Chapter 2

Lacey was surprised to see Archie in front of her. She wasn't aware that he had been back in town. Archie's parents still lived in the city but she had heard that he had gotten into a private school some hours away. She wasn't a part of the popular clique at school anymore so she didn't know where Archie and Scott landed after their expulsion from Green Grove High.

Although she was very disappointed that Archie took his revenge against Danny by harming Cole, she could understand now how it felt to be helpless when it seemed that your loved one belongs to someone else. She didn't condone what he did but she knew that once Archie had a heart and could be a good person. She had been angry when he would pick fights with Danny or make sarcastic remarks about Jo or Danny. She may have been part of the popular crowd, but she didn't abuse her popularity by taking cheap verbal shots at the un-popular kids.

However, regardless of Archie's faults, she had enjoyed being the center of his world (besides soccer). When Archie gave his all to someone, he could make you feel special and worshiped. She hated when the tape was leaked and it caused him pain. She had broken things off with Archie when kissing Danny several times had awakened feelings she thought she had long buried. She had hated abandoning Archie, but she couldn't keep up the pretense of loving him when someone else had stolen her heart and invaded her thoughts.

"Hi, Arch" Lacey huskily replied as she slowly returned his smile. "Long time, no see. How are you?"

Archie smiled a little wider. "I'm fine. I am back in Green Grove for a visit with my parents. My private school gave us some days for teacher development so I decided to come back into town." Archie is glad to see Lacey. She looks as beautiful as ever yet there is a slight sadness to her demeanor regardless of the dimpled smile she displays. She sounds the same though…his strong Lacey, even though she was no longer "his".

Lacey was glad to find out that at least he was in school somewhere and he looked and sounded like the Archie she used to know. He seemed to have grown a few inches taller but he was still the same and it was nice to pretend that they were still close as they chatted here on the sidewalk. Lacey missed him – the easy-going Archie. She missed friendships not tied to Danny and Jo. "I am sure your friends and your parents are glad to see you."

"My mom is glad to have me home. My dad…well, he wants to make sure I stay out of trouble. He has all these meet-and-greets with image recruiters to try to rehab my chances for a soccer scholarship." Archie doesn't want to keep up the small talk but realizes that he can't launch into a series of questions asking her about her relationship status with Danny Desai – as much as he would like.

"You are an excellent soccer player and you kept your grades high. I am sure with the right image consultant, you will have your choice of scouts wanting you." Lacey was sure that Archie would get back his status in life as long as he didn't let jealousy interfere with that.

Archie basks in the compliment Lacey gave to him. Lacey was always his number one supporter when they were together. "Look, I wanted to talk to you a while ago to apologize for all of the mess that I caused for Danny and Cole and you…I was in a terrible 'head space' and I was so consumed with eliminating Danny from our lives." Archie paused. He wasn't sure if Lacey would believe his next words.

"Lacey," he slowly began, "I'm sorry for everything. I tried apologizing to Cole, and to his credit, he listened to what I had to say; however, he said he would forgive me only if I apologized to Danny as well."

"Did you apologize?" Lacey was glad that he tried to rectify things with Cole, but Archie also needed to settle things with Danny, too.

"Yeah, I saw him at Johnny Cakes yesterday and I said my apology."

"Did he accept it?" Lacey wanted to know.

Archie earnestly replied "I don't know. He said 'okay' but he seemed pre-occupied. He said he never meant to cause rift with the soccer team but that he was trying to just fit in and Scott and I wouldn't let that happen." Archie agreed "He was right. I was just hellbent that he was trying to steal my spotlight on the team and also trying to steal my girl. I was wrong about the team thing but right about the girl thing."

"Archie, look, Danny and I had unresolved feelings when he left for Juvie and everything came flooding to the surface when he got back. I broke things off with you when it looked like those feelings for Danny would not disappear. I am sorry for hurting you." Lacey hoped he would understand.

"Look, we hurt each other so let's start anew." Archie wanted to make sure she knew that he harbored no bad feelings towards her. He was still a little sore with Danny but not infuriatingly jealous like he was before.

Lacey smiled. "I would like that, too." She didn't want a relationship with anyone but she could use a friend…someone who knew her and who wasn't full of drama and complications. She wanted something easier. Besides she and Archie had started off as friends before they dated and had parted on somewhat amicable terms until the tape with Danny and her leaked.

Archie wants to ask her about her relationship status so he decides to ease the conversation in that direction. "I am still in touch with a few buddies of our old clique. I had dinner with them the other day. They said they had not talked directly with you in a while. They did mention that you and Danny had broken up sometime after his dad died and he became a millionaire."

Lacey nodded. "Yeah, after we broke up and after news broke that I had been with Danny, I lost all of my 'popular' friends. I had just Danny and Jo. I have cut ties with them so I had one friend after that. It was nice to have her around when I was trying to pick up the pieces of my life. Now, it seems that Phoebe and Sarita are becoming closer to me again. I am grateful for that."

Archie nodded his agreement. "I wish I had been here for you, too. I still care what happens to you, Lacey."

Lacey was touched. "Thank you, Arch. That means a lot."

Archie stepped closer to her and touched her elbow as he looked into her eyes. "I mean it. I know you may not be in the right place to hear this, but I never stopped caring about you. You still mean the world to me. If there was some rewind button to push so that you and I could still be together, I would push it. I have never cared for another girl the way I felt for you…still feel for you." There, he had said it.

"Look, Archie…" Lacey began,..

Archie interrupted "I know you just got out of a relationship with Danny. I don't know what happened but I can tell from your eyes that he hurt you. I'm not going to ask you for anything more than friendship at this time. I can wait until you feel that you are ready for more. Meanwhile, I would love to be your friend."

"Archie, I may never be ready to be 'more'." Lacey was too fragile right now to consider the rationality of a relationship with one ex when she was still in mourning for the other ex. "Right now, I am just 'me, myself, and I'. No boyfriend, no dating. However, if you are honest about the friendship offer, well, I could use one of those."

Archie was okay with friendship. It was a start and he meant what he said – whatever terms she was able to give him, he would be fine with that….even if she didn't give him her heart again…although, a small part of him knew he would rather have her back as a girlfriend.

"Is it okay for this friend to give you a hug?" Archie asked. His heart ached at her sad eyes and he wanted to comfort her.

"Sure. I could use a hug." Lacey accepted his bear hug. She had missed the nice side of the Archie she once knew.

One other person was witnessing this display of affection on the sidewalk. Danny had come from the dry cleaners where his mother had sent him. He was about to get into his car when he noticed Lacey talking to someone in front of the boutique a few yards up the street. He noticed that it was Archie. He was slightly shaken by their closeness while talking and then the hug. He didn't want her going back to Archie.