Falling helplessly episode 13

🔥 FALLING
HELPLESSLY 👠

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

Stupid Charlotte… Stupid. Stupid. Stupid Charlotte! How could I have let this happen? I had paced back and forth in my room so many times obsessing over this situation, I’m sure I’d almost burned a h0le in the carpet. Once again I’d let my nerves get ahold of me, and had frozen. How hærd would it have been to speak up? Clearly, really fricken hærd.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone so anxious to see their best friends,” Madeline mused from her s₱0t on my bed.

“It’s not that!” I objected vehemently. “I miss them I really do. And if we were getting together at home, in our normal element I’d be over the moon right now.” But I wasn’t seeing Brit and Kayla back home, nope. They were currently on planes flying into LAX.

It had all started a few week ago. Madeline and Emmett were both trying to convince me to go out with them on Halloween. They had made some decent points about not letting what happened to me dictate my entire college experience. They also pointed out that I had more friends now, more people to watch my back.

The nail in the coffin had ended up coming from Archer of all people. I’d texted him to vent about my anxiety around Halloween and he had the perfect solution. The football team was throwing a party. It was the most ideal version of a potentially unattractive situation.

As far as college parties went, this would most likely be the one I’d be most comfortable at. That was… until I had told Brit and Kayla. They were just being so frustrating. Going on and on about how I needed to live, and not let college pass me by. So, I had to go open my big fat mouth and tell them I was going to a football party for Halloween.

I’d been over to the football house a bit now with Archer, so I felt comfortable there. I’d also met most of the boys who lived there several times and they were all fairly nice. I’d been surprised by how gentlemanly they’d been towards me, but I think there was a lot of residual guilt that I’d been drugged at their event. Not to mention, Archer was always standing over my shoulder glaring at them, practically daring them to step out of line.

Next thing I knew, flights and hotels were getting booked as Kayla and Brit decided on their own to come here for the weekend. I’d sat on Facetime willing myself to stop them, but I couldn’t think of one good reason I wouldn’t want my best friends to visit.

I couldn’t exactly tell them that almost every conversation we’d had recently left me frustrated. Or that I was fairly positive they were only coming because of my new connections to a Division 1 football team. I definitely could not tell them, that for some unknown reason I felt an intense need to keep my new USC life separate from them. As though it needed protection or something.

“Look I don’t know what’s going on with you and these girls,” Madeline said from the passenger seat of my car as we drove to pick them up. “But, I think you just need to try and enjoy yourself. They’re your friends, this is supposed to be a fun weekend! Besides, if anything goes sideways I’ve got your back.”

“Thanks, Mads.” I smiled relieved. As I pulled into the Arrivals lane at LAX I took a deep cleansing breath. Madeline was right. These girls were my best friends and I was letting my anxiety ruin the weekend before it had even begun.

I pulled the car to a stop in front of the American Airlines gates where we could park and wait for them. They flew separately but managed to get flights that landed within the hour of each other. If everything went as planned, Kayla would already be here and waiting at the luggage pickup for Brit.

The Exit doors slid open and a rush of people came piling out. Scanning the crowd, I looked for the matching blonde heads of my friends. When I caught sight of Brit pulling an oversized suitcase I honked my horn to grab her attention. A laugh burst from my l-ips as she and Kayla ran over, waving their arms excitedly. Maybe I was overthinking this.

I hopped out of the car and went to to the trunk to pop it open. Just as I shoved all of the random stuff off to the side I was enveloped in tight hugs and shrieks. The three of us wiggled in each other’s arms, laughing and causing a small scene. I found myself genuinely happy—and relieved—to see Brit and Kayla again.

“Guys,” I said as we climbed into my car, “this is Madeline, my roommate. Mads this is Brit and Kayla, my friends from back home.” The three girls greeted one another cheerfully and we all chatted easily on the drive to the hotel. It was Saturday afternoon, so we had a few hours to kill before the party and Madeline and I still needed costumes. Our plan was to get Brit and Kayla checked in, drop their luggage off and then go to the costume store.

“I still can’t believe you guys haven’t got costumes yet! I’ve had mine picked out for at least a month.” Brit said from the back seat as I maneuvered through the LA traffic. I still got stressed out easily with all of the cars whizzing around me so I tended to stay quiet and focus on not crashing.

