Initials in the Dirt

chapter 4

Matthew's POV:

Arianna calmed down enough to tell me more of her past with Luke. It didn't sound like he treated her the way she deserved to be treated. He sounded like a real dick, and from what happened tonight, it was confirmed.

I stayed there, in the bathroom, comforting Arianna before she decided that she wanted to talk with her best friend. I helped her look for Leah. Once we found her and she was in her comfort, I went to go find Josh. He deserved to know what happened to his sister. 

After seven minutes of looking, I see him dancing to the music ... badly dancing. 

I walked over to him and tapped him on the shoulder. I explain everything that Arianna had told me and he was pissed. We were searching for Luke and Josh is determined to do something. He had told me that he and Arianna are really close, so that explains the determination. 

We find Luke in the corner by the stairs, a girl on his lap, making out. This made us even more furious. 

When we got up to him, I--respectfully--pulled the girl off his lap while Josh's fist made contact with Luke's jaw. He fell to the ground in shock but got up quickly, seeming as though he was unaffected. Luke hit Josh right in the nose when everyone started to gather around. 

Not long after, I spot Arianna and Leah in the clump of bystanders. Ari pushed through the crowd to take in the scene. I watch as her expression changes from curiosity to worry for her brother. 

I look back at the fight seeing Josh on the floor with Luke straddling him, trying to hit him across the face, over and over, but it's blocked by Josh every attempt.

Shit.

 I hadn't realized that the tables had turned.

I feel a hand on my arm. I turn to see Arianna with tears falling down her face.

"Matt! Please, help him!" she shouts over the loud music. I try my best to ignore the way she said Matt rather than Matthew, since there were more important things to be worrying about. 

I nodded.

I move towards Luke, pulling him by the shoulders and off of Josh. He broke loose of my grip and my reflexes weren't quick enough as he punched me in the eye. I give him a little shove before turning to Josh to help him up. I stick my hand out for him to grab, which he does, pulling him to his feet. 

Josh is on his feet turning towards Luke. "You're a bitch, you know that?" he shouts, walking away from the crowd.

I grab both Leah and Arianna by their hands, following Josh as he exits.

---

We get outside of the house and I turn to the three of them.

My gaze goes from Leah to Arianna to Josh who has cuts on his face. I open my mouth to speak but am interrupted by his sister.

"Oh, my God, Josh! Are you ok?" she asks, turning to face him while bringing her fingers up to the cut on his lip. He nods, then she glances at me, coming over as her finger gently runs over my eye. "You, too?"

I nod in response. 

I watched as Leah went to Josh and had both of her hands on his face. Her's full of concern. I smirked as I saw his eyes light up, just at that simple gesture.

Arianna also notices, with a smile on her face, before turning back towards me and her smile fades. I look down at her, worry in her eyes as they scan over my face. Both of her hands are resting on my cheek and her thumb caresses my bruise. 

"I think we've had a night," she says over her shoulder, talking to all three of us. She continues, "Ready to go?"

We all nod and make our way back to the car parked a few blocks away. Josh and Leah take the lead as we walk, talking about random things. 

Ari and I walk silently before she breaks it.

"I appreciate what you did in the bathroom. Comforting me," she says, rather shy.

 "Don't worry about it," I assure her and we walk in silence the rest of the way to the car.

---

It took us twenty-three minutes to get back to the Brooks' house. Arianna and I made our way inside while Josh left to walk Leah next door. They would make a cute couple. From what I've seen, they both care for each other.

Arianna leads me upstairs and into the bathroom. She instructs me to sit on the toilet as she grabs a washcloth from a drawer. She walks back over to me and sets the kit on the counter next to me. She gets the cloth and wets it, bringing it to my eye as she dabs it gently. 

I wince at the pain.

"Ooo, sorry," she says. 

"You're fine. No need to apologize." I assure her. She keeps dabbing the cloth and I try my best not to wince from the pain, so that she doesn't feel as though it's her fault.

I carefully watch her every move as she cleans my eye. She really is caring and thoughtful. I never had anyone back home who was this sweet and so full of care. It was nice, actually, having someone my age care for me like this. Carlos was very thoughtful, but it was different. I mean, Ari only met me a few hours ago, and even then, she was treating me as though I've known her forever. I could already tell that she is a very special person. 

She notices me staring and sends a shy smile my way.

I give her one in return. "Thank you," I say. "You didn't have to do this."

"Don't worry about it. It's the least I could do," she says, her smile fading, remembering about earlier.

"Hey, how are you doing?" I ask, worry covering my face.

"I'm ok. I'll get over it." She pauses for a moment before continuing, "It's actually better this way. I'm just glad it's over and I'm not with a cheater," she says.

"I agree. It's good to leave toxic people behind." I give her a small smile.

She returns it. "Thank you." 

"No worries," I reply.

There's a pause before one of us talks. 

She breaks the silence. "Well, I'm going to go to bed. Goodnight, Matt. It was nice meeting you," she smiles.

"You, too. Goodnight, Ari," I say, returning her smile.

She walks out of the bathroom and goes into her room.

I stand and make my way to Josh's room. When I enter, I see he hasn't returned yet. 

I go to the bed I'm staying in, get cozy, and drift off to sleep.