Bruised

Chapter 12

It didn't take long for Stella to let go of Matthew. Tears were still in her eyes but she made an effort to wipe them away. Matt was never the type of friend who knew exactly what to say when a friend needed him, but he was certainly the type of friend who would stay and listen to everything if it was needed. "I feel like you don't cry very often" he ended up stating. "No" and the word came out as a whisper which made her repeat loudly just after "No. But I'm fine now" she said and a sad smile appeared on the girl's face.

Maybe he did best by not asking more questions, instead he decided to change the subject "Are you excited about London? I've never been there" he said smiling back at her. "It's one of my favorite places actually, I like the weather and everyone is always so polite. And my mom loves it there, I think she's even more happy than I am" and now he could see her eyes shining again.

"When are you going?" He asked mostly to keep the conversation going "End of the summer. What about you?". He looked around as too see that no one was there, there was actually no reason for him to feel embarassed, yet for some reason he always did that. "I actually applied for Berkeley, but I haven't received any answer yet, I won't get in, Nate made me do it, I always told him I wouldn't get it" he said and it was so weird to hear him said more than 5 or 6 words that Stella's smile widen. "You don't know yet!" She said slowly punching his arm. "Do I have a future doctor in front of me?" she almost laughed "You have a Matthew in front of you, nothing more than that. And don't punch me" and he felt quite impressed because he could swear she had a stronger fist than Nathaniel.

"You can actually throw a punch, I'm proud" he smirked "Maybe I'll teach you how to kick-box some day" and she looked right at him "I know how to fight you dumbass" and now she was the one with a smirk on her face as she started walking in a quick pace. "How can you even walk on those?" Matt looked at her black leather - way too high - heels. "How can't you?" She answered back.
"Why always so nice?!" He ended up saying in frustration. Stella slowed down the pace "I'll teach you someday" she laughed.

As they walked they saw a couple kissing in a corner, from far away the girl looked just like Amber which made him stare as they got closer. He wanted to look away but he just couldn't. Soon he realised it really wasn't her and he looked to the other side "What's with the ex-girlfriend?" Stella started "You just wouldn't stop looking, I figured you were looking for someone" she raised her hands in self-defense.

"You wouldn't get it" Matthew said but the truth was he couldn't get it either "Try me". He wasn't really sure whether he should or not talk, but he was too tired to find some excuse or to change the subject "People always think because I fight I don't have feelings, I'm always strong but you know, they couldn't be more wrong. She was such a big part of me; she was the best part of me. When I met Amber she was the most beautiful girl at kindergarten. And she grew up to be the most beautiful girl in town. She used to be amazingly kind as well, but she isn't anymore. I guess I never got used to that change.

And you know, she wasn't supposed to make me feel this way after all this time, but the other day, it all came back to me and every time I look into her eyes, the shine in her eyes is something I'll never be able to explain". He wasn't even looking at Stella anymore, he looked in the opposite direction feeling like he was trusting her his biggest secret "After we broke up, one day Nate went to pick up Christie from school and you know, she was the one who told me Amber had cheated on me" he stopped for a few seconds "And she got in the car and followed them, Christie was terrified and Nate had to speed up, she took a short cut and showed up right in front of them, Nate tried to avoid the accident but the car ended up overturning. Nate couldn't move and Christie was bleeding unconscious. I remember walking home and my neighbor asking me how was Nathaniel, but I knew nothing because I had been training and I never took my phone when I did it.

When he finally picked up I could hear the sobs. I only got two words – Chris. Hospital – and I rushed there. His was outside with his clothes dipped in blood and as I ran to him he started punching me and yelling at me. And even after I managed to pull him into a hug he kept on punching me. It broke me to see my best friend like that, it broke me more than anything, seeing that girl in the hospital, in a coma because she was my friend and told me the truth." Now he looked at her straight in her eyes "Apart from that day Nate never blamed me but I know it was obviously my fault. That's why he gets so mad every time Amber comes up in a conversation. His girlfriend nearly got killed because of her. I just don't understand how do I even like her in the first place"

"That girl really is no good" Stella finally spoke "And yeah you should obviously forget her, I mean there's no question about that, but I think you are still in love with a girl that no longer exists, maybe she changed so much she is a different person now"

Matthew looked away, he was still unsure if he should have told her everything but he felt so relieved he just hoped she really was trustworthy.

"And don't get me wrong, I'm happy you trusted me but why?" she suddenly spoke again "You're different, you seem like you have been through so much you can actually understand me"

She smiled at the sky, after all that time Matthew being so mean to her she could finally see he had changed his mind, the boy in front of her didn't see her as a rich spoiled girl but as a friend, she was looking straight at him now, and she could see it in his eyes.

They started walking back and now they talked about daily things, about small interests, the weather for the week. None of them were the definition of funny but her they were making jokes about everything and laughing loud in that beautiful night.

Stella told Matthew she could walk alone to her home but he didn't even answer her and kept walking next to her. It didn't take long for them to get to her building "You were the one that was supposed to talk tonight, and yet you only heard my story"

She had closed the gate already "I guess I'll just save mine for another day" she said in a low tone "I really appreciated the night, thanks" she said turning around.

"Lunch at Yorky tomorrow?" he said before she walked inside. She nodded and he left.

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Sorry it took me so long!!!!

This chapter is mostly a filler,  don't get mad at me!!

Yazmin