Page 37

"Okay everyone, that's enough for today! I want those papers in my inbox by Sunday at midnight." My professor called out to the auditorium of students. I breathed a sigh of relief and immediately started shoving my stuff into my bag.

"Hey Charlotte," a smarmy voice said from above me. I didn't even need to look up from my bag to know who it was.

"Nathaniel." I nodded tightly.

"Are you sick? You don't look well." Nathaniel crossed his arms over his chest and gave me a pitying look.

Anger boiled up inside of me and I had to take a calming breath.

Oh, I'm sorry. I don't look well? Well excuse me for waking up this morning to Mother Nature's gift to women and maybe I didn't feel like putting real clothes on or makeup or doing my hair?

I thought it was pretty dang impressive that I wore leggings under Archer's USC hoody instead of sweatpants, and I even made sure the scrunchy holding my bun in place was red to match.

I stood up and slugged my bag over my shoulder, cringing when the weight pulled on my sore muscles.

"Yep. I'm sick," I said as I shuffled into the walkway and headed for the large double doors.

Nathaniel fell into step next to me but I ignored him.

I didn't have the energy to be polite. I had one goal today and that was getting to the dining hall and eating fries.

I scanned my card to get through the mechanical entryway and bee-lined it right to the buffet line. I grabbed a tray and bypassed all of the plates of pasta and sandwiches, keeping my eyes locked on the fry station.

"You know," Nathaniel joined the line behind me. Ugh, his voice makes my skin hurt. "If you're sick you should really get soup or something healthy. Your body needs nutrients, not carbs."

"Thanks for the tip." I didn't turn around so he couldn't see my scowl. My body relaxed when the line moved and I finally made it to my heavenly fries. The smell of salt and oil wafted around me and whispered sweet nothings in my ear, making me wiggle a little in excitement.

I stepped out of line after I filled my plate and walked towards the tables.

I loved coming to the dining hall. It reminded me of Hogwarts with the high vaulted ceilings and long rows of tables running parallel down the hall.

The only downside was that the large communal tables didn't allow for me to tuck away in a corner and make love to my fries.

"You want to join me and my friends?" Nathaniel asked as he came up behind me.

"Oh, uhm—"

"Charlotte!" Tyler called out from behind us. I whipped around and beamed as he approached us. From this day forward, you shall be known as my hero. "Oh hey Nate," Tyler added with a nod.

"It's Nathaniel," he responded tersely.

"Right," Tyler laughed. "Well sorry but I'm here to steal this little lady away." He grabbed my tray and bumped his hip into mine to get me to follow him. I was so grateful for his intervention that I ignored the pain that shot through my body at the contact.

"Bye Nate!" I called over my shoulder making Tyler chuckle.

Tyler led me to the far end of one of the tables.

I smiled when I recognized most of the first-string football players.

Tyler placed my tray down in front of an empty chair and gestured for me to sit.

I was grateful it was at the end so I wasn't sandwiched between two guys.

They were freakin' animals when they ate and more than once I'd gotten elbowed sitting at the table with them.

Normally that wouldn't be a huge deal but my period made my whole body sensitive. My muscles, bones, joints, even my skin reacted badly to every little jostle. I was liable to murder someone today if I was knocked the wrong way. Or I might cry. It was kind of a toss-up.

A beautiful blonde girl slid into the chair next to me and scooted closer. "Hey!" She greeted with a big smile. "You're the famous Charlotte right?" Upon closer inspection, I recognized her as Holly, the head cheerleader from the Pep Rally.

"F-famous?" Was my brilliant response.

Holly laughed as if I had made a joke, only making me furrow my brows more. "Yeah, you tamed the beast! I mean I never thought we'd see the day Archer Johnson settled down."

I couldn't tell if she was taking a dig at me or not by pointing out how loosey-goosey Archer had been before we got together. The potential for another confrontation with a cheerleader made my throat tighten and my palms sweat.

"Oh shit!" Holly rushed out when she saw my face. "Frick. I didn't mean it like that!"

"It's okay," I smiled weakly at her. "It's my fault, I'm a little sensitive today."

