For The Sake of Science

Chapter 9: It's Always Baseball, Popcorn, And Ice Cream

Emily entered the cafeteria and could feel the tension. Salem sat in his usual spot, Piper signing to him from across the round table. His eyes following hers as she crossed the room.

Matt however, sat on the exact opposite side, he'd gone out of his way to sit alone at the end of a crowded table. Leaving three spiteful seats distance from one of the other deaf guys Salem had been playing uno with the night before.

She quickly avoided a choice, gravitating toward the lunch line first. It was absolutely ridiculous how the boys were fueding. Making her choose like some medieval stand off. She grabbed a bowl of cereal and an orange juice, then sighed.

She'd have half a mind to just sit with Mara again. But she needed to rip the bandaid off.

Her feet carried her across the room, setting her tray down with a thud.

Matt didn't look up right away. He just traced the rim of his juice cup with his thumb, eyes fixed on something distant.

She waited.

Then, finally—

"I didn't think you'd sit with me," he murmured.

She glanced at him. "Why wouldn't I?"

He gave a tired smile. "Felt like you made your choice last night."

Emily's heart caught. "Matt..."

"I'm not mad," he added quickly. "Just... felt different. That's all."

She didn't know what to say to that. So she reached for her muffin, picking at the corner of the wrapper.

A quiet beat passed between them.

"You know," he said, his voice gentler now, "I used to be able to read your moods like a book."

She looked at him, curious.

"But lately..." he shrugged, "It's like someone rewrote a few chapters and didn't tell me."

"I'm right here," She said. "It's Just us. Talking." Emily reached out resting a steady hand on his arm.

"You're my best friend, you know that, right?"

Emily watched him. His voice was too gentle, too still.

"Of course I do."

"No, like... since first grade." He met her eyes. "Since you told me you wanted to start a turtle rescue and name them after characters from The Little Mermaid."

She laughed—quiet and choked. "I forgot about that."

"I didn't. Apparently one of the mermaids signed, and you were absolutely obsessed." He nudged her knee with his. "I remember everything. You're the only person who's ever made me feel like I wasn't on the outside of everything."

Her chest ached.

"You're sensitive. silly. Sometimes really, really naive," he added with a smile. "But you've always known how to love people without asking for anything back."

"Matt..."

"I just—" He sighed. "I know you trust people easily. And this place? It's... it's not the kind of place you get to be soft for very long."

She swallowed.

"That's why you have to trust Salem."

Emily blinked. "What?"

He looked serious now. "He's... weird. And too calm. And probably lowkey in love with you–but I think he actually cares what happens to you."

She didn't know how to respond to that.