Page 16 of Blake University HBCU Chronicles: Archer & Destiny

FOURTEEN

Destiny

One Month Later…

A month had passed since Archer’s tears had moved them both in ways that made them grow closer. Since he had shown her his place two hours away from campus, she spent any time she had there with him. It was the first time ever that Destiny felt safe with someone other than her parents.

Destiny had one run in with Latosha at school, and she finally got to roll bounce across Latosha’s toes.

The whole school witnessed it and knew not to fuck with Destiny.

She now had a couple of associates that she wasn’t quite ready to call her friends just yet.

She loved the idea of having new contacts in her phone and hanging out, and going to football and basketball games with Archer.

Deciding to go to Blake U was one of the best decisions she made.

But life didn’t stop. School rolled on with assignments and tests.

Her knees locked after long classes; her body ached in the cold morning air.

Sometimes, teachers would have the air conditioning too high, worsening her pain in her limbs.

Today, she was tired— tired in a way that settled deep in her bones, making even her smile feel heavy. It was Friday, and all she wanted to do was go to Archer’s house to shower, rest, and watch movies for the weekend.

“Can we stop by my place; I just need a couple of things.” She asked Archer softly as he pulled off from campus.

“I got you, babe; your legs look a little swollen. I can put you in the tub when we get to my house.” He eyed her thick thighs.

Her thighs were a light shade of red, above her knees is where he could see the swollenness.

When they pulled up to her apartment building, Destiny couldn’t find the strength to even want to go inside.

Archer could feel it, too, so he asked her what all she needed.

She wanted a couple of textbooks and her favorite soap and lotion, along with her cotton night gowns.

He told her he would be quick and hopped out of the car.

Destiny closed her eyesand rubbed over her knees to relieve some of the pain that she felt. She slowed down on taking so many pain meds after Archer told her that pain meds relieved pain but created other problems inside the body.

Minutes later, Archer called her name, his voice was low. She opened her eyes and immediately saw his angered expression.

“What’s wrong?”

“Your parents are upstairs.” He said, the muscle in his jaw ticked.

“They’re upset and want me to put you in your chair and put you on the elevator to bring you up to talk.” He uttered, annoyed.

He didn’t want to make Destiny get out the car for all of that. He knew that she had a long ass week at school and needed to elevate her legs and eat dinner so she could prepare to take her night time medicine.

Destiny’s heart dropped, her shoulders slumped as she thought about the disappointment that her father, Henry, had from her keeping Archer and her relationship a big secret.

She told her parents that she had a close friend that was a man but didn’t go into detail about their relationship and how she was having plenty of sex with Archer.

They spent every single day together. Destiny felt like she was on top of her studies and was excelling in school.

So, her personal relationship shouldn’t have been a problem.

She was going to tell her parents when she was ready. She knew her mother would understand, but her father would be every bit of dramatic about it.

“I’m sorry.” She whispered, looking down at her hands.

“Don’t be.” Archer said firmly.

“There’s nothing to be sorry about, they love you and they’re worried. It’s okay.” He reassured her.

Instead of him getting her chair, he helped Destiny out of the car and carried her to the elevator.

Inside of her small apartment, the air felt thick with tension.

The entire elevator ride up, Destiny recited things to say to her parents to convince them that Archer was a good man.

She loved her parents and didn’t want to feel like she was going against them.

She wanted them to like her man, but even if they didn’t, nothing would stop her from being with Archer.

Henry paced the living room, his boots thudding against the carpet.

Her mother sat at the edge of Destiny’s recliner couch with her hands folded in her lap.

She shook her head at her husband’s antic’s.

Deep down, Kourtney knew that her daughter was dating someone, she just hoped that he was good enough for her.

“Henry, please sit down. She just got inside and you haven’t spoken to either one of them.” She scolded him as she smiled and waved at Destiny and Archer.

“Don’t tell me to sit down,” He snapped.

“My baby, just rolling up in here with a man holding her like—like…” He couldn’t get his wording together, he was so upset.

Destiny’s eyes welled as Archer closed the door behind them.

Destiny was still in his arms. Kourtney looked over at both of them, she gasped lowly as something hit her.

Destiny was in love and was searching for their approval.

She could tell from the protective look on Archer’s face that the feeling was mutual.

“She’s grown, Henry…and she’s very responsible.” Kourtney waved Henry off.

“I’m okay, dad.” Destiny said softly.

Her voice was calm, although her heart pounded in her chest. Archer’s pale blue eyes scanned the small living room.

He made his way to the couch and carefully lowered Destiny.

As if her parents weren’t in the room, he gently brushed a stray curl from her forehead and pecked her on the nose before stepping back.

He took a deep breath before he faced her parents.

When he first went up there by himself, Henry cursed him clean the hell out. Now, all he wanted to do was lessen the tension in the room, since he could feel Destiny’s stress radiating off of her.

Archer cleared his throat then clasped his hands in front of him.

“I’m Archer. I’ve been dating Destiny for about four months now, sir.” He said, loud enough for them both to hear him clearly.

Henry’s thick brows shot up, his lips parted but he said nothing. Archer looked back at Destiny who had wide eyes before turning back to Henry to continue.

“I met your daughter in the cafeteria on campus. She fell at the vending machine…” He stopped talking when he saw the shocked worried looks on both Henry and Kourtney’s face.

“I picked her up off the floor…long story short, she asked me to show her around. I ended up taking her to my cigar lounge where we ate and got to know one another. After that, I couldn’t help but want to know more and more about her.” Archer gave them the clean version with a smile on his face.

A small laugh escaped Kourtney’s mouth; her hand lifted to cover her mouth as tears welled in her eyes. Archer met Henry’s unsure stare with a calm certainty as he continued to talk.

“Your daughter is the strongest person I’ve ever met. She’s brilliant, funny as heck. She’s soft and kind but don’t take shit from anybody. She’s…” Archer felt himself get emotional. He swallowed down the lump that formed in the center of his throat then continued.

“She changed my life, sir. I came here to help her grab a few things, to get her settled for the weekend at my house. She’s had a long week and I just want her to prop her legs up and rest for the weekend.

Since the both of you are here, I wanted to properly introduce myself and tell you guys that I have her best interest at heart.

I’m in love with her. I respect your daughter, and don’t want to do anything to hurt her.

” Archer finished his statement by taking in a big deep breath then releasing it.

Henry’s jaw moved; his eyes darted to Destiny. Her eyes were glued to Archer’s back with love and admiration. Silence filled the room, the weight of unspoken fears and hopes hanging between Destiny’s parents and Archer.

“You have no idea how long I’ve prayed for my baby girl to have someone who would see the real beauty inside of her.” Kourtney whispered out through her tears.

Henry swallowed hard; his eyes glistened as he blinked them quickly. He looked at Destiny, who smiled softly back at him then back at Archer.

“Long as you’re good to her, that’s all I care about. You and I need to have dinner together as well. I want to get to know you.” Henry stated.

He wanted to drill Archer with question after question but could tell that Destiny needed time to relax. He was proud of his daughter; she was doing good in school but this whole boyfriend thing was new to him. He didn’t really know how to let his baby girl go.

“We can set a date; I think you will love my cigar lounge.” Archer smiled.

Destiny felt the tension leave her chest. She was happy that Archer took control over the situation. She also knew that later, she would have to tell her parents that she lost her virginity, but for now this was a very good start.