Vanessa
“Ok. This is no big deal. It’s just like any other Friday night.” I stood outside Matt’s front door giving myself a quick pep talk before ringing the doorbell. “That’s right. Just like any other Friday night. Except you’re going to be completely alone with him.” I gulped as my palms began to sweat and my knees started shaking but I had this. I was fine. I took a deep breath and pressed the button. As I waited for him to answer, I was tempted to sprint off and hide behind the bushes but before I could prompt my feet to get moving, Matt opened the door, smiling that gorgeous dimpled grin of his. My breath caught in my throat. I didn’t have this and I definitely wasn’t fine.
“Hey, V,” he greeted me, his face lighting up. “Come on in.” He nodded his head in the direction of the living room. “I found the worst show we have to watch. You’re going to love it,” he said laughing.
With trepidation, I followed him into the overly warm house and gingerly sat down on the far end of the leather sofa. Wiping my palms on my jeans, I forced a tight smile at him. “So…um, what did you do today?” I inwardly groaned as I covered my face. What a dumb question. I had seen him at school only hours before. He gave me a weird look but thankfully didn’t say anything in regards to that.
“Geesus, V,” he teased. “Addie’s the one sick. Not me.” He picked up a throw pillow and playfully tossed it at me. “Get over here.” I shrieked as he unexpectedly grabbed my hand, pulling me to the middle cushion in the spot right next to him. He shrugged at me sheepishly. “What? This is your spot. You always sit here when you come over.”
I fingered the area where his hand had touched mine, feeling like I had just been seared by the contact from his skin. He was so close to me I could smell the scent of cedar wood body wash lingering on him. It was a pleasant fragrance and I bit down on my lip, trying desperately not to inhale his aroma for fear that he would hear and laugh me all the way out of his house. Just like Aaron did when he found out I liked him. God, Quinn Spears was such a jerk for blabbing that to him.
Matt smirked at me sitting rigidly on the couch. “You’re acting weird, V.” He raised an eyebrow at me, a frown suddenly appearing on those very kissable lips. “Did somebody at school say something to you about me?”
I looked at him in confusion. “Huh? What are you talking about?”
“Never mind,” he muttered. “You want some popcorn?” He stood up and made his way into the kitchen without waiting for my response.
After he disappeared into the other room, I let out the breath I didn’t even know I had been holding. “I’ll be right back. I’m going to use the bathroom,” I called into the kitchen. I hurried up the stairs, whipping my cell phone out of my back pocket, and texted Addison “CAN’T DO THIS! HE TOUCHED ME!”
Addison instantly messaged back “SO? TOUCH HIM BACK. LOL”
I groaned. My best friend just did not understand what it was like to be alone with a guy that you had a super mega crush on.
On my way to the bathroom, I passed by Matt’s room. Noticing that the door was open, I backtracked, glancing up and down the hallway to make sure that no one was watching me. His door was never open. Even though I had been here plenty of times before, I had never caught glimpse of his room. I couldn’t possibly pass up the opportunity now. My pulse quickening and feeling like I was going to be caught out at any moment, I cautiously peered inside. The walls were sparse but he had clothes scattered all over the carpet and a stack of books on his nightstand. My gaze shifted over to the bed, adorned with blue linens. So this was where he laid his head down at night to sleep. I wondered if he ever dreamt of me because I certainly dreamt of him.
Getting lost in thoughts of all the secret kisses we could steal from each other as we lay sprawled out on his mattress together, I didn’t even realize just how long I had been standing there for. “Popcorn’s ready!” Matt shouted from downstairs.
I jumped about a foot in the air at the sound of his voice, feeling like I had just been caught spying on him. I took a deep breath to calm my trembling hands. He didn’t see me. It was ok. Quickly shoving my phone in my pocket, I raced back down the stairs before he could see exactly what I had been up to.
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The rest of the night went by with minimal action, which I wasn’t sure if I was relieved or disappointed by. Part of me had been hoping he would reach out and grasp my fingers in between his but the other part of me was afraid I would smack him in the face with a pillow in a sheer panic if he even dared try.
Eventually, though, I began to relax as we started watching TV and we slipped into our usual routine of guessing whether the current episode would center around fighting or hooking up. My bet was on fighting. Matt’s was on hooking up.
When the clock neared 10 pm and it was time for me to go home, Matt followed me to the front door. “It’s really dark out there, V. You sure you don’t want me to walk you home to make sure you get there safely?”
Ugh. He really was the nicest guy. Shaking my head, I zipped up my jacket. “I’m ok. I walk home from Addison’s all the time.” I gave him a small smile, a flush coloring my cheeks. “Thanks for offering though. That’s really sweet of you.”
He looked down at his feet as he shuffled them, shrugging. “It’s no big deal, really.” He looked back up at me and my breath caught as his steely grey eyes settled on me. He cleared his throat. “Um, this was fun, V.” A grin slowly spread across his face. “And to think, you were going to bail on me.”
“I…no, I wasn’t,” I stammered out, feeling my face grow even hotter. I was such a nerd. I couldn’t believe that he had actually had fun with me. Plain ol’ boring Vanessa. He was probably only saying that because he pitied me for being so uncool.
Matt just laughed at my awkwardness and reached forward to flick one of my waves. Then in a move that surprised us both, he slid his hand down to my shoulder and embraced me in a sort of half-hug. His hand felt wonderful on me; strong, warm, and completely turning my insides out. His touch made me feel jittery and I needed to escape it as quickly as possible.
I backed up out of his embrace, bumping into the door. “Oops. Well, ok. Night Matt.” I stuttered, fumbling for the doorknob. I turned to hurriedly scurry down the steps before I could say or do anything else embarrassing, sprinting off into the cool night air with the flush that spread throughout my entire body keeping me warm.
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