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"I like the way you sound in the morning. We're on the phone and without a warning. I realize your laugh is the best sound I have ever heard. I like the way I can't keep my focus. I watch you talk, you didn't notice. I hear the words but all I can think is we should be together. Every time you smile, I smile. And every time you shine, I'll shine for you"

~ Jump then Fall (Fearless: Platinum Edition)

HANNAH

The drive to the game didn't take too long. The closer we got to the stadium, the more I proved to myself that I had been right to take a chance tonight. It was paying off, trying to act on my growing trust for Matt.

When he parked his car in the section of the parking lot designated for current athletes, I couldn't help the bright smile I wore as I turned to watch him. We had been silent for most of the drive. I was lost in my thoughts, and I assumed he was giving me space to breathe.

Now, though, there was a lightness that I felt as if a small weight had been lifted off of my chest. I watched as he shut off the engine and turned to look at me, his eyes inquisitive.

When they caught me staring, he smiled. "Hey."

My smile widened. "Hey, you."

"How are you feeling?"

"Better," I answered, taking in a deep breath. "Much better, thank you."

He reached over and covered my left hand with his right one, giving me a squeeze. My breath hitched in my throat at the sweet contact. However, he retreated too soon. "That's good. But if you want to leave at any point in the game, let me know and we can go."

I felt my lips quiver at the surge of emotion that came over me. I don't know if he knew how much his words, his actions, meant to me. I don't even know how I could even convey to him how much it means to me. I swallowed my emotions down, knowing I would start to cry if I started conveying my true feelings. Instead, I said, "but I hear it's going to be a good game tonight."

"Hmm, we'll see. Their game hasn't been good at all this season," he remarked.

I gasped. "Matt! You do realize my best friend's boyfriend is on the team, right?"

He let out a laugh. "Yeah, I do. Doesn't change the fact that they've been losing a lot lately. You told me yourself, remember?"

I rolled my eyes, my lips fighting a smile. "I'm allowed."

"You're allowed to speak the truth, but I'm not?" He pressed, amused.

I didn't give in. Rather, I sat up straighter. "Absolutely."

Instead of retorting as I expected, he continued to watch me with that cute smile.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" I asked, the joking tone wiped from my voice.

"You look really pretty today. I don't if I told you earlier," he said softly, the look in his eyes matching the warmth in his voice.

I think I stopped breathing for a second. My thoughts jumbled at his words. He keeps talking about how I sweep him off of his feet. Though, I don't think he knows what he does to me, especially when he says things like that. These feelings I now know I have for him keep getting stronger by the minute and I feared I would accidentally shout them out loud soon enough.

When I stayed quiet for too long, I think he assumed I was uncomfortable with his compliment, because he cleared his throat. When I blinked to drive myself out of my thoughts, his smile had disappeared behind a poker face. Then he said, "We should go before the game starts."

I wanted to thank him; explain why I was silent. I wanted him to know that I wasn't disregarding his compliment or uncomfortable with his sweet words. But before I could say anything, he had opened his car door.

I sighed, vowing to explain later, and followed suit.

***

Chloe was munching on some fries when I caught sight of her inside the stadium. Nerves spread through my body like a wildfire as I turned to Matt. "She's right there. You ready?"

He gave me a tighter smile than I was used to and nodded. "Yeah, let's do this."

I watched him for a moment longer, not liking that fake smile he wore. Finally, I decided to let it go. We could talk more privately later, anyway. So, I said, "okay," and led him to our seats.

"Hey, Chloe," I spoke louder, hoping to overcome the loud noise from those in the stadium. The game hadn't started, yet the noise was beyond the loudness I was accustomed to. 

She turned to face me; her mouth full of fries. Her eyes flew behind me, surely catching sight of Matt. Her eyes widened and her hand flew to cover up her full mouth as she spoke. "Hey, there you guys are! They're about to start!"

"I know," I started, turning to glance back at Matt, "but Chloe, this is Matthew. And Matt, this is Chloe, one of my closest and best friends."

He stepped closer, reaching out his hand toward her. "Nice to meet you, Chloe. I've heard a lot about you."