Holly gave me an understanding grimace. "Girl I get it. That was me last week—eating chocolate until I broke out all over my damn face." We shared a small laugh and my body slowly released the tension it had held.

"But really," Holly added thoughtfully, "I'm sorry I didn't mean to imply anything. My fiancé was such a whore before we got together, but he's an amazing man now."

"Wow, you have a fiancé?" I asked incredulously as I swept my gaze over her face. She couldn't be much older than 20.

Holly laughed and rolled her eyes. "Oh God, don't turn into my mother and lecture me about divorce rates."

"Sorry..." I giggled sheepishly. "That's really great though, congratulations."

Holly flashed me her left hand, showing off a small but beautiful diamond ring. "Grants overseas right now," she said quietly. "He proposed at Christmas before his last deployment."

"That's amazing," I breathed as a whack of emotions poured over me. I started eating my fries to distract myself from how badly I wanted to weep.

Holly and I chatted while we ate and commiserated about the pains of being women. The good company and warm fries in my belly made me feel a lot better. I was just starting to forget about my less-than-stellar morning when a long pair of arms wrapped around my body and lifted me up out of my chair.

Air hissed through my teeth as the nerves in my skin recoiled against the contact. It felt like my whole body was covered in that sensitive skin that gets exposed when you cut your nails too short.

"Woah Sweetheart are you okay? Did I hurt you?" Archer looked at me worriedly as he sat down in my chair and placed me on his lap. His large hand covered my cheek as he looked over my body for injuries.

"I'm fine," I whispered weakly as I slumped against his chest. Archer continued to flick his eyes over me, looking for the invisible threat.

"Are you sure? You seem like you're hurt?"

I blushed deeply, unsure how to tell him that my problem today was not an injury. He stared back at me with concern and confusion floating around in his eyes. He raised his brows in a silent question when I stumbled to speak.

"Good lord," Holly sighed from next to me.

She leant forward and stretched her neck to get closer to Archer.

"She's got her period leave her alone," she hissed quietly.

I whipped my head around quickly to make sure no one else heard but they were all focused elsewhere.

"Thanks, Holly," I grimaced.

"No problemo girl," she giggled before returning to her food.

Archer slowly moved his arms around my waist as though I might break at the contact.

I let myself relax in his hold as my body adjusted to his touch.

"Are you okay?" He whispered in my ear. I nodded softly, not really wanting to talk about it much more.

Thankfully, he let it go and sat back in his chair.

He kept his hold on me really loose as he listened to his teammates and occasionally joined in with their banter.

My eyelids were really heavy as I blinked slowly to keep them open. Archer was a freaking heater and his warmth under me made me want to nap. I dropped my head to his shoulder and pressed my forehead to his neck, relishing in the soothing beat of his pulse against my skin.

Archer arced his neck down to look at me with a soft smile. "Do you have class after this?" He asked. I shook my head 'no' as I fought the overwhelming pull to sleep. "Wanna come hang out at my place then?"

I considered that for a moment. My plan had been to get my fill of fries and then go home and lay in bed all afternoon. But Archer's bed was much comfier than mine and he had a big tv. Plus, if I had Archer around I wouldn't need to keep getting up and reheating my hot water bottle.

"Sure," I agreed. He patted my bum softly to get me to stand so that he could get up to. His teammates called goodbyes to us as I waved at Holly. Archer held the straps of my bag and his in one hand then held out the other one for me to grab.

Archer always had to slow his stride when we walked together since my little legs couldn't keep up with his mutant ones. Today was even worse though as I trudged behind him, letting him pull me along. I was so freaking tired and the walk to the football house felt like it was 100 miles long.

"Are you going to make it?" Archer laughed over his shoulder. I didn't bother responding. Instead, I scrunched up my face and repeated his words under my breath in a mocking tone.

Archer stopped walking and turned his back to me as he crouched down. "Okay, hop on," he said. I eyed him warily then he looked over his shoulder and huffed exasperatingly. "C'mon Sweetheart. I want to get home this year."

"Well that's a little dramatic," I sighed as I climbed onto his back.

"Oh yeah... I'm the dramatic one," Archer muttered while he stood up. I wanted to whack him in the arm but I had to grasp onto his shoulders tightly. He was like an elevator that just kept going up.

