29.

I immediately recognize her, a few weeks ago. It seems so easy now, I should've figured it out a while ago. The uncannily thin face on the body of a stomach that is slightly swollen to the point that it was easily recognizable as not being overweight in the normal way.

Her eyes are still wide a warm. Although she appears more tired than before. There are obvious bags under her eyes and I figure that college is taking a large portion of her energy.

I set the meat down on the counter and returned to studying her. I probably looked creepy, but I wanted to fully absorb this shocking information.

Her hair is still as lovely as it was before, that lovely blonde that popular girls tried to achieve but always ended up looking fake. Her lips were pulled up into a radiant smile as she politely shook my mother's hand.

"Hello, Mrs. Marigold. I'm Eve." She says happily. It was so different from the timid look she has given me a few weeks ago. She seemed so confident now, my brother's arm wrapped around her supportively. He seemed so content to be by her side. Then again Archer had yet to see Tyler.

"Hello, I didn't realize I would be meeting you today." My mother says calmly in a way that sounds forced. Although her face displays uncertain kindness. She looked ready to get out of the room. She then looked at Archer, a questioning look in her eyes. He gave a small nod, and I'm pretty sure she was checking to see if the girl in front of her is who she thought she is.

"Mum, where did our... other guest go?" I ask curiously, I respond to save Archer's girlfriend the trouble of answering. It was an ill-placed question that my mum asked, and Eve looked grateful about not having to answer. She seemed like the kind of person who would rather not have to talk. Archer looks at me, suspicion pulling at his features. I tried not to look guilty, although I'm sure my face gave away everything.

I looked around, searching for the familiar face. I could use support now. Archer glances over at me, and I see an imploring look. He wants my approval, as much as he wants our parents.

I give him a wary smile. The girl standing next to him looks over at me, and a title wave of emotion overwhelmed me. She was so perfect, and I was so happy for him. However, she was unlike what I had imagined. After so much build-up, and all other things she just didn't seem to fit. It was that one puzzle piece that you try last doubting it's the right one, but it ends up being just that. She was the best thing for him, and I had been expecting the worst.

It was strange, I hadn't been expecting anyone in particular, but she just looked wrong. I hadn't imagined her as his girlfriend, and my brain is not computing with the fact that this is what she looked like. Her name was the tip of my tongue, a dark part of my memory. When I had heard her name originally, I had thrown it away as the information I didn't need. I wish I could retrieve it.

I walked forward, and she watched very apprehensively.

"I believe we've met before, I'm Mellie," I said, smiling at her in a way I hoped was friendly. Archer looked very grateful, our mother had reacted very differently.

"We have, I'm Eve. It's so nice to finally meet you, properly. Our last meeting was less than ideal." She has a wry smile on her face, and I return it with my own. My mum looks very confused, and I feel slightly guilty. However that was washed away with relief, the tense atmosphere had seemed to defuse.

And then Tyler had to walk in.

Archer's gaze whipped towards him and his face turned furious. Tyler was still looking down. Tying on his apron which he must've borrowed from my mum. She found it hilarious to dress up anyone willing to help her cook. If I hadn't escaped and started cooking the meat, I probably would be wearing one too. The one he was wearing is my personal favorite. It is black and had the letters 'WTF' on it. In parenthesis under it, it said (Where's The Food). He finished tying it, and looked up, seeing me first. His face brightened into a heartwarming smile. A wave of emotion filled me, but I batted it away. He then saw Archer and his face turned down. It was almost comical, the blood left his face and his features froze in an expression of horror. It was weird, seeing someone who looked so imposing look frightened. Eve hadn't seen Archers face yet, and she regarded Tyler with mild interest.

I walked over to Tyler and placed myself between them. Positioning myself so I leaned on him in my own form of defending him. He seemed grateful for the support.

"Eve, this is Tyler. Tyler, this is Eve, Archers girlfriend." I made quick introductions. The pan in the background sizzled quietly and I smelled a light burning. Tyler escaped by turning around to make sure the veggies didn't catch fire. I heard the door open, and my father walked in. I busied myself with setting the plates up. I grabbed down a large amount of them and started serving the meat onto it. I got out cups and tried to ignore the conversation.

"And who is that young man?" My father asked, and I looked up to see him watching Tyler with dislike.

"He's a friend from school," I say quickly and I can tell my father is not pleased. Everyone is acting like he is evil, and has visible tattoos and a nose piercing. He is basically the boy version of Riley, and my parents are just sexist when it comes to my friends. Just because he looks like he is in a gang doesn't mean he isn't a cuddly muffin (Who happened to also be in a gang). I ignore my father to my best ability. However, the warm room and embarrassment from what he is going to say are making me flush, a lot. Tyler walks up and taps me. I move out of the way allowing him to serve the food onto everyone's plate.

"Dinner is ready," I call, grabbing my plate and opening a drawer getting out a knife and fork. I then hurried to the table and pulled out a chair. I waited as Tyler followed suit and sat on my left. Archer came and sat on my right, and Eve sat on his other side. My parents settled down too. My father closes his eyes in a quick prayer. He was raised in a very religious family. My mum didn't support it and didn't allow him to influence my brother and I. Allowing us to choose. I still wasn't sure what I believed and it was sometimes the cause of me lying awake at night filled with unfulfilled curiosity. The room is filled with the clanking of metal against porcelain. I pick up a piece of the warm soggy vegetables and bring them to my lips. I chew the substance and it becomes something akin to the cud that cows spend hours eating. I try to swallow it, looking at my plate.

"So... is he your boyfriend?" Eve asks abruptly, looking mischievously and Tyler and I. I choke on my cud. I think he chokes on his water. I reach over and hit his back, trying to help him breathe. He coughs the water back into his cup. An idea pops into my head, and I hold back a smirk.

"Yeah, he is," I say nonchalantly. And everyone's eyes dart to me. Archer looks murderous, and my father is furious. Eve looks excited and my mum looks shocked but also slightly hopeful. Tyler's expression is the best. He looks fully in shock, but also extremely happy. Which I dismiss it, although a warm feeling spreads in my chest.

"You see, there is a space between words 'boy' and 'friend'. It's called the friend zone." I say happily, and Eve bursts out laughing. Out of the corner of my eye, I see how Tyler looks slightly disappointing, but I don't look too far into it.

"How did you two meet?" I ask, changing the subject. Eve flushes, and Archer smiles at the memory.

"It's kinda funny, the first thing she said to me was a lie." He says smiling down, looking at her adoringly. I want someone to look at me like that. She looked embarrassed but very happy.

"Well, who wants to introduce themselves as 'Erysimum'?" She asks jokingly, and everything falls into place.

A/N ~Roughly Edited~

Please remember to comment and vote. I love hearing everything you have to say. Aren't you happy your mystery has finally been solved? Too bad you have many more still waiting...

My schedule will be changing slightly, I may only update once a week or whenever I can. I hope you understand, a lot is going with school and my well being. I hope you won't give up on my story.

If you can't think of a comment, here is a question:

Were you expecting it to be Erysimum? If so, what gave it away and do you like the outcome? If not, who did you think and do you like how it turned out?

With love,

Skye