Falling Helplessly episode 11

🔥 FALLING
HELPLESSLY 👠

( For his brother’s friend …. 😇 )
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Written by:- Williams Kendall____✍🏽
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🏈 CHAPTER ELEVEN🏈

“You could travel the wo-orld! But nothin’ comes close to the golden co-oast!” I sang as I m-ssaged the conditioner into my hair. I was well aware that Archer was currently lying on my bed, waiting for me to get ready—but this was my Sunday morning. He would just need to practice a little patience.

After shaving my legs and lathering myself in strawberry body wash, I finally climbed out. Drying myself off quickly, I swooped my hair up into the towel and wrapped it on top of my head. Then I did my makeup and got dressed.

If there was one thing I didn’t like about living in California, it was that we never really had seasons. I’d love to live in a place where Fall meant cold air and crisp orange leaves.

My outfit today clearly reflects that desire, I thought, as I checked myself out in the mirror. I chose an oversized burgundy sweater that just begged for a night in front of a fireplace with a warm mug of hot cocoa. But then of course, since this was LA, I paired it with black leggings and sneakers.

“Took you long enough,” Archer sassed as I walked back into my room.

“I told you I wasn’t rushing on a Sunday,” I said with a pointed look. “I’m also not quite done yet,” I added as I plugged in my hairdryer and attached the defuser. Archer flopped back on my bed with a loud gro-n as I finished my hair. What. A. Baby.

Not long after, we were at Archer’s house so he could shower and change his clothes. Unlike last time, when we walked in,side there were several boys in different stages of undress lounging around.

I’m sure my eyes looked like a deer-in-headlights as I took in all of the hærd chests and broad shoulders of the boys staring back at me. Blood rushed to my cheeks when I realized more than a few were only in briefs.

A large hand clamped down on my eyes from behind, before Archer’s gravelly voice called out, “Jesus, do you shitheads ever get dressed.”

“Well, if we knew you were bringing a little lady home then maybe we would have,” a voice yelled back, though I couldn’t identify who as Archer still had my eyes covered.

Archer’s other hand came down on my wa-ist and pushed me forward as he dropped his hand over my eyes. “My room, let’s go,” was all I needed to hear before I took off towards the staircase with my eyes downcast.

The creak of a door made me look up from my s₱0t on the bed. I could still hear the water from the shower rushing so I knew it wasn’t Archer. A handsome boy peeked his head around the door and gave me a million-watt smile.

“Oh good, Arch is still in the shower. He gets mad when I come in here but I wanted to officially introduce myself. I’m James.” He said as he str-de over and plopped down on the end of the bed.

“Charlotte, nice to meet you,” I replied shyly.

James’ face brightened instantly, “You’re Oliver’s sister! It’s so great to finally meet you.”

“Oh yeah… I am. You know my brother?”

“Yeah. Well, uh,”-he cleared his throat-“He comes to party with Archer sometimes. So I’ve heard him mention you.” He said with a tight smile.

“Get the f-ck off my bed.” Archer’s angry voice from the doorway spooked me and I automatically moved to get up.

“Oh don’t worry Beautiful, he means me not you,” James laughed as he climbed up and faced Archer. “Something tells me Archie-boy likes you in his bed just fine.”

Archer chose not to respond to that. Instead, he took the towel he had been rubbing in his hair and twisted it into a wh¡p before snapping it at James.

“Nice to meet you Charlotte!” James shouted quickly as he ran out of the room and away from Archer.

“So, what are we doing today anyway?” I asked as I took in Archer’s fresh appearance. He had dressed in dark jeans and a button-down plaid which I had come to know as one of a few outfits he transitioned through.

“It’s my mom’s birthday next week, her and Dad are coming up for my game. So I was hoping you could help me pick out a gift for her?”

“Of course!” I smiled, already thinking of so many things Mrs. Johnson would probably love.

I spent the drive to the mall rattling off different ideas to Archer that he could buy his mom. His responses were mostly ‘hmmm’ or grunts—but his small nods as he focused on the road told me he was listening.

The mall was crowded when we arrived. Parents rushed from store to store chasing their kids while teenagers and other college students browsed around with friends. I tended to feel overwhelmed in crowds and naturally gravitated to Archer’s side as we walked through the groups. I was slightly jealous at how quickly people got out of the way for a 6’4, broad-shouldered, guy with a scowl. Being vertically challenged usually meant crowds like this would swallow me up.

Archer tucked me under his arm and steered me towards the home goods store I suggested we check out. Once we were in,side, a tall, curvy woman—maybe 30-years-old—came striding over to us.

“Hello! Welcome to Home N’ Things!” I wasn’t sure if I should cringe or admire her confidence as she made a big show of running her eyes over Archer. “I’m Liv, what can I do for you?” she added with a smirk.

Rather than respond himself like a freakin’ big boy, Archer pushed me in front of him as though I was supposed to protect him from Liv’s x-ray eyes.

“Oh, I think we are okay right now thank you. We’re just looking around,” I said softly. Liv dropped her attention to me and I suddenly wished I was a few inches taller so she couldn’t stare down her nose at me quite so much.

