Suddenly Chapter 7

Matty’s POV

I was still utterly shocked when we walked out of class. Richard ate our notes. Ate them.

He slipped an arm around my waist, smirking like the idiot he was. “Rich, you ate my notes.” He nodded. “You saved me from Breidenbach’s rage.” He nodded once more, beginning to start his leisurely pace toward 8th period. “What do you want from me?”

He stopped and rose his eyebrows at me. “Pardon?”

I rolled my eyes. “Don't play dumb with me. That's a Dick move.”

He grumbled and started up walking again. “So was that.”

I cleared my throat and continued, more confident in my words this time. “You did something for me. Therefore, you expect something in return. It's the way you work.”

Rich tightened his arm around my waist, and I suddenly realized that he hadn't really been listening to me. Instead, he was glaring straight at a group of jocks, who were all looking me up and down appreciatively. “C’mon, Rich. You gotta get to class,” I pointed out in a gentler tone.

He seemed to be snapped out of a daze. He scowled. “But as soon as I go to class, those guys will come over here and harass you!” He seemed to think, and then, coming to an answer, he blushed. Richard Speight Jr blushed.

“What do you have in mind?” He kind of jumped at my voice.

“Well, uh, to get them to… back off. I get it you don't like the idea. It's ridiculous and probably-”

“Richard!” I cut him off. He blinked twice at me, then smiled sheepishly. “What is your plan?”

He gulped, and then looked down nervously at me. “Do you have a problem with… me kissing you?”

I felt myself go slack-jawed, my mouth nearly hanging open. Before I knew what had happened, I'd whispered, “No.”

And then he was pushing me gently against the lockers, his head tilting slightly to bend his face in front of mine. “Are you sure?” He mumbled. I felt my breath catch in my throat. I nodded minisculely.

My eyes fluttered shut as Rich’s lips grazed along mine. I slid my hands up his arms and around his neck, pulling him forward to firmly connect our lips.

Bliss filled me. I sighed contentedly into his mouth and pulled him closer.

It was a while before we pulled away, both of us panting and grinning like idiots. I cast a weary glance over to where the jocks had been earlier, only they weren't there now.

The bell rang. Richard smirked carelessly. I scoffed. “Rich, thanks for the help, but go to class!”

He laughed. “What, no goodbye kiss?”

I froze, the gravity of what had just happened falling on me. I'd just made out with Richard. My guy best friend. And I kinda… liked it.

A blush flitted onto my cheeks. I pecked his lips once more and walked in the opposite direction, heading for my locker.

As I twisted my lock, thoughts bounced off the walls in my head. I like Jensen, right? I mean, I've known Rich longer, but I think of him as more of my best guy friend… right?

I shook my head and snatched my skateboard. I can think through my feelings later. But right now, I have to get home. But then I remembered. I can't ride my skateboard with a busted knee!

Huffing, I put my skateboard under my arm and prepared for the walk home.

I didn't expect the voice on the other side of me. “Hey, Matty. Cool skateboard.”

I jumped a foot in the air. Jensen chuckled. I hit his arm, pretending to be mad.

He pouted. “I just complimented your skateboard! You're not allowed to hit me!”

I rolled my eyes. “I can do what I want, when I want.”

He laughed again and slung an arm over my shoulders. The smile slipped off of his face as a hall monitor rounded the corner.

“Hey! You there!”

“Time to go!”

Jensen grabbed my hand and ran down the hall. I only kept up because of my adrenaline rush. We rounded a corner and Jensen whipped us quickly into the janitor’s closet. He closed the door skillfully just as the man entered the hallway.

I put a hand over my mouth to steady and quiet my breathing as he went silent, probably listening for us. A spike of pain shot up my leg, and I winced. Jensen, catching the look, grabbed my arm and helped to lower me onto the ground, then sat next to me, sending me a reassuring smile. I tried to return it, but it probably came off as more of a grimace.

After about 5 minutes, the hall monitor grumbled and spoke into his walkie talkie.

“I've lost ‘em, Bill. You got some kids over by 212? Great, I'll be right there.”

His footsteps pounded down the hallway.

Both me and Jensen let out a relieved breath. I let my hand drop onto the ground, thankful to not be breathing through it.

