Could It Be You? |✓

(35) Matthias

Hi! So this chapter is going to start with a flashback to introduce more about Matthias. Hope it's not too confusing!

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2008

"And that's it for the semester!" her Finance professor declared, eliciting jubilant cheers from the ground. Emma joined the rest of her classmates in giving applause - more because it marked the official end of their four-year college than for the professor, although they had all adored this jolly old man very much.

She packed her stationery into her bag, sneaking a glance at Matthias Clark at the corner of the seminar room as she did so. He didn't notice, of course, being engrossed in a conversation of his own.

She let him be and made her way out. Looking down the corridor, Ethan was nowhere to be found. She surmised that he hadn't arrived yet so she whipped out her phone, intending to ask him for his whereabouts. They were supposed to catch a movie today to celebrate the end of college - even though it might not be a thing to celebrate after all. Who would want to dive into the workforce so soon? School is always better, isn't it?

She kept her attention on the notice board as she called, staring blankly at the poster that advertised for the Commencement Ball.

Suddenly, she felt soft taps on her shoulder so she turned around, expecting Ethan.

"Oh, I'm so sorry to disrupt your call," Matthias said, "please go ahead."

"Oh, hey! Um, don't worry about it, he's not picking up," she said as she hung up the phone call. "What's up?"

He scratched his nose at the bridge and looked to his right with a suspicious expression.

"Is it... about the report?" Emma asked, biting one side of her lip. "I've sent it to your school email already!"

"No, it's not about the report," he refuted her and took a deep breath as he ran his fingers through his strawberry blonde hair. "I was just wondering if... you've got a date for the ball? Cos if not, then I'd like to ask you to be mine."

He tucked both hands into his pockets as he widened his eyes at her with anticipation. Emma was genuinely surprised by his invitation but also thrilled beyond reason. What do you say when your crush invites you to a ball? You say yes, of course!

Emma shrugged as she broke into a smile of delight. "Well, I don't have a date."

"For real?" he clarified, to which she nodded.

"So is that a yes?"

"Yes," she confirmed.

Matthias seemed stunned at her quick response. He turned to his side and expressed a single syllable,"wow."

They broke into coy laughter.

"Great!" Matthias remarked, looking as if he was going to burst into a victory jump anytime. "That's simply great!"

"If you say so," Emma responded. Her smile was so wide that it had crossed the entire width of her face.

"Okay cool," he said as he rocked a little on the spot, "and I should probably go. Are you not going?" He gestured towards his back with his thumb.

Emma shook her head. "I'm waiting for a friend."

"Okay then... I'll make a move first?"

"Goodbye, Matthias," Emma said and gave him a wave.

He turned to leave, then promptly made a u-turn when just a few metres away. Emma watched him in both amusement and puzzlement. She thought he maybe went the wrong direction, until he went straight back towards her.