LES || matt sturniolo

𝟎𝟑𝟖. everything was different

CHAPTER 038 -
╰┈➤ ' everything was different ' ೃ⁀➷ 
「 real life 」

─ real life ☾

THEY'D DRIVEN OUT TO THE EDGE OF TOWN, to their spot, a secluded hill that overlooked the town, where the city lights glowed faintly in the distance. it was quiet, with only the sound of the wind rustling through the trees, and it felt like the world had shrunk down to just the two of them. matt and vivienne sat on the hood of his minivan, shoulder to shoulder, the silence between them comfortable and easy. he had his arm around her, holding her close as she leaned into him, wrapped up in his jacket that was just a little too big on her.

they'd spent nights like this before, just the two of them talking about anything and everything, or sometimes not talking at all. but tonight felt different, heavier somehow. matt had been stealing glances at her, almost like he had something on his mind but couldn't quite find the words. vivienne was relaxed beside him, gazing up at the stars, but she could feel the way he shifted now and then, almost nervously, like he was working up to something.

finally, matt broke the silence with a chuckle, his voice low. "you know, i've been thinking..."

she looked up at him, a smile tugging at her lips. "that sounds dangerous."

he rolled his eyes, smirking as he nudged her gently. "don't make it harder than it already is, all right?" his tone was playful, but there was a hint of hesitation, something she didn't see from him often. he looked out over the town, the cocky edge in his expression softening a bit as he spoke. "i guess i've just been thinking about us."

vivienne raised an eyebrow, curiosity sparking in her eyes. "oh yeah? what about us?"

he scratched the back of his neck, his usual confidence faltering as he let out a breath. "look, i know i'm not exactly, you know... boyfriend material. i'm not the guy who's gonna write you poems or whatever." he paused, glancing over at her with a small, almost shy smile. "but i want to do this right. i want to make it real."

she felt her heart flutter, warmth spreading through her chest. "are you saying you want to ask me out, matt?"

"yeah," he replied, the word soft but sure. "like, actually ask you out. officially." he took a deep breath, as if gathering himself, then turned to face her fully, his gaze steady and sincere. "vivienne thorn, will you go out with me? no more games, no more sneaking around. just... us."

the way he said it, with that mixture of nervousness and the rare glimpse of vulnerability, melted something in her. he wasn't hiding behind his usual personality, wasn't throwing in some sarcastic line to deflect. this was matt, raw and real, and it made her heart race in a way she hadn't felt before.

she couldn't help the grin that broke across her face, and she squeezed his hand, leaning into him a little more. "wow, look at you. being all straightforward and sweet. who are you, and what have you done with matt?"

he laughed, a genuine, unguarded sound, and shook his head. "don't get used to it," he warned, though his eyes were filled with warmth. "i just... figured you're worth it. figured i'd try not to mess this up for once."

she softened, her fingers still intertwined with his as she looked up at him. "so, what would you do if i said yes?"

his face lit up, a grin spreading across his lips as he pulled her closer. "i'd probably do this." with that, he lifted her off the hood of the car, spinning her around in the night air, her laughter mixing with his as he held her tight. "guess that means you're officially my girl now," he teased, setting her down but not letting go, his hands resting on her waist. "i always knew you'd fall for me."

she rolled her eyes, trying to suppress her smile. "you're impossible."

"and you love it," he said, his voice dropping to a soft, almost cocky murmur. "don't even try to deny it."

she shook her head, laughing, but her gaze softened as she looked at him. "yeah, maybe i do."

the smirk on his face faded, replaced by something gentler, and he leaned down, his forehead resting against hers as he whispered, "good. because i don't think i'm going anywhere."

before she could respond, his lips met hers, slow and tender, like he was savoring the moment. it was different from the way he usually kissed her, less hurried, more intentional, like he was putting all of himself into that one simple touch. when they finally pulled back, matt's expression was softer than she'd ever seen, his thumb brushing over her cheek as he held her close.

"i mean it," he murmured, his voice almost a whisper. "i don't wanna mess this up. not with you."

she reached up, running her fingers through his hair, her own voice barely louder than his. "you won't, matt. i know you won't."

for a moment, they just stood there, wrapped up in each other, the world around them fading into the background. she knew people would talk, that rumors would spread now that they were official, but standing there with him, none of that seemed to matter.

"guess this means i'm off the market," he said with a mock sigh, the playful glint back in his eyes. "hope you realize what you've gotten yourself into, thorn."

she smirked, crossing her arms and tilting her head. "oh, i think i know exactly what i'm getting myself into, sturniolo."

he grinned, wrapping an arm around her and pulling her close. "good. 'cause i don't plan on letting you go anytime soon."

they spent the rest of the night just like that, talking and laughing, sharing stories and secrets under the stars. and as the hours slipped away, matt found himself opening up to her in ways he never had with anyone else, feeling a sense of peace he'd never known before. he'd always been the tough one, the guy who didn't care about anyone's opinion, but with vivienne, everything was different. she made him want to be better, to be someone worth her time.

evie speaks
THE MOMENT WE'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR