Page 6 of Blake University HBCU Chronicles: Archer & Destiny

A deep voice sounded off from behind Destiny, not loud but it sounded too close to her ears. She opened her eyes and turned to look at the boys at the table who shifted and put their phones down. They looked like they were scared for their lives.

Archer crouched beside her and didn’t say anything.

“You hurt?” He asked lowly.

Destiny just stared into his pale blue eyes, fully captivated.Why did it have to be a fine ass man to come save me?She took in Archer’s features, to her, he looked like a Greek god.

Destiny shook her head no sadly. Usually, it was nothing for her to mask her pain. Right now, it felt excruciating.

“I just need to sit here for a while, if you can reach in my backpack to get me my pain pills, they’ll kick in for me in about thirty minutes.” She smiled up weakly at Archer.

Her eyes welled up, but she quickly blinked her tears away.

“Alright, I’ll get your pills once I pick you up off the ground.” Archer said.

His eyes landed on her shaky arms. He felt for her and instantly got pissed all over again that people refused to help her as soon as they saw her struggling. Archer was closed off, so most people thought he was mean and cold hearted. He was actually the total opposite.

“Oh no, you can’t lift me.” Destiny laughed nervously.

“Why not?” Archer brow raised.

“I’m too heavy to be lifted, I can get myself up soon. Once my legs?—”

Destiny gasped as Archer reached under her carefully. He placed one arm behind her back, the other under her knees, and lifted her like she weighed nothing. She wanted to protest but was in too much shock. She hadn’t been touched by a guy other than her dad since the ninth grade.

He placed her in her wheelchair gently and adjusted the position of her legs without her permission. Archer quietly went behind her wheelchair to unzip her backpack. Destiny cringed at the noise all of her pill bottles made as Archer read each label. Finally, he spotted her pain meds and gave them to her. He zipped her backpack up and quietly moved toward the vending machine that had sodas, juice, and water.

He used his phone to pay for her a water then handed it to her.

“You wanted anything else out of here?” He asked, never turning back around to face her.

Destiny contemplated then gave in, telling him all the snacks she intended to get. She offered him her debit card; Archer simply ignored her and got everything she called off. With all of her snacks in his hand, he walked back behind her wheelchair then stuffed them all in her backpack.

Destiny stared at him, overwhelmed, humiliated, and very grateful all at once.

“All of this just for some big back snacks.” She tried to joke, but her voice still trembled.

Archer didn’t laugh, although the corner of his mouth tugged up slightly.

“You good now?” He asked.

“Yes, thank you so much.” She smiled.

He nodded then stepped back, his gaze went over to the table where the boys were laughing before. Then, he turned to leave without saying another word. Destiny’s heart thumped hard in her chest as she watched Archer walk away, calm and unbothered by helping her.

He moved like a man who didn’t rush for anyone. Like he had nowhere to be but people knew better than to waste his time.I can’t let this moment pass like this! This is a chance to make a new friend! Dammit, say something, anything Destiny!

Her fingers twitched over the joystick as she turned the chair. Her eyes were locked on the broadest part of his upper back as he strolled toward the exit.He just helped you up off the damn floor and picked you up in his arms. You can’t just let him disappear like he didn’t just give you a memory you’ll replay for weeks!

“Hey!” She called out, biting the inside of her cheek.

Archer paused, but he didn’t turn around right away. He just stopped mid-step and had an internal battle with himself. Destiny cleared her throat, unsure if what she was about to ask was stupid. It was now or never; Destiny didn’t want their interaction to end so she thought quickly and boldly.

“You…know anywhere else to eat around here? Like, outside of the food court?” Her words stumbled out awkward and breathless, like her dignity hadn’t already taken enough of a hit for the day.

At least I said something. What’s the worst that could happen?Destiny thought with more confidence. She was tired of letting the world move on without her, all to be stuck in the same position. Archer turned his head slowly, giving her a look over his shoulder. His face was unreadable to Destiny.

She forced a smile and continued through baited breaths.

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