○ FOURTEEN ○

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○ FOURTEEN ○

I shouldered my bag as I dodged through the crowd, walking for the front door. It was the end of the day and everyone was in a rush to get home. My shoulder knocked into another's and I didn't get time to apologise before the wave of the crowd pushed me away.

"Shelby!" I heard someone yell.

Several people looked at me but the traffic kept going as I ignored the voice. "Shelby!" the voice yelled again.

I broke through the crowd and made a beeline for the bus stop until my wrist was pulled back. "Hey watch it!" I snapped, turning around.

Matthew stood awkwardly behind me, dropping my wrist quickly. "What?" I asked, crossing my arms.

He blinked at the harshness of my tone. "Shelby, let me explain" he said quickly.

Students glanced at us as we stood in front of the school, face to face. "I don't want your explanations Matthew, I'm done with you" I said, crossing my arms.

Something crossed Matt's face. "Look, I swear I was going to delete them, that was the old me.. the me that didn't have any real friends just people who pretended but I have you now" he said, practically begging.

I frowned at him. "You think I will believe anything you say?! You know what! You almost had me convinced, almost had me convinced that we could be friends.. but alas here we are" I said, taking a step back.

"Shelby, please, you have to believe me.."he trailed off.

"I don't have to do anything" I replied, looking away.

I saw Courtney standing on the steps, looking at us a wide grin on her face. Alana stood next to her who looked guilty. Realization flew through me.
She had used me.. to get what she wanted. If Matt and I were to stop being friends.. she'd get Matthew back.

"Seriously" I said out loud.

Matthew frowned. "Seriously what?" He asked, suddenly angry.

I shook my head. "I just realised that Courtney is using me to get you back.. if we were to fight and never speak again than you would go back to her.. God I'm so dumb!" I snapped.

Matthew glanced over his shoulder and Courtney sobered up. "Matt, I'm so sorry, did you even know what I deleted?" I asked, tilting my head.

"Photos of Courtney and I?" he asked confused.

I sighed. "I'm sorry.. she told me you had photos of her and other girls.. nude photos" I said, straightening.

Matt raised an eyebrow. "And you believed her?" He asked, sounding a little hurt.

I looked away from his eyes, unable to look in them. "She got in my head" I replied.

"I'm sorry, Matt" I said quickly, turning away.

I headed towards the bus stop until he caught my wrist again. "I'll give you a lift" he said, glancing at his car.

Looking over at Courtney, she frowned. "Thank you" I said quickly.

He tilted his head away and turned around, walking towards his car. I knew deep inside he was hurt that I would even think he'd do something like that. But how was I going to explain to him that Courtney got to me because I liked him.

We had just become friends, I had just forgiven him for how our past was. I couldn't just tell him that I like him, that I had deep feelings for him. He probably didn't like me like that, the kiss from the other night was probably fluke thought.

I bit my lip, looking at Matthew's back as I followed him. "Hey" I said, deciding to start a conversation that didn't really involve anything that was happening.

He turned his head to look at me. "Are you performing this weekend?" I asked, thinking about his band.

Matt nodded. "Yeah, are you going to come?" He asked, his mouth in a thin line.

"Yeah, I'd like to see you perform, this time without leaving early" I replied, rolling my eyes.

Matthew chuckled reluctantly.  "You only left because I started to sing about you" he said.

"Attention makes me feel weird" I replied.

He laughed again, this time a little more genuine. "Yeah I know that, I grew up with you remember? To be perfectly honest.. I also did it to annoy you" he said, clicking the unlock button on his keys.

His car beeped and flashed lights as he walked up to it. I climbed into the car as I rolled my eyes. "I know you did" I replied.

Closing the door, I turned to look at him as he started the car. He backed out of the parking spot and drove out of the school parking lot. I studied his side profile. "So what time is your performance?" I asked, looking away.

"Usual time.. we perform every Friday at the same time" he replied.

"Cool, well I'll be there" I said.

Silence fell and all I heard was the hum of the engine and tires against the road. I looked out the window, my nail tapping against the window lightly. "I have to ask" Matt suddenly said..

I looked at him slightly confused. "What happened last night.." he trailed off, probably hoping I knew what he was getting at.

"Yes?" I asked, clearing my throat.

"Did that mean anything to you?" he asked finally after expelling a breath.

I stared him for a moment, unsure how to answer. Do I lie? Do I tell the truth?

"Did it mean anything to you?" I asked, shaking my head at my own stupidity.
I couldn't even answer a damn question.

He glanced at me briefly. "Yes, it did mean something to me" he replied.

Oh.

"What about you?" He asked.

I opened my mouth but nothing came out. "Shelby, it's just a question" he said a little annoyed.

"It's not just a question.. it's wrapped in little secrets.. it's the short version of do you have feelings for me" I replied, sighing.

It was silent.

"You're avoiding the question" he said simply.

I sighed. "I'm not avoiding the question" I replied.

"So answer it" he said.

"Why!?"

"See, avoiding the question" he replied.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. "Okay yes, it did mean something to me, it meant this friendship is moving way too fast and we need to cool it," I replied.

