trendsetter ☹ matthew e.

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"So whatcha doing here Tough Guy?"

Matthew

–

I slowly sat on the grass, keeping my distance from Alan. Even though he knew I was straight, I don't want my parent's to come out and suddenly say "Oh, you're gay!" And decide to not take me to see my girl — So, I'd rather not.

"You gonna talk tough guy?" Alan asks, his voice changing octaves as he leans his neck back, soaking in the sun.

"I thought you were gonna start the conversation," I let out a chuckle. "And, it's Matthew," I awkwardly told him, I'm not really tough. Him calling me tough guy just makes me feel... I don't know how to describe it. It's sort of like a soft hit to my gut, and my cheeks heat up, but not in a good way like the way Alena makes them heat up. Like an embarrassed kind of way.

"Well I saw you put a bag in your car. You going anywhere?" Alan asked. A bit nosy if I do say so myself.

"Back to Virginia for a while, I uh, I got someone waiting for me there," I spoke, the ends of my lips curling upwards. She was just so damn adorable. She made my heart beat do this thing where it misses a beat, sort of like it's dancing. Damn, she makes me go wild.

"Ooo, someone's got a girlfriend?" Alan asked, nudging my shoulder a bit. I chuckled a little, nodding my head — Even though Alena and I hadn't established anything, I'm more than sure she would agree that we're a couple. Almost completely sure.

"So watcha doing here tough guy?" Alan asked, disregarding the fact that I wanted to be called Matthew. I decided to let it slide, rolling my eyes a bit.

"My parent's were ran out of Virginia, so we ended up here. It was said that Philadelphia was one of the less homophobic states, and I guess it's true considering you're sitting next to me," I smiled.

"Don't take it too close to heart. I'm no charity worker but sometimes I do these types of things to help people come out more. Straight people nowadays are just waiting for someone to come out and make it known, they don't want to be looked at the way people look at them now," Alan shrugs, looking at the houses across the street.

He had a point. Not many people have come out yet, and Alena is a big reason why people don't come out. Imagine being kicked out for liking someone — Literally just liking someone. It's ridiculous.

"You have a point, Alan," I sighed, getting up from the grass. "I gotta get going, thank you for this talk Alan. It was much needed."

Alan gets up too, stretching his arms out as he gives me a warm smile. "No problem tough guy, have a nice trip."

"Thanks, you too," I mentally facepalm. You too? Really Matthew? I cringe as I walk away from Alan and into my house, ready to get going with this trip.

—

WOWOWOWOWOW I MISSed laAST WEEK BUT LESS JUST IGNORE THAT MHHHHMM OKAY

What do you think will happen in the next chapter?

Do you think Alan will have an impact on this book?

Do you think Alan should remain an important character in this book?

HAVE A NICE DAY NIGHT AFTERRNONN

I LOVE YOU!!!

xoxo, claire