Leaving The Friendzone

Chapter 37

Elena Sergio.

I was acutely aware of the weight of Matthew's arm settled comfortably around my shoulders, and the warmth of his hard, sturdy chest as he pulled me close to him.

We were sharing a table like the rest of the class, only in this case behind, and watching the Othello classic that showed on the projector earlier set up by their literature teacher, Miss Dana.

"Don't tell me you're a romantic, Matt," I said, smiling up at him.

When he looked down at me, I could see a hint of laughter in his blue eyes.

He shrugged. "I like the Romeo and Juliet classic and I'm sort of enjoying this one, although that's kinda hard with you so close to me, I guess so. Yeah."

"Well, that's a plus," I chuckled, ignoring his snarky comment. "Because, you, my dear best friend, do not fit into the category of romantics."

Matthew cocked his eyebrows and smiled. "And why would you say that?"

"I've known you for eleven years, first off. Two, because, you're well . . . a hunk, you know, all 'imma beat yo ass up if you fuck wimme–ish', all . . . brawny," I said and laughed, then thought, hunks don't do romance.

"Shut up," Mathew said playfully before leaning down and placing a kiss on my shiny brown hair.

"You're taking the SAT right?" He asked, tracing a thumb up and down my shoulder lazily. "Okay wait, don't answer that, you already told me."

"Too late. Yep. You too? Oh wait, don't answer too, you already told me"

"Too late," he chuckled. "Betcha."

"I'm going to Jacksonville University. Hopefully, I'll get in once we graduate. What about you?" I decided to tell him my choice then.

"I'm looking at the University of Florida. Hey, that way, it'll be easier to see each other, don't you think?"

I smiled. "Yeah. That's great. So, what you wanna study?"

"Law," he stated.

I blinked. "Law? Ah, you like arguing, don't you? Of course, you do."

He laughed. "You don't have to put it that way."

With that, he moved his hand from my shoulder and gave my cheek a mild poke, "but you, milady, I'm willing to argue for, anytime, any day."

"Aw, there's the romantic, huh?" I said with a light blush. In my favor, the room was much too dim for him to notice.

"Anything for the lady," Matthew grinned. "You're gonna be there for the match next month right?"

"You mean the state match or the school's?" I asked.

"State. You know what, both. You'd be there, right?" he asked, looking down at me hopefully.

"Yeah, sure," I nodded. "Of course. Won't miss it."

He smiled. "Perfect. Honestly, the practice has been crazy. Coach is expecting so much."

"And you're getting nervous?"

"No. Not really. I'm just . . . what if we lose? It's unnerving thinking about it, you know."

"Absurd, you mean," I said then took his free hand in mine, "the team's gonna win, Matt. You just have to believe it. And besides, how can they lose when they have you in it. The best goalkeeper to ever grace the football field."

"Aw, you think so?" Matthew said, amused.

I decided not to be a tease this time so I said, "I watch you practice almost every day. I know so."