"Good lord," I breathed as I locked my arms around his neck. "Is this how you see the world?"

"The airs nicer up here hey?" he laughed as he walked down the path.

A few people that passed us shot us weird looks.

I guess we probably looked like quite the sight.

Both of our bags still swung in Archer's large hand while his other arm wrapped under my bum to stabilize me on his back.

I felt like growling at the more judgemental faces to back the frick off.

"Holy moly," I mused as I looked around at the gardens we passed. "You can see so much from up here."

"Maybe one day I'll crawl around on my knees so I can see the world from your point-of-view," Archer chuckled as he turned and strode up to his house. He hissed when I relaxed my grip on him long enough to pinch his shoulder.

Archer carried me right up the stairs and into his bedroom. He sat down on the bed and slowly leaned back so that I could drop softly on the mattress. I groaned as the soft comforter billowed beneath me.

"Do you need anything?" Archer asked as he twisted around. I was too busy rolling around on the comfy mattress to answer him. I was lost in the pillowy cloud of heaven that was a God-send for my tight muscles. "I'll take that as a no," Archer added. "I'm going to shower, I'll be right back."

The gentle sound of the water running in the bathroom lulled me to sleep on the big bed. Not much later though I awoke to the sound of the door shutting.

"Whoops," Archer whispered as I blinked my eyes open, "I didn't realize you were sleeping."

I mumbled at him and was about to fall back to sleep when my gaze finally focused. My eyes widened as my mouth went dry and I gulped.

Archer stood in front of his closet with his back to me as he looked for clothes.

My cheeks heated up as I took in his nearly naked form.

His tanned skin stretched tightly across his bulging shoulders and back.

This boy had muscles on top of his freaking muscles.

His torso tapered in and I licked my bottom lip as his boxers were all that covered his bum.

The thighs that stuck out of the bottom of his boxers were bigger than my waist.

My body felt hot all over as I greedily scanned the platter of hunk being served to me.

I'd seen him in various stages of undress during our sleepovers, but usually, he would wear pyjama pants or one of those man-tank-tops.

Seeing him clad only in his boxers felt way different.

I opened my mouth to say something but all that came out was a weird strangled squeak.

Archer turned around to look at me and a knowing smirk stretched across his face. "What's up, baby? See something you like?"

I squinted my eyes at his cockiness and sat up quickly to defend myself.

The movement was too much for my achy body as my stomach muscles clenched and pain shot down my spine.

I held out a hand to stop Archer as he stalked towards me like a predator.

"Make one move on me mister and I'll throat-punch you. "

"Alright chill Hulk," Archer laughed as he held his hands up in mock-innocence.

I looked away as he slipped on some sweatpants and a tee-shirt.

Given our recent activities, I would have thought this kind of intimacy would be no big deal now but it still made me feel a little shy.

I mean, our clothes had stayed mostly on for one thing.

Seeing Archer almost naked stirred some hormonal animal in me that freaked me out.

We decided to watch a movie so I curled up in a ball in the middle of the bed.

Archer wanted to pick one which I said was fine but I gave him specific rules.

It couldn't be anything scary, or too sad since I was likely to become a sobbing mess.

He chose one called Warrior and promised me it fit my criteria.

He said it was just a boxing movie and it ended happily. Good enough for me.

I was a little concerned as the plot unfolded on the tv.

These two brothers wouldn't stop fighting and being mean to each other.

My bottom lip wiggled a little as I tried to control my hormones.

I relaxed when Archer reached out from his place behind me and started brushing his fingers through my hair.

That kept me distracted for a while but then all heck broke loose.

The movie's climax was that the two brothers had to fight each other in this competition thingy and neither one was backing down.

Tears sprung to my eyes as I watched them throw punches at each other.

I could tell it hurt their hearts to swing at their family.

My breath quickened as the younger brother bested his kin.

He was supposed to be happy that he won but he couldn't be because his brother just lost.

My heart ripped into a million pieces and the dam broke.

I hopped off the bed and started pacing the room as tears poured down my cheeks. "How could you make me watch that!" I cried as I gestured to the screen.

