Matt
“AAH-CHOO!” I shot Addison a look of disgust and scooted my chair a few feet away from her as she sprinkled droplets onto the book I had been reading. “You know,” I muttered, “for a beauty pageant Queen in training, you would think you would have enough manners to cover your mouth when you sneeze.” We were in the library killing some time before school started and it was just the two of us since Vanessa was out sick with a cold.
She rubbed at her temples as she narrowed her eyes at me. “Who are you to lecture me on manners when you don’t even swallow your food before speaking?” She blew her nose into a tissue. “Anyways, bug off. I have allergies and it can’t be helped. Spring is kicking my butt.”
I glanced back down at the novel in my hands as the doors to the library opened and loud laughter rang out. “Shh.” The librarian held up one bony finger to her lips as Troy and Scott came sauntering in.
Groaning internally, I rolled my eyes. Great. What a perfect start to the day. I slumped down in my chair. Maybe they wouldn’t notice me and keep on doing whatever harebrained thing they usually got themselves into. I watched them out of the corner of my eye as Troy nudged Scott in the ribs and nodded in my direction. A grin passed over Scott’s face as he made his way over to me.
Scott took the seat across from Addison while Troy slid into the one opposite me. “Addie, you’re looking quite ravishing today even with your red Rudolph nose,” Scott began. “Are you sure you don’t want to accompany me to that Lil Nas concert on Saturday? I’ve saved a ticket just for you.” He reached out to boop her on the nose.
Wrong move, dude, I thought to myself. I tried to stifle a laugh as she yanked his hand off of her, twisting it in the process. “Get bent, Scott. I told you. I’m not going out with you now or ever so stop asking.”
He scoffed as he slid his gaze over to me. “So, you won’t date a guy that’s on the football team but you’ll kiss a loser that nobody likes?” He shook his head. “If you have any hope of ever being Prom Queen, Addie you really need to start playing the social politics correctly.”
She slammed her palms down on the table. “I said get lost, Scott. I think it speaks more on your character than mine if I’d rather spend my time with somebody that’s actually likeable.”
Troy looked around, scratching his head. “Who’s this likeable person that you speak of Addison? The only one I see here is Matt and we know you can’t possibly be referring to him.”
I usually tried to ignore them when they started in on me but enough was becoming enough. I closed my book, looking Troy in the eye. “Alright, you two had your fun. You got your jokes in on me for the day so why don’t you move along to somebody else? I find it interesting that for somebody you dislike so much, you sure waste a lot of time on bothering me.”
Troy and Scott exchanged mischievous grins before Troy tilted his chair back and began twiddling his thumbs. “Is that what you think, Matt? That we dislike you? We’re all friends here. We’re just making conversation. Now, why don’t you stop being so uptight and tell us what you’ve got going on for this weekend. What are your plans for Mother’s Day?” He let out a loud laugh. “Oh shoot. How insensitive of me not to remember.”
Scott covered the smile on his face. “Shit, dude. You’re brutal.”
Addison shoved her chair back, bolting up and grabbing Troy to her by a fistful of his shirt. “What did you just say to my friend?”
I gently pulled on her arm. “Addie, it’s ok,” I said softly. “I’ve got it.”
Troy held up his palms. “Easy, Addison. Wow, Matt. You’re so much of a wuss that you have to enlist females to come to your rescue now?” He was too busy cackling like a hyena that he didn’t even have time to prepare for the forceful shove I gave his chest that sent his chair crashing backwards and him tumbling out of it onto the ground.
I had never gotten physical with either of them before and he stared up at me from the floor, his eyes wide and his mouth hanging open before scrambling to get up. He started to get in my face as the librarian frantically raced over to our table. “Young man in the black,” she scolded. “Go to the principal’s office immediately.” She gave a once over at Troy, concern etched onto her face. “Are you alright? Do you need to see the nurse?”
I rolled my eyes as I grabbed my backpack, slinging it over one shoulder. “Whatever,” I mumbled. Of course, it would work out that Matt was the one who always got into trouble while everybody else just got to walk away scot-free.
***
“It’s so unfair that you’re being suspended for three days. They started it.” Addison bit her lip as she leaned against the lockers, watching as I shoved textbooks into my bag. I wasn’t even sure why I was packing anything. It wasn’t like I had any intentions of completing my work especially since I would only fall even further behind with being out for the rest of the week.
I shrugged. “Well, according to Principal Henson, they’re letting me off easy.” Mimicking his deep gruff voice I said, “Matthew, you could’ve caused serious injury.” I rolled my eyes. “I mean Troy’s a big baby to begin with but he was clearly fine.”
Addison shook her head. “It’s not right. Those guys are the ones that are jerks and bully you every single day and the school just looks the other way during it but when you finally fight back they suspend you? It’s just wrong.”
I turned to face her. “It is but what can you do? That’s just the way it is. Besides, I’m used to it. They’ve been on me like this since elementary school.”
She crossed her arms as she raised an eyebrow at me. “I hope you don’t actually believe the things they say about you. You are most definitely not a loser.” She huffed as she kicked at a pen littering the floor. “If you ask me, I think the only reason they’re still going in so hard on you after all these years is that now they’re actually feeling threatened. You’re totally hot and have half the females in this school drooling over you. I think they caught on that the Matt they once labeled as an outcast is now the most intriguing person in this place. That must be driving them nuts.”
I snapped my head up at her, feeling the corners of my mouth twitching as I tried not to smile.
She pushed off of the locker, glancing down at herself. “What? Why are you looking at me like that?”
Not being able to control it any longer, I broke out into a wide grin. “Did you just call me hot?”
She grabbed me by the front of my sweatshirt. “No, I didn’t. Shut up. I think you’re a troll.” She gestured at no one in particular. “I just mean that from what I’ve observed, that seems to be the general consensus on your appearance.” She let go, focusing on her nail beds. “Personally, I don’t see it,” she sniffed.
I continued to smirk at her as I smoothed out my hoodie. “Woa, Addie, you’re being aggressive right now. Careful or you might get suspended too.”
She shoved me against the locker. “I’ll show you aggressive.”
I gave her a light pinch on the cheek. “This is a little rough for my tastes but I can appreciate a girl that goes after what she wants.”
She held up one finger to my face. “I’m not…that’s not what this is.”
“It’s ok. Just admit you want to be my girlfriend,” I replied clasping her on the shoulder. I looked at her with a glint in my eye. “Addison Miller, you weren’t the one that wrote me that love not, were you?” I stroked my chin. “You know, I’m starting to suspect that perhaps your spin-the-bottle game was rigged so that I would land on you.”
She placed her hands on her hips. “Stop twisting my words. I don’t like you.”
I reached out to tap her on the side. “Prove it.”
She grabbed my wrist. “Ok. What part of your body do you want me to break first?”
“Ooh, you just can’t keep your hands off me, can you?” I slipped out from her grasp before taking off down the hallway laughing.
“Get back here,” she said, racing off after me. I glanced over my shoulder just in time to see her wobble on her boot as the heel broke off. “Oh no,” she gasped. “My Steve Maddens!” She continued to hobble towards me as we passed the security guard seated at a desk in the hallway.
She looked up from her reading, a frown on her face. “Addison,” she scolded. “Quit chasing the boys and get back to class.”
The comment only caused me to double over, laughing even harder. “She won’t leave me alone, Mrs. Santini.”
Addison narrowed her eyes at me mouthing the words, “I hate you.”
“You love me though.” I stuck my tongue out at her before disappearing through the school doors.
***
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