Jensen grabbed my shoulder gently. “Are you okay? You look a little pale.”

I sighed and leaned my head back against the wall. “Well, I would be better if I hadn't just run on an injured leg.”

He gave my leg a guilty look and I suddenly realized: he felt responsible for my pain.

I set my hand cautiously on top of his. He looked slightly shocked, but didn't move it away.

“Look, Jensen-”

He flashed me a smile. “You can call me J.”

I stared for a moment before continuing. “Look, J, it's not your fault. If we didn't run, we’d be sitting in Smith’s office right about now. If anything, you saved me.”

He shot me a s**t-eating grin. “I'm your knight in shining armor.”

And then I realized.

He was leaning in, our noses nearly touching. His hand was moving up to cup my face. He was shifting closer so that his thigh was right beside mine.

I felt a blush start to spread across my cheeks.

Jensen locked eyes with me, and I smiled.

His lips pushed onto mine, and my eyes fluttered shut at the sensation.

He was gentle, but passionate. Kissing me with all he had and grabbing onto my hip with a comforting firmness. I sighed, bringing up a hand to spear through his hair, pulling him closer. He moaned into my mouth.

He was so different than Rich.

I froze. Oh. My. God.

Jensen pulled back, concern etched into his face. “I'm sorry, was that out of line?”

I shook myself. “No. No, that was… amazing.” I said with a wide smile. He returned it, relieved.

“Good. Can I… uh… do it again?”

He looked so sheepish. I bit my lip and blocked off the section of my brain that kept comparing him to Rich. Live in the moment, Matty.

I nodded, and he leaned forward again, our lips brushing together.

J gave me a ride home in his pickup truck, even kissing my cheek lightly in goodbye as we pulled up outside my house. I rushed inside, blushing up a storm and Jensen’s number plugged into my phone.

The grin didn't slip off of my face until I went to text him later.

There was a text waiting from Rich. Outside of the group chat. I swallowed. My God, what have I done?

R: Hey, can we talk?

I let my fingers dance along the screen.

M: I guess. What about?

R: You know what about.

I sighed and ran my hands through my hair. How was I going to tell him that I had feelings for him, but not as strong as the feelings I had for J?

M: Yeah.

R: Is that all you have to say about it?

M: I… uh… I don't know, Rich. I'm just… I'm wrestling with my own feelings right now. You'll be the first to know when I sort them out.

R: Right after Jensen?

I felt the blood drain out of my face.

M: How did you know?

R: Saw you two holding hands outside the physics classroom. Matty, he could seriously hurt you!

M: I know, Rich! I know! I know that he's been known to do that stuff in the past, but he's different with me!

I couldn't tell if I was trying to convince him or myself.

R: You know what, fine. Go date him. But when he breaks your heart, don't come crying to me.

I felt tears start to drip down my face. Rich just unfriended me. He told me that he wouldn't be there for me anymore. That he didn't want to be my best guy friend anymore. I grabbed my pillow and sobbed into it, heart clenching.

My phone started vibrating. I picked it up, barely able to make out the name through my blurry eyes. I pressed ‘Answer’ and held it up to my ear.

M: Hey, J.

My voice was thick with tears.

J: Matty? What's wrong?

M: I-I think I just lost one of my best friends.

J: Hang tight. I'll be right over.

The line went dead.

I sat there sniffling until there was a tap on my window. I opened it and Jensen climbed in, immediately wrapping his arms around me. Another wave of tears and sobs came without warning, and I cried into his chest.

He moved us over to my bed, sitting me down and pulling a blanket around my shoulders before hugging me tightly again. “I'm so sorry, baby. I know, just let it out. It's ok. I'm here.”

Finally, the ugly tears stopped. I sniffled once more, and J pulled away to tenderly wipe the tears off of my face.

He smiled at me comfortingly.

“Stay with me.”

He rose his eyebrows at my quick demand. Honestly, I didn't blame him; I’d surprised myself a bit. “You sure?”

I nodded. He pulled me in towards his chest and laid us back. I cuddled into him and let his soft words lull me to sleep.

Author's Note

AGAIN I SHALL STATE: These actors are their own persons and I am well aware that this is not what they are like in real life, there wouldn't be a story here if I rang true to real life.