ashes [m.h.] (Completed)

Chapter 15.

I awake hours later to the light of the sun pouring out of my window. Matty's arm rests tightly around me in a secure fashion, with my face to him and in close proximity to his bare chest. His breathing is light against the top of my head. I look up to him. His mouth is slightly parted, letting silent breaths escape. Loose curls of hair scatter across his resting face, some covering his eyes. It's truly something else seeing his normally hard and emotionless expression at ease. The softness of his features take me aback.

"I don't appreciate staring." He mumbles just loud enough for my ears.

"Sorry." I pull my eyes away, looking anywhere but. I decide to remove myself completely, climbing from the warmth of the bed.

"Wait, no" he whines. "Now I'm cold."

I don't respond to his childish whines as I begin to look through my closet for something to wear. My fingers skim over the very few pieces of clothing I have stored in my closet, and I can't seem to decide. In frustration a loud groan erupts from my lips, calling the attention of the lazy boy resting in my sheets.

"What's wrong?" He inquires.

"I need clothes." I tell him honestly.

"Let's go then."

"What?"

"Lets go get you some clothes. C'mon, I'll take you. I don't mind."

"But what about class-"

"We already missed first, and half of second, might as well do something useful with our afternoon." He cooly interrupts.

My eyes go to my bedside clock, and true to his word, the bright red numbers read 12:38 pm.

"Okay." I comply, not passing on a well needed shopping trip.

Within a 45 minute time span, Matty and I are showered up and comfortably clothed for a day at the mall. I grab my over the shoulder purse that rests against my hip, as Matty locates his wallet. We make our way to Matty's familiar car, and silently climb in. We start our drive, sitting in comfortable silence. I pull out my phone and find a screen full of text notifications all from one person; Mia. I unlock the device and begin to skim over the mass amount of messages. Text after text scrolls past my thumb, all with the same general concern.

Mia:
Where are you?

Class is starting...

Maggie?

Are you with Matty?

My eyes stop on the last message. I can't help feeling a little guilty not telling my only friend that I'd be out. My instinct to fix the situation kicks in and I type a small reply.

Me: Sorry I overslept, decided not to go.

I lock my phone and bring my attention back to the road, just as we pull into a large shopping center. Matty takes his time in finding a parking space, and we quickly climb out as soon as he does. I lead the way in walking to the entrance of the moderately busy mall. A large hand is smooth in taking mine in theirs, inserting their fingers in the slots of mine. The familiarity of Matty's cold hands warm my senses, and I walk happily beside him.

The second we enter the large building, my eyes spot a clothing store not far from reach. I look to Matty.

"Do you wanna shop a little first, then grab something from the food court?" I ask, searching his blank face for emotion.

He simply shrugs, and I don't hesitate dragging him along to the store I spotted.

After nearly a half hour of skimming my fingers over fabrics and keenly eyeing an uncountable amount of clothing, my mind is still not maid on what I want to buy. Matty's patience is noticeably wearing thin as he huffs beside me.

"C'mon, try something on, lets go.." he drags in a childish tone.

"I don't know what to get."

His hands are quick in flipping through the rack in front of him. In no time, he pulls an item out to show. From his hand hangs a short dress, bathed in a dark maroon tint. He nudges it towards me and I take it gratefully. He gestures towards the dressing rooms and I take the lead. Approaching an empty stall, I draw the curtain and step in, looking back to see Matty sit in a small black chair to wait. I close the curtain and place the dress in hand on the handy rack on the wall. On the wall in front sits a full body mirror, littered with dozens of smudges. I turn my back to the glass as I begin to undress, not being one to look at myself in the mirror. After slipping my previous clothes off, I proceed in slipping the garmet on me, turning around to evaluate myself in the reflective glass. The dark material ends just above my knees, clinging to my body in all the right places. Three quarter sheer lace-like sleeves fit my arms, adding a sense of casual sophistication. The modest neckline compliments my somewhat busty chest in subtle ways, making me love the dress more and more.

I don't think before turning on my heels and walking out of the small room to show Matty. His head rests between his hands, elbows connected to his knees. His fingers run through his forest of curls in a frustrated manner.

"Matty?" I call his attention. His head snaps up in my direction, eyes full of an unrecognizable emotion before being consumed in awe.

"Is it okay?"

"Straight out of a magazine." He says softly.

I take his remark as an odd compliment, which brings warmth to my cheeks and a smile on my lips.

I go back to change into my original clothes, putting the dress back on its hanger. I carry the dress with me as Matty finds other items he'd like me to buy. I don't know how, but he seems to know what looks good on me, and I dont hesitate in taking his suggestions. After a handful of clothes, my stomach begins to growl. I take the bodily warning as a sign, checking out, paying for my new clothes, and heading for the food court.

With two shopping bags in hand, we walk towards a busy Panda Express, tacking ourselves to the end of the line. We wait patiently, in an acceptable silence before a strange wave of worry washes over Matty. I look to him with a puzzled face, wondering what exactly has got him riled. I trace his line of sight across the mall to a few dark figures heading our direction. From Matty's reaction I can tell these aren't exactly people he hoped to see. Their long legs carry them closer to us faster then anticipated, causing Matty to take a precautionary step in front of me as if to shield me. Their dark aura reaches us, and I can only assume the worst.