The world seemed to be out of shock, as if all of New York lost someone today.

Nobody had spoken a word, the halls were silent, and Blaze wasn't his cheerful self. He met up with me at the front doors with a quick 'Hey, and I'm guessing you heard' bit.

But telling by the faces of all the students, the saw the news and all seemed a bit overly sad for people who barely knew here.

My thoughts drifted over to how Archer would be feeling right now, maybe he decide to stay home? I know I couldn't stand to be in an area with so many people glaring at you, and wanting to give their condolences. He didn't need sympathy, Archer just needed time.

"You know," Blaze says, scratching his head, "She wasn't just Archer's mom, but she was also the Vice President of the school board." He slums his shoulders forward, awkwardly looking away from my shocked look.

I had no idea, "Well you definitely let that part slip the other day in class." I utter softly under my breath, as other students glanced up at us.

We turn down the east wing to head to the library for our "free period" when approaching the doors of the library in front of us, is the infamous Naomi Lane glancing with her piercing blue eyes.

Archer, basically had her pressed up against the wall. Naomi's one leg lifted up by Archers muscular hand, as her lipstick was a bit messed from what looks like a heated make out session.

His hair ruffled to the side, he didn't seem to bother about his appearance today. His wore a normal jeans and tea, and his beautiful eyes bloodshot from his world being flipped upside down.

Blaze and I attempt to remove are gazes, act as if we saw nothing and heading into the library to ignore the site we've just encountered.

"Hey," Naomi speaks from behind, her snarky cocky voice extends out to me, "You."

I turn back to see her dainty pointer finger, pointing directly at me and her blanket stare. As if I was the annoying bug on the floor and her giant six inch heel was about to puncture my body.

"Hi Naomi." I stammered, directing my body towards her with a soft smile with a slight hit of ignorance.

Her snarky glare, and the Louis Vuitton red bottom heels she was wearing made her appear taller and more elegant.

Archer chirps in, his hand lightly tugging on her arm, "Naomi, don't." His face filled with urgency.

"I'm just paying tribute to the great Rayna Evans, that's all." Naomi says with ease, "Aren't you going to say something to Archer?"

I fumble with my words, taking in the crowd that has slowly surrounded us. "My condolences." I bow lightly, ignoring eye contact because his eyes weren't beautiful today.

Archers eyes are bloodshot, he wasn't looking for my sympathy, he didn't want it. He just wanted to be left alone, I get that. Maybe I'm one of the only ones that knows exactly what he's going through.

Naomi laughs obnoxious loud, "Miss.Perfect can't even look you in the eyes, let alone she thinks she's above everyone else."

Her snarky comment made a crowd of ooo's appear from the crowd, as everyone stares at me for a response but it's Blaze who interrupts.

"Naomi," His voice filled with distastefulness, as he grabs my arm to go.

Her taunting voice merging out, "Oh, Blaze still trying to shack up with the new girls?" Naomi shakes her head, tapping her heel against the floorboards.

I glance towards Blaze's face, filled with embarrassment and frustration.

This time it's Archer who steps in front of Naomi, facing his broad back against us.

"Let's go," Blaze whispers softly, as I continue to follow him brushing shoulders against the crowd.

When we finally escape, Blaze reaches outside. He seems to let air out, like he was keeping it in the whole time. He sits down by the rock, and tucks his head between his legs.

I gather my skirt, and sit down beside him. "Blaze," I confront him slowly, placing my hand on his back.

He rolls his back, nudging my hand away. "She just knows how to get under my skin, you know?" He lets out elongated breath.

"Trust me, I know." I speak softly, resting my chin on my knees.

"Rayna, there's something I need to tell you-" Blaze begins to speak, as a looming shadow takes place among our rock.

"Hi." His voice deep with sorrow, his hands fisted into his pockets with a small smirk.

"I'm sorry about that outburst back there, Umm." Archer fumbles with his word, as he looks toward Blaze with his eyes filled with remorse.

"Hey," Blaze voice sound stronger, "It's not you that should be apologizing, it's your crazy girlfriend of yours."

Archer glances at me, his once blue-grey eyes searching for me to speak.

"She's not my girlfriend," He chuckles softly, pressing a smile to his cheeks.

His eyes, still bolted to me looking for an answer again, he was hoping to get a reaction out of me.

I'm about to get up, when Archer extends his hand to help me up. This time, I take his hand in mine and pull up, "Thank you." I utter softly.

"Pleasures mine," Archer says, glancing back at my face before looking towards Blaze. "I'm truly sorry, how about I take you guys out for lunch?"

Blaze looks up at me, his eyes basically begging me for an answer, my eyes pleading back.

Blaze speaks up for me, "Thanks for the offer Archer, but we missed our study time at the library and would like to return to it."

Thank god.

"No problem." Archer speaks with certainty, as he begins to walk away.

I lunge for his arm, grasping his forearm tightly. His face showed nothing but cool gaze, as he glanced at my placement of my hand.

"I'm truly sorry about your, mom." I say softly, before Archer places his large hand on top of my chestnut hair slightly shaking it before he begins to walk away again.

My hand released from his grasp as he begins to walk back towards the school. His walk wasn't confident like I remembered but slumped and skittish, I mean his whole world has been rocked for nearly twenty-four hours.