Slowly Fading

Attention

Cloe's POV

I returned to school today, almost 3 days after the incident. I walked in with Matthew and to say that there were glares is the biggest understatement of the week. Everybody's eyes were practically glued to us.

No, we weren't holding hands. No, we weren't hugging. No, we weren't even speaking at that moment, and yet everyone starts to assume. Trust me and the rumors, oh the rumors, they spread like a wildfire.

I've heard almost all of them within an hour. Want to hear them?

1) Did he catch you trying to commit? Is that why he is so nice to you?
2) Did he get you pregnant? Because we all know how big of a **** you are.
3) Did your parents get together? Are you guys forced to be nice to each other?
4) He is probably just pitying her.

Yeah, see how supportive my school is? I walk into my class, knowing I have Matthew in it. This should be interesting...

Walking in, I'm immediately bombarded by questions.

"Did he do this?" "Did you guys do that?" "What's going on with you guys?"

I begin having trouble breathing and I can sense Matt knows too.

"Aye, aye, aye! Back it up a bit why don't ya? No, we didn't have ***. No, I am not pitying her! No, we are not together! Stop assuming things and start minding your own business, dang." He shouts and everyone scurries away.

I try to catch my breath. I'm through your nose, Cloe, out through your mouth. Breathe, I tell myself. I was near tears. They were all so close, I couldn't breathe.

"Clo, are you okay? Do we need to go to the nurse?" He asks me and I shake my head, calming down a bit. I try to hide a smile at the name Clo. Lacy used to call me that.

I shove away all the bad memories and clear my throat. "Yeah, thanks Matt. They were just all so close and they were bombarding me, it just, just brings back bad memories." I explain and he nods.

"Ok just calm down a bit, try to breathe. Try to think happy thoughts. Think of the happiest that you've ever been." He says and my mind immediately goes to two nights ago.

I was released out of the hospital the night I confessed everything and Matt moved in with me temporarily and he is going to stay wi me for a month, as my doctor decided. Surprisingly, his mom had no problem with it. Anyways, I'm digressing.

I was in a sour mood, you know, having to wear a back brace, reopening wounds, having my ex- arch nemesis move in with me, those stuff. Matt decided to surprise me. I was in my room and I smelled food, so I obviously went to see because it's food.

I go downstairs and see that the DVR was on and that my Harry Potter movies were plead in order on the stand. I notice on the couch was a bowl full of popcorn and hot chocolate and a blanket. I just stare at it and turn around to see Matt walking in the room, his cheeks tinted slightly pink.

I smile and give him a big hug. We both sit on the couch and have out Harry Potter marathon. Without noticing it, I had rested my head on his shoulder and his arm was around my waist. I didn't mind, and it seemed he didn't either.

We stayed like that until we finished all of them movies. At some point while cleaning up, I feel asleep on the couch and felt myself being carried to my room and placed gently on my bed.

He whispered a goodnight and walked out of the room. Just the thought of it brought a big smile to my face. He is so kind when he wants to be.

I turn to him and smile widely. He notices that I have forgotten what just happened and relaxed so he smiles back.

Then class begins.

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Class ends as boring as ever. The glares have lessened but you can still hear the slight murmurs of the young Freshmen. Chase runs up to Matt and I and I nod at him, to show him I acknowledge his presence.

"So... What's going on here?" He asks wiggling his eyebrows and I glare at him.

"I swear the next person to ask that is losing a finger. Nothing! We realized we can't completely hate each other, that's it!" I says and Chase doesn't look convinced.

"Yeah... Suurrreeee....." He says stretching out the word sure and I slap his shoulder.

"Dang, women. That hurt."

"Quit being a baby, that was barely a flick." I retort and I see Matt smile.

"Why are you smiling, Mr. Stone Face?" I question and he laughs. I stare in confusion. The heck is this boy on?

"I was just remembering when you hit one of the girls and I said you must have hit them hard and you just scoffed saying that wasn't even half your strength." He reminds and I laugh at that too.

"That was the day she roasted you! Bro, that was GOLD!" Chase chimes in and Matt tries to hide his embarrassment.

"Yeah, I know. I'm amazing." These guys, they are changing me... I don't know if I should like this change or not.

I'm not completely ready to be the most social person in school, but I don't want to stay cooped up and scared my whole life. I smile at the boys as I realize they are now play fighting.

Or should I say cat fighting? They are literally just flailing their arms at each other, looking away.

I get close to their hands and put my hand in between, so it makes it sound like they hit something and I put my hand on my cheek, acting hurt.

Both of them turn their heads towards me and once they see I'm holding my cheek, they assume they each hit me. Panic rushes through both of their eyes and they rush too me.

"Are you Ok?" They ask simultaneously. Guilt covers both of their faces and I burst into laughter.

"Oh my gosh, your faces!"