𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜... | ᴍᴀᴛᴛʜᴇᴏ ʀɪᴅᴅʟᴇ |

24.

24. bruised 
• • • 

It's been fifteen days since the incident. I still felt like shit, and I still wanted to punch the mother fucker right in the mouth, that should shut him up. But I don't want any diseases on my hands. Would I get suspended or worse expelled? Would people then actually find out it was me in those photos? What if I break my hand trying to punch him? Does my thumb go inside or outside my fist? I could just slap him, but that's so mediocre, and clawing at him would make me feel like a psychotic cat. 

I had been talking to Zara a lot more, it felt more than we ever did. It wasn't only the photos we talked about, we shared life updates - for me not that many- and new gossip. I watched a musical every day, trying to boost my mood, and it slowly worked. My most recent musical was Matilda, I was in need of something comedic. 

Pandora had become more worried about me and why I kept postponing our little sister session. I was just too worried she'd find out, I was worried she'd look at me in disgust if she found out, and tell my dad. My life would go from shit in the loo to shit on the fucking walls. 

I was so grateful Van didn't know any of this was going on. But how was I going to explain this to him when I did talk to him? I couldn't lie to him for eternity. Besides, he was my first, and he's very attractive, and he just cares. Not about what I do but how I am. He didn't give two shits about what I am or who I like, but he cares about what I'm feeling. I wish he was here. 

Malfoy just isn't a pain in my ass anymore. I felt better now that I didn't have to worry about him exposing my family for being broken, I couldn't have dealt with that. Thank god he was too stupid and blinded by drama to realise my hesitance to post about Warren was for my own sake. But I'm done with that. I even gave back the account. But that password will still haunt me. 

Enzo. Oh god. Where to even start? I love him, I really do, but our friendship is next to impossible now. I just don't know if I need to suck it up, if we need to take a breather, or if we need to break it off completely. I don't want to lose him as a friend, he's too good for that, I'd miss him more than anything. I didn't know what to do. 

Warren can just suck my dick and go fuck himself. 

• • • 

Day sixteen: wallow in self-pity. No. No thanks, I've done that enough. Sleep? Again? No, I'll never wake up again. Find a new hobby than just sit on my bed watching musicals? Too difficult. Sort through my closet and find the best revenge clothes so that I can hurt that boy with not only physical violence but also make sure that he doesn't affect me. Even though he does, slightly. But he doesn't need to know that! He just needed to be sorry. 

For the first time in forever, or what seemed like forever, I dragged my lazy ass out of bed, took a shower and changed into something other than my pyjamas, putting my hair in two simple braids. It was Friday after classes, which either meant most students were studying in the library, stuffing their faces with food, or sleeping. 

Shoving my feet in some shoes, I calmly walked out my dorm, down the stairs, ignoring any stares from students who hadn't seen me for the past two weeks. Worst thing about Gryffindor tower? Stairs. I wish I was Hufflepuff so that I could be on ground level, and could sneak food whenever since it was right by the kitchen. Ugh, now I wish I was nicer to people and actually hard-working. 

"What are you doing outside of your natural habitat Snow?" I heard a snarky voice say as I walked down the corridor. I groaned, rolling my eyes as I turned on my heel to see Mattheo Riddle leaned up against the archway that led outside, a cigarette hanging out of his mouth. I hadn't missed him at all. "Where've you been all week?" I walked towards him for a reason, knowing I could just ignore him. 

"In my bed. Avoiding you," I replied, fake smiling. 

"Pity," he sighed, blowing smoke in my face. I coughed, fanning my hand in front of my face, wafting the fumes away. 

"Smoking's bad for you," I stated, crossing my arms. 

"Gee, thanks for that information I was not aware of. I had no idea," he scoffed, extending his arm as if he was offering me his half-used cigarette. I stared at it in disgust. "I'll take that as 'no'." 

"Unlike you," I snapped, "I like keeping my pink lungs pink." Riddle rolled his eyes, putting the roll back between his lips, shooing me away as if I was an annoying wasp. I scoffed, turning to march down the corridor again. I was building up my courage to actually face Warren. If I thought about it, Riddle was one hundred percent better than Warren, but he was also annoying as fuck. 

My preparation was cut short when I turned the corner, being faced with reality a lot quicker than I expected. There he was, walking with his eyes glued to his phone, in my direction. Trying to ignore my nerves, I clenched my hands into tight fists, willing my stubborn feet to move forward. This was a bad idea, a very bad idea, such a very very terrible bad idea. Just as I was about to turn around and run away, that bitch looked up from his phone. He first seemed very shocked but then an ugly ass smirk formed on his face. My nerves were jolting absolutely everywhere. 

"Come back for more?" Without any hesitation, my arm pulled back before swinging at him. I stood shocked, eyes wide, as he stumbled back, looking furious as he collected himself. "What the fuck?" He shouted and I wanted to turn and run again. Before I knew it, Warren grabbed my collar, spitting threats in my face, and then there was a loud crack. I fell down on my backside, my face throbbing and my head spinning. I reached my hand up to my face, checking it and flinching when I brushed against my nose, pulling my hand away quickly. Blood. That mother fucker. 

I whipped out my wand, shooting the first spell that came to my head at him. "Petrificus Totalus!" He toppled over, handing on the ground with a thump. I got up, walking over his hate burning my eyes. I knelt down to his motionless body. "Here's what's going to happen," I spat, "you're going to get rid of every photo you have of me, you're going to make people believe it never happened, and if you told anybody that it was me, erase their memories before I erase yours." 

I saw the hatred in his eyes as well, not wanting to agree with anything I said. "Before you protest, there's a lot I have on you. This school- this world would go from peace to chaos in a snap, hating on you, making your life a living hell. I want you to leave this school and never come back after. I want you gone. I want it so that it's like you never existed." I stepped back, surprised at myself but also proud, I never thought I'd have enough courage to do this. I raised my wand again, ready to send the last message. 

"Crus-" 

"Expelliarmus!" My wand flew out of my hand and I spun around, seeing Riddle with his raised wand at me. 

"Riddle-" I started, about to go off. He picked my hand up from the ground near him and pushed me aside. 

"We're talking about this later," he spat, passing me. He undid the spell I put on Warren and he scrambled to his feet. "Look, I don't really know who you are, and I don't give a fuck about who you are. But you seem like a boy who'd hurt others for shits and giggles. So get your sorry ass out of here before I make you." I raised my brows, kind of impressed as Warren skittered away pathetically. I was about to thank Riddle until he pulled me along with him aggressively, his grip tight on my wrist. 

I didn't know whether to be scared and concerned, or thankful. Probably both? He still smelt like smoke. Ugh, that was one thing that was for sure. 

• • • 
if i didn't split this chpt, it would've been low key long... 
and the next chpt wouldn't have that tension we all so love ehehehheh 
anyways 
i'm low key proud of how quick i wrote this chpt, like my last one took over 10 days... 
this took like 3 or smth :D 
also. bro. on friday. i absolutely spilled the BEANS for a whole ass 45 mins because i am  #strugglingwithlife 
anyways 
um 
i love mattheo 
thank you :D 
who was your first fictional crush? 
----> 

MWAH 
kisses and croissants 💋🥐 

ALSO DEH IS ON NETFLIX NOW. GO WATCH IT.