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The next morning, Matilda was roused from her sleep by the sound of Mattheo muttering anxiously. His whispering was muffled but urgent. "Shit, shit, shit," he kept repeating, his fingers absently running through Matilda's ponytail.
Still groggy, Matilda blinked her eyes open. She sat up slowly, causing Mattheo to startle and quickly withdraw his hand from her hair.
Confused and disoriented, Matilda looked around, trying to piece together her surroundings. The library's towering bookshelves and the soft morning light filtering through the windows reminded her of where she was. The events of the previous night came rushing back: the detention, the unexpected company, and the cozy slumber on the library floor.
Mattheo, noticing her awakening, cleared his throat awkwardly. "Morning," he said, trying to sound nonchalant as he slowly moved his hand away from her hair.
Matilda rubbed her eyes and straightened up, her back pressing against the bookcase. She glanced at Mattheo, her expression a mix of confusion and curiosity. "Hey," she responded quietly, her voice still thick with sleep.
An uncomfortable silence settled between them. The remnants of their unexpected night together hung in the air, making the moment feel oddly intimate and awkward.
Matilda's mind raced as she processed her emotions. She wasn't quite sure how to react to the situation. The memory of their shared space, the warmth of Mattheo's jumper, and the gentle touch of his hand all felt surreal.
After a few moments of strained silence, Matilda cleared her throat and decided to break the awkwardness. "I, um, need to go," she said softly. "I've got to get ready for the day."
Without waiting for a response, she pushed herself up and began to gather her things. As she headed towards the library door, she stole one last glance at Mattheo. He looked somewhat relieved but also unsure of what to say.
As she slipped out into the corridor, Matilda's mind was a whirl of conflicting feelings. She was relieved to be away from the tension but also curious about what had just transpired. Her footsteps echoed softly as she walked away, leaving Mattheo alone among the stacks of books, the library now a quiet witness to their unexpected night together.
The remainder of the day dawned with a chilly haze that seemed to mirror Matilda's mood. She was supposed to tutor Mattheo Riddle that day, but the cold she'd caught had her feeling miserable and bedridden. Groaning beneath her blankets, she decided to postpone their session until Monday, hoping she would feel better by then.
