Beside Him

I sighed in relief at the fact that I'd avoided sitting next to the devil himself and sat myself down on the only other seat. The guy beside me was one of the Loser Boys but I had no other choice. It was either this i***t or that meany and I'd rather pick the i***t. "Hmm...baby doll you can always sit on my lap of the chair's too hard for you." The loser said and I gave him a hard death glare before sighing, picking up my backpack and trudging over to the only other seat remaining. "I'm sure that sitting on your lap will give me a very soft thing to sit on."I muttered before coming to a stop beside the Devil. Archer King. "Is this seat vacant?" I ask him and he doesn't even bother looking up as he replies. "Yes, and this one will be too if you sit down." He muttered and I swung myself onto the chair. "Feel free to go and sit next to that pig over there." I mumbled, taking out my necessary books. "I'm good." He muttered back, still not taking his eyes off of his phone. I shrugged and turned my attention to my bottom lip, chewing on it nervously. "So, Archie, I didn't even know you took this class." I said, adding a nervous laugh too. His head snapped up to me so fast I thought it would crack. "Don't call me Archie, River." He said and I rolled me eyes. "Don't call me River, Archie."I replied back and his jaw locked. "I am calling you your name. You call me mine."He ground out and I smiled sweetly. "I will call you Archer as soon as you start calling me Rivi." I replied and he rolled his eyes. "I'm not a nickname type of guy, River." "Ok. Archie." I shrugged and bit my lip, this time to stop the laughter that threatened to erupt. Just as he opened his mouth to say something back, Mr Bryan came in. Immediately, all the girls pushed their boobs forward, twirling their hair around their fingers. I simply leaned on my upturned palm, my elbows resting on the oak desk. I felt Archie's gaze on me but I ignored it with a smirk. He grunted but left me alone never the less, allowing me to fawn over my overly hot English teacher in peace. "Hello, kids." He said, his deep voice making a break through. I sighed dreamily, sitting Indian style in my chair. "I hope you all enjoyed your summer. I would ask how it was but I don't really care. Anyway, make sure to remember your seats because there'll be no changes." I open my mouth to protest but before I can so much as say a vowel, he interrupts. "And no, Rivi, there are no compromises." He says blankly. The class laugh as I snap my mouth shut, leaning back in my seat with a small smile. "Gosh, sir, did you learn how to read minds over summer?" I ask overly dramatic and people laugh again. "No, sweety, you're just too predictable."He says and then dismisses me with a flick of his hand. I laugh slightly and shake my head, tucking a loose piece of hair behind my ear. I feel Archie's gaze on me but as soon as I look toward him he looks away. I frown but ignore it. "Right, so everyone...pull out your copies of Romeo and Juliet. Since it's the first lesson of the year,I'll go easy on you and we can just have a reading lesson. But don't get overly excited because it's a once in a lifetime thing." He explained and everyone smiled. Mr Bryan was loved over the school due to how overly honest he was. It was actually too funny, his inability to lie. "Today I want-- Rivi and Archer to read since you two would make such a beautiful couple." I frowned as everyone turned to us, the girls giving me death glares which I returned with a sweet smile. The Regina George of our school smirked and I knew she was gonna open her useless mouth for something other than giving a terrible BJ. B*tch. "Yeah. I'm sure Archer will go for the b*tch. Even though he can have someone ten times better than her...me." She muttered and people sniggered. Mr Bryan, luckily didn't hear. "Barbara, if you've got something to say to me," I start and she smirked, turning my way. "Write it on a piece of paper, fold it up and stick it up your ass. I'm sure there's still plenty of space in there after your massive head." I said, this time loud and clear. Mr Bryan shot me a warning look, crossing his arms over his chest. "Shut it, River." She said and I narrowed my eyes, standing in my seat slightly. "Make me, Barbara." I reply and Mr Bryan instantly speaks up. "Both of you, be quiet. Barbie, speak only when told to and Rivi, I thought I asked you to start reading. Don't start petty fights over a boy." He snapped and I sat down, huffing and crossing my arms. I felt the amusement coming down from Archer in waves. I turned my head, narrowing my eyes at him. "Something funny, Archie?" I ask sweetly, going as far as to touch his arm as I did. He shot me a look and I rolled my eyes, removing my arm. "Rivi. Stop throwing a tantrum and read." Mr Bryan said and i huffed again, starting to read Romeo and Juliet. "Jeez, sir. You should be a therapist." I mumbled sarcastically and the class laughed, Barbara throwing me a dirty look. I simply smiled at her, batting my eyelashes. "I'm not doing it." Archie announced. Everyone turned to him. I raised my eyebrow. "Doing what?" Mr Bryan asked. "I'm not reading." He confirmed and I pouted. "Oh come on, Archie. Be the Romeo to my Juliet?" I ask sweetly