ashes [m.h.] (Completed)

Chapter 6

The light purring of the engine fills the vehicle. We sit quietly, the silence being louder than the engine. It's as if we're waiting for something. I feel his eyes on me, like daggers. I make the mistake of looking over.

"I um," he starts. "I kind of don't know where you live" he states. He seemed to know my name so well, I'm surprised he doesn't know my freaking social security number.

"I live on campus. C hall." I say quietly.

He doesn't waste anytime, putting the car in drive. I stare out the window as we pull out, watching the loud house disappear behind us. I'm completely drained of tonight's events. I should have known better to even go to that party. Thanks Mia.

"Mia!" I scream without warning, whipping my head to face him.

Matty slams on the breaks, and a screeching sound pierces the air. My seatbelt is quick to jerk me back. Unfortunately Matty's isn't. His head collides with the steering wheel, and a loud grunt sounds within him. The car comes to an immediate stop.

I stare at him with eyes wide, my breath seems to be lost. Did I just kill him? A hand covers his forehead and pain in evident on his face.

"Jesus Christ, Maggie." he harshly remarks.

"Are you okay?" I genuinely ask him. The last thing I need is to kill him. What would even happen to me? They'd find the body and think I did it. Say adios to the rest of my life. I don't want to spend twenty-five to life in a maximum security prison.

"I'm fine, I'm good" he interrupts my thoughts. "I've got a monster headache, I think I'm dying" he chuckles lightly.

"I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to scare you like that. I just, I, i was thinking and we left my friend Mia who brought me and it just-"

"Okay okay okay, again with the monologue" he chuckles. I can't help laughing along with him. "I think you need to drive"

"Oh, okay, sure, yea, I can do that" I add on. I know I drank earlier and my head is screaming for me not to drive. I decide against myself and hop out of the car to reach the driver's side. He steps out, and I watch his movements closely. I step back, and let him pass by, brushing lightly against my arm. Once he reaches his seat, I hop in the car myself. I'm diligent in reminding him of his seatbelt, earning a chuckle from him.

The drive is short lived as we reach the campus, the scenery dark and starlit. I spot my car, and park directly next to it. I turn the key, silencing the car. My eyes stay on the steering wheel, and my mind ponders. Matty isn't okay to drive and I just don't know what to do. Should I have driven to his place? I sit quietly in the parked car and wait for him to say something. My head lowers and I pick at the hem of my dress. The silence doesn't help the situation, only adding to the awkwardness. My head turns to him, and my eyes meet his. Had he been staring this entire time? He lowers his head and his curls hide his expression.

"You should stay" I utter, my voice barely audible. My eyes don't leave him as I wait for a response.

He nods and is quick to open his door, stepping out. I follow suit, jogging a bit to catch up. He slows his pace and I lead him inside and towards my room. Not a word is said until we reach my door. Opening my door, I step inside and flip the light switch. Light fills the room, and I'm immediately self conscious of my appearance. My makeup is bound to be horrendous after the scene in the bathroom.

I turn to face him, and he's still standing in the doorway.

"You can come in.." I say, nearly sounding like I'm asking. He walks a bit forward, and his features come into view. He still seems as tense as ever, and I begin to feel the same. His hands are deep in his pockets with one coming up to rake through his hair. A glimmer of shiny red liquid flashes from under his curls. I gasp.

"Are you bleeding?" I question. "Come here, let me see" I contradict my own words and bring myself to him.

Without any permission of his, my hand is raised to his hair. My small fingers thread through his curls. The soft ringlets wrap around my hand, and I can't help but be memorized. I drown my hand in the depth of his hair, running along his scalp. My eyes fall down to his closed ones. Pure enjoyment is plastered on his face. His lashes flutter open and our eyes meet. I'm caught in his gaze yet again, but this time is different. Instead of the all too familiar intensity, there's something else in his eyes, I can't put my finger on it. My hand remains burried in his curls and our eyes gaze heavily at each other. A hand of his finds its way to my face. The pad of his thumb grazes against my cheek ever so gently. My breath is lost and my stomach is fluttering. How does he do this?

"I um," I take a step back, releasing my hand from his hair. "I should get some thing to clean that cut." I turn to my dresser, and open the top drawer. I grab some alcohol wipes and bandages. It's the best I can do for now. I take a deep breath and make my way to Matty. He's seated on the edge of my bed, eyes glued to the wall. I sit next to him, and he turns to face me. My instinct is to run my hands through his curls again, but I go against it. I pull the ponytail holder off my wrist and hold it out for him to take. A confused expression flashes across his face.

"What?" He takes the item from my hand.

"For your hair" I smile a bit.

He chuckles lightly. His hands rise to meet his hair and he pulls it back best he can. Within seconds his hair is up in a little bun. This may be the most I've ever seen of his face. His skin is fair and clear, hugging his face to create a distinct jawline. I admire his features, momentarily forgetting the job at hand.

My hands are quick in unwrapping the alcohol wipe in my lap. I bring my hand to his face, grabbing his chin. I gently tilt his head down, and bring the wipe to his forehead. The wipe makes contact with the small wound and he flinches slightly. I clean the cut as best as possible and reach for the bandage. An eruption of laughter sounds throughout the room.

"I am not wearing a bandaid on my forehead" he laughs.

"And why not?" I say, mimicking the tone my mother uses with me.

"I'll look like a fool walking around with a bandaid in the middle of my head."

"Okay. But you'll look even more foolish walking around with an infection on your face. Pus constantly oozing out, having to clean it every-"

"Okay okay okay just put the damn thing on already" he caves.

I smiles victoriously and unwrap the bandage. I aim the strip and apply it carefully. My hands lower and my eyes do the same.

I hadn't realized how close I had gotten. Only a few inches of space separate our faces. I try not to make eye contact, lowering my head. His hand connects with my chin, and he tilts my head up closer to him. I can't move, letting him control me with his touch. I feel his breath against my lips and his eyes on mine. I can't even begin to think clearly, letting him cloud my judgement.

Before my mind can even register, his lips crash into mine.