ADAPTED

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©️ Emrys Noah 2021

BETILLA

~The next day~

I walked away from my kitchen counter with my mug of coffee in one hand and the other holding my phone to my ear. I had a tired expression on. "I know mom, you coming in like five minutes. The house is clean. I barely stay home." I said to my mother who didn't seem convinced that I kept the house clean. I spent most of my time in the study and my room anyways. Only Mae came over since Archer's, stuff. 

I placed the coffee on the table and put my phone against my other ear. I sighed heavily when I finally sat on the couch, loving the comfort it brought. I barely slept honestly, I was just running on gallons and gallons of coffee, which was not ideal. "Okay mom, see you in five," I said as I hung up and threw my phone away from me. It landed with a low thud, I probably cracked the screen. That reminded me of when Benedict replaced my old phone with this current one. I sighed as I got up to pick it, then cursed myself for denting it.

I sipped my coffee in silence and felt the caffeine wake up all the dead parts of my body. I was almost done with my drink when I heard a car pulling up in my driveway. I got up slowly and walked up to the door. I had a small smile dancing on my lips when I saw my mother. She looked at me with such sympathy. I had told her all about Archer's accident and how he couldn't remember me. My mother was bummed terribly. She pulled me into a comforting hug as soon as she reached the porch. My dad just stood there awkwardly with a sad smile and he patted my back. I pulled him into the hug too. 

My mother made breakfast, my dad was in the living room in front of the TV switching through news channels until he resorted to continuing his binge on Netflix. I sat on the counter watching both my parents, desperately thinking of him. That continued until I had a plate of breakfast in front of me. I sighed as I didn't realise how hungry I was until I saw actual food. I didn't normally have an appetite to eat after his accident but there was something about the scrambled eggs and toast in front of me, I couldn't quite put my finger on it. 

I headed to my room upstairs after breakfast. I had written out all the moments we spent together the previous night. I sighed as I glanced through them, remembering every single one, feeling those same dang butterflies. I groaned as I put on one of his hoodies and a pair of pants. I walked out of my room and told my parents where I'd be going. My dad didn't object but my mom looked sceptical. "Baby, I hope you're not going to waste your time on this boy." I paused to look at her. "He's the one I love whether he knows it or not." With that being said, I was on my way to his house. I texted Ariana, "Left my house now, on my way." 

This time, I parked in their driveway. I closed my car door behind me as I walked to their front door. I rang the doorbell and waited patiently, trying to ignore my heart which was currently missing from my ribcage. It was in my throat! I heard footsteps coming and held my breath. I let out a heave of relief when I saw Arielle. I gave her a small smile and entered. "How's Archer?" I asked as I walked t their living room. She sighed before replying, "He's alright physically. He's recovering really well. He was even working out this morning." I sensed a but, "But he still isn't convinced he has amnesia."

I looked away from her immediately, "He is adamant that he never knew you." I sighed and looked back at her, "Well, the doctor said that was normal right?" I tried to put up a strong front. She was quick to pick that up and she smiled right away, "Of course, he'll be fine." I looked around and started to ask when she beat me to it, "My mom's not around. She told me to tell you this though." She opened her phone and read. "Betilla, I told Archer you'd be dropping by to help Ari bake cupcakes." I looked her at with a raised eyebrow, she shrugged, "It adds up, I'm shit baking cupcakes and besides, Archer loves eating them when he's not well." 

She pulled me to the kitchen immediately, I glanced longingly at the staircase which led to his room. Ari sighed taking me out of my trance, "He'll come around eventually." She said and we got right into the business of cupcake baking. By that, I meant, I baked the cupcakes. Ari stood there and tried to lick off all the batter. We really bonded in that short time frame. I went on my phone to text Mae the details of what was going on. She felt really sorry for me.

The timer went off with a loud ding! It had me frightened, I jumped a little. I put on the mittens and took them out of the oven. I put them on the counter and left them to cool off before icing. I walked back to meet Ari only to find her accompanied by Archer who had been watching my every move. I felt heat rush to my cheeks at that. I started to talk when he cut me off, "Thank you for the cupcakes." He said with a sly smile. That was the first genuine smile I had received from him in days. I only nodded in response but muttered, "It's no big deal." It was definitely a very big deal!