She shook his hand, her smile growing. "Nice to meet you, too. And likewise. Plus, I've seen you play."

He nodded. "Oh yeah. I hope you enjoyed the game."

Shrugging, her eyes glanced towards me for a moment before turning back to him. "I assume it was good. You guys killed it. But I'm more thankful that you offered me a ticket to make Hannah feel safe. That was sweet."

Her voice had grown heavier towards the end and I turned to look at her in surprise. She didn't say anything, Rather, she softly caressed my arm, letting me know she was okay.

"It was no problem," was all Matt could say before our mascot entered the field, signaling the game was about to start. People had started cheering anyway, so I don't think we could have heard him either way.

Though, seconds later, Chloe leaned in and whispered in my ear, "I thought he was handsome at that game, but he is breathtaking in real life. You go, girl."

I shook my head at her, fighting a smile. But I could feel the blush coming on, which was confirmed by her laugh.

The game kicked off soon and I could feel the energy in the stadium rise instantly. It was packed with fans of both schools. The energy got more and more heated as the game proceeded. The automatic discomfort I felt walking into this stadium tonight was a lot quieter than normal. I'm usually more comfortable being in places like this with someone I trust. Tonight, I felt even more comfortable than that. Although I don't know how I would feel being at this game alone, without Chloe and Matt. I had a peculiar feeling I wouldn't panic as expected. That simple thought left me breathless, and I sat there, stunned at myself. Stunned and confused.

Would I be more comfortable than now, being in a place like this by myself? There were so many things that would be out of my control; so many ways things that could go wrong.

Still, though, could I do it?

The fact that I could even consider it made me want to leap and scream...in joy.

I let out a sputtering breath, distantly aware that our team had scored. Mainly because I could hear Chloe screaming and trash talking to the other team.

"You alright?" Matt's voice was soft and low. He'd leaned in much closer to whisper it.

I turned, meeting his eyes. "Yes. I'm just scared of losing my hearing with how loud she's screaming."

He didn't look like he believed my deflection but seemed to have decided to go along with it. "Hmm, can't blame her. He's a good player, regardless of tonight's game," he nodded to where Garrett stood on the field.

I sighed. "They're still so behind. I don't think they can make up enough points at this point to win."

"Probably not, but at least they tried," he replied.

I couldn't help but smile. "That's true." My response was quiet, more to myself than him. We returned our attention to the game, but the whole time, I wanted to scoot closer and get as near him as I could.

I don't know. Maybe I was losing my mind. 

At some point in the game, the woman sitting next to Matthew on his left engaged him in conversation. I hadn't noticed, as I had joined Chloe in cheering or booing. I wasn't as loud as her, but I tried. I noticed their conversation when she started laughing loudly at whatever he had said.

My eyes flew to them, my breathing rate increasing in nervousness. Matt was giving her a distant smile, one I interpreted as cordial. But the look she gave him was anything but. I wanted to step in, to put my arms around him and show her that he was clearly taken.

But he wasn't, was he?

This kind of thing was normal. I had gotten used to Matthew being approached and flirted with. I mean, I couldn't even blame them. Although it didn't bother me before, it has been irking me more and more recently. It wasn't even that they were flirting with and asking him out. That was fine. What bothered me was I had no right to tell them otherwise. I had no right to step in and proclaim he was mine if I was feeling particularly petty that day. There was nothing I could do but hope he turned them down. And he has been. But how long with that last? How long would he wait for me?

And this, the conversation happening right now, was the longest I had seen him interact with someone else who was clearly flirting with him. My heart was beating so fast that I was sure I could hear it clearly.

I felt someone grab my right hand and hold it tightly, offering me strength. I turned to catch that Chloe had seen what was happening. She smiled at me reassuringly.

Taking in a deep breath, I squeezed her hand, silently thanking her.

It wasn't long before my attention returned to Matt and the other woman.

"My friends and I are going out after the game. Do you want to come?" She asked, but it was in a tone that was clearly meant to seduce.

