LES || matt sturniolo ( ✓ )

𝟎𝟒𝟎. be careful

CHAPTER 040 -
╰┈➤ ' be careful ' ೃ⁀➷
「 real life 」

─ real life ☼

VIVIENNE FELT A SENSE OF CONTENTMENT SHE HADN'T EXPERIENCED IN A LONG TIME. the kind that settles deep in your bones and makes the world feel a little bit brighter. ever since she and matt had made things official, the dynamic between them had shifted in subtle but significant ways. sure, they still bickered playfully and threw around sarcastic comments, but there was a softness to matt now, an unspoken understanding that lingered in every shared glance and gentle touch.

they had spent most of the morning at his place, curled up on the couch in the living room. the sturniolo house, usually filled with the loud energy of chris and nick, was oddly quiet, giving the two of them a rare moment of peace. vivienne loved moments like these, just the two of them, without the chaos of friends or the judgmental whispers from their classmates.

she rested her head against matt's shoulder, feeling the steady rise and fall of his chest as he absentmindedly stroked her hair. the simple gesture made her heart swell, a reminder of how far they had come. it was still new, this relationship of theirs, but it felt right. like it was meant to be.

"you know," matt started, his voice a low rumble that vibrated through her. "if i had known this is what being your boyfriend would be like, i would've asked you out a lot sooner."

vivienne laughed, lifting her head to look at him. "oh yeah? what stopped you?"

matt grinned, that familiar cocky smile that made her heart skip a beat. "maybe i wanted to keep you on your toes."

she rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her smile. "always so full of yourself, matt."

"only when i'm around you," he shot back, leaning down to press a kiss to her forehead. the gesture was sweet, uncharacteristically tender for him, and it made her chest feel tight in the best way.

they eventually decided to leave the house, taking a slow walk through the park nearby. vivienne loved days like this, where they could just be together without any pressure, without anyone else's opinions weighing on them. she squeezed his hand as they strolled down the path, watching the sunlight dance through the leaves overhead.

"i still can't believe we're actually doing this," she said quietly, almost as if speaking the words out loud might shatter the fragile bubble of happiness surrounding them.

matt glanced down at her, a curious look in his eyes. "what do you mean?"

vivienne shrugged, biting her lip. "just... us. it feels surreal sometimes. like i'm dreaming."

"then i guess we're both dreaming," matt replied, his voice softer than she'd ever heard it. "because i feel the same way."

her heart squeezed at his words. he had this way of surprising her, showing her glimpses of a side that most people didn't get to see. the cocky, confident matt sterno that everyone knew was still there, but with her, he let down his walls just enough for her to see the person beneath the bravado. and that person? she was falling hard for him.

they found a secluded spot by the lake, and matt pulled her down to sit between his legs, her back resting against his chest. she could feel the warmth of his body seeping into hers, the steady rhythm of his breathing calming her in a way nothing else could. she felt like she could stay here forever, wrapped up in his arms with the sound of the water lapping gently against the shore.

vivienne let out a content sigh, leaning her head back against his shoulder. "how are you feeling about everything?"

matt was quiet for a moment, his chin resting on top of her head. "honestly? i'm just glad we're here together. nothing else matters when i'm with you."

vivienne turned slightly, just enough to catch a glimpse of his face. the sincerity in his eyes made her breath catch. "matt..."

he tilted her chin up, brushing his thumb across her cheek. "what? you don't believe me?"

"it's not that," she whispered, feeling her eyes burn with unshed tears. she blinked them back, smiling up at him. "it's just... i never thought you'd be the one saying things like that to me."

"hey, i'm full of surprises," he teased, but his smile softened as he leaned in to kiss her.

they stayed like that for a while, wrapped up in each other and the quiet stillness of the park. it felt like the rest of the world had faded away, leaving just the two of them. but that peace was shattered by the sound of footsteps approaching, and vivienne reluctantly pulled away to see who it was.

her heart sank when she spotted madeline standing a few feet away, her expression a mix of shock and something else, disbelief, maybe.

"oh," madeline said, her voice sharper than usual. "i didn't expect to see you two here."

vivienne's stomach twisted. she knew madeline hadn't been thrilled about her and matt getting together, the tension between them had only gotten worse since the relationship became public. she forced a smile, trying to keep her voice light. "hey, madeline."

matt's grip on her waist tightened slightly, as if he could sense her discomfort. "we were just hanging out," he said, his tone casual but edged with a warning. "what are you doing out here?"

madeline shrugged, her gaze flicking between them. "just taking a walk. didn't realize you two were so... close."

vivienne felt heat creep up her neck, but she held her ground. "we're dating, madeline. it's not exactly a secret."

"yeah, i noticed," madeline said with a tight smile. she looked at matt, her expression hardening. "just be careful, okay? both of you."

before either of them could respond, madeline turned and walked away, leaving an awkward silence in her wake. vivienne let out a shaky breath, feeling the tension ease as she leaned back against matt.

"she'll come around," matt murmured, pressing a kiss to her temple. "and if she doesn't? who cares?"

vivienne laughed, the sound a little wobbly. "you're right. i don't care what she thinks."

"good," matt said, wrapping his arms tighter around her. "because i'm not going anywhere."

they spent the rest of the afternoon together, talking and laughing as the sun dipped lower in the sky. it was moments like these, quiet, intimate, filled with shared smiles and soft touches, that made vivienne realize just how deeply she cared for him. it wasn't just infatuation or a passing crush. it was something real, something lasting.

evie speaks
you know somethings gonna happen when madeline is mentioned...