Reaching back, I found Archer’s arm and led him over to the bathroom section. Mrs. Johnson was the kind of woman who did everything for everyone around her. I thought it would be nice to get her some bath products that she could use to relax and pamper herself.

“Okay, so what scent do you think your mom would like?” I asked as I eyed up the wall of fancy products.

“How the f-ck am I supposed to know…” Archer muttered under his breath as he rubbed his jaw.

“Well I’m sure she’d like anything you picked out, so what smells nice to you? Sweet, floral, musky…” I listed off as I tapped each of my fingers. Archer leant forward slightly, wrapping a piece of my hair around his finger and tugged gently.

“I like whatever your hair smells like,” he offered with a half shrug. A small blush tinted the bridge of my nose as I smiled up at him.

“So you like sweet smells then! Usually I use fruity or sugary scented stuff.”

“Of course you do,” Archer sighed as he raised his eyes to the ceiling briefly.

“What am I missing?” I replied through narrow eyes.

“Nothing Sweetheart. I just shouldn’t be surprised you like sweet smells,” Archer quipped back as he tugged my curl one more time.

We spent the next half-an-hour picking out various bubble baths, bath bombs, salts, and scrubs. I refused to do all the hærd work for Archer’s gift, so I would hold out two different products and make him sniff both. Then he’d pick the one he liked more, and we’d put it up against a different scent. Finally, after we were both a little high off of the fumes—we settled on a citrusy tropical scent.

Liv stood near the counter the wh0le time we shopped, watching us with a hawk-like gaze. A few times she swooped in to try helping us again. I noticed that she tried to steer Archer towards different sections of the stores but he always planted himself safely next to me as I politely told her we were fine.

A little tingle of pride swelled in me every time Archer chose me, but I had to remind myself that it wasn’t really an accomplishment to be preferred over a pushy semi-cougar.

As we approached the till with our purchases, Liv stood a little taller and c-cked one h¡p out. She simpered at Archer unabashedly as she scanned our items.

“Would you like a bag?”

“Yes,” Archer replied shortly. I couldn’t help it when I reached up and pinched the in,side of his bicep. It was something I did with Oliver when he was being a bonehead about something.

“Yes please,” I said pointedly as he looked down at me confused.

“Yes please.” He repeated with an eye roll.

“Perfect. Are you sure there isn’t anything else I can do for you?” Liv purred, leaning against the counter. Archer didn’t even look at her as he turned and stalked off towards the exit with his bag.

“Uhm. No thank you,” I replied politely before rushing after him.

We stopped by the food court next, where Archer ate a full meal even though we only had breakfast a few hours before. I got an iced tea from Starbucks and two cake pops—one of which got stolen by the big brute himself.

I had looked away at the sound of a baby crying, and when I looked back Archer was staring at me with ch¡pmunk cheeks and a guilty smile. Narrowing my eyes I looked around for what he had done and saw the missing chocolate cake bite.

“You monster,” I whispered in mock-disbelief as I crossed my arms over my chest and huffed.

“Awe c’mon, I didn’t think you were that hungry,” Archer cheeked back.

A small pout resided on my l-ips for a few minutes while I s-cked back my tea and ignored him. His face was honestly funny when I caught him, but as I felt more comfortable with Archer, it became more fun to mess with him.

When we got up to leave Archer mumbled something under his breath that sounded like, “Drama Queen” before walking off and returning with another cake pop. “Happy now?” He demanded as I opened the little brown paper bag with a smile.

“Shouldn’t this be weird?” I asked suddenly on our drive home. I had been lost in thought for a few minutes about how quickly and easily Archer and I had slipped into this friendsh¡p.

“Mmm?” was all I got in response.

“Us… being friends?” I elaborated. “I mean, I dunno. I just thought it would be weirder for us to try and be friends.” Archer turned away from the road briefly to look at me. He had a softer smile that made his eyes ooze with warmth and his jaw soften. I was momentarily stunned by how quickly his face could transform from the grumpy sass-pot he normally was.

“Well I’ve only had one friend in my life and that’s Oliver. So it fits that you’d be my second.”

“What? You can’t be serious… You had so many friends in high school!” I laughed at his ridiculousness.

“Those were Oliver’s friends. Or football fans. I was never friends with any of them.”

Archer grunted in response as he turned into the USC Village. “My teammates are… my teammates. It’s different,” he shrugged. “And James is an annoying f-ck,” He added gruffly.

“What about your teammates now? Or James?”

I giggled softly as the sass-pot reemerged. Having seen him and James intEr×¢t a few times now I doubted Archer’s words. I think he just had a hærd time admitting he liked people.

The truck rumbled to a stop in front of my building and I began collecting my things. Archer watched me silently as I got ready to head in,side before I turned to him.

“Well, this was fun,” I said with a bright smile, truly meaning it. Spending time with Archer was new and exciting but also somehow brought me the comfort of home and family. He was an unknown and yet familiar all at once.

I stepped down onto the running board, before jumping to the pavement. Just as I was closing the door I heard Archer’s low, quiet voice drift over to me.

“See ya later, Sweetheart.”

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