I’m going to puke.

Walking around campus, the only reaction I get are pointed whispers. Heads are turning my way, snickering beneath their breath, but at least I haven’t been attacked yet. Maybe that’s because Tori is at my side heading for our first class of the day. Sadly, we share that math class with Matt so the moment we step into the room I am met with yet another hush.

The students sitting tiredly at desks suddenly awake upon seeing me. My stomach has dropped. My body is shaking. I think I’m going to faint. Tori starts pushing me from behind to get us to our desks. Unlike him, who is smiling like an idiot, I’m shaking like a leaf with a huge frown and Matt isn’t even here yet!

“What-what should I say to him?” I ask Tori when we both take our seats.

“Don’t say anything.”

“That makes me seem like I don’t want to pay—”

“You don’t, though?”

“I should. I ruined the shirt.”

“Bullshit. He can take it to the cleaners or buy a new one. He has money spewing out of his ass.”

That’s not the point! Just because he has a lot of money doesn’t mean no one should pay him should they ruin something he owns. If someone rear ends his car, should he pay for the damage? Obviously not! And I don’t want to be that jerk who won’t pay up. I, uh, I’m sure I can ask to do monthly installments...right?

I slam my head against the desk.

Please don’t show up today. Maybe everything will calm down if he doesn’t show up for just one—

“Good morning, Matt!”

“Hey Matt, what’s up?”

Damn it.

Slowly raising my head, I find Matt entering the room without so much as acknowledging anyone; myself included. As happy as that makes me, I know that at some point I’ll have to speak with him.

Matt takes a seat near the front of the room. He removes his headphones to sit around his neck, some expensive brand that’s probably as sound proof as they get. Immediately the desks around him are filled with students chattering away. I hear many asking when Matt plans to ask for the money. They look over their shoulders towards me, some appearing sympathetic and others simply enjoying the drama. However, Matt never answers the question and never gives me so much as a glance, not once throughout the entire class.

By the end, with his backpack and notebook in hand, he leaves without a glance too. Even his fanatics are shocked that he left, scattering like roaches to quickly get their own belongings and follow him.

“Heh, I’m starting to think he really isn’t going to ask you to pay him back,” says Tori with a nod. He’s shoving a notebook into his bag, standing while throwing it over his shoulder. “That’s awesome. If he doesn’t ask then you shouldn’t bring it up, seriously.”

“But—”

“If he isn’t asking then it’s probably because he knows, unlike him, we’re a bunch of broke ass college students. I think he’d look like a jackass to ask for the money.”

I bite my lip.

Could that really be the reason? I’m uncertain and, seeing as I have no way to contact him other than randomly running into him on campus, there’s no quick way to find out. We won’t see each other again until Thursday where we share math and our freshman seminar. By then maybe I can figure out what to say to him, if I can even meet with him alone, which I highly doubt. His mob may actually jump me if I even tried.

“Oh, you’re still coming to the party Friday night, right?” Tori asks.

I nod “Yeah.”

“You work Friday morning though, sure you’ll be ok?”

“I’ll take a nap before.”

“Cool.” Tori pats my shoulder with his signature wide grin. “Hopefully you’ll survive the day.”

I frown and Tori walks away laughing towards his next class, which he sadly doesn’t share with me. The moment he’s gone I feel a thousand times worse. It’s easier to walk around campus with someone, but now that I’m on my own I swear the staring is worse. There’s even some glaring.

How dare I defile the great Matt Jeneviere’s shirt?! It was an accident people, I would never do something so stupid on purpose! Do you think I have a death wish? Do people actually believe that anti-fan crap? I didn’t even know who he was until I came to college! I never keep up with celebrities. I only heard his name once or twice because my big sister and her friends talked about him from time to time, along with many other male actors. I can’t keep track of them all.

Somehow the day continues without my death. No one attacks me, although a lot of people talk about me. Tori expresses his shock of my survival later that evening when he returns to our dorm. Then, by Thursday, the buzz has slowed down and Matt hasn’t shown any sign of contacting me. Even during math, when he walks in, I don’t get so much as a passing glance.

Maybe he doesn’t know we share this class?

No, there’s no way he doesn’t know. Everyone is clearly talking and pointing to me, continuing to pester Matt about the mishap. Still, he doesn’t give the discussion any of his time. That should make me happy, but it doesn’t. I even brought an envelope with my number and a request to make monthly installments with about $50 already in it today in hopes to at least give him a little. But class comes to an end and Matt leaves quicker than I can get out of my seat, his goons following after as per usual.

How am I supposed to talk to him when he never sticks around anywhere long enough? Maybe I should give it to his bodyguard? He’s always around, close enough to do his job but far enough to make approaching him far easier.

Ok. Ok, I can do that. I can definitely do that. Definitely.

The opportunity arrives at lunch time. We’re in the dreaded scene of the crime; the food court. Matt is sitting at a crowded table. His bodyguard is one table away, keeping watch while eating an italian hoagie loaded with dressing that, honestly, looks amazing. I think I am trying to distract myself with the food rather than him. Doesn’t really help since, even when approaching, I’m nervous. The dude is massive, probably capable of chucking me like a rag doll across the food court if he wanted. So, after I tap his shoulder and he turns to look at me, I completely freeze with fear.

