“Well, thank you. Not many others would have done that. I’ll see you in class.” She hustles off to her destination as I realize how late I’m becoming for mine.
Standing at the door to the classroom building I am rushing to is Matthew. He smiles and puts his hand on the door handle. “What was that about, Savior Katie?”
As I draw closer, I try to be quick. “I can’t talk right now. I have a huge test that I’m running to.” I reach for the handle since he doesn’t open the door, but he grabs my hand.
“Who said anything about talking?” He encircles his fingers around my wrist and pulls me closer. Our chests touch and he kisses me deeply. I instantly get lost in the heavy kiss. I’m sure some people are staring but I don’t care. I feel so alive. It’s like all my life force that was missing this morning is right here. My test anxieties begin to melt.
He releases me and without a word, turns his back and walks away. My eyes follow him, wishing he hadn’t stopped. He calls over his right shoulder, “Don’t fail your test.”
Right then I feel like I have been slapped in the face. Don’t fail? Was that supposed to be a good luck? I walk into the building with a sick stomach. I’m more unsure about the test now than I thought I was.
...
An hour and a half later the professor reluctantly takes up my test, at least fifteen minutes after everyone else had left. I walk heavily out into the hall and slump against the wall. I really don’t know how that test went.
I cross my arms on my knees and put my head down feeling defeated. In just moments, I feel a presence in front of me. I lift my head expecting to see a concerned professor, but instead it’s those green eyes.
I don’t know how, but ever since we reunited, he always seems to be around when I’m drowning in emotions, “How do you do it, Mattie?”
“How do I do what?” He squats down to my level.
“How do you always know where to find me?”
He gives me a smug look, like he knows something I don’t. “Let’s just say I have a feel for your emotions.”
Was that supposed to sound sweet? My brows scrunch together in puzzlement. He’s like a giant riddle sometimes. Well, all the time.
He offers me his hand and I allow him to pull me to my feet as he stands. “Are you finished with classes?” he asks as he snakes his arm around my waist and guides me down the hall. I should move his arm, but my thoughts are starting to steady and I can’t help but to think it has something to do with him. Maybe it’s the familiarity. But Scotty wouldn’t be okay with this. I should distance myself a little more. But it feels nice to be comforted.
“I am for a few hours. I think I’m going to go back to the room to de-stress. Would you like to join me? I could make us some tea.” Maybe asking him to hang out isn’t smart, but I want to keep our friendship. Then I can tell Scotty that he honestly is a friend. So, inviting Matthew to my room is a step in this. And I could use a friend now anyway.
“I don’t know about the tea, but I can definitely help you de-stress.”
I look up into his silver eyes and shiver with pleasure. I don’t know what he has planned but I want to find out.
“Ahem.” I squirm out of Matthew’s hold and turn around finding myself staring at Marie. She has her hands on her hips and a glare that is drilling holes into Matthew. “How was your test, Katie?”
I blush. This isn’t going to be a fun conversation later. “I’m not sure. I guessed a lot but I’m hoping with all the work I showed I will get enough partial credit to save me.”
“Hopefully.” Her voice is flat and laced with disapproval.
“Yeah, well I’m going to go back to the room to make some tea. See you later.” I scramble to get out of there.
We make a quick stop to the Student Union where our mailboxes are. In mine is a slip of paper informing me I have a package, so I pick it up from the office. "Do you want to check your mail while we're here?" I ask Matthew as I check the label on my box. It's addressed to me from Scotty.
"Nah, there wouldn't be anything for me." He waves dismissively and follows me out of the building.
“So, why doesn’t Marie like me?” Matthew asks as I unlock my door.
“She just doesn’t know you yet and she has a bad first impression of you. I have a boyfriend and you and I have been acting so close.” I bite my lip. Matthew and I need to talk.
In my room, Matthew lounges on my bed while I start heating some water in my electric kettle. I open my package from Scotty. Inside is a pack of Skittles and a Dr Pepper along with a not that says, “I hope this finds you when you need it most. Remember that I love you and am so proud of who you are”.
My heart swells with love. Right here, right now, I choose Scotty and I will always choose him.
“Mattie, you can’t kiss me anymore.” I try not to look at him, knowing those stupid silver eyes will make me lose focus. They are silver, aren’t they?
“Why’s that?”
“Because it’s not right.” I can’t continue kissing him and lying to Scotty. Isn’t it obvious to him like it is me?
Matthew appears disinterested in my argument as he flips through the planner I had left on my bed. “What’s not right about it? I like it and you like it, so no harm done.”
This time I do look at him. I know there was a reason he shouldn’t kiss me, but his words are so believable. I forget why I even mentioned it.
My water clicks off and reminds me that I was making tea. I pull out two red mugs and put a tea bag in each. I pour in the hot water and add four spoonfuls of sugar to each mug. Matthew watches me with his nose crinkled. “That’s an awful lot of sugar.”
My shoulders turn in and I feel a heat creep across my face. “I’m sorry, it’s a habit. Let it sit and the tea will get strong enough to dull the sweetness.”
“I think you should let yours sit too.” Matthew’s eyes track my every move.
“Why do you say that?”
He props himself up on his elbow and holds out his other hand. “Come here.”
I obey without question, laying down beside him so that I can stare into his green eyes. His gold bangle hands around his arm that’s propping his head up. “This is pretty. You been wearing it every time I see you. Where did you get it?” I trace the shiny metal with my fingertips.
“The friends I mentioned before, the ones I said helped me see the world differently, they gave it to me. Without it, I wouldn’t be able to see you and those beautiful eyes of yours.” He brushes a few loose strands of hair from my face.
“Mattie…” I start to protest even though a part of me wants to let him continue.
He gently takes my hand. “You don’t want me to kiss you, so I won’t. Let’s talk about the good old days of middle school instead.”
We get lost in reminiscing as our two mugs of tea grow stronger and colder.
CHAPTER SEVEN
“Katie, we need to talk.” Marie lays down her book as I look up from my Biology notes.
“About what?” I try to play dumb, but I know where this is going.