Arctic Atlantic

Chapter Four: Confessions of a Teenage... Aquarium Worker ?

On the boat, Matt seated himself as far away as possible, which left me really confused. He usually sat right next to me, and often fell asleep against me. He's like a little puppy, sort of clingy, but not in a bad way. He just needs someone he can talk to. His dad is always on business trips, and his mom really only pays attention to his sisters. Which is why I think he can't keep being mad at me, if he is mad at all. He needs me. I know that sounds really egotistical but it's true. And I need him. I can't live without his lame puns. His jokes. His stableness. Him.

Oh sorry I almost vomited. Too cheesy, but I seriously can't imagine a life without him. I need to fix this.

Once we get off the boat, I dump my stuff in my room, then hurry to Matt's houseboat. There's a little rope hanging from his balcony, so I can get in and he can leave without his parents' knowledge. I climb it, and without knocking on his screen, slide it open and walk in. He's changing out of his school clothes and only in boxers. He yelps and I turn around and cover my eyes. Not that I haven't seen him like this before... I mean we swim all the time and the MARC's official swim trunks aren't much longer.

I count to 20, then turn around. He's still putting on his shirt. Once the shirt is over his head, I can see his glare. I cringe.

"What are you doing here?!" he shouts.

"I needed to talk to you!"

"Knock!" He groans and slumps on his bed. "What did you want to talk about?" he finally asks.

"Why you're mad at me," I say, getting right to the point.

"I'm not mad... it's just... I guess... I don't know I just don't want you to get hurt Bex," he confesses.

"Matt, I'm not dumb. I can fend for myself. I don't see how ignoring me is helping me not get hurt, though," I point out. He groans again.

"I guess what I'm trying to say is... Bex, I'm... I can't... I need..." he stutters and lets out a huge sigh. "I don't know Bex. I don't know why I was ignoring you, and I'm really sorry. I don't want our friendship to be ruined. Please forgive me. I'm so, so, so sorry. I don't know what I would do without you." He looks down; tears are forming in his eyes. I sit down next to him. Chill homie.

"I couldn't live without you either, Matt. I really couldn't. I forgive you, just don't do that again. Tell me if there's a problem. Please." I'm sorry this is making me almost puke. But I gotta tell him.

"Yes ma'am." He flops down on the bed with a sigh, and I flop next to him, staring through the glass portion in his ceiling. I look at the clock on his wall. We should be starting our homework soon. Except for the fact that I didn't have any. WHOOO!

"Do you have any homework?" I ask him.

"No, thank goodness," he replies.

"Me neither."

"Radical," he mutters. "Bex, I really wanted to ask someone to Formal, but I waited too long, and now she has a date. I really want to tell her how I feel, because I really like her, but I'm almost positive she only thinks of me as a friend. How do I tell her that and not mess things up. I need a girl's perspective."

"Hmm..." I bite my lip, thinking. "First off, be really nice. Like tell her she looked nice today or whatever. Then pour your feelings out, I guess. Tell her each and every reason why you like her. Make her feel loved. But also wait until after Formal because her date might not take kindly to that."

"Thanks. Really. Alana Rebecca Briar, you are the most amazing person I have ever met, and I cannot thank you enough for being there for me." He props his head up on his arm and looks at me. "For real." I blush and smile.

"For real? I thought a bunch of cameras were gonna come out and say I got Punk'd," I tease, and poke him. He lays back down, then exaggeratedly yawns and stretches, 'accidentally' whacking me in the head. I roll over and 'accidentally' push him off the bed. He continues to lie on the floor, so I poke my head over the side to see what's up. Then he suddenly grabs my arm pulling me on top of him. He cackles evilly.

"You dummy!" I yell, as he wraps his arms around me, preventing me from getting up. I try to smack his arms with what little movement I am allowed, and it does nothing. He starts to stand up, wobbly. I shriek. He starts to fall, and turns around so he falls with me on top of him instead of him crushing me.

"MATTHEW ALEXANDER MCCOY!" I scream like a mom as he stands up. "YOU LET GO OF ME RIGHT THIS SECOND!" He shrugs, and drops me on the bed. I bounce a couple times, then slowly stand up, glaring at him the whole time. I start to walk out, but he crosses his arms in front of the door. "Matt, I am going to walk out of this room and if you grab me again, I will flip you over my shoulder and into the water," I say calmly. He doesn't move.

"Jokes on you, Matthew," I yell as I run out onto the balcony. I slide down the rope and when I look up, I see nothing. I jump under the balcony behind some boxes and wait. About thirty seconds later, he climbs down the rope, and runs behind some trash cans about ten yards away. He waits there for a bit,looking around with his back fully facing me. I grin and quietly run up behind him. Then I scream right in his ear. He yelps and jumps forward, knocking down a bunch of the trash can. I totally crack up. He glares at me and starts picking up the cans. I walk back towards my house to get ready for the show. As I'm walking I start thinking about Zaid.

I've known him for a few years, but never really got to know him. And then he comes and sweeps me off my feet in like two days. I really should be stronger and not bend to his will. Or something. He shouldn't think I will do anything for him. Not yet. It's moving so fast. It's really cliché. I'm gonna play hard to get. I smirk. I've never had the ability to play hard to get. Since this is my first real relationship. This'll be fun.

Until I screw it up...

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A/N: hey y'all. Hope you're liking the story. Please point out any spelling errors. I'm not gonna get mad lol it'll help. Put your thoughts in the comments
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have a super radical day/night and remember ur rly amazin ily
oh and maybe Matt up top (Julian Wilson🔥)