HIDDEN REFLECTIONS

TWENTY-ONE

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

I feel relieved that our friends are coming back today, even if that means Theodore will be back as well. The first few days without them were great. I thought that me and Mattheo got along fine without them during these days— that Theodore and our friends were what caused a rift between me and Mattheo; that they were the core to our problems. But ever since the party on Christmas Day, I realized that wasn't true.

❝Come on, babe,❞ Mattheo urged, pulling me closer as he wanted us to dance together. Last Christmas played loudly in the background.

I shook my head gently, mustering a tight smile. ❝I'm sorry, but I don't feel too well. You go ahead and dance without me,❞ I told him.

He gazed at me, his mouth poised to respond. Then, he seemed to reconsider and simply nodded, his eyes flickering with an indescribable emotion.

The next thing I knew, Mattheo was on the dance floor, swaying to the music with Aurora.

A girl I vaguely recognized as one of Aurora's friends sat down next to me in the sofa. Unlike some of her other friends who would often give me hostile looks in the hallway or during lunch, she seemed kinder. Following my gaze, she let out a sigh.

❝Does it feel weird?❞ she asked, her curiosity evident.

I looked at her, baffled. ❝What do you mean?❞

❝That they used to sleep together and now are bestfriends?❞ she clarified, her words hanging in the air.

Her words washed over me, causing my thoughts to drift away as I watched them on the dance floor. Mattheo's movements showed no indication of any hidden intentions. Deep down, I already knew that he had no romantic interest in Aurora, or at least not in that way.

❝Really? He said that?❞ I asked, seeking confirmation.

She shook her head, her expression solemn. ❝No, and Aurora could be lying. All I know is that she persistently expressed her desire to sleep with him. She made multiple attempts to have sex with him.❞

Another wave of nausea washed over me, intensifying the pounding of my heart in my chest. As I observed him laughing, our eyes met, and it felt as if he was intentionally provoking me. When he winked at me, it confirmed my theory.

I stood up from my seat, feeling overwhelmed by my thoughts, and began to walk away, telling the girl I had been talking to that I was too tired to stay.

Eventually, Mattheo caught up to me, his hand gripping my wrist as the door to the common room fell shut behind us.

❝What's wrong, baby?❞ his voice tinged with the scent of alcohol and cigarette smoke.

A frown formed on my face. ❝Did you used to sleep with Aurora?❞

He let out a laugh. ❝That's ridiculous! Who said that? I was only dancing with her to make you a bit jealous, and now you're assuming I have slept with her in the past?❞ his tone grew more agitated.

❝Jealous? So, you actually enjoy intentionally making me jealous with other girls?❞ I retorted, my anger starting to rise.

He rolled his eyes dismissively. ❝Well, a little jealousy is necessary in relationships,❞ he replied, seemingly regarding me as naïve.