I’ve been nervous all weekend. I couldn’t stop thinking about Matthew and what happened. Was it because he was high and drunk? No, it couldn’t be the edible didn’t hit till when I got home. Maybe he was just a horny at that moment. 

It’s about to be lunch. I already had two classes with Matthew and it was like any other day. Why would it be different at lunch? If it was going to be brought up it would be in 2nd period. 

Ring! 

Lunch was going as normal so I decided that just act as nothing happened and continue to just do me like I normally do. 

Chris looks over at me.“Where were you Friday?” I looked over Mark sitting by my right side to see him. “ I didn’t see you at Kayle’s.”

“I probably left before you got there.”

 “Oh yeah,” Marco said with food still in his mouth pausing to continue his sentence, “How did you get home?”

I didn’t know what to say. I took a pause pretending to still be chewing, looking over at Matthew. He didn’t return the look, just continued looking at his phone. So I just told the truth. 

“I got a ride.” Technically I didn’t lie Matthew did take me from Kayle’s but he didn’t take me home the Car I ordered did. The best way to lie is with a little bit of truth. Matthew looked over quickly and looked away but not fast enough that I didn’t see him listening in. 

There, that was it, it's over now and everything is done with no loose ends. Now whatever he says he did, It won’t lead to me ever going to his house. 

The next day I drive to school and park as close to the front as possible. I wasn’t trying to walk far with it getting colder. While walking in Troy and Tori catch up to me and we catch up a bit on what we’re doing, school and life. When out of nowhere Matthew runs up and joins. At this point we enter the school and part ways. Matthew, Troy and I all have Government 1st period together so Tori leaves. After that Troy has to go to his locker and tells us he’ll see us there. Matthew and I walk together not talking and entering the class. I never understood why people think it’s awkward not to talk. Sometimes trying to force a conversation is what makes it awkward.

After lunch Stephone, Nina and I decided to leave school because we weren’t doing anything in our classes after. Our 6th hour wouldn’t be doing much since it’s a prep day so we left Troy and Matthew to write down the recipe. We end up going to Stephanie's house and are chilling in her room. They're doing their makeup and I’m just on the bed joining the conversation whenever necessary. 

“So has Logan asked you to go to homecoming with him?” Nina asked Stephanie.

Stephine looking in the mirror doing her lashes replies, “I think he’s doing it tonight.”

It’s the last week before Homecoming being next saturday so these two weeks people are going to be getting asked left and right.

“What about you?” Stephanie asked Nina.

“I keep avoiding guys so they don’t ask me but it would all stop if somebody just said yes to going with me.” Nina looks over at me.

“Why?” I reply 

“Because it’s our last year of highschool!” Nina joyfully said while spinning on the chair.

“Fine. But you buy my fit.”

“Fine with me.” She replied.

Stephine turns around to look at us. “I think Monica wants Matthew to ask her.”

I pretend to not be too involved in the conversation. I mean what would I say? That I was making out with him last Friday.  It’s not my business to be outing someone else especially if I don’t even know. As long as I can remember Matthew never said anything homophobic before. 

Nina turns to her mirror and looks at me through it.”Why don’t you ask him to take her? You’re cool right.”

“I mean yea but we don’t really talk.” I think that was the best thing to say. Not lying, we aren't close. He’s just friends with Marco who’s friends with me. Like most of Marcos' friends were just acquaintances. Wouldn’t it make me a bad friend to hook them up with a guy I was kissing or would it be worse to not help her. We are friends. 

 

It’s Friday and the week has been normal. People just get asked to Homecoming, nothing special other  than that. Marco picks me up in the morning. It’s an away game today and normally I would drive because they leave right after school or before the school day ends depending on how far they are going but today it’s not far just across town and he has to get his mom some papers from home so he'll just drop me off before he goes. He normally gives me a ride two or three days out of the week because we barely see each other and don't have classes this semester. So this way we just go to and from school at least. I honestly don’t like driving even though I love the freedom in being able to not ask someone to take me anywhere I still don’t like to drive. I rather just be in the passenger seat not doing anything. 

Lunch comes around like every other day. It’s starting to be the most exciting part of my day at this point. Something always happens. I sit down and wait for the others. Mark, Troy and Chris get there and we all go up to get our food. I get back faster because I don’t wait in line since I’m just getting a spicy chicken patty and don’t have to wait. If you know you know. I get back and some of the other guys are there. Jace and Jordan are talking to each other with the other two and I sit at my seat. As soon as I do Matthew sits next to me where Marco should be sitting. He sits down and just starts to eat his food as if he’s not sitting in the wrong seat. 

This throws off everyone else Marco sits to my right where Troy or Mark sit they always move. This causes everyone to move down one and Chris to sit by Matthew. 

“Why did everyone move?” Chris asked and sat down.

“Oh shit my bad I didn’t even notice. Want me to move?” Mathew said. 

“Nah. It’s cool. It just feels weird sitting on this side.”

Lunch goes as normal. I finish my food and get up to throw it out. I ask Marco if he’s done he tells me yea and puts his on mine. Matthew then asked me if I could take his. I tell him sure and throw it away. I usually throw my food away before the end so I don’t have to struggle with everyone throwing it away as we leave. I head back and sit down when Marco wants to show Matthew a video. Marco leans towards me putting his phone in front of me so Matthew could see. Mathew leans in as well,putting his hand on my thigh. He looks at the video Marco is showing him laughs then moves back not before squeezing my thigh before letting go. It shocks me at first and moves me a little.

The day ends and I walk out to Marco’s car but he’s not there. I'm about to text him when Matthew pulls up next to me in his truck. 

“He told me to tell you he couldn’t take you home anymore so I’m giving you a ride.” Matthew said out his window.

I stare at him for a bit and walk over to his truck and get in. He probably couldn’t play because he misses so much school. He doesn’t drive off, he stares at his phone for a minute. I get a message and he drives off heading for the exit. I look at my phone telling me I’ve received $20 from Mattymoneys for:swimming with me. I look over at him while waiting at the stop to turn out. I can’t help but gush and roll my eyes. We don’t talk the whole drive till we get in my neighborhood. 

“So why’d you lie?” Mathew blurted.

“Lie?” I was surprised not knowing what he was talking about. 

“You said you left in an Uber but you left with me.”

“I didn’t lie. I left with you but I took an Uber home.” I respond as soon as he stops. 

“Mhm.” He continues to glacé at me while he drives.

“Do you not remember? I thought you said you only drank half of that-“ He cuts me off.

“Oh I remember. I remember the whole night. I didn’t know if you did.”

We get to my house and I grab my backpack to get off. He doesn’t unlock the door so I go to unlock it when he bluntly asks me a question. 

“Are you free tonight?”

“Why?” I say looking over to him. 

“I want to hang out with you. Can I pick you up at 9?”

I pause for a moment. It’s not like I’m busy so why not. 

“Sure.”

“Okay cool.” 

I jump out and walk towards my house. He doesn’t drive off till I go inside. Is he asking me out on a date?