Boy // Matt x Mello // Boyxboy

Chapter 3

"Mello, hey, are you listening?" C waved a hand in front of my face, eyebrows furrowed in worry. I startled back to awareness, realizing I'd tuned him out.

"Yeah, yeah. Exponential something. Go on," I said impassively.

"Is something wrong?"

There it was again. Those same words exactly, and I couldn't help but cringe. I stood up quickly, grabbing my bag.

"No, I just need to think. I'll see you later, 'kay?" I didn't wait for a reply, shoving out the door before I was caught skipping, even if it was only study hall.

Before I knew it, my legs dragged me back to my spot, looking the same as ever. I went farther, though. A tree sat a couple yards down, and I dumped my bag in the grass and sat gingerly beneath it.

It felt like old times, leaning back and watching the clouds again. Peaceful. I felt myself drift off, away from my problems-

I jerked abruptly, flinging my head back into the trunk of the tree as the bell sounded for the beginning of lunch. I cursed, rubbing the spot, and sat up so I didn't put any pressure on it.

A figure caught my eye in the distance. It was Matt strolling around the corner of the building, cigarette already burning strong. He didn't hesitate to walk my way, and my gaze fell back to the dirt.

He said nothing, sitting mere feet away. A couple minutes passed in silence before he decided he was bored with his cancer stick and tossed it out with one last drag.

"Last night was the first time I saw my parents in about three months."

His voice startled me, forcing me to look at him. The small smile he offered was so fake it must have been painful.

"They're always off doing something for the business. They say it'll get better once they can spread worldwide, but I don't think they're having much luck. And when they are around, all they talk about is work, and how I would make a great boss one day. Ya know, they never actually asked me what I wanted. Even when I was little and all the teachers asked me what I wanted to be, I'd reply 'I'm gonna own my daddy's business.' And I actually thought that for most of my life. I didn't think there was any other option, but-"

"What's the point of this?" I cut in impatiently, getting sick of the depressing childhood sob stories.

He sighed. "The point is that we're both going through some fucked up shit. I know I'm a dumbass, and I said some stupid things, and so did you."

"You are a dumbass." I smiled to myself, still not looking at him. "But you're right. I kinda jumped at your throat. It's a very me thing to do, and it probably won't be the last time. Sorry in advance. To conclude, let's agree not say stupid things."

He nudged my hand with his and took it, and it was sorta clammy and his grip was too tight, but I didn't pull away this time.

"We'll figure this out," he assured.

Finally I lifted my head up to look at him and was startled to see his goggles resting around his neck, and my breath caught in my throat when he caught my eye. I nodded thoughtlessly and he squeezed my hand once more before pulling away, leaving it cold and empty. I brought it to my lap silently, trying to keep the warmth prisoner.

---

She didn't understand,

"I can't do it anymore, Melanie. You have to go."

but she had so much to say.

---

Three days.

I have three days to find somewhere to live.

I didn't go to school that day. Day 1, I should say. Near dropped in a couple times, probably worried that I'd do something stupid. I scoffed at him. Like I'd ever even think about that.

Sometimes I'd pack, some I would just lay in my bed, wishing I was looking at the clouds, but there was no way to get outside without facing her. Not to mention the rain.

It kept me up all night. I went to school on Day 2, but bailed right before study hall. I wasn't in the mood to face anyone, and I needed to pack more anyway.

On Day 3 I straightened my act together. I got up and left for school before mother even woke up, and worked through my classes as well as I could, considering. I knew I couldn't ask C for a place to stay. He'd told me about the family reunion days ago, though it felt like a lifetime had passed since then.

And so by lunch, I was all out of hope. I was leaned up against the wall, biting a chunk out of my chocolate bar angrily, when Matt rounded the corner.

"Shit, Mello, where've you been?" he asked.

"Around," I answered slowly.

"And you didn't think to tell me anything? You can't just up and disappear for two days like that!"

"And why not?" I laughed.

"Because I was worried sick! Believe it or not, I actually care about your well-being, so if you would explain to me what's going on, I'd really appreciate it." Matt's voice grew more irritated by the second.

"Well, where do I start, huh?" I yelled, pushing up from the wall. "How about where my own mother kicked me out of my damn house? Or the fact that I am going to be homeless in less than 24 hours. Or maybe even how I'm supposed to afford fucking food or toilet paper when I don't have a job."

I threw my chocolate down and was about to punch the brick wall in a fit of anger when Matt caught my wrist and tugged.

"God fucking-stop it!" My voice broke, and tears pooled up in the corners of my eyes. I jerked away but his grip was strong enough to keep me put. I gave up, letting his arms circle my shoulders, forcing my head into the curve of his neck.

"Stop treating me like a girl, Matt." I growled without any malice. I was only picking a fight, and he could tell.

"I'm not. I'm treating you like a person that needs a god damn hug."

I laughed shakily, finally beginning to calm down, and sniffed a bit before tilting my head and sighing.

"You can stay with me," he said after a moment.

"What? But-"

"My parents are never home anyway, I told you that. We have a spare room. And if I'm being honest, we're kinda rich."

"...You're sure?"

"Absolutely." No hesitation. I grinned, probably looking a bit silly with tear tracks down my face, but he welcomed me back into his arms when I moved forward.

"Thanks. You're fuckin' incredible, Matt."

"The best," he agreed cockily.

I excitedly attacked his temple with a kiss as I straightened back up. The tips of his ears flushed, and he ran a hand through his hair while I tried my best to act cool about it, mentally kicking myself. Any more of that and I might end up homeless after all..

ah, rereading these old chapters make me real nostalgic, and proofreading them is so embarrassing. you can't imagine all the cliches i had to cut out.

thank you guys for reading! i have lots of good vibes w this story :)