Matched

Chapter 4

It took 3 hours before Russel came to get me and I hated to say it, but I missed him. My sheets still smelt of him, so I was pathetically lying in my bed, head buried in the pillow he had used. It was just about the only thing I could do to keep my cat at bay.

I wondered if it was like this with all the people who had soul mates. If they felt this crazy… all the time. I nearly had a heart attack when Russel’s voice filtered through my head.

“I miss you,” he simply stated and I rolled my eyes to myself, but my heart soared, causing even more discomfort there.

“Then come over,” I said back, getting irritated. He said he would be over at 3, but it was 4 right now.

“My dad freaked out because I wasn’t home last night… I’m still trying to convince him I was out running really late,” he muttered angrily. I laughed to myself.

“Sucks to be you,” I taunted, laughter in my voice.

“Two words—Eff you.”

“Oh really? I didn’t know ‘eff’ was a word, Rus,” I teased. If he were here, I bet any money he would’ve given me a scowl.

“Ha-ha. How did you get so funny, babe,” he grumbled and butterflies erupted in my stomach.

“Just hurry up, okay?”

“I’ll try, cutie.”

And with that, I shut off my brain from him before I squealed like a little girl. A smile was plastered on my face and I found myself heading towards Luke’s house. I banged on the door twice before his mom opened the door for me.

“Hey, sweetie! I haven’t seen you over here lately,” she smiled at me and I grinned back at her.

“Where’s Luke?” I asked as I stepped into the house. The smell of sugar cookies filled my nose and I suddenly had a craving for one.

“He’s in the game home, go ahead,” she waved me off and I said a thank you before I walked to the back of the house. I threw open the door and found him playing the X-box 360. He was so absorbed in it that he didn’t notice me. I pounced on him, knocking the controller out of his hand, and kissed him sloppily on the cheek.

“My baby,” I cooed as I cradled his head to my chest and rocked back and forth. He growled loudly.

“You have 2 seconds to let go of me or you’re going to regret ever being born,” he said dangerously, but I gripped his head tighter.

“You wouldn’t hurt me,” I stated and he snorted. I ignored him. “You luurve me too much for that.”

“No. No, I’m pretty sure I hate you. I hate you a lot,” he grumbled and I laughed and plopped on the couch next to him. He scowled as he picked up the controller. He looked to the TV before sputtering out “Spenc! Seriously?! I was about to beat my top score! God, you’re so annoying!”

I waved him off with my hand. “Hush child, you’ll thank me later when you’re not still living at home at the age of 30, glued to the TV still.” He gave me a sarcastic look.

“You reek,” he stated and I gave him a dirty look.

“I do not! I took a shower earlier.”

“Yeah well it’s not soap I’m smelling. What’s the name of it again? Begins with an R…” he said, cupping his chin with his hand and tapped his face thoughtfully. I kicked him in the arm as my face reddened.

“Jerk.”

“Slut.”

“How?!”

“It seemed like it fit the situation.”

“Wouldn’t it be a shame if we went out in the woods and you never came back?”

“Wouldn’t it be a shame if you were stupid? Oh… wait…”

“What are you, in third grade?”

“No! Fourth, c’mon Spencer! What are you doing?” he smiled at me and we both laughed.

“No one likes you, I’m almost positive. Like 99% sure, not even your mom,” I stated and roared in laughter when I faintly heard his mom agree with me from the kitchen. He laughed too.

“Oh man,” he fake wiped a tear from his eye. “When did you get so funny?”

“Comes naturally with my good looks. Can’t say that same for you though…” I added thoughtfully as I looked him over. He just smiled at me and shook his head.

“Are you okay now, though?” he asked softly and quietly so his mom wouldn’t hear. I gave him a small smile.

“Best as I’ll ever be,” I shrugged. “How was your breakfast, by the way?”

“It was good… really good,” a smile settled on his lips as he spaced out for a moment. My own lips pulled upwards at seeing my best friend look like a love sick puppy.

“Am I going to have to be worrying about being an aunt?” I jokingly scolded and he chuckled.

“Am I going to have to be worrying about being an uncle?” he shot back and my face reddened.

“Ha-ha. No,” I narrowed my eyes at him.

“Did you guys talk?”

“Err-sorta. We got… distracted,” I sunk into the couch.

“Eww,” his nose scrunched up and we both laughed.

“But we’re going to go to the library today though and see if there’s anything there that can help us figure out what’s going on. Like… I can’t even describe it…” I trailed off. “I can freakin’ hear him in my head. Whenever I’m around him… everything is just… better.”

It was quiet for a moment before Luke bursted out laughing.

“Oh my god, that is the girliest thing I’ve ever heard you say. Ever,” he roared and I flushed, scowling at him. I suddenly felt hostility towards Russel. Whenever he was mentioned, all I did was blush. I do not blush. Ever.

“You ready?” I nearly jumped 10 feet in the air when Russel asked me in my head. Luke was too busy laughing to notice.

“Give me a minute, I’m with Luke,” I replied to Russel before I stood from Luke’s couch.

“I’m leaving now,” I stated and he just nodded as he finished up laughing. He picked up his controller again and was already starting a new game before I got to the door.

I found Russel in the library, where I told him I’d meet him and when we saw each other, we just grinned at each other foolishly for a moment.

“Hi,” I said softly. He walked stepped closer and my breath caught in my throat.

“Hey,” he croaked out. Before I could think about anything, Russel had dragged me to the back of the library and in a corner. He pulled me towards him, crushing my chest against his and I nuzzled my head in his neck. My arms wrapped around his neck, his snaked around my waist as he pushed me against a book shelf.

But before either of us could do anything, a strong scent filtered through my already clogged senses.

I jumped and Russel scowled before stepping a good 5 feet away from me. I gave him a sheepish grin, then turned my head to the boy beaming at me as he rounded the corner. I grinned wider right back, putting on the fakest grin I’d ever had.

“Hi Dillon!”