My breath hitched it my throat and I stopped breathing in wait for his answer. What if he said yes? "No, I have plans."

I breathed.

But she didn't stop pushing. "Okay, what about another day?"

He swallowed hard, seeming conflicted for a second. And at that moment, I think my heart dropped to the pit of my stomach. "Uh, no. I'm sorry."

"Are you in a relationship or something?" she asked, clearly hurt but his answer.

He shook his head, glancing down at his foot. "No, I'm not. I'm not seeing anyone in any capacity right now. That's all."

She looked at him skeptically but seemed resigned at whatever look he gave her. She then nodded and turned to her friend.

He sighed heavily, his shoulders falling. He turned his attention to the game. I looked away fast before he could notice I had been eavesdropping on him.

The whole rest of the game, though, my mind would not stop going over their conversation. He was sticking to his promise to wait for me, even when he thought I wasn't interested still.

Although I presumed the thought would make me happy, it didn't. It saddened me instead. It was clear he was hurting by the space I had put between us, which I now clearly see as wholly unnecessary. So, the fact that he was hurting, and for no reason, broke my heart.

I needed to fix it.

***

In the end, our team ended up losing the game and Chloe lost her voice. We had walked up the stairs, waiting for the exit to clear out before exiting ourselves. I gave her a hug, understanding how disheartened she looked.

"They'll get it next time," I tried.

She sighed, shaking her head as she pulled away from the hug. "It's fine. He's just been practicing extra hard...I know his friends are, too. I wanted them to win so his hard work could pay off."

"I know, I'm sorry."

Shrugging, she pushed the hair that was on her face away. "It's fine." She then turned her attention between me and Matt, who was silently watching our exchange. "So, we'll meet you guys back at our place? I want to wait for him to come out, but you guys can go."

I could feel the utter shock that hit Matt at her question. At that moment, I realized I hadn't asked him about dinner. Shit. "Wait, you're not going to wait alone."

"No, no. I won't be alone. They'll let me inside the building right outside the locker room. He'll be out soon."

I regarded her with unsure eyes. "Are you sure?"

At that, she finally gave me a grin. "Yes. Unless you guys want to watch us make out, you shouldn't stay. I'm not stopping for your sake."

"Ewe, Chloe," I chuckled. "Fine, we'll go. Text me, though." I gave her a stern look to fortify my last words.

"Promise," she said, before bringing me in a quick hug. Then she turned to Matt. "It was nice to meet you. Thanks for coming."

He nodded. "It was a pleasure to meet you, too, Chloe."

She smiled, "Okay, well. I'll see you both in a little." I barely nodded, before she headed off in a direction opposite the exit doors. I forced myself to take a deep breath and relieve a little of the worry that had begun seeping into my mind. She was going to find Garrett and she will be okay. She can take care of herself.

Yes. I nodded, reassuring myself.

"So, we're having dinner tonight?" He asked, his tone flat.

I turned to him, breathing heavily. "Yes."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I forgot, I'm sorry. I was going to surprise you when you came to get me for the game, but we both know how well that went," I laughed humorlessly.

His eyes narrowed slightly, and he seemed to be digesting my words slowly, looking for a moment of deceit. Finally, he let out a breath. "Alright. Your friend is nice. I feel bad we lost tonight but thank you for introducing me."

I smiled, and walked a little closer to his side, wanting to be nearer. "Yeah, but I'm sure they'll be fine. We'll see them for dinner, anyway."

He nodded. "Hmm, what are we having?"

"Chloe and I thought we could make lasagna together. I already made some bruschetta to hold us over until the lasagna is ready."

He stopped looking over the shoulders of the people in front of us to get a view of the exit and turned to me in confusion. "Wait, dinner is at your apartment?"

I nodded, realizing again that I hadn't clarified earlier. "Is that okay?"

He continued to look at me with shock but gave me a nod. "Yes, of course. But are you sure?"

Oh, Matt. I walked as close to him as possible and linked our arms together. Then, I laid my head down on his shoulder, breathing in his calming scent. "One hundred percent."

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(please don't forget to vote. thank you so much for all the support)

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