Archer

I'm bouncing my ball. Up down, up down. The sound is supposed to help me focus. It's always has, but right now, I'm more antsy than when I woke up.

I shoot the first time, the ball completely missing the hoop. I could've done better with my legs if you ask me. The second time, I try to be more focused. I eventually throw the ball.

A group of students come out of a hall, and now I have to act all nonchalant. I'm waiting for Vicky, and as embarrassing as it is, I don't find it in me to care. I wait for everyone to file out, Vicky isn't among them. I go back to playing my ball. It bounces so hard this time, it ricochets on the floor. I grian annoyed and just collapse on the ground.

"Hey, you dropped this." I raise my head to see who's talking to me. It's a girl. Dark skin and shiny lips.

She drops it beside me and I expect her to leave. She doesn't. She sits beside me. I don't want the company, but I try to be nice.

"I've been seeing you here around often."

I almost roll my eyes. "Yes. Because it's the basketball court. And I'm a basketball player."

"Are you looking for someone? Your eyes are always roaming. Like you're looking for someone."

I bounce the ball not really wanting to answer her question. "What department are you in? What's your major?"

"You'd be surprised, but I'm a physics major." I am in no way surprised, but she doesn't need to know that. A little pretense hasn't killed anyone before. "I just come around here to see my girlfriend."

I nod, continuing to bounce my basketball. The awkwardness making me want to melt. I want to stand up to leave, and seeing Vicky come out of the building is the only form of motivation I need right now.

He's laughing so loud the whole campus can hear him. That though, isn't where my focus is. It's on the person who's almost literally hanging himself on Vicky's frail body. That person is roughly 6 feet. Vicky is barely 5.

The girl on the floor with me realizes I'm not paying her attention anymore. She stands up, I think she's going to leave but she stands with me. "So which of them have you been looking for?"

Sometimes, I wish I had guts like Ander. He'd have shooed her away ages ago. I apparently have a thing for enduring bullshit.

"Hey." I say finally when he's within earshot. Vicky stops totally. He looks at me like I said something scary.

"Archer. Hi." It's the other guy that is greeting me. I look at him poker faced and luckily, he gets the message. He tells Vicky bye and leaves to wherever.

"Who's that?" I ask still looking at the other guy.

"My friend. Zee."

I nod. "Okay. Okay."

And like the idiot that I am, I continue playing my ball. Vicky walks closer to the court. He drops his book bag on the ground and watches me play. He walks gingerly. His thin waist moving exaggeratedly. I don't know if he does it on purpose or not.

"You're sweating." I throw the tank top I'm wearing on him. He collects it, secretly sniffing it.

I use the back of my hands to wipe the sweat. He swallows saliva. I still have that affect on him. He sits on the ground, still cuddling the shirt.

"I'm aware."

When I'm tired, I slump beside him. I rest my head on his shoulders, taking large gulps of the water. "You still smell so nice," I compliment. He always smells so nice.

"It's still the same perfume. Same soap too. Everything is pretty much the same."

I nod. We sit in silence for a while. Unlike earlier, it doesn't feel awkward one bit. I feel relaxed even. The gentle sun against my face makes it even better.

"I still have another class. It's in 30 minutes in case you actually want to sleep."

0

My eyes fly open. I stretch my hand to my bag to grab my phone. I find it with minimal difficulty. "Here," I say handing it to him. "Put your number in. I'll text you."

He collects it and types something in. It's like it's the wrong thing because he snatches it, then apologizes. I look at him, he apologizes again. I'm not pissed, he's just cute.

Vicky hands me my phone but doesn't save the number. I take the liberty to do it myself. What I saved it as? A secret I take to my grave. He sees how I saved it and smiles a little. There isn't a reason to smile. There's nothing romantic about it.

"You can go now. I'll call you when I want to." He hesitates. It's not like I make it easy for him. My head is still comfortable on his shoulders.

It's only when I see my cousin coming that I let him go. "Go in."

I watch him leave, almost not paying any attention to Frank.

"What were you doing with him?" Frank asks sitiing beside me. He doesn't smell good nor is he cute. Just annoying.

"Better question. What are you looking for in a place you left 2 years ago?"

"Since when did visiting my alma mater become such a crime? I came to see Ander. Discussing something."

"It'll either be drugs or alcohol. Maybe a party?" He rolls his eyes. It could be that or even worse but I don't pry. I don't want to be nosy. The last time I was, I got into trouble by association.

"Answer my question. What were you doing with Vicky?"

I stand up. "Since when have I had to report my every actions to you? As I minded my business, you mind yours."

"He changed the course of your life. He ruined your family."

I take a fist full of his shirt. "Learn to mind your business buddy. It's my family, not your fucking family." I say through gritted teeth. He raises his hand and shakes his head.

" I'm just saying. Let go of me. Do whatever you want to do. You Matheos brothers are actually lunatics."

I let him go. He rolls his eyes at me and walks away. I pull my phone out of my pocket and shoot Vicky a generic hi text. He doesn't respond so I assume he's in class. I throw my phone in my bag. Frank doesn't have any right to say anything. So we're lunatics? Who gives a shit?