Beneath His Cold Charm

33

Heartbeats on the Dance Floor

★★★

Friday night arrived with a burst of excitement at the high school, as the much-anticipated school party drew students from every corner of the building. The cafeteria had been transformed with twinkling lights and decorations, turning the usually mundane space into a lively dance floor. Music blared from the speakers, and laughter echoed off the walls as students filled the room, eager to escape the stresses of exams and everyday life.

Zoey, Emely, Chris, Nick, and Matt arrived together, the dynamic between them both relaxed and electric after their recent sleepover. Zoey couldn't help but feel a buzz of anticipation in the air, but she also knew this party could potentially shift things with Matt—again.

Emely, as always, looked effortlessly stunning, her vibrant personality shining through in the way she carried herself. Chris was close by her side, shooting jokes and flashing his contagious grin, while Nick played it cool, his usual laid-back demeanor masking the playful energy he brought to every situation.

As for Matt, he remained his quiet, aloof self, standing just slightly apart from the group, his hands shoved into his pockets. But there was something about the way his eyes lingered on Zoey that made her heart race every time she caught him looking her way. The softness he'd shown at the sleepover wasn't gone, but it was hidden beneath his cool exterior.

"I can't believe we're finally free from exams!" Emely cheered, nudging Zoey with her elbow as they walked inside. "Time to let loose!"

Zoey smiled

"I hope you're ready to dance," Chris teased, looking between Emely and Zoey. "No excuses tonight!"

Emely laughed, already pulling Zoey towards the dance floor. "Come on! We need to show these boys how it's done!"

Zoey let herself be dragged into the crowd, the music pounding in her chest as they danced together, their laughter mingling with the cheers of other students. For a brief moment, she managed to forget about the pressure at home, the confusion with Matt, and the weight of everything she had been carrying. Here, under the flashing lights and surrounded by friends, she felt free.

But as the night wore on, Zoey found herself retreating to the edge of the room, needing a breather. She grabbed a cup of punch and leaned against the wall, watching as Emely and Chris twirled on the dance floor, clearly lost in their own world.

Nick sidled up next to her, his usual easygoing smirk in place. "What's up, Zoey? You look like you've got something on your mind."

She gave him a sideways glance, then sighed. "Just... matt. You know how it is."

Nick nodded, his expression more serious now. "Yeah, I get it."

Zoey looked down at her cup, swirling the punch around. "It's just hard." She hesitated, feeling the urge to say more but holding back.

"You don't have to say it, I get it" Nick said, his voice calm. 

Zoey smiled gratefully at him. 

Before Nick could speak again, a voice interrupted them. "You two look like you're plotting something."

Matt stood a few feet away, his hands still tucked into his pockets, but there was a hint of playfulness in his tone.

Zoey rolled her eyes, feeling her heart skip a beat at his presence. "We're not plotting anything. Just talking."

Matt raised an eyebrow, his eyes flicking to Nick before landing back on Zoey. "Mind if I steal Zoey for a minute?"

Nick shrugged, giving Zoey a knowing look. "Go ahead. I'm gonna grab more punch anyway."

Once Nick disappeared into the crowd, Matt stepped closer, his gaze searching Zoey's face. "You okay?"

Zoey blinked, surprised by the concern in his voice. "Yeah, I'm fine. Why?"

Matt shrugged, his usual nonchalant mask slipping for a moment. "Just checking."

Zoey hesitated, unsure if she wanted to dive into her feelings right now, especially with Matt. But there was something about the way he was looking at her—genuine, unguarded—that made her want to be honest.

"It's just been a lot," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's been a month since My mother divorce my dad."

Matt's jaw tightened at the mention of her father, and for a moment, Zoey thought he might say something, but he stayed quiet.

"And then there's... us," she added, her heart pounding in her chest.

Matt's eyes snapped back to hers, and the tension between them crackled in the air. "What about us?"

Zoey swallowed hard, trying to find the right words. "I don't know. Things have been so weird lately"

Matt sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah. It's been confusing for me too."

Zoey's heart raced at his admission, and for a moment, she felt a flicker of hope. "So what do we do?"

Matt was silent for a long moment, his eyes locked on hers. "I don't know, Zoey. I'm not good at these... stuff and I don't wanna mess things up"

Zoey stared at him, her heart in her throat. Was this really happening? Was Matt finally opening up to her?

Before she could respond, a loud cheer erupted from the dance floor, pulling their attention back to the crowd. Emely and Chris were at the center of it, clearly winning over the room with their dance moves.

"Looks like they're having fun," Matt commented, his tone lighter now.

Zoey nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Yeah. They're cute together."

Matt glanced at her, his eyes softening. "Yeah, they are."

They stood in silence for a moment, watching their friends, and for the first time in a long time, Zoey felt like maybe things between her and Matt were starting to make sense.

★★★