Matt

Chapter 4- The Family

"Matt, you're going to move in with me!"

It took me a moment to let her words sink in. I think that part of me understood what she said quite clearly, but the other part of me wanted...no needed to believe that I had only misheard her. So, like an idiot, I said "What?"

"You heard me! You should move in with me. It's obvious that no one else can really help you, and you can't really afford your own place. I have a guest room you can stay in at my place. That way you won't have to get a job which would interfere with club activities. It'll be perfect!"

While your logic in the last statement was sound enough, you're forgetting a few crucial factors. I'll illustrate them right now...

Factor One: I'd be living with you. Do you have any idea how stressful it is dealing with you for as many hours a week as I do? I need a break from you every once in a while. It bad enough that I'm around you every school day, not to mention on most weekends too.

Factor Two: I'm a boy. You're a girl...Okay? I really don't want to go into details about this one. Call me old-fashioned, but I just don't think it's right for people of opposite sexes to live under the same roof if they're not married or seriously dating.

Factor Three: Remember that it's not your house. I'm pretty damn sure that your parents are going to say something about me living there. In fact, now that I think about it, do I even want to meet your parents? Anyone that could raise a person like you...I need to stop...the thought is too scary...

Factor Four: I'll be living with YOU! I know I said this already, but I can not state it enough.

"Don't worry about my parents. I'm sure I'll be able to talk them into letting you stay for a while." Serena said.

Obviously, once again, you refused to listen. I stated three other factors...well, technically two, but never mind that!

"It's settled then! You're going home right now to get your things ready while I get my place ready. I'll be over at two. You better be ready!"

And just like that, I've been bullied once again into doing something I didn't want to do. I mean, sure, a lot of guys would jump at the idea of living with an attractive girl. They read those stupid manga of two strangers living under one roof, having crazy things happen to them before finally falling in love. But this is reality, and those kinds of things never happen. Besides, I'm sure her parents will say no anyway, and we'll be done with it.

Before leaving, Serena had one more thing to say. "Matt, since you're not leaving after all, you have to return all of the gifts everyone gave you. It's only fair that way."

Since when were you the judge of what's fair? I looked at Alex, Clara, and Alexis. They all insisted that I keep their gifts. Serena, on the other hand...

"I want that armband back!"

"Do I really have to? I kind of like it."

"Yes! My original plan was to have to use it to advertise at your new school so you could create a new branch of the club there."

Yeah, right. Like that was ever going to happen...

"But since you're not going anywhere, there's no need for you to have an armband. We already know where you stand!"

Even tho I don't really need it, I still liked having the armband even if I'll never admit it. I stood my ground and said I really don't want to give my armband back.

Serena stared at me with narrowed eyes for about half a minute before sighing loudly.

"Fine, keep it. But you have to wear it whenever I order you too!"