LES || matt sturniolo ( ✓ )

𝟎𝟒𝟕. i don't lie

CHAPTER 047 -
╰┈➤ ' i don't lie ' ೃ⁀➷ 
「 real life 」

─ real life ☼

MATT WAS STRETCHED OUT ON VIVIENNE'S BED, one arm tucked behind his head, the other casually scrolling through his phone. his sneakers were kicked off by the door, leaving his sock-covered feet dangling just off the edge of the mattress. the late afternoon sun spilled through the half-open blinds, casting warm, golden stripes across the room. the air smelled faintly of vanilla from the candle on her desk, the quiet hum of the house blending into the peaceful atmosphere.

vivienne sat cross-legged beside him, her laptop balanced on her thighs, though her eyes were hardly on the screen. she was supposed to be finishing an essay, but her focus kept drifting back to matt. the way his fingers tapped an idle rhythm against his chest, the faint crease of concentration between his brows, the relaxed rise and fall of his chest, it was all too easy to get distracted.

"you know," she teased, trying to sound more annoyed than she felt, "you could at least pretend to be bored while i finish this."

matt smirked, not looking up from his phone. "i am bored. but i'm also great at entertaining myself."

she rolled her eyes, biting back a smile. "you're impossible."

he finally looked up, his blue eyes catching the sunlight just right. "and yet, here i am. on your bed. again." his grin widened, teasing and self-assured. "you must like having me around or something."

her cheeks warmed, but she shrugged, feigning indifference. "eh, you're not the worst company."

matt let out a low chuckle, his eyes never leaving hers. "that's probably the nicest thing you've ever said to me."

"don't get used to it, sturniolo." she nudged his knee with her foot, but the smile tugging at her lips gave her away.

he caught her foot before she could pull it back, his fingers wrapping gently around her ankle. his touch was light, almost absentminded, but it sent a ripple of warmth through her. "oh, i plan to."

vivienne shook her head, trying to refocus on her laptop. but the warmth in her chest refused to fade, and the way matt's thumb traced soft circles against her ankle made concentrating on anything else feel impossible.

a comfortable silence settled between them, the kind that felt easy and familiar. matt's attention drifted back to his phone, and vivienne's fingers hovered over her keyboard. outside, the distant sound of birds and passing cars filled the air, blending with the low murmur of the house.

she finally gave up on her essay and closed her laptop with a sigh, leaning back against the headboard. "okay, i'm done pretending to be productive."

matt's eyes flicked back to her, his smile softening. "took you long enough."

"shut up," she muttered, but there was no real bite to her words.

he shifted, propping himself up on one elbow to face her. his gaze was steady, a little curious, and just him. "what's it about, anyway?" he nodded toward the closed laptop.

"just some essay for english," she replied, brushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "nothing interesting."

he raised an eyebrow, a teasing glint in his eyes. "everything you do is interesting."

she laughed, the sound light and genuine. "that's a bold lie, even for you."

matt shrugged, his smirk softening into something more sincere. "i don't lie."

her cheeks warmed again, and she looked away, suddenly fascinated by the texture of her blanket. his words were simple, but they held a weight she wasn't quite ready to unpack.

he reached over, his fingers brushing against hers. "hey."

she looked up, their eyes meeting. his hand slid over hers, his thumb gently stroking the back of her knuckles. "i like being here with you," he said quietly.

her heart fluttered, and she swallowed the sudden rush of emotion. "me too."

the air between them felt different now, warmer, charged with something that made her breath catch. he leaned in, his eyes searching hers, as if silently asking for permission. she gave the smallest nod, and he closed the space between them, pressing a quick, feather-light kiss to her lips.

it was over in a second, but it sent sparks dancing through her veins. when he pulled back, his eyes held that familiar cocky glint, but there was a softness there too, something vulnerable and real.

"you taste like mint," he teased, his voice low.

she laughed, her cheeks flushing. "you're ridiculous."

"you love it."

"maybe," she admitted, a shy smile playing at her lips.

he grinned, leaning back against the pillows. "see? i knew you liked having me around."

she shook her head, unable to hide her smile. "you're insufferable."

"and yet, you still let me stay."

before she could respond, they both heard footsteps approaching the door. matt's body tensed slightly, his fingers still laced with hers. they both turned toward the doorway just as rio walked past.

he didn't stop, but his gaze flicked to them, to matt's hand wrapped around hers, and his expression shifted. for a second, his eyes held something unreadable, but then, just before he disappeared from view, he gave a quick, almost imperceptible nod.

matt let out a slow breath, his grip on her hand loosening slightly. "did that just happen?"

vivienne's lips curled into a small, surprised smile. "i think so."

matt blinked, his surprise giving way to a grin. "so i guess that's progress."

she squeezed his hand, her heart feeling lighter than it had in weeks. "yeah. it is."

the quiet settled around them again, but this time, it was filled with a lightness, a sense of peace that neither of them wanted to break.

evie speaks
kind of a boring chapter but it's okay!!