All The Lies You Tell - MATTHEO RIDDLE

Chapter 24

    "She really said that?"

"Mhm."

"Damn, I can't believe that."

"None of us did."

Mattheo puts his hand on my shoulder and gives it a little squeeze.

"She'll come around.", he reassures me.

"Thanks, I hope so.", I reply.

I just spent the better half of thirty minutes explaining in depth what happened yesterday with Liv. I left out the details of the others private information she shared and mine, of course. I wouldn't even know how to begin the conversation about my nightmares. Even Mattheo was surprised Liv had said what she said.

"And I don't blame Draco either, you know? Just because you were cheated on doesn't give you the right to act like that."

He only nods.

When I woke this morning Liv was gone. I mean, really gone. The majority of her stuff had been moved. Her closet was empty along with her drawers. I'm not sure where she is now. All I know is that my double has turned into a single. Not that I mind the extra space and privacy. I just wish it didn't have to happen this way. I didn't dwell on it long and left out for my usual morning coffee. That's where I ran into Mattheo. Ever since we've been sitting on a bench in the courtyard just chatting. The air is still foggy with the early morning dew.

My favorite moments with Mattheo are the ones where we don't do anything. Whether it's relaxing in each others rooms after classes or sitting on a piece of wood sipping coffee, they are the best moments. There's no pressure to be a certain person. I don't have to be the savior and he doesn't have to be a dangerous war criminal. We can just be Hermes and Matt. The joke makes me subtly smile. When I'm with him my life unravels for a moment. It's always so tangled.

"You got plans today?", he asks me.

"No, I don't think so. Why? You want to do something?"

He gives a cheeky smile. "Maybe. Are you offering?"

"No. I was asking if you were offering me."

"Possibly."

"Well then I can possibly hang out with you."

"Cool. I'll possibly meet you in my room in five minutes."

He gets up and starts to walk off.

"I'll possibly be there!", I call out to his retreating figure.

***

I did my best to make my way through the Slytherin common room undetected. Normally the students give me an evil glare the whole time. They don't like me too much, considering everything. I suppose I understand it. I don't like them too much either. I was also crossing my fingers I didn't run into Draco. I know I said I don't blame him for Liv and I don't, but I'm unsure if I'd be able to hold back my anger anyway. It's not his fault, but if he had never cheated none of that would've happened. Okay fine, maybe I do blame him just a tad.

Luckily, I make it to Mattheo's room unnoticed. I don't knock. I only grip the doorknob and walk in. I don't do that anymore. I remember when I would be afraid just to be within five feet of this door. Now I just walk in like the room is mine.

I take it all back. I should've knocked first. As soon as I throw the door open I see Mattheo standing near his dresser with his shirt off. His back is to me until he hears the sound of the door opening. He turns around with his bare chest on display. I think some drool just ran down my chin.

His body is toned and completely flawless. Not even one blemish coats his skin. I see the most unexpected thing. Mattheo has abs! A lot of them. Wait. Are abs all the little squares or are they the individual squares? I have no idea nor an interest in knowing. All I know is that I like it, a lot.