"What?" Archer looked up at me confused and a little scared. "What are you talking about it was a happy ending?"

I scoffed as I continued to pace. I was crying much harder now as I tried to wrap my mind around my boyfriend's stupidity. "Happy? They almost killed each other for money! Poor Brendan!" I sobbed. "He is never going to forgive himself for winning!"

"Sweetheart," Archer laughed, "it's not real. Besides look—they made up now. They're helping each other off the mat."

"Don't you dare laugh at me Archer Johnson," I snapped while I sucked in air.

There was a small voice somewhere in the back of my head that told me I was looking a little crazy right now but my hormones and overly-sensitive heart were louder.

I couldn't stop the whimpers that were ricochetting out of me.

Suddenly the door burst open and James and Tyler came running through.

"Charlotte are you okay? We heard you crying!" James asked anxiously.

Tyler swung around and glared at Archer. "What the hell did you do to her, you big buffoon!"

I tried to explain to the guys what was happening but it was hard in my current state. I kept sucking in air between sobs as I gestured angrily at Archer. He stood up and stepped cautiously towards me as he slowly wrapped me in a hug. He patted my back as I shoved my face in his shirt.

"I think I broke Charlotte," he whispered over my head. A laugh bubbled up from my chest as I shook against Archer's chest. All three boys froze and stared down at me in confusion. My breathing settled down and I began to wipe my tears away with a bashful smile.

Archer walked away to the bathroom to get me a wet clothe for my face so I went back to sit on the bed with a tired huff.

"I don't know what the hell just happened," James sighed as he plopped down next to me.

Tyler shook his head as he followed us, laying down next to me. "Tell me about it. No offence Charlotte but your gender confuses me." I laughed at the dazed boys as I felt my heartbeat returning to normal.

"What the fuck is with people thinking they're allowed in my bed?" Archer barked as he exited the bathroom and tossed me the clothe. I wiped the warm fabric across my red cheeks and scrubbed the sadness from my eyes.

"Oh hush they're fine," I said.

Tyler chuckled as he squirmed around to get comfortable. "Yeah Archer, hush."

Archer continued to grumble but eventually, he sat against the headboard and pulled me into his lap.

I laughed softly against his shoulder when he threatened the boys with bodily harm if they came within a foot of him.

After James and Tyler got filled in on the Warrior fiasco, James offered to pick the next movie.

He did a much better job than Archer at choosing something that wouldn't spike my hormones.

I spent the rest of the afternoon laughing at Tyler and James' commentary of the movies.

Even Archer relaxed eventually and stopped dropping hints for the guys to leave us alone.

I could even feel his chest rumble against my back with quiet laughter every once in a while.

At one point I looked down to see Tyler and James both snoozing at the end of the bed. I peeked up at Archer and smiled when he was already watching me.

"Hi boyfriend," I whispered.

"Hi girlfriend," he said back in a similarly hushed tone. I sighed at the warmth that swirled in his eyes. Every once in a while his face softened in a way that mesmerized me. The glint of affection and curve of his lips made my insides feel gooey.

He leaned forward and brushed his lips against mine. There was barely a hair's breadth of contact but it made a shiver run over my skin. He moved his lips to each cheek, giving a soft kiss to both. Then he dropped a quick one to my nose before finally pressing a kiss more firmly to my forehead.

"Are you feeling any better?" he said against my skin. I smiled and nodded silently. Now that my hormonal episode had passed I was a little embarassed.

"Is it weird that I think you're kind of cute when you're hysterical?" Archer mused.

I pulled my head back to scrunch my nose at him. "Yes. I don't know how I can date such a wackadoo," I hummed. Archer let out a genuine laugh that transformed his face into something akin to an angelic renaissance painting. I sighed as the musical sound of his laughter washed over me.

Never in a million years would I have thought that today could have turned into a good day. But as usual, Archer suprised me with his ability to be gentle and caring. Even when he was a smart alec, he still showed concern for me.

I leaned back against his chest and nuzzled my face into his neck, breathing in his intoxicating scent. Every muscle in my body felt loose and relaxed as I sighed in contentment, "I love you."