Matt ignored what I said. "So if it meant something to you, why are you so ashamed to say it?" He asked.

I rolled my eyes. "I'm not ashamed Matthew, I'm cautious, there's a difference" I replied.

"And why are you cautious?"

"Why are you asking so many questions?" I asked, looking at him curiously.

"Maybe I want to know where we stand, I don't know about you but we kissed last night and that to me means something other than friends.." he trailed off.

He pulled into our street. "You're blowing this all out of proportion" I replied.

"So it didn't mean anything to you?" he asked with an annoyed sense.

"Yes, it did, stop putting words in my mouth!"I exclaimed.

Matthew pulled into his driveway, turning off the car. Still, I didn't get out. "So again.. what did it mean to you?" He asked, tilting his head as he looked at me.

I was beyond annoyed that this was a conversation we were having. "It obviously means I have feelings for you, you stupid idiot!" I snapped.

His eyes widened and a smile broke out across his face. My eyes widened and I scrambled to open the door. Matthew pressed the lock button. We were locked in together.

"I'm not going to hurt you, Shelby" he said simply.

I looked away from him, my hand tight on the door handle. "I just can't believe you called me an idiot, do I look like I'm an idiot?" He asked, trying to break the tension.

My grip relaxed. "When I know you aren't going to jump out of the car and do some spy roll shit, I'll unlock the doors" he said simply.

I glanced at him as his eyes stared at my hand gripping the door handle. I took a deep breath and calmed down.

Feelings wasn't something I had ever had control of. My feelings were very powerful, when I was scared, I was terrified. When I was hurt, I felt excruciating pain. When I crushing on someone, I was...

I let go of the door handle, placing my hands in my lap. "See? Wasn't so hard" Matt said as he leaned back in his seat.

I briefly closed my eyes before looking at him. The sun still shines brightly, igniting the side of his face that always seemed to be in shadows, reminding me again how beautiful he truly was.
"Can I go?" I asked, my voice faint.

"Remember how we used to do this, except it was in a grassy field and we'd actually be looking at the clouds?" He asked, rolling his head to the side to look at me.

I avoided his eyes but nodded. "I miss those times, you were in love with me and I knew about it.. you always had your hair in a ponytail but I hated it, you would always make up names of pretend animals you saw in the clouds to make yourself seem smarter than me.. but I knew" he replied, glancing at me.

I cleared my throat. "How did you know any of that?" I asked.

"Because, every time I told you I liked you with your hair down.. you'd blush and take it out.. just for me.." he trailed off again.

I looked away. I heard the click of the locks in the door unlocking. "It's okay, I won't hold you forever" Matt said, sitting up.

I looked at him, seeing a little bit of loneliness and pain across his face. I bit my lip. "As I remember it, you always tried to push me into the water whenever we went to the lake" I said, settling back.

Matt looked at me. A ghost of a smile on his face. "And then my father would say, if you be mean to a girl, it means-" he was saying before I finished it.

"-means you like them" I finished.

Matthew chuckled. A best of silence passed. "I miss them" he said, leaning back again and wiping the corner of his eye.

I turned my body to look at him. "I know they are up there, looking after you" I said gently.

He turned his head to look at me. "You really believe that?" he asked, moving closer.

I nodded. "Of course" I replied, smiling slightly.

Our eyes locked. My breath caught in my throat as he leaned in. Our lips met in a gentle kiss, something soft and sure.

Matt didn't try and make it some powerful kiss and neither did I. He pulled away slightly, our breath still lingering between us as we breathed in and out. He rested his forehead against mine. "You should go, your mum is probably worried" he said gently.

"Yeah" I replied.

I didn't move. I tilted my head forward again to kiss him and he definitely surprised me when he kissed back, his hand raising over the console to cup my cheek. "Shelby" he breathed out before kissing me again.

Our mouths tangled. A dance between two willing partners.
His teeth gently scraped over my bottom lip, drawing shudders throughout my body. "Shelby really.." he breathed out again before our mouth met again.

With a growl, he leaned back. Leaving me breathless. I sat up, pressing a hand to my chest, feeling my irregular heart rhythm. "Okay" I said faintly.

I opened the door to Matt's car and climbed out. He sat as rigid as a board. "I'll see you later" I said as I closed the door.

I started to walk down his driveway when I heard his car door open and slam close. I turned my head when I heard his jogging footsteps and barely had time before he was kissing me again.

My hands came up to grip his elbows as he cupped my face. It felt like eternity before he pulled away, brushing a thumb over my lips. "Text me okay.." he trailed off.

I nodded distractedly as he let me go and walked back to his house. I jogged across the road and to my house, closing the front door behind me as I leaned against it.

I slid down the door and sat in the floor. My mother appeared, eating a piece of toast. "Anything I need to know?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.

A/N

What did you think?
I made it extra long as thank you for sticking with me.. I've been a bit slow on the updates because I'm going through some stuff.

But I should be back to full functioning soon!

What did you think of the chapter?
The cute moments between Matt and Shelby?

I hope this lasts!

Love, T xoxoxo

Dont forget to vote and comment!!

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