My Turn To Go Further

Chapter 5: The Project

We got in Annabelle's car as fast as we could since we were already late.
"Pleeasee, I don't wanna go!" I whined pouting and attempting a puppy dog face and failing miserably. If they take enough pity on me I know they'll let me skip class.
"Well, I mean.....I don't know....if it's really what you want.."started Annabelle unsure. She glanced over at Diane who struck her a serious look and without even saying anything they understood each other. "No! No, I'm sorry _____. It's the last week of school. C'mon, what's the worst that could happen?" she finished.
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We ran to our lockers and got everything we needed. We rushed to history class for which we were already 15 minutes late. When we walked, more like ran, into the classroom, the teacher wasn't there yet, Thank God!
I sat next to Annabelle in our usual seats and we talked until the class began.
"Hey _____," said an angel-like voice beside me. I looked over already knowing who it was, and being completely right, Matt. I felt all of my friends' eyes on me, always SO subtle, like always.
"I'm really sorry about yesterday," He began. I tensed up, not knowing what was coming next. I was speechless. "please tell your boyfriend that it was my fault and it got out of hand. Aaron also apologizes." Something didn't seem right. I've never heard him talk like that before, even less admit to have been wrong. But, who cares? Matt was apologizing and talking to me and that's what mattered.
"Sure, I'll tell him. He's not my boyfriend, though. We're just good friends." I let out nervous laughter because I was obviously dying inside with nervousness.
"Oh, sorry, I thought you guys were a thing."
"No no, strictly friends" I tried to smile naturally but I felt like it was the most awkward smile to ever set foot on someone's face.
"Well in that case, can I ask you a favor?" He asked grinning.
Oh. My. God. Matthew Benson wants to ask me for a favor. I must be blushing oh God, this is so embarrassing. I have to answer. "Um, yeah, sure what is it?"
"The truth is, I don't have very good grades in biology and, you know, it's hard. And I heard that you're good at biology and stuff." He put his hand on the back of his neck "So, I was wondering if maybe you could tutor me sometime or something like that."
I think this is the best day of my life. Matt knows of my existence, apologizes for being a jerk, knows that I'm good at biology and wants me to tutor him. I think I'm in heaven. Oh shit, I think I took too long to answer. Answer!
"Umm.." I glanced at Annabelle who was sitting right beside me listening to the whole conversation. "Yeah sure, cool! No problem"
"Awesome, you're the best" he said smiling.
The teacher came in so Matt had to go back to his desk. Honestly, I didn't pay a lot of attention in class but, how could I possibly pay attention after what had just happened?! The whole conversation kept running through my mind over and over again. This was definitely the best day of my life.
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The bell rang and I had to go talk to Matt to see when we would get together for tutoring. I took a deep breath, obviously, grabbed Annabelle to come with me, and slowly approached Matt and his friends.
"Hi," I said almost whispering. They all stopped talking and stared at me. "Umm, Matt I was wondering if you were free to get together today to study biology and we can do the project that's due tomorrow while we're at it" I said looking at him trying to avoid all of his friends' eyes. Aaron looked me up and down opening his mouth to say something but Matt hurried to answer me and looked at Aaron threateningly.
"Yeah, about that." He run his fingers through his hair, "I had totally forgotten that we had a project due tomorrow and.." He walked over to me and put his hand on my shoulder, oh my God. "we have a huge game today..." I looked over at Annabelle who looked as confused as I felt. She simply shrugged. What was he trying to say? He continued, "so I was wondering if you could start mine and when the game's over I'll come over to your house and we can finish it together" he finished. He looked me in the eye waiting for my response.
I couldn't resist those eyes. He was too perfect, I couldn't possibly say no, so I accepted. "Oh, sure umm..I live in..."
" I know where you live" Matt said. And that really surprised me since we never really talked and I'm pretty sure I never told him my address.
I smiled at him, grabbed Annabelle and got out of there.
"______," started Annabelle walking along side me, "I'm sorry to say this but I don't have a good feeling about this Matt thing."
"What? It's no big deal. He has a big game and he asked to start his project and we'll finish it together, nothing more than that"
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When at home, I was almost finishing my biology project. I had already started Matt's so I continued with mine. It was 11pm and Matt still hadn't shown up. So I decided to text him:
"Hey Matt, it's me ______, I already started your project and I'm waiting for you to get here. Where are you?"
Five minutes later he answered:
"Oh, ____, I'm so sorry, I totally forgot. After the game we all went to a celebratory party and now I'm at a friends' house. I'm really sorry but, can you do me a favor and finish it for me? I really don't want to fail biology."
I stared at the screen for a while, I can't believe I didn't see this coming. I REALLY didn't want to do his project for him but I'm not a bad person.
"Ok. Don't worry about it. I'll do it."
He answered:
"Thanks so much! I love you, you really are the best."
I stared at the screen in shock. Did he just say that he loves me? I mean it's right there it says "I love you". I got overwhelmed with excitement and started to jump around everywhere with a huge smile on my face.
"Can you please not do that? It's freaking me out" said Ashton coming out of the kitchen.
"You've done worse and I haven't said anything so shush." He opened his mouth to answer me but then closed it thinking about what I'd said and left.
Point for me.