“Yeah well, we both got busy with midterms this week so there was never a good time.” Madeline provided from her place next to me upfront. “What are you guys going as anyways?”

“I’m going as Harley Quinn!” Kayla clapped excitedly. “But s-xy Margot Robbie from the first movie… Not weird Margot Robbie from the second.” She added seriously.

“I’m going as a s-xy cop,” Brit said with a small smirk. “Do you two have any ideas yet?”

“Not yet,” Madeline responded for both of us. “We’ll just see where the wind takes us.”

That was true, I had no idea what I was going to dress up as. I did, however, know that s-xy was not going to preface it. If I was going to this party, then I was going to be myself. I agreed with Mads and Emmett that I should come out of my bubble a bit and try to enjoy some normal college experiences. I even agreed with Brit and Kayla that I would regret letting these years pass me by. But I knew, I would regret changing myself into someone I’m not more.

Flicking through the endless racks of costumes, I was becoming dejected. I wanted a costume I could feel comfortable in. Everything I picked up for women was either way too s-xy, or ridiculously goofy and over-the-top. Like, no, I didn’t want to be a s-xy Bo-Peep but I also didn’t want to be a giant, inflatable, poop emoji.

My phone vibrated in my pocket as I checked out the face painting kits. Pulling it out, I saw that Archer had texted me.

A: Hey, James and I are going to come by around 7:30. Then we can all go to the party together at 9?

C: Sure. Emmett is coming over too so play nice.

A: Who is Emmett? And I’m always nice.

C: 🤦🏻‍♀️

My eyes scanned over the pictures on the front of the face painting kits. There were all of the examples that the kits could be used for. I smiled at the cute faces of kids painted up as pumpkins, Frankenstein, and witches. Suddenly an idea popped into my mind and I quickly catalogued what I’d need to put the costume together last minute. I knew I could do it, but I needed to text Archer again.

C: Hey Archie-boy, long time, no talk.

A: I regret ever letting you and James talk.

C: Awe, don’t be like that. Do you have an old jersey I can borrow? Doesn’t matter what team.

A: What do you mean the team doesn’t matter? What’s this for? You can’t support a shit team.

C: Archer if you’re going to be difficult I’ll just ask Emmett.

A: I’ve got one for you. I’ll bring it when we come over.

I shook my head at his antics and grabbed a kit before racing off to the other isle to find the girls. “I’m done!” I cheered happily as I approached the three girls still flipping through racks. Madeline had already picked out a Greek Goddess dress and accessories so we headed to the checkout.

A few hours later, the four of us sat in the living room with makeup and hair products spread everywhere. Madeline was already done, so she was helping me put my hair into two loose French-braids. I admired how beautiful she had made the costume on such short notice. The long white dress wrapped around her body and tied up around one shoulder. Then she had woven a wire covered in golden leaves around her arms and one exposed leg. Her dark curls were topped with a golden crown of leaves, completing the wh0le costume.

Brit and Kayla were done as well and honestly looked amazing. Kayla had pulled off Harley Quinn perfectly. Her blonde hair was pulled into two pigtails, with red and blue coloured-putty tinting the ends. Her makeup was smudged and dramatic while also accentuating her dark lashes and plump l-ips. She must have ordered her outfit online because it was identical to Margot Robbie in Suicide Squad.

Brit had curled her hair into large spirals, then topped it with a slightly crooked police cap. Her costume consisted of a tight dress—with a pattern that reflected a cop’s uniform—that hit just below her bum. Then she wore a belt that had handcuffs and a baton hanging off of it. Both girls radiated confidence, and even though I’d never feel comfortable dressed like that, I admired them for it.

“So let me get this straight… Archer Johnson is coming to this dorm room?” Brit repeated skeptically.

“Yes,” I sighed. “We’ve become… friends. I don’t know. It just happened, but we’re cool now.”

“No,” I said firmly. “And there is no reason for him to. That all happened years ago, it’s long over. We’re just friends now.”

“So… does he know…” Kayla questioned unsurely.

