Boundless

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟕

Sebastian's outburst left me questioning how I would get through the year. After admitting I had attended that party in Oxford, I knew I was in for a barrage of questions from not only Sebastian but my friends as well.

Having lost my father before the summer I was given some leeway, but I doubted anyone would forgive the things I'd done this summer.

The morning after Mattheo knocked out Sebastian, Draco came to my room with an apology from Sebastian, who had spent the night in the infirmary.

I didn't care for the apology; words never had much effect on me. The distance I had put between Sebastian and myself had done more harm than good.

I sent Draco away with a message for Sebastian: I needed time to think. Draco, clearly not supportive of my decision, sighed and patted me on the back.

Draco was about the only one who understood what it was like to be without a father, though he seemed somewhat more at peace with his situation than I was with mine.

Needing a break, I grabbed a cigarette and headed to the Astronomy Tower for some fresh air, escaping the claustrophobia of my dorm.

As I sat lost in thought, I could feel the shift from summer to fall in the crisp afternoon breeze.

With only two months left of Ominis' stash and no plans for afterwards, my biggest concern was Sebastian's growing curiosity about my summer-it was really starting to irritate me.

Just as I thought about how no one seemed to respect privacy anymore, the last person I wanted to see showed up at my favorite spot.

"What are you doing up here?" I glared at Mattheo as he approached me expressionlessly. "Same as you," he shrugged, pulling a cigarette from behind his ear and sitting beside me, his legs dangling off the edge like mine.

I shook my head in disbelief; his presence was the last thing I needed. "Couldn't find anywhere else?" I asked, exhaling smoke and scanning the castle for other spots he could have chosen.

He watched the light glow on his cigarette before taking another drag. "Didn't know you owned the tower," he retorted smugly. I scoffed and tried to ignore him. If he wanted to sit and smoke, he could do just that.

"Can't you at least say thank you?" Mattheo broke the silence. I turned to him, eyebrows furrowed. "I didn't ask for your help, Riddle," I replied bluntly. True, if Sebastian had escalated things, I wasn't defenseless; I had my wand.

"You shouldn't let your boyfriend talk to you like that," he said, staring straight ahead, avoiding eye contact. My irritation with him deepened.

You know the saying about everything you touch turning to gold? For me and Mattheo, everything he said sparked fire.

I stood abruptly, crushing my cigarette underfoot as he did the same. "Don't act like you know Seb," I snapped. Mattheo laughed sarcastically and stepped closer.

"It doesn't take much to see he's a jerk," he stated flatly, which only increased my anger. "Takes one to know one," I shot back, but he just chuckled, flicking his cigarette away.

"That mouth is going to get you in trouble," Mattheo warned coldly. "I'll watch my back," I retorted, crossing my arms defensively.

"If you think Sebastian's going to stop pressing you about your summer, you better think of better excuses," Mattheo suggested indifferently.

I scoffed and glanced around before meeting his gaze again. "What happened this summer is nobody's business. I don't need to make excuses; everyone should just mind their own business."

Mattheo smirked at my response, clearly enjoying provoking me. "Just saying, gossip run's amuck here. I've heard at least three rumors about how my father lost his nose," he chuckled.

I nearly laughed; I had started one of those rumors with Enzo during a drunken night in the first week. We had concocted fake stories for every newcomer who joined us on the sofas at a party.

"Whatever they want, it's not my problem. My life isn't up for gossip," I declared firmly, irritated by his smugness.

"No one's life is, but people don't care," he shrugged, almost seeming genuine. "Just stay out of my life," I warned him, turning to walk down from the tower, needing another escape from reality.

I was surprised that Mattheo made a valid point for once; the rumors at school were burdensome. It seemed he didn't want me to end up in the same situation as him since his arrival.

Some people adored him, mainly for his looks, while others despised him, particularly the boys. Everyone had complex feelings about Mattheo, but mine were straightforward: I hated him, always have always will.