Isn't It Ironic?

Chapter 5

Matt's POV

After taking a shower, I stand in the door of my closet, not knowing what to wear. Braelyn invited me to go out bowling with her, Allie and Luke. I'm not sure how I feel about Allie yet. Even though Brae and I have been together for almost a month and a half, she still doesn't seem to like me very much.

I grab out a pair of khaki shorts, a striped t-shirt and my Obey sweatshirt. I change quickly, then dry my hair and style it. I brush my teeth, then make sure I look okay and head out. It's not long before I'm at Brae's house.

I walk to the front door, knock, then wait. Allie answers the door, visibly eyeing me up and down before letting me in. "Nice seeing you. Luke here?" I ask.

"Uh, yeah. He just ran to the bathroom."

"Oh, cool. And Brae?"

"She was just finishing getting ready. She should be out any minute now."

"Nice." I lean against the kitchen counter. There's a moment of uncomfortable silence, so I try to break the ice. I clear my throat, then speak. "So, what's up?"

"You're seeing it." She shrugs. "Excited for tonight?"

"Oh, yeah." A faint smile tugs at my lips. "Very."

"What's that look for?" She narrows her eyebrows.

"Hm? Nothing. Just smiling."

"Why?"

"I gotta have a reason to smile?" I roll my eyes. "I'm always happy to spend some time with my girl."

"Your girl." She rolls her eyes and shakes her head slightly.

"What was that all about?"

"You haven't even asked her out yet."

"Is that what bothers you about me?"

"What?"

"Look, Allie, I can tell you don't like me. Is it because I hang with Brae and I haven't asked her to officially be my girlfriend? Does it bother you that we do...whatever we do without being exclusive?"

"Okay, yes. It does bother me. But that's just because I've been here, through everything. I've been here for her. She's been through so much crap, you don't even know. I don't want that to happen to her ever again, so yeah. I'm a little on guard."

"I get it, I do, but you don't have to worry about that from me. I really like this girl, but I just got out of a serious relationship so I didn't want to jump into something too quickly."

"You said didn't."

"What?"

"You didn't say I don't want to jump into a relationship, you said I didn't. What do you mean?"

I look around, to make sure we're alone. "I'm asking her out tonight, okay? Just don't tell."

Allie bites her bottom lip. "Alright, cool. Yeah, I can keep that a secret."

"Good."

Just then, Luke walks into the room. "Ay, Matt! What's up, man?"

"Not too much, brother." I laugh a little and he shakes my hand.

"It's gonna be cool to hang with you tonight."

"Oh, yeah. I agree, man. You seem pretty chill."

"Hell yeah." He laughs. "This'll be dope."

"It's the beginning of an amazing bromance." A new voice chimes in. "Do I have to be jealous?" Braelyn asks, meeting my eyes.

"Maybe." I grab Luke's shoulders and hug him to me. "Babe."