and he looks at me for a long second, making me think he's giving in. "No."He deadpans and I roll my eyes dramatically. "Fine. Fine." I groan. "You can be Juliet then." I say overly dramatic and everyone laughs, even Mr Bryan. Archie's lips lift upwards slightly before he completely ignores me and starts reading his bit of Romeo. After we finish our bit, everyone stares at the two of us with their mouth agape. I gulp and raise an eyebrow. "Did I magically sprout another head?" I question and they burst out laughing, causing me to smile and shake my head...which thankfully was only one. "No...It's just that you really do make a beautiful couple." Some girl that I can't remember the name of says and I duck my head, suddenly finding my black and white vans the most interesting thing on the planet. Archie freezes beside me, his muscles going rigid. I steal a glance in his direction to see him already looking at me, his eyes swimming with an unreadable expression. We lock gazes, mine probably shy and his still overflowing with that certain emotion that I just can't put my finger on. F*ck. Did I ever mention how undeniably hot Archie's eyes are? The perfect mix of grey and golden brown, twining together into a sort of darkish mossy green. I was completely and utterly lost in his orbs, before suddenly the bell rang, signalling the end of 4th period and start of lunch. I broke out of my trance and cleared my throat, quickly packing my bag. "See you tomorrow, Rivi." Mr Bryan calls out as I leave and I pivot, walking backwards, and give him a thumbs up while clicking my teeth. "You got it Mr B." I hollered before walking over to the canteen. I smiled politely at those who parted like the red sea to let the River Harrison pass. I finally made it to the canteen, getting my serving of fish, chips and gravy. I blow the lunch man guy a kiss at the fact that he gave me extra and he chuckled. Ahh, who would have expected me to find a father figure in the school chef. Except...everyone (?). I awkwardly shuffle over to the popular table, sitting between two of my 'friends', Poppy and Vanessa. I smile politely at them, before my gaze almost unknowingly goes to the table to the far left where only one person has sat since freshman year. The table that contains only Archer King. He'd probably have a frikking reserved seat if he chose to sit on the populars table but he doesn't. Instead he sits alone on the table for 4. His eyes catch mine and I once again find myself lost in them. Then, he smirks, breaking the connection and mouths. 'Your friend is asking you something." I frown and turn to the rest of the group, realising they'd been trying to get my attention for ages. "Rivi. Hello?" Jackson says and I grin. "Sorry, I'm alive. What were you saying?" I ask and Jack gives me a look before repeating his question. "Who are you bringing to my party?" He says and I bite my lip, wincing when I realise that I'd completely forgotten. Jackson always had these awesome 'start of the year' parties that were invite only, every one of the populars having to bring at least one person to be allowed in. "Err..." I stutter awkwardly. Then a light bulb moment goes off and I look back to Archie, my mouth forming into a smile. I smile at him, to which he gives me a 'are you mad?' look causing me to roll my eyes. I quickly get up, knowing everyone's eyes were on me. I scramble over to him, flopping myself down opposite him. He grits his teeth. "Someone's already sat there." He grounds out and I simply grin. "You're gonna have to apologise to Casper the ghost for me. He has to hunt for another seat now." I say with a shrug. He simply glares at me. "Ok, so I was thinking-" I start but he cuts me off. "That's never a good sign." He says and my jaw drops. I can feel the burning, questioning gaze of my so called friends but I ignore them, focusing on the i***t infront of me. "Rude. Anyway, as I was saying--" "I don't care. I'm not doing it. Not happening. Now shoo." He says, gesturing with his hands as if I'm a dog. I grit my teeth. "Archie--" "Archer." He corrects and my mind comes up with a million scenarios in which my hands are wrapped tightly around his neck and his face is turning a beautiful shade of blue. "Ok. Listen, pretty boy, I need a favour." I say before he can interrupt me. He raises an eyebrow at me. "As I already said. Not happening. Now piss off." He repeats and I sigh, dropping my head dramatically in my hands. "Archieeeeee." I drag out and he stared at me wide eyed. "What kind of creature are you?" He asks, genuinely shocked. I roll my eyes and stand up. "I really needed your help, Archer." I say seriously pissed off before going and sitting back down in my seat between Poppy and Nessa. "What the hell?" Poppy screeches and I wince, holding my index finger to my ear. They all invade me with questions until eventually get bored and talk about something else. I sigh, dropping my head into my hands. Just as the bell rings, I hear a voice I recognise as Archie's whisper in my ear. "I'll be there three weeks on Saturday. Don't be late or I'll throw you into yourself." And before I can reply he walks off, leaving me and everyone, although he whispered it so that only I could hear, else utterly shell shocked.