I'm not in love with you... Right?

Accidents

                            Matteo

     The moon fell on her beautiful face, her wide, innocent, silver-blue eyes seemed more silver, much like the moon she was under. The extremely detailed painting stared right back at me. I'd woken up because of a bad dream. One where I had hurt her, really bad, a dream I knew would come true, because it was like my second nature, hurting and breaking perfectly kind people. I stared at the serene painting and it calmed my nerves down, but guilt gnawed and clawed on my insides, at me. I was going to hurt her, and it was going to be intentional. The real reason I started fake dating her, I never really cared about Britney, she was just an excuse to get close to Daphne... Daphne. Fuck, I fell for her, hard and there was no going back up. I wished I had never created this stupid contract or agreed to that stupid bet I made with my friends, but at the same time, I was kind of happy I did and wished that it would never end.

                              ★★★

   I rushed downstairs with my bag, grabbed my lunch, and headed for my car. I drove over to her house and saw her waiting patiently with a brilliant smile on her pretty face, the prettiest face ever.
    She stepped into the car and said

“I have good news! Drum roll pleeeeeeeeeaaaseeee! ”

   I play along and beat the dashboard of the car while making a drumming sound with my mouth.

“ Mr. Williams agreed! ”

“ Really?! ”

“ Yeah! But... ”

“ Dang it ”

“ He wants to meet you. At dinner. Tonight ”

“ Ah! Dang it!!! ”

“ I'm not good with old people. I come off as disrespectful ”

“ That's cuz you are ” she scoffed then chuckled “ He's not even that old, besides, what's wrong with being around them? ”

“ I don't know I just fidget ”

“ See, my vocabulary classes are working ”

“ How dumb do you think I am ?! ”

“ Very, ” she said giggling. I pretended to be offended and said.

“ Quiet Nerd, huh? Mischievous girl, you've become so naughty ”

“ No, I haven't ”

“ Yes, you have. I'm not talking to you anymore, I'm not your friend. I hate you, ” I said even though it was quite the opposite.

“ Love you! ” she replied innocently and my hands stiffened on the steering. My heartbeat quickened at those words and I held my breath. I couldn't move. I was... Nervous? With my leg still on the accelerator pedal, my eyes widened, but not really paying close enough attention to the road and the steering wheel in its own control, the car screeched as it veered off course and bashed into a hot pink Ferrari. Fuck.

“ Duck! ” I yelled to Daphne as shards of glass from the windows and windshield shattered and burst into the car, but she just sat there, horrified, as a distant memory replayed in her mind.

“ Well, that's how my real parents died. My real dad was my current dad's brother, his only sibling. That's why it was so easy to find a child that looked like them. And they only infused my mom's genes. It seemed unimportant, so I didn't mention it, not when I still remembered my real parents and the time I spent with them, it seemed a tad bit too personal, but I've grown to like sharing stuff with you ”. Ahh...

   Then I did something I probably wouldn't have done for anyone else. I got up and shielded her with my body. Her eyes danced around in fear as my blood soaked through my clothes, dripping onto the car... Or at least the remainder of it.

“ Matt... MATTEO! MATTEO NOOO!!! NOT AGAIN. IT'S NOT FAIR, NOT YOU TOO! Not you too. HEEEEEEEELLLLLP. SOMEONE HELP US! SOMEBODY HELP! ”

“ It's... okay, Paper. A few... Splinters... Won't hurt me. I-It was my fault... Anyway ” I tried to joke, but it wasn't just a few splinters. A large chunk of it fell on my head, causing a lot of blood to rush out, I had a broken nose with a nasty nosebleed, not to mention the large cuts on my back, but I didn't care. She was safe, and that's all that mattered. I felt myself slowly lose consciousness, drifting off into the darkness that felt oddly comfortable. I needed to see her precious face one last time, so I looked up to see her silver-blue eyes glittered with her beautiful tears. With the last of my strength I pushed back a loose strand of her beautiful blonde hair behind her ear, leaving my hand resting on her cheek. I looked into those eyes. She really was the death of me... Who would've thought? Of all the people to fall for, a clueless nerd. But I wasn't complaining, I was quite okay with it.

“ Say it again, ” I said. She stared at me confused, before her face morphed into realization, understanding. She held my cheek too, looked into my eyes and said

“ I love you, Matteo ” and even though I was on the verge of death, those butterflies in my tummy, still found a way to flutter. Those words meant everything to me as I passed out, feeling her lips on my bloody forehead and hearing sirens from ambulances.