Brit and Kayla shared a look that I didn’t particularly like, but chose to ignore. Before the conversation could continue, Madeline announced me done so I went to the bathroom to check it out. She’d done my makeup again, just simple and basic with a little extra mascara and gloss. My hair fell down my back in the two braids, honestly, looking really cute. Madeline kept them loose so curls spiralled out around my face and ears. I took the face painting kit and picked up the black crayon. I had just finished putting two rectangular strips of black under my eyes when a knock sounded at the door.

I ran down the hallway just as Madeline was introducing James to Brit and Kayla, with Archer standing off to the side looking around. James was wearing jeans and a ripped white shirt, showing off his large muscular chest and abs. He had makeup on his neck and jaw making it look like he’d been attacked by a zombie or something.

“What the heck are you supposed to be!” I asked Archer, as I took in his dark jeans and black v-neck shirt.

“Jersey?” I said with my hand outstretched. Archer reached into one of the plastic bags he’d been holding and passed me his game jersey. I hesitated for a moment, I’d asked him for an old jersey. But I guess it was too late now to complain. Throwing the jersey over my head, I held out my arms as though I was saying “taadaaa” and gave a little spin. “There! I’m done. I’m a football player!” I giggled.

“What are you supposed to be.” He deadpanned back, nodding at my plain clothes. He was right, I was only wearing black leggings, my black converse, and a tight white tank top.

Archer s-cked his bottom lip behind his teeth and smiled lightly as he pulled me into a tight hug. Dropping his head close to my ear he whispered, “f-cking adorable.” His slightly muffled voice sent a shiver done my spine and made goosebumps pop up on my arms. Pulling back I smiled and turned to see everyone else watching our intEr×¢tion.

Madeline and James had exasperated looks on their faces as they were both used to us by now. We did tend to get lost in our own little world sometimes. I blamed Archer mostly, he didn’t like talking to people very much so he usually focused on me, pulling my attention from the others.

Brit and Kayla both just looked shocked. I probably should have prepped them more about my new friendsh¡p status with Archer but I knew they’d make a big deal about it. I liked that no one at USC knew about my past with Archer. It took away so much of my anxiety not to stress about every move I made and how it could be perceived by others.

“So Beautiful ladies,” James said once we’d all gathered in the living room, “we come bearing gifts!” He made a big show of flourishing his arms towards the bag Archer was still holding. Shuffling forward, Archer pulled out a bottle of vodka and another of bubbly sparkling wine. Brit and Kayla jumped on the vodka right away and ran to the kitchen to grab glasses for shots.

“Thanks, boys!” Madeline said as she swooped up the sparkling wine and left to pour us both a glass. She had specifically requested the bottle for her and I tonight. According to Madeline, sparkling wine was a good alcohol to drink when you wanted to get a little tipsy but stay in control. In her words, “We’re gonna have a classy night, bitch.”

Soon, we were all sitting down with our drinks to play some games before we left for the party. Just as Madeline had dealt out cards for a game I still didn’t understand our front door slammed open. Emmett came strutting through the door with a large cardboard box hanging around his wa-ist by suspenders. He’d done a very shaky job painting stripes on the box with the words, “k-ssing Booth $1.00” scrawled across it.

“I regret this costume already.” He said dramatically without greeting anyone. “I had girls catcalling me the wh0le walk here, asking where the lineup was.”

“That sounds like the opposite of a problem, Bro.” James laughed from his seat.

Madeline and I both got up to give Emmett an awkward hug around his box. Cheeky as ever, he stuck out his face for us to k-ss, letting us know ours were on the house. We both laughed and reached up to peck his cheeks. Emmett stumbled backwards and dramatically put his hand to his forehead as though he was going to pass out. Then he noticed Brit and Kayla standing behind us.

“Ladies,” he said with a goofy smile and nod of his head. “I’m Emmett, nice to meet you.” As the girls sauntered over and introduced themselves I walked back to the living room to settle in my place next to Archer. He reached down and grabbed my chair before giving it a yank and pulling me closer to his side. Then he slung his arm around the back of my chair, looking down at me with downturned l-ips.

“Everything okay?” I asked quietly so only he could hear me as the others sat down around us and got ready to play. In usual Archer fashion, he chose to respond non-verbally. Nodding his head, he dropped his hand down on my shoulder and rubbed small circles on my skin. It seemed to calm him down because his face was relaxed as we turned back to the group.

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“Alright,” Brit said with a smirk. “Let the fun”

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