Archer's POV

**

Aurora was still asleep on my shoulder when the movies credits began to roll onto the screen.

I looked at the time on my phone, 9:35.

Soon, Blondie's parents would be home and I would have the awkward pleasure of meeting them while their daughter is asleep on my shoulder. This is not how I want them to meet me.

I look down to study her sleeping figure next to me. Aurora doesn't even find peace in her sleep. All through the day I see her constantly on edge, and even in sleep she doesn't relax.

I hate seeing her a mess. Tonight, when she had her episode, my first instinct was to get her out. All I wanted to do was comfort her. Its become an instinct to want to protect her. I'm glad I got her out.

Plus I had the opportunity of spending some more time with her, which I enjoyed. It's not everyday I get to be alone with Aurora just enjoying our free time. I have to drive her home just to get some alone time with her.

I softly tapped Aurora to ease her awake.

"Aurora." I said softly, with no response I tried again, "Blondie."

She stirred awake. "Mm?"

"I have to go." I said softly.

"Okay, I'll... I'll walk you out." She said still sleepy.

"No it's okay. I just wanted to let you know."

"Okay, if you're sure."

"I am."

I slowly stood off the couch, easing her onto her side and covering her fully with the blanket. Even asleep she looks beautiful.

"Goodnight, Blondie." I said.

*~*

When I arrived at home, I sat in my driveway for a few minutes, replaying tonight's events.

I eventually got out of the car, closed my door and locked it. I made my way up the house steps, only one light was on. It was coming from the kitchen, which meant that my mom was still awake working.

I stepped into the quiet of the house.

"Archer, is that you?" My mom called from the kitchen.

"Yeh, ma. Just me." I said. My mom gets nervous sometimes. We live in a safe area, just a few blocks from Aurora's place, but she still feels like she as to be on high alert.

I can't blame her though. The place we stayed in before this one was in shit area with empty houses, because the owners couldn't pay their bills, which people would illegally occupy. Drugs were sold on the corner, escorts would wait by the convenience store and flee covered strays would roam the streets.

That is what became of my family after my dad died. My mom was still pregnant with the twins at the time and didn't have a job, so when the soul provider died I had to step up. After he died, we had to move into a cheeper apartment, but I immediately started asking people I knew for some work. That is when Garry presented the opportunity for me to work for him, doing small things around the club. He would teach me a few things about fighting as I grew older, but when I turned sixteen he finally let me into the ring. That is when I started making money off of my fighting.

My mom had the twins three months after my fathers death, spent a month and a half at home with them and then started working at the diner. Nora told her about the position opening and with my mom's previous experience she got the job. The twins would stay with a close friend of Nora's, who owned a day care center in the better part of town. Two years later we would move into the small place that we currently call home. It's simple, but it was what we could afford. It better than where we used to live, which makes it hundreds of times better anyway.

"Hey my boy." She said as I entered the kitchen, stopping to give my mom a kiss on the head.

"Hey, ma." I said, letting her kiss my cheek.

"How was your day?" She asked.

My mom knows about me boxing, but she thinks that it's one hundred percent legal. She isn't too happy about me fighting for the money though, but I can't blame her for warring. She's a mother after all.

"It was good. I won. I went to a party with a few friends." I explained.

"Was Aurora there?" She eyes me curiously.

I gave her a look. "Yes, mom." I didn't need to ask why she had asked, I already knew.

She smiled brightly, but I could still see the exhaustion in her eyes. "What a lovely girl." She paused thinking. "Why don't you date someone like her?" She questioned.

"Mom." I said warning.

"Okay, okay. Is it too much for a mother to want her son to be happy." She asked defensively, still smiling.

She went back to her papers, which were sprawled out on the center counter. My mom works hard to keep our family afloat, that is why I work so hard. I don't want her alone in the process of keeping us alive.

"I'll have tonight's winnings on Monday." I said as I got myself a glass of water.

She looked up at me lovingly. "Thank you Archer. I love you." She held my hand. "I appreciate everything you do to help me. I hope you know that."

"Of course I do, ma." I said smiling.

"Are you going to bed?" She asked letting go of my hand.

"Yes." I replied, "Don't stay up to late, ma." I said as I walked out the kitchen.

"Night, Archie."

"Night. Love you."

I made my way down the hall and went to the twins room. I peeled the door open slightly to get a quick look at them, they were each sleeping soundly in their beds, orange night light illuminating their faces. I smiled at the sight.

I have a little sister and a little brother, Espen and Chris. I would kill for these two kids.

I closed the door and I went straight for the shower, which I needed after tonight.

I stepped in and let my thoughts wonder.

Before my dad died life was easy. I can't remember ever having a bad day. My mom and dad were completely in love and they showed each other that they did through everything. They showed me that they loved me all the time as well. We lived in a modest home, living modest lives, but we were happy.

I stepped out of the shower, letting the steam out to fog up the mirror and air.

After getting ready for bed, I slipped under my covers. Damn I was tired, but I sat thinking for a while. I eventually drifted into sleep.

*~*

Tuesday morning. Lovely. Today meant my practical Biology assessment. I slipped out of bed, running a hand through my hair and I went into the bathroom. I brushed my teeth, ran a comb through my hair once and put on deodorant. I still feel like I should be in bed.

I put my shirt on, a pair of jeans, sneakers and grab a jacket. I packed my gym bag and school bag, then made my way toward the kitchen. if there is any kind of hunger that drives me crazy, it's morning hunger.

Espen and Chris were eating their cereal at the kitchen counter and my mom was pouring herself some coffee.

"Archer!" Espen cried out as she jumped off her stool. She ran up to me and gave me a hug, followed by Chris.

"Hey guys, how are you doing?" I said laughing.

"Goooood." Chris said.

"We have show-and-tell at school today!" Espen said sweetly, smiling at me. It's cute how they still get excited about showing their friends random things from home.

"That's great, Pen."

They may not have my dad around, but they have each other. There is too much of an age gap for me to be there for my two siblings fully. I will be there for them, through everything I can be, but they will be there for each other through things I can't be.

"Hey, ma." I said as she planted a kiss on my cheek. She's shorter than me, so I have to lean down slightly for her to reach.

I grabbed a banana and an energy bar from the counter, then made my way out the kitchen.

"I have to leave, but have a great day and enjoy show-and-tell." I said to my brother and sister. Ruffling their hair, causing them to giggle. "Bye ma, love you." I said.

I left the house and hopped into my car, starting the engine. I immediately turned on the heater and began to drive to school. Mentally revising all the information I needed for the Bio assessment.

When I got to school I walked briskly toward the door. I wanted to leave the cold air as quickly as possible.

I was walking down the hall when I saw Blondie at her locker. I instinctually headed toward her, for reasons unknown.

"Hey." I said softly, smiling down at her.

"Hey." She said smiling sweetly.

That smile. She could get me to do anything with that smile.

"You ready for the Bio assessment?" She said seriously now, looking nervous.

"As ready as I can be." I said in hopes to reassure myself. "You'll be fine, so stop with the nervous look." I said chucking.

"Thanks." She said, "So will you."

"We'll see." I said. I'm pretty good at biology, but there is a lot of information to study.

She shut her locker and we walked together toward our first period of the day. Side by side through the mess of students.