Wrong number - M.R, T.N, D.M

19

"Daisy?"

At the sound of his voice, I turn, my expression betraying more nerves than I'd like. Mattheo doesn't usually seek me out, not like this. We talk, sometimes. Cross paths. But this... this feels different.

"Bloody hell, I've been looking everywhere for you."

A smile slips onto my lips as he approaches. Why is my heart racing like this?

"Well," I say lightly, "you found me."

He smiles back, and only then do I notice how quiet the garden is, empty, for once. No curious eyes. No interruptions.

"Something wrong?" I ask.

"Are you really going to pretend you don't already know?" There's a smirk tugging at his mouth.

I bite my lower lip, slipping my book into my bag.

"What are you reading?" he asks, glancing down.

"An old romance novel. Found it in the library."

He nods, thoughtful. "You like that sort of thing?"

I shrug. "It's not exactly something I'm familiar with."

Something in his expression shifts, softens, almost.

"I mean," I add, quieter now, "I've never really had that. Not properly. Not for long."

He meets my gaze. "Me neither."

I blink, surprised. "No?"

He shakes his head, and for a moment, I don't quite know what to make of that. I know his reputation. Everyone does.

"Daisy..." he says, stepping closer.

I don't remember him moving, but suddenly he's right there, too close for my thoughts to stay steady. My heartbeat stumbles, then quickens, something unfamiliar tightening in my chest.

"I really like you."

The words land differently than I expect, softer, but more certain. Real.

I smile, though it feels almost fragile.

"Fuck it," he exhales, running a hand through his hair. "I really, really like you. I've never felt like this before."

His hand brushes mine, tentative. I glance down, trying and failing to hide the warmth rising to my cheeks.

"I-" he starts, voice faltering slightly. "I get it if you don't feel the same, but..."

"I do."

The words leave me before I can overthink them.

He stills. "You do?"

I nod, smiling now, properly this time.

Relief floods his face, followed by something brighter. "Fuck...right. Really?"

A soft laugh escapes me. "Yes. Really."

For a moment, he just looks at me, as if he's trying to memorise it, this, us, right now. The world seems to quiet around us.

Then he leans in slightly, hesitating.

"Can I...?"

My eyes drop briefly to his lips before I close the distance.

"Yeah," I whisper. "You can."

He smiles, just for a second, before his lips meet mine.

The kiss is soft at first, careful, like neither of us quite trusts the moment yet. Then his hand finds my waist, pulling me a little closer, grounding it, making it real.

And for once, everything else fades. The past, the noise, the complications.

It's just us.

- Draco - Mattheo

Draco
Are you dating Daisy now?

Mattheo
I'm not dating anyone

Draco
Your kiss in the garden says something else

Mattheo
Since when do you care?

Draco
You're my best friend

Mattheo
You literally made me hate her

Draco
I never forced you

Mattheo
You didn't? Have you ever thought about it

Draco
no

Mattheo
Daisy told me her story a few weeks ago
I should have asked you about it

Draco
I don't care

Mattheo
Did you have a reason to ignore her?

Draco
Of course I did

Mattheo
What was it?

Draco
Riddle shut up ok

Mattheo
No. I'm tired of you hating on her
If you don't even have a reason, shut the fuck up, ok
If I see you close to her again, Malfoy istg

Draco
I began to feel something for her, ok?

Mattheo
What?

Draco
I'm not going to write it again

Mattheo
You did all this because you had fucking feelings?

Draco
I can't

Mattheo
You can't what? We all did this to her because you were afraid of some stupid child's feelings?

Draco
You're not supposed to love your best friend 

Mattheo
Says who?

Draco
The law, I don't know

Mattheo
You could have told me
I'm your best friend
You lied to me for years

Draco
I never meant to lie
It was the easiest way

Mattheo
She hurt herself, Draco

Draco
I know

Mattheo
Does that even mean anything to you?

Draco
no

Mattheo
You're just making this worse
I know you see me as your best friend, but I can't be your friend if you're going to act like this

Draco
Okay

Mattheo
Nothing to say?

Draco
No

Mattheo
I hope that you one day see what a mistake you made

Draco
Oh please
Protect your new girlfriend
It's not like you didn't hurt her

Mattheo
I did
And I apologised over again
Because I want her to trust me

Draco
You're a fuckboy riddle
What is it to trust?

Mattheo
You don't think I can change?

Draco
No I don't

Mattheo
I really don't care
Have a nice day Malfoy

Draco
You better be kidding me