to tell Cassie, I hope you can understand that!
CASSIE: I do, but Johnny was closer to it than you were, he had no excuse!
ARCHER: I think you need to cut him some slack, his life has been rocked to the core too. He’s still my friend and I’ve always found him to be a reasonable guy, haven’t you?
CASSIE: Just hold me? I don’t want to talk anymore!
We changed the subject, Archer talked about the trailers he missed at Geek Con because he was too busy talking to and falling for me. I was giddy finding out that little nugget of information. It gave me the opportunity to ask him if he truly felt the same way as I did, and why he didn’t say it back when we were in bed a few nights before.
CASSIE: Archie? You remember when I told you I loved you?
CASSIE: Well I meant it, it’s just...is there a reason you didn’t say it back? Don’t you feel the same way?
ARCHER: I was confused, one minute you’re with Johnny and the next you’re at my door and then...boom we’re in bed and...*sigh*...I didn’t know what was going on! I didn’t want to...fuck it...Cassie of course I love you, but I wasn’t sure if you and Johnny were still together or if you were cooling off and I didn’t wanna confuse you. I wanted you to make up your own mind about who you really want. I can’t make that decision for you and neither can Johnny, you know?
CASSIE: So you do love me then?
CASSIE: And it’s not my imagination, there is something between us!
ARCHER: As much as I’ve tried to fight it, yes there is!
A couple of hours later our perfect peace was shattered once again, there was a soft knock at Archie’s door. I was extremely annoyed with whoever it was, there was no excuse for this interruption!
I heard Archer’s voice outside as he answered the door, his tone was rather cold.
ARCHER: What do you want?
MALCOLM: Um hey, is Cassie here?
ARCHER: What’s it to you?
After what I’d told him about Malcolm, it was understandable that Archie was being protective of me.
MALCOLM: I was wondering...you see it’s my brother Johnathan...
MALCOLM: ...he’s missing!
