The Bad Boy's A Softie

V

Matthew sighed, his cheeks showing a slight blush as he tried to hide his face from my gaze. His eyes darted everywhere but never locked with mine as he replied, "I'm a softie."

I gave him a small smile and grabbed one of his wrists gently, pulling it away from his face. "Hey, look at me." I giggled, "You don't have to be so... embarrassed about that. I respect your beliefs and I'm actually really surprised that you feel the way you do."

Matthew finally broke his staring-off-into-the-distance look and his eyes darted back and forth, searching for the truth in mine. I could see the nervousness in his eyes, "You really feel that way?"

I nodded and was about to reply when I heard Matthew's mother call our names out from downstairs. "Matthew, Willow! Dinner time!" She called, making me move my hand away from his arm awkwardly. I stood up and wiped off my jeans, interlocking my fingers together and looking up at Matthew.

He stood up and turned to the doors, walking inside. I quickly followed him, not wanting to be left awkwardly trailing behind. He cleared his throat as I stepped inside. He closed the sliding doors and turned to the door leading outside his bedroom, walking downstairs without saying anything.

I frowned and quickly shook my head, following behind him carefully. I walked into the kitchen awkwardly, seeing Mrs. Reed placing plates around the table. She looked up and grinned when she saw us walk in. "Well hello, you two! If you don't mind, can you guys put the silverware out? Knife and fork for each plate, please," She said, not giving us time to answer 'yes' or 'no.'

I laughed and turned to Matthew who was already grabbing the forks. I walked over to the drawer and grabbed the butter knives. Turning back around, Matthew had already finished setting up the forks. I walked to the table and put down the butter knives next to each fork.

Mrs. Reed motioned for us to sit down as she grabbed the bowl of spaghetti, putting some onto the three plates. I saw where Matthew was sitting and floundered, moving to another chair.

He raised an eyebrow at me but I quickly looked away, giving a small smile to his mom. Mrs. Reed sat down beside Matthew and grinned at us. "Dig in!"

☆

After dinner had ended, Matthew was kind enough to walk me home. "So, Willow, how has everything been?" Matthew asked as we walked along the beach.

I sighed and shrugged my shoulders, looking down at the sand between my toes. "I mean, everything has been fine I guess. Nothing that different," I mumbled as I kicked the sand.

This was more awkward than I expected it to be. I looked up and saw my house coming into view.

"How is she?"

          I stopped walking, feeling my heart already start to race. "I'm not doing this." I said, feeling my teeth grind against each other. "I don't want to talk to you of all people about this. You can head home now. I know my way back from here."

Matthew nodded, and I quickly turned around, feeling tears sting my eyes. I took my shoes off before running back to my house. Once I got inside, I slammed the door and ran up to my bedroom, slamming that door shut also.

What even happened? Just an hour ago he was confessing to me and now I can't even look at him without horrible flashbacks coming back.

"Why am I so upset about this?" I thought aloud. "Matthew and I aren't friends. It isn't ever going to happen. You have to get over that," I said to myself. I sighed and fell onto the bed, staring up at the ceiling.

I turned onto my side and gazed at my closet doors. Between the crack of the two doors, I saw a little glimpse of light. Raising an eyebrow, I stood up and slowly walked to the closet, curious as to what I saw.

I grabbed the handles on my closet doors and opened it, becoming face to face with all my winter coats.

Looking down, I noticed the shiny object sticking out from under a pile of dirty clothes. I got down on my knees and pushed all of the clothes out of the way, curious as to what I was seeing.

After all the clothes were moved away, I saw a tiny. glittery box in front of me labeled 'Rachel and Willow's Time Capsule.' I smiled and opened it, seeing all the items we put in there.

"Rachel! Cmon!" I yelled, seeing her running across the beach with her hands full of random items.

"I'm coming, you impatient pig!" She yelled back as she tried not to drop anything. I laughed and went back inside, running to my bedroom.

I grabbed the box that Rachel and I had made and ran back outside, seeing Rachel already on the front deck.

We sat across from each other, smiling like maniacs. I put the box down in front of her as she put all of her items on the wooden table. "What did you bring?" I asked, pushing the box to the side to get a better view of her items.

She smirked and went through all of her items. I told her only to bring small, special items because the box wasn't big enough to hold much.

After we both went through all of our items, mine already being in the box, we put the rest of hers in too. I closed the top and smiled at her, grabbing it and standing up. "Let's bury it tomorrow, it's starting to get dark. Go home, I don't want you walking home when it's too dark out." I said, walking to my front door.

She nodded and walked off the patio, but not before turning to me. "See ya soon dork," She said, before turning back around and running down the beach. I laughed and watched her run before turning and walking back inside.

Going back into my room, I closed my door and walked over to my closet. I got on my knees and put the box down on the closet floor, pushing it to the back. Grinning, I stood up and closed the two doors. "Best friends forever," I whispered to myself, looking down at the bracelet Rachel and I had made together, to always 'keep us bonded.

We never got around to bury our time capsule. But, the memories of making it were enough for me. I pushed the box back into my closet and stood up, closing the doors.

I turned to my mirror and stared at myself, running my fingers through my hair. "I'll shower in the morning," I mumbled to myself before walking over to my bed and laying down.

I got under the covers, too lazy to change into my pj's. I reached up and pulled the string on my lamp, turning it off.

As I closed my eyes, I moved my hand up to my wrist, feeling the cold beads against my fingers. I opened one eye and looked at the bracelet I was wearing. I smiled sleepily and closed my eyes. Grabbing onto the bracelet gently, I sighed and quietly whispered to myself.

"Best friends forever."

A/N
I
HATE
THIS
CHAPTER
IM
SO
SORRY
KMS