All The Lies You Tell - MATTHEO RIDDLE

Chapter 25

Life was good nowadays. It's an insane thing to think about. After the war I never imagined I would be... happy again. Happy. I like that word. The war broke me and recently the pieces have been slowly being placed back together. I'm starting to feel whole again and it's all because of Mattheo.

It's crazy. The one who helped start the thing that broke me is now the one fixing me. The irony doesn't escape me.

I feel like a completely different person. I feel like myself. I was always playing a role. I had to be perfect. Everyone around me was perfect. I couldn't be the odd one out. It feels good to not have any expectations to meet. Of course, the judgement is always there, but I've learned not to care anymore.

Life is so amazing. I'm worried that any minute now birds are going to fly through my window and start folding my clothes. Metaphorically, of course.

The day had just begun when I hear a knock at my dorm room door. It was only a little past eight so I was still cuddled in my bed. When it's the weekend I try not to get up before the sun has fully risen. Used to I would be up before the moon had disappeared, but I'm trying to get rid of stress in my life and relaxation helps. This is the new me.

I climb out of the sheets and sit down the book I was reading. I was wearing a pair of silk shorts and a loose T-shirt with our quidditch team logo. I rub my eyes before pulling the door open.

In front of me stands Mattheo in all his glory. He's leaned up against the door frame. He's wearing a pair of dark jeans with a white T and a black long sleeve underneath. A realization suddenly slaps me in the face. Now I get it. He wears the sleeves to cover the mark. He can't hide it like me because he has no magic. How come I never put this together? I of all people should've realized.

As soon as I open the door he struts into my room like he owns the place. He throws himself onto my bed with zero hesitation. He uses his hand to prop his head up.

"Morning.", he says with a sly grin.

"Hi", I say as more of a question.

"I have an idea."

"Uh oh."

He rolls his eyes. I walk over to the bed and plop down beside him.

"You wanna come with me to see Malea today?", he then asks me.

My eyes widen slightly. I mean I've met Malea before. Well, sort of. He's just never wanted to officially introduce me to her before. He goes to see her almost every other weekend. He really cares about her. I can tell. He'd be a great father one day. I pause my thoughts. Hermoine, what is wrong with you, my subconscious tells me. It's right. I should not be thinking about Mattheo as a father.

I would love to meet her, obviously.

"Are you sure?", I say.

He nods. "I want her to meet you."

I purse my lips to contain a smile. "Well if that's what you want."

"It is. I plan to go around this afternoon so you wanna go get breakfast?"

"Yes, I'm starving. Let me get changed first and I'll meet you down there."

"It's okay. I can wait for you right here.", he says with a cheeky expression.

I almost burst out laughing. I grab his arm and yank him up.

"Get out", I say with a smile.

He chuckles as I shove him out the doorway. He throws his arms up in defense. He continues to laugh until I'm mock-angrily slamming the door in his face.