Love Next-Door - A Matt Sturniolo Story

five 🛋

A few days went by of unpacking the living room and kitchen. We could've had it done in one, but every time Dani got busy with Chris, I just got busy with something else. They had hung out almost everyday since they met.
I had seen Nick a few times the past week, we went to the beach one day. Another we sat in the park with food from the grocery store. I was trying to draw but he wanted to talk to me about a guy he had met. I was kind of excited for him, and kind of mad he wouldn't let me draw.
I hadn't seen Matt much since our trip to I-Hop. I saw him when I stopped by their apartment to ask Nick if they had any batteries. Even then, all he did was wave to me. I wondered if he didn't have as much fun as I did.

When Dani and I had finally set up the living room and made it look nice, I texted Matt.

Caroline
you guys wanna come over for
movies and pizza?

Matt
fuck yeah, what time?

Caroline
30 minutes, however long you
guys need

Matt
we'll be there in 20, see you soon stranger

I smiled, then I ordered two pizzas, breadsticks, and wings. We probably didn't need that much, but I'd much rather have leftovers than someone still be hungry and I have nothing to give them.
The couch and loveseat were decorated with blankets and pillows. The coffee table was ready for food and drinks to be set on it, along with some side tables.
The only movies I had on hand were Wes Anderson movies and the Harry Potter box set, and I felt like the triplets might not like the limited options. I logged into Netflix, I let it sit there hoping one of them would know what to watch.

I walked quickly to my room, changing into something more comfortable. Some shorts, an oversized t-shirt, and some long fluffy socks. I heard knocking at the door, so I walked over and opened the door.
    Matt, Chris, and Nick stood behind the door. They were dressed in comfortable clothes. "Hey Chris, Dani is about to go pick up the pizza if you want to go with her." I said, hoping he'd take the bait. He smiled sheepishly before wandering off to Dani's room, soon enough they left together.

      Matt, Nick, and I began talking. Turns out Nick and I are both afraid of birds. Weird, right?
    Nicks phone began ringing, he looked at it and sighed before stepping out into the hallway.
    "What's that all about?" I asked Matt. He shrugged, staring at the door. "Not sure, I'll try to find out later tonight I guess." He said, waiting for his brother.
     "Hey, Matt?" I asked softly. "Yeah?" He asked back.
      "What are you doing tomorrow?" I asked, feeling more shy than before.
      "Nothing, why?" He said, confused.

   "Would you, maybe, want to go on a date with me?" I struggled, but asked quickly. I had been thinking about asking him, I didn't want to get stuck in the friend zone.
    He stared at me for a minute, he didn't say anything. I began panicking.
   "It's okay if you don't want to! Im cool with just being friends, it's just I really like talking to you and you're like really hot." I spewed out. I covered my hand with my mouth, eyes wide with horror.
    "Im sorry." I mumbled, hiding my face.

     "I wanted to ask you on a date." Matt said, I felt his fingers playing with a strand of my hair. "Really?" I asked quietly, lowering my hands and looking at him. "Really. You messed me up, I had a whole plan." He said rubbing my cheek with his thumb.
    "I take it back, now you go." I said quietly. "You've already ruined the surprise." He whispered. "Wait it's not fair, Im just impatient. Ask me!" I said, turning towards him on the couch.
    "Okay, Okay, I'll ask you later though." He said sticking out his pinkie. I grabbed it with my own. "You better." I laughed softly.
      Nick came back in, helping Chris and Dani bring in the food.
  
      We settled into the couch, each having a plate of our own, and a drink sitting on the coffee table. The L-shaped couch fit us nicely. Dani and I were sitting snug in the corner. Her legs were on top of Chris's legs. Nick sat beside Chris, he had his legs crossed under him.
    Matt was sitting next to me, his hand was resting on my knee. No one seemed to notice though. We began watching something Nick had picked out.
    "Caroline?" Matt whispered. "Yes?" I whispered back. "Can I lay my head in your lap?" He asked softly. I nodded, "Of course you can."
    He got comfortable, laying his head on my thigh, wrapping a hand around the other leg. Butterflies filled my stomach. I felt him getting comfortable, which surprisingly made me feel uncomfortable.

     Dani elbowed me. I turned to her, confused. "Oh my god Caroline!" I smiled and shrugged. A few minutes later, my fingers were playing with his hair.

     The movie ended, Matt was sleeping on my lap. Chris was sleeping against Dani's shoulder. Nick laughed at his brothers. "Want me to wake them up?" He asked, standing up and stretching.
     "No, it's okay, we'll send them home soon we promise." Dani said laughing a little.

    As Nick left, Dani woke up Chris. "Christopher, get off." She said shaking him. He sat up, crossed his arms, his eyes still closed, and said, "I'm sleeping."
    "You can sleep in your bed, or my bed. Just not on my arm." She said shaking her head. He got up and walked to Dani's room. She looked back at me smiling big before following him. I laughed at their actions.
    I played with Matt's hair a little longer. He groaned and looked up at me. "You're pretty." He mumbled. "Thank you sleepyhead." I whispered back to him. "Can I sleep with you tonight?" He asked, laying his head back down. "I think Nick expects you back home, and Chris and Dani just went in the other room so I doubt you want to stay here." I said, rubbing the side of his face.

    "I just wanna stay with you." He mumbled, his thumb was rubbing my thigh.