Summary -  where Matt and YN are together, but YN overhears some girls gossiping about their relationship, and it brings out some insecurities. Matt notices, comforts her, and reassures her about how much he loves her.

Location - Boston (High School)

Age- 17-17 

Status- Together 

It was a typical gym class in Boston, the humid air thick with the scent of sweat and the sound of sneakers skidding across the floor. YN was in the girls' locker room, finishing up after class. She quickly shoved her gym clothes into her bag, hurrying to change into her normal clothes. She always hated this part—fitting in with the popular girls, the way they sized each other up in the mirror, the way they spoke about their bodies, their clothes, and the latest gossip.

She wasn't one of those girls. She was YN—quiet, not particularly popular, and often overshadowed by people like Matt Sturniolo. The guy who had captured her heart. The guy everyone knew. And everyone wanted.

Since Matt made their relationship public at one of his Lacrosse  games, everything had changed. People whispered, girls looked at her with sideways glances, and some made it obvious they didn't think she deserved him.

As she was buttoning up her jeans and pulling her hoodie over her head, YN overheard a conversation in the corner of the locker room. A group of girls were gossiping, and though YN usually ignored it, the words hit her like a slap in the face.

"Can you believe Matt is with her?" one of the girls sneered. "I mean, he could literally have anyone. How did she even get him?"

Another girl snorted. "Right? She's not even that cute. She's so... plain."

"Yeah, I don't know. She doesn't look like his type at all," a third voice chimed in, with a laugh that made YN feel small.

The last comment stung deeply, the words digging into her self-esteem like a knife. YN hurriedly shoved her things into her bag, trying to hold back the tears that were threatening to spill. Why did it hurt so much? Matt had chosen her, and yet, sometimes, she couldn't help but feel out of place in his world.

She walked out of the locker room with her heart pounding, trying to shake off the sting. But she couldn't. Not this time.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket, and she pulled it out, her fingers trembling as she typed a message to Matt.

"Meet me by the girls' locker room. I need you."

It wasn't a long message, but it was enough. She needed him right now. Matt had always been her safe place, and in this moment, she needed him more than ever.

It didn't take long for Matt to find her. As soon as he spotted her standing near the locker room entrance, his eyes softened, immediately seeing the way she held herself. She looked... off. Something was wrong.

"YN?" His voice was gentle, full of concern as he stepped closer to her. He didn't hesitate to pull her into a tight embrace, holding her close as if trying to shield her from the world.

YN's breath hitched, and she buried her face into his chest. "Matt..." she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I overheard some girls in the locker room... They were talking about me—about us."

Matt pulled back slightly, his hands cupping her face, forcing her to look at him. His eyes were full of concern, but there was also a flash of anger, one that quickly melted away when he saw the tears in her eyes.

"YN, baby, you know you don't have to listen to them," Matt said, his voice soft but firm. "What did they say?"

"They... they said I'm not good enough for you," she confessed, her voice trembling. "That I'm not pretty enough. That I don't even deserve you." She let out a shaky breath, trying to fight back the tears. "And it just hurt, Matt. It hurts to hear that."

Matt's heart sank. He hated that she was feeling this way, and he hated that anyone would make her feel like she wasn't enough. He gently brushed the tears from her cheeks before pulling her back into his arms.

"Listen to me," he murmured, his voice filled with sincerity. "You are more than enough. You're the most amazing girl I know, and I don't care what anyone else thinks. You're perfect to me just the way you are. I love you, and that's what matters."

He pressed a soft kiss to her forehead before whispering, "Let's go grab some lunch, yeah? Just you and me. I'll make you feel better, I promise."

YN nodded, a small smile creeping up on her lips. She had always felt safe in Matt's arms, but in this moment, she needed a little more than just comfort. She needed reassurance from him—and from his friends too.

As they made their way to the cafeteria, Matt held her hand tightly, his thumb gently brushing over her knuckles. When they reached the table where Nick and Chris were sitting, the two of them immediately noticed something was off.

Nick tilted his head, studying the couple closely. "What's going on, YN?" he asked, his voice concerned but not pushy.

Chris frowned, sensing the tension in the air. "Yeah, you don't look like yourself. What's wrong?"

YN hesitated for a moment, glancing at Matt. He gave her a reassuring nod, and she sighed, sitting down beside him.

"I overheard some girls in the locker room..." she began, her voice soft. "They were talking about me and Matt, saying I don't deserve him. That I'm not pretty enough for him, that I'm not his type..."

She swallowed hard, blinking back more tears, though she tried to keep them at bay. Nick and Chris exchanged a look, both of them clearly upset by what they were hearing.

Chris leaned forward, his voice serious. "Those girls don't know what they're talking about, YN. Matt doesn't care about anyone's opinions. He cares about you—you." He gave Matt a knowing glance before turning back to YN. "You're real, YN. You're not fake. That's why Matt loves you. You've always been kind and genuine."

Nick nodded in agreement. "Exactly. Matt's lucky to have someone like you. You've known each other forever, and I've never seen him happier. And, honestly, he's not the kind of guy who'd stay with someone just because of how they look. He's with you because you make him feel good. You respect him. You love him, and you care about his family."

Matt smiled, a little relieved now that his friends were backing him up. He wrapped his arm around YN's shoulders, pulling her closer. "My family loves you too. Marloy, Jimmy—hell, even Trevor—they all think you're the best thing that's ever happened to me. They see what I see in you."

YN's heart swelled at the words. She had always feared she wasn't good enough, but hearing it from the people Matt loved, the people who knew him best, made all the difference.

"You've got me, YN," Matt whispered, leaning in to kiss her cheek. "No one can take that away."

The tension in YN's chest slowly faded, replaced by a warmth that spread through her at the love and support surrounding her. She looked at Matt, smiling through the tears. "I love you, too."

Chris and Nick exchanged a glance, their grins matching. "See?" Chris said, tapping his friend's shoulder. "Told you everything would be fine."

Nick smiled. "You've got us, too, YN. And anyone who says anything different can deal with us."

YN laughed softly, the sound soothing her nerves. It felt good to know she had Matt—and his friends—behind her.

"Thanks, guys," she said, her voice full of gratitude.

Matt leaned in, kissing the top of her head. "No more tears, okay? Let's enjoy our lunch and forget about those stupid girls."

And with that, they sat together at the table, laughter and chatter filling the air. YN didn't feel so small anymore. Surrounded by the people who loved her, she finally felt like she belonged—just the way she was.