Page 30 of Blake University HBCU Chronicles: Archer & Destiny

“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 closedher 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 aclosefriend 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.

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