This isn’t a good idea. What the hell was I thinking? He’s staring at me like I’m a lunatic. I’m starting to feel like one. I should just leave.

“Can I help you with something?” The guard asks.

Panic sets in. I thrust the envelope into his chest and sputter, “P-Please g-give this to Matt for the G-Gucci.”

Then I’m gone, bursting out of the food court and onto the sidewalk outside where it’s safe. Well, as safe as the most hated kid on campus can be.

“The Gucci?” I whine, dropping onto one of the benches. “Dana, you idiot. You can’t even form a sentence.”

I throw my head in my hands.

Oh, why, why, why? I’m an idiot. A fool. I’m going to buy sneakers with velcro from now on! Fuck shoe laces! But at least it’s over with. I’ve done what I could and—

Ding!

Huh?

I stare at my phone that has lit up in my pocket.

Who’s messaging me?

Grabbing said phone, I see that it’s an unknown number. How? I never put my number into anything online in order to avoid annoying texts and calls. Still, I open the message only to drop my phone with a loud “crack” on the pavement. Please, for the love of all that is holy or not in this world, tell me I didn’t just break my phone.

Come on, Lady Luck, be on my side!

Reaching down, I grab my phone and whine again when I see an oh so beautiful crack in the left corner of the screen. Fuck you too, Lady Luck! The phone is still functioning, which is great considering that the mysterious message is from Matt that simply reads.

Food court restroom. Now.
-Matt

He seems mad.

W-W-What did I do? Did he expect all the money at once? Is he going to beat me up for not paying immediately? But I don’t have that kind of money! If I did, I’d have a fucking Gucci shirt too! Well, probably not. They’re pretty hideous, but wait, that’s not the point. Damn, it doesn’t seem like I can please anyone anymore. What did I do?! And why are we meeting in the restroom?

And, hey! What if I had class? I don’t, but still!

Grumbling to myself, I send a quick “ok” before putting the phone in my pocket. The walk back to the food court is filled with only one constant thought that has been beating me to death all week; I’m doomed, I’m doomed, I’m doomed.

I never thought a restroom would scare me before, but it does now. Seeing that little white male figure innocently placed on a black door has become menacing. I swear the arm moves and he gives me the finger. Even my own imagination hates me now. Terrific.

Pushing open the door, I find the restroom to be empty, which wouldn’t normally be odd except Matt said to meet there. I spin around as if I expect him to suddenly appear out of thin air. Suddenly, a hand grabs my shoulder and I’m yanked into a stall. The door slams shut behind me. After a soft “click” I know that it’s locked. Not that it needs to be seeing as Matt’s massive form standing directly next to it is enough to keep me from leaving.

Matt has always seemed like a big guy, but now it’s unfair. Being crammed into a stall with him makes me realize that he has at least six inches on me height wise. It wasn’t just make up or special effects that made him appear flawless either. Even at this close of a distance I can’t make out a blemish on his skin. Excuse you, that’s unfair. However, there is the faintest scar I’ve ever seen on the left side of his chin. Wonder how he got it?

That’s not important right now though. My life is on the line.

“Uh—wha—why—i-is there a p-problem?” I ask, earning a sharp glare from Matt.

“Keep your voice down,” he whispers, arms crossed and jaw set firmly in place.

“There’s...no one e-else here, though.”

“For now.”

For now?

I swing my head from side to side although all I see are the blue stall walls. Does his posse plan to come running in to help beat the shit out of me? If so, it would have been easier to not be in the stall. Wait, that’s not what I should be thinking about.

“Here.” Matt suddenly holds out the envelope that I gave the guard.

“Ah, do...do you want to talk about the installments?”

Matt shakes his head. Well, what does he want to talk about then? I grab the envelope and look inside to find the money is still there.

“You didn’t take the money yet.” I try to hand it back but Matt refuses to accept it.

“You don’t need to pay me back.”

“But I should.”

“Do I look like I need it?”

Wow, at least he’s self aware. Still, I use the same reasoning I had told myself in order to explain, “Just because you have money doesn’t mean people shouldn’t pay you back. If someone rear ended your car, would you not make them pay for it?”

Matt is silent, watching me with a quiet scowl. He rolls his shoulders then responds, “I don’t think a car wreck compares to spilling food on a shirt.”

“It was a very expensive shirt.”

“I have plenty.”

Super self aware.

“Anyways—” Matt unlocks the door without warning and steps out, looking back at me with a blank expression. “Don’t try to give me money again. I’ll return it.”

“Wait!” I call before Matt shuts the door. He tilts his head to the side curiously. This has been bugging me so...“Uh, why the restroom?”

“It’s the only place where no one follows me.”

“Ah...m-makes sense.”

And with that, the door swings shut with a loud bang. I jump then stand there in shock until I hear the restroom door open and close, signaling Matt has left. Even minutes after he’s gone, and I even heard a few more guys come in, I haven’t moved. The envelope with money remains in my grasp but the note I had left with my number is gone. Obviously since he messaged me.

I guess this is a good thing. Not owing Matt a ridiculous amount of money for a shirt is the best case scenario...but I still don’t feel that good about it.