Page 11 of Blake University HBCU Chronicles: Archer & Destiny

“You not, at all.” He said, meaning every word.

Destiny was beautiful, and she looked so chill and comfortable. It didn’t matter to Archer if she had sweats and a hoodie on. Nobody could tell him who to bring inside of whathe owned. There was no dress code at Archer’s delight, either. Destiny’s heart rate picked up as she asked herself all kinds of questions.Is this like… a date?She bit the inside of her cheek and smiled.

She blushed and couldn’t believe where she was at, and not by herself. She was actually out with a man, a fine man that was being nice and a gentleman towards her. She woke up this morning determined to do more, she never thought that it would end up with her thirty minutes away from campus and with Archer.

I need to fall out of my chair more…She snickered lowly at her own thoughts.

They settled into a private corner booth near the back. The leather seat cushioned her stiff joints. She was grateful for how helpful Archer was in making her feel comfortable. She didn’t have to ask him to assist her into her seat, he just did it. Her eyes continued to drink in every detail, down to the custom gold cigar cutters on display.

“This is like an experience; it’s beautiful, Archer…thank you for this. I never get to—” She stopped talking as she looked away.

Archer waited a couple of seconds before speaking. He didn’t want to cut her off again, since it really seemed to piss her off earlier when he kept cutting her off mid-sentence. Once he saw that she wasn’t going to finish her sentence, he spoke.

“You can come here for free, any time you want. The staff will know and let you right in and assist you.” He stated confidently.

“Wow. I want you to be my friend.” She stated seriously.

It might have sounded corny, but Archer thought it was cute. No one ever asked to be his friend. People just naturally flocked to him and tried their hardest to be in his circle.

“I’m your friend.” He chuckled, loving the way she tried to play off her blushing.

Archer was cocky, he knew without Destiny having to say it that she thought he was attractive. Even though he knew that, he wouldn’t play on it. Destiny didn’t have to tell him much about herself for him to know the kind of good girl she was. On top of that, she was a virgin. She had a simple crush on him, and he already established that he wasn’t after what was between her legs.

“I don’t roll with anyone, remember? You rolled with me…I brought you to my lounge that nobody knows about.” He smirked.

“Your parents don’t know?” She asked curiously.

“Nah, I like them to believe whatever it is that they think of me.” Archer shrugged.

“What do you think they think of you?”

“They think very low of me. I used to care; I even wanted my father’s approval for everything that I did until I realized that he fed me nothing but lies for his image. Two weeks ago, the truth that I had known for a very long time came out. It just helped put things into a better perspective for me.”

Archer didn’t know why he felt so comfortable with Destiny. He never felt comfortable enough to express himself to anyone. The shit with his family life was weighing him down; he tried his hardest to bury it and keep moving like it was nothing, but it still nagged at him. Archer wanted answers and fast, about who his biological mother was.

“What was the truth, if you don’t mind me asking.”

“Karen is not my real mom. I believed that she was since a little kid, she was the only mean ass woman around me. It wasn’t until I got old enough to see the difference in my complexion. I had my father’s blue eyes and that was about it. I don’t even look like him. My siblings were born years after me…They look like full blooded white folks ” His throat ached instantly after saying it out loud.

“I knew that, but I—still…love Karen...” He admitted, more so to himself.

“She’s all I’ve known. The closest thing that I have had for a mother. She never loved me…I been knew that, but I can’t help but to love her. Because of her disdain for me…my siblings don’t treat me like any other sibling would treat a big brother. That don’t change the fact that I still love them as well.” Archer dropped his head at that realization.

Destiny’s breath got caught up in her throat. She reached across the table and placed her hand on top of his hand. She couldn’t help that she was an empath, she couldn’t imagine what all of what Archer was saying would feel like if it was her. Archer normally would have snatched his hand away. He didn’t want Destiny feeling sorry for him. That sentiment alone with her warm soft hand stroking the top of his felt good to him. He enjoyed the way her skin felt up against his, so he continued to talk.

“All of this college shit is just for an image. My father constantly needs something to brag about until my brother and sister go to college. I don’t have to do shit at Blake U, my dad pays good money to make sure I pass every class, so I randomly show up on campus just to make my appearance and make extra money while doing it.” He spat out the bitter truth and was now ready to change the subject.

“If you want, I can help you find your real mom.” Destiny said, feeling determined to help her new friend out.

“Why would you want to do that, when that’s not your problem?” Archer’s thick brow raised.

“It’s what real friends do. I might have not had friends since ninth grade…but, now that I got you, I want to help.”

“What happened to you?” Archer asked.

“I was shot in the back at a party. A party I should have listened to my parents about not going to. That night, the girlthat I thought was my best friend was sleeping with my so-called boyfriend. I caught their young asses fucking in one of the guest rooms at the house party we were at. I was too scared and emotional to confront them…I ran outside and—” Destiny looked away.

Archer noticed that her eyes misted over.

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