Ignite

Chapter 52

"Matt." I'm unable to hide my unease as I move closer, gaze darting between the three of them. "What's going on?"

Matt looks different than when I last saw him, more gaunt. The face I'd known has sunk in on itself, the hair losing its shine, and part of me crumbles under the knowledge that tonight will taint my memories of him forever; that when I thought of Matt after today, it wouldn't be of drunken bonfires and classroom pranks. It wouldn't be of the years growing up together and how, towards the end, our smiles had taken on a different meaning, becoming shyer, more curious.

No.

It'll be the way he's looking at me now, with hatred in his eyes.

"Of course that's the first thing you ask," he says. "I shouldn't expect a 'hi' or 'how have you been?' should I? It's not like I haven't seen you for months."

The anger rolling off him is overwhelming, but I'm thankful for it. It will make the role I needed to play easier.

"What are you doing here? You don't go to this school," I say.

Matt's jaw clicks, his hands curling into fists, and I know I've hit a nerve — one that will hopefully send him running.

"Not that it's any of your business, but I was invited."

"By who? And why are you in here screaming at Jake?"

"I'm not screaming at him. I just wanted to ask him some questions, clarify why you two fucked off after the shittiest summer ever."

Harper and Aleisha's eyes flick between Matt and me, growing wider by the second.

"Everyone was leaving, Matt. We wanted to get out."

"And you didn't think to mention that?"

"No."

Matt shakes his head, letting out a low laugh, and his gaze travels to Harper.

"Who's this? Another boy? The one I met the other day seemed so nice."

Harper shifts closer to me, his body vibrating with warning, and I realise I need to end this quick.

"Just tell me why you're here, Matt."

My eyes dart to Jake and Aleisha, hoping one of them will explain why they'd been yelling before Harper and I barged in. But Jake is looking at the ground, his chest rising and falling in a way that makes my pulse spike, and Aleisha has pulled out her phone, messaging someone with quick fingers.

"I already did," Matt says. "I want the truth."

"And I already told you. Jake and I wanted to leave, and we didn't need any reminders of what happened. Including you."

"Bullshit."

Matt steps forward, his shoes screeching again the court, but before he gets any closer, Harper shifts, blocking Matt's path to me.

"You two were my closest friends, and you disappeared without even saying goodbye," Matt says, voice rising to a yell.

"Hey, mate," Harper says, holding out his hands. "Maybe it's best if—"

Matt whacks Harper's hand aside, moving even closer.

"You don't know who you're defending right now, mate. I bet you can't even tell me her last name."

Harper blinks at him and in my peripherals, Aleisha grabs Jake's arm and starts to pull him towards the door.

"Sorry," Harper says, his voice turning sharp. "But who even are you?"

Matt doesn't respond though, instead his gaze is fixed on me, his pupils burning.

"So what's the truth, Claude? Did you really choose to move here? Did you change your last name and delete your social media accounts and start living with an aunt and uncle I'd never heard of before because you hated Bellbird that much?"

No, no, no, no, no.

The word repeats in my mind, screaming against my skull. This couldn't be happening. Not here. Not with Harper and Aleisha listening.

"Yes," I say, my words taut. "Can you get over it, please?"

"No, because it's bullshit. I think you two were forced to move here. I think those rumours about how the fire started near your house and someone was arrested for it, were true. Weren't they?"

Jake comes to a screeching stop, turning back to us, and my breath starts coming in gasps, my body betraying me even as I try to stay calm.

"Weren't they?" Matt repeats.

"Of course, they weren't!" I yell, and suddenly Harper is holding me back instead of Matt. "If Jake or I lit the fire, we'd be in jail, you idiot!"

"I'm not talking about you two. I'm talking about your mum."

The words are a punch to my gut, and they stop me short. Matt shouldn't be considering that as an option. No one should be. That was the whole point of all of this.

"Mum died!" I shout, panic beginning to fill my lungs. "You know that."

"I checked the records, Claude. She isn't listed anywhere, so stop lying to me. Did she do it?"

The room falls silent, like the inside of a tomb, and Matt moves closer.

"Did your worthless, drugged-up, shit-show of a mother light that fire? Tell me."

"Don't call her that."

Jake's voice whips towards us and Matt turns to face him.

It's the first time I've properly looked at Jake since I entered the gym, and the moment I do, I wish I had sooner. His eyes are red-rimmed, his hands shaking, and I know he's seconds away from losing it. Whether that means a panic attack or an outburst, I'm not sure. But I don't want to find out.

"Why not?" Matt asks. "It's the truth. Just tell me where she is and I'll do you a favour, okay?"

"What favour?" Jake growls out and Matt grins at him, the smile unhinged.

"I'll give you the first punch."  

...

😱😱eekkkk. Sorry for the second cliff hanger in a row!

Next chapter out on Tuesday.

- Skylar xx