Twenty-Three

My eyes opened and my body got up. I gasped and tried catching my breath. That was an intense dream. It felt realistic. I never had that kind of dream before, these dreams or nightmares started back in the day before going to the hospital where I am about to take my first check-up.

Then on the same day, I dreamt about this little boy that follows and talks to me. I can't really confirm his identity since the image of his face is blurry.

Then my panic attack showed up when I was taking my exams. I got rid of it 5 years ago and now it just popped out of nowhere. I am seriously worried about myself too.

I don't know, I have no idea what's happening to me. This year has got to be the best year because this will be the last time that I am gonna be with my friends.

But, now it turns out that this year will be the worst.

My phone vibrated and I glanced at it after I got my normal breathing back. I picked it up and saw the message from Archer.

Archer: Can you let me in?

I got confused. I stared at the message before replying to it.

Asher: What?

I put my phone down and waited for his reply. My phone vibrated then I looked at it.

Archer: I'm at your fucking front door!!

I squinted my eyes and got off the bed. I peeked at the window and I saw him, Archer, standing at the front door with a backpack and a varsity bag. My eyes widened. I immediately rushed myself to the front door.

When I opened it, Archer glared at me and sighed. He walked inside the house without any hesitation. Confused, I closed the door and followed him. He went to the living room, dropped his bags, and sat on the couch.

I put my arms in my waist and looked at him with disbelief. He also looked at me, "What?" he asked, raising his hands.

"What the hell are you doing here?" I annoyingly asked him.

"Uh, I want to watch movies. I don't have Netflix at home so-" before he finished his sentence, I cut in and walked closer.

"Woah, woah, woah, you're not gonna fool me, Archer. No one shows up in somebody's front door at 10 o'clock in the evening with 2 full packed bags just to watch Netflix movies."

"For the love of God, can you calm down?"

"I am calm!" I shouted. "How's my mom gonna react if she sees you in here? She doesn't even know you."

Archer didn't respond and sighed. He sat properly and leaned forward with his elbows resting at his knee. He looked at me and sighed again. "My uncle kicked me out of the house." he stated.

"Kicked you out?" I repeated. He glanced at me and nodded. I put my arms in front of my chest. "Did you do something wrong?" I asked, looking directly at him.

He shook his head, "No." he shortly answered.

I didn't have a choice but to let him stay here. I have to inform my mom so she'll not freak out or ask me why did I let a stranger in the house. "I'll call my mom." I said and walked out of the living room.

I did call my mom and to my surprise she quickly agreed to Archer staying. My mom is really friendly, she's actually nice to everybody. I mean, with my friends and my brother's friends. She treats them like a family.

I went back to the living room to inform Archer. I said that my mother let him stay in here for a while. He nodded and smiled a bit. I went to the kitchen to grab a drink and gave it to him.

"So, where am I gonna sleep?" he asked before drinking the water that I gave.

"On the couch. Where do you expect you're gonna sleep?" I suggested.

He squinted his eyes, "Here? No way!" he complained.

"Well do you want to sleep on the floor?"

"I'm not sleeping on this couch." he ended the conversation, then started it again. "What about your room?"

"You're not sleeping in my room." I stated. "I only have one bed that is good for one person."

He grinned at me and immediately busted into my room. "Hey!" I shouted and chased him along.

When I got into my room, I saw him on my couch, already lying and fixing his position. Yes, I have my own couch in my room. I spend my time in there when I don't feel good at sleeping on my bed.

"See? It's comfy here." he said and squeezed himself. "You get the bed, I get the couch. Easy."

"I offered you to sleep on the couch in the living room. What's the difference in that?"

"I don't wanna sleep in the living room. It's dark in there."

My eyes squinted on that last sentence. "Are you saying that you're scared of that dark?"

"What? No! Why would I be?"

I didn't bother answering and just left him in there. He's already there, I don't have a choice. I went back to the living room to grab his stuff.

l threw his bags at him, making him grunt and open his eyes. He glared at me, but I just laughed at him. I texted to my mom that Archer will be sleeping at my couch so she doesn't have to worry about where this bastard will sleep.

I threw my phone at the table beside my bed and fixed my pillow. "You gonna be alright in there?" I looked at him.

"Yeah." he responded with his eyes already closed.

"Alright." I sighed and climbed onto my bed. I laid down and put my hands on the top of my chest. I stared at the ceiling for a couple of seconds before closing my eyes.

"Night, Ash." Archer suddenly said.

"Don't call me that."

"Isn't that what your friends call you?"

"Yeah, but not to you. So shut your hole." I opened my right eye to take a peek at the clock. It's already late. "Night, night." I greeted.