Page 63 of Your Side of the Offense

Archer

It hurt a little when I woke and she wasn't there, but that was one of the best sleeps I've had in a long time. Fuck, I missed her. I blacken my phone after I send that last text. There's music playing downstairs, so I go shower then I change. I feel fresh and I have no more sleep in me.

Feeling a little better, I go downstairs and find a few familiar faces looking at me awkwardly.

"Finally, up from the dead," Jaden says between two blondes.

"Hey, Archer," Another girl almost sings it.

"I need a beer." Taking one, I plop down on the couch. I see the worried looks from my friends and a few others. These people are going to ruin my good mood.

"Arch." Harvey's voice comes from across me, and I take his gaze head on.

"You do know that I'm an adult who can drink, right?"

"Bro, we know that," Caleb answers.

Jaden looks back to the TV and says nothing, but I see all they mean to say. I try to calm myself; these are my best friends and I know they only mean well for me.

"Just to get it out of the way, I know it got bad, but I intend to stay on my medication, and I don't plan on getting wasted. Now, can you stop looking at me like I am going to die if I have this drink?" It’s honestly annoying.

I admit I was descending into a bad space mentally, but having Peach back even as friends has given me something to look forward to, something to hold on for. I can't disappoint her, so I'm going to do my best to make her proud.

I don't want to see her cry anymore for me, I only want smiles. So, I’ll take my medication. Though I still don't know how I am going to take care of my insomnia. And that’s where a large portion of my anxiety is. What if I can't sleep tomorrow?

"Aight, man." Harvey tips a beer my way, and that is the end of that.

The music gets louder and one of the girls starts dancing. I lean back and tune the scene out. Looking at each of my friends instead. What are we even doing? This…this is not where any of us thought our life would be.

My mind wanders all over the place, mostly around her. Peach has given me an in. A tiny one, but it’s something. How do I try to get my family back together? Although I never meant for it to happen, my illness brought her back to me, and as fucked up as it is, I don't want to let go of her ever again.

It's a hard pill swallowing the fact that she has a boyfriend who isn't one of us anymore, but it is what it is. We can't push her to anything. The best way is to just let everything happen and unfold on its own. Peach won’t want to feel forced into anything, she’s too stubborn.

If she is going to come back, it has to be her choice or feel like it’s her choice. So, I need to chill. She will be ours again, I just need to be patient and bide my time. Maybe be the friend she needs. I just hope these idiots haven't gone too far when she's ready to be ours again.

The dancing girl comes to give me a lap dance and I shake my head at her. But she doesn't take the hint so I just go back to my head and drink my beer.

"You talk to coach? What did he say?" I look at Harvey.

"That you need to see him on Monday," he answers.

"Is he pissed?"

"He wasn't happy but tough shit."

Harvey and I are two of three freshmen who made the team. It made Trevor and Logan mad to have us after they tried to sabotage us, but we are unstoppable and our talent is undeniable. We are great as individuals, but we’ve proved through a few games that we’re a lethal and winning combination.

We have gained the favor of the coach and it doesn’t sit well with the seniors. But fuck them. I remember how tough those first few weeks were knowing Logan was moving in on our girl. Harvey and I may have channeled a lot of our aggression in the field, but it paid off. We have the respect of our teammates, well, whenever Trevor and his crew aren't looking.

Once again, we find ourselves climbing the social hierarchies without even asking to.

When I can no longer bear the crowd, I leave and go to my room. With sleep nowhere in sight, I take my laptop and get into my course work. I have a few assignments due in the next month and a few tests.

The sun rises with me still on my laptop and I just keep going. When I hear movement in the house, I close it. I need a shower.

My phone pings.

Eat.

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