For Fuck's Sake! (Mat Nicholls)

twenty-six

TWO MONTHS LATER

"Can you believe we're graduating on Friday?" Mat said, interrupting the silence between us.

We were both sat on the couch on our phones, just chilling.

I looked up from my phone, "How have four years passed by so quickly?"

He chuckled and shook his head in disbelief, "Wish I could tell you."

•

FRIDAY

"Has everyone got their caps?" Oli shouted from the living room as Mat sprayed hairspray onto my teased fringe.

"Yes! This is the fourth time you've asked, wanker!" Mat shouted back.

"You've got your bow-tie?" Oli popped in the bathroom, hanging onto the frame as he smiled sheepishly at Mat.

I stifled a giggle as Mat threw him a death glare, "Ask me another time and I'll make you into a bow-tie," Mat threatened.

Oli's eyes widened and he threw me a goofy smile. I returned the gesture and widened my eyes too, silently telling him to go away. He nodded and left Mat and I alone in the bathroom.

"So-" Mat began to talk but was cut off by the front door opening, followed by loud clamoring and conversation.

I smiled and swatted his hand away, "Enough hairspray!"

He frowned and closed the cap on the hairspray, following me out of the bathroom and to the living room where everyone was now gathering. I smiled as I approached all the girls who were wearing their gowns and were all glammed up.

"Oh shit!" I hyped them up, dragging out the 'Oh'.

"Go! Go! Go!" Emma began to chant and all the girls began to dance at the same time.

We all stopped and laughed, exchanging hugs and greetings.

"So, who's ready to graduate?" I smile excitedly, fingering one of the buttons on my gown.

"Never been more ready for anything, to be honest," Deni admitted and Tillie nodded along.

"I'm just excited for that dinner we're having after," Ali mentioned.

I raised an eyebrow, "We're going to dinner?"

"Courtesy of Oli," Ali smiled.

I nodded in acknowledgment and we all separated. I went back to Mat and turned him around so he stood in front of me. I wordlessly began to fix up a few things on his gown and his hair. He smiled down at me, his eyes beaming.

I paused and looked up at him, "What?" I giggled as I smoothed out his gown.

"Nothing," he shrugged, "You're nice to look at."

"I'm gonna eat you," I randomly said and he giggled in response.

"We gotta leave now," Vegan announced to everyone, grabbing Tillie's hand.

"Let's go!" Jordan exclaimed, opening the front door to Oli's apartment.

We all chattered loudly, managing to squeeze into the elevator. We all laughed at how squished we were before exiting the elevator and once again squeezing into Oli's car. Oli turned on the car and the radio came on. It was playing quietly in the background which we were all fine with.

Five minutes into the drive towards the University, I heard a familiar guitar riff. I furrowed my eyebrows and tried to focus on the sound, realizing it was coming from the radio and that it was literally one of their songs.