Page 29 of Blake University HBCU Chronicles: Archer & Destiny

“I’m so sorry.” She whispered over and over.

She wished she could pull the hurt out of him, take it into herself and bury it somewhere so he’d never have to feel it again. She wished she could be the one to go back in time and give that little boy, torn from his mother’s arms, the love he should have had, all the warmth he deserved.

“You didn’t do anything wrong, nor did you deserve this shit.” She said, letting her lips brush against the side of his face.

His breathing shuddered; tears wetted the hand she pressed to his cheek. She pulled back just enough so he could see her, she wanted him to see the fire in her eyes through the tears. Destiny was ready to roll them all over inside of that house for hurting him.

“Put me in my wheelchair.” She said suddenly.

“Right now.” She frowned, ready to protect her man.

Archer blinked back his tears in confusion.

“What?” He asked.

“I said put me in my chair.” She repeated, her lips stretched into a mischievous smile.

“I’m about to roll my ass in there and cuss every single one of them the fuck out for what they did to you! They got you fucked the hell up!” Her quirky proper voice sounded off.

A small laugh broke out of Archer, his tears continued to stream down his face as a crooked pained grin pulled at the corner of his mouth. Destiny’s chest lifted, her own laughter bubbled out through her anger for what Archer had gone through.

“I’m smiling but I’m so serious.” She wiped at her chubby cheeks with the back of her hand.

“I don’t give a damn if it’s the mayor, your father, Karen with her dry brittle-head ass, or your stuck-up ass siblings! I’m about to light every single one of them up and roll bounce on their asses!” Her voice elevated.

Archer was no good after what she said. He let out a full broken laugh this time. His hurt eased just enough for him to breathe. He turned toward her fully, his eyes red with glistening tears. He cupped the back of her neck and pulled her forehead to his.

“You just as crazy as me…” He whispered; his breath was warm against her lips.

“When my father first admitted that shit…I was ready to fuck him up — and his precious ass house. He tried to say he was divorcing Karen, and I saw the guilt riding him hard, but it felt like that wasn’t enough. I was ready to go to jail, Destiny…. but then…I thought about you out in this car. I thought about ruining my life because of my anger and having to be away from you when we just started. I love you…I’m in love with you. I also know that we got each other. I finally feel real love, like somebody wants me and not under rare conditions. I don’t need you going in there showing out for me. You being in this car is enough, crazy girl.” He smiled genuinely.

“I’m crazy about you, Archer…I’m in love with you, too…I just thought it was too soon to say it.” She admitted.

“Nothing is ever too soon, time is just time. There’s no time frame on when a person can feel something as raw as what we share together.” He whispered.

For a moment, the world outside didn’t exist. It was just them and the weight of what they both survived from the past and present. There was an unspoken promise that they would both face whatever came next together.

Archer pulled back, taking a deep, grounding breath. Turning the key, the engine to his Charger rumbled as it came to life.

“I promised to show you my place, so that’s where we headed.” He smiled, feeling a little better.

“Okay, let’s go home.” Destiny squeezed his fingers.

As they pulled away from the estate, Destiny looked over at Archer. She was determined to make sure that he didn’t have to go through this pain alone. She also would wait until he felt ready to talk about what all his father said about his mom. Destiny thought about the family his real mom left behind. When the time was right, Destiny wanted to support him in meeting his real family.

FOURTEEN

Destiny

One Month Later…

A month had passedsince 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.

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