Crystallized Truth

Chapter 22|b| - Icy Flames

She actually did it. Broke his heart. Chose someone over him and use him too.

Archie stared her with a pain in his chest. He wasn't just rejected but cheated and used too.

They were standing close. He was touching her and she was just standing like statue, staring him in shock.

"Wonderful, Ava." Archie whispered brokenly.

The way they still stood sticking to each other hurt him. She wouldn't even be near to him and here they stood so close.

Pushing away the guy, she turned to him. The shadow covered the man from his view but he didn't care either. What mattered was Ava.

"Archie," Ava called rushing towards him.

His heart had enough though. He wasn't in state for any explanation or consolation. Turning his back to her, he rushed as far from her possible as possible.

She have his man to take care of her. Archie thought as his heart reminded him why he had returned. He shouldn't have returned at first place. The sight that he witnessed was burning his heart.

"Archie wait," Ava called from behind.

Archie shut his eyes for a second but continued striding away from her. He slowed his pace a little to make sure she was behind him and safe but he was quick in not letting her catch up to him.

Strong wind slapped his face, his eyes stung with unshed tears and biting coldness but he continued walking away.

So many of dreams and so many of wishes. All were lost. He wouldn't be able to spend his entire life with her now. The imagined moments of spending the cold evening in each other arms were a dream now. She wouldn't be his wife or happiness. Her words wouldn't soothe his heart and his surprises wouldn't bring smile on her face.

It was all a beautiful dream that he weaved in the evenings of ignorance. All his fault.

"Archie, you have... to listen to me..." Ava called from behind, her sentence breaking due to the heavy breathing.

Archie looked at the hotel that had appeared in his blurry sight. He wouldn't allow her to make a joke out of him. His fingers balled into a fist and he turned around to face her.

"Archie, I..." Ava started out of breath.

"Just shut up," Archie shouted, his feelings finding the easiest way to channel out. "I don't want to listen anything. Your and my relation is over. Don't even try to come near me now."

Ava stared him in shock. There were tears in her eyes but Archie couldn't be sure whether they were due to cold, his words or due to the embarrassment. All he knew they might be to fool him again.

Disgusted, Archie turned his back to her and stormed in the hotel.

_________

"Done with your romance?" Ashley asked as soon Archie entered.

"No one ask you to open your mouth." Archie said looking away.

Ashley raised his eyebrow. Someone was on fire in the snow.

"Looks like she gave you a good slap. I don't blame her." Ashley said, a huge grin spreading on his face. The look that came on Archie face wasn't what he expected though.

"Where's Ava?" Ethan intervened.

"She is coming," Archie said rounding behind them and sitting on the chair beside Amelia.

Now why was he sitting with Amelia? Ashley groaned, rubbing his forehead. His friends loved to do things he didn't like.

Ava arrived on cue and a smirk appeared on Ashley face as he got the idea.