Brains and Brawn (BxB)

Chapter 8

Song: "Pretender" by The Foo Fighters 

Matt's POV:

"Ok, let's go," Leo says with an amused expression. I'm kinda glad he didn't aknowledge the fact that he saw me checking him out. But like, come on! Who wouldn't?! Have you seen him?! That guy is HOT, with a capital H. 

He must think I'm an idiot now. Either way, I ignore the embarrassment and follow him to his car. I get in the passengers seat without further thought, before I fry my brain.

When I sit down, I put my belt on and only when I'm finished do I notice he's watching me with a strange emotion in his eyes that I can't quite detect, but it's warm. Then he just clears his throat, looks ahead and grips the steering wheel and we drive off.

Not even 30 seconds into the drive he looks briefly at me before looking back at the road and says: "I like that shirt, looks good on you."

And then he just puts on some music and just like that, the moment is gone, but not before I start blushing like crazy and lower my head in hopes that he won't see it. I immediately recognize it as one of my favourite songs "Pretender" by the Foo Fighters. This was one of my dad's favourite songs too. That's one of the things I shared with him: our love for music, and gladly we liked the same kind of music. 

Anyway, not the time to start thinking about sad things, not when the guy you've been crushing on for months invited you to eat. Not that it's a date, like, I mean...c'mon, he's so obviously straight! Always making out with Laurel and all...

Looking for way to stop thinking about these kinds of things I just clear my throat and ask:

"So where are we going?"

"You'll see when once we get there,"he tells me and sends a wink my way and I flush and pout a little. Then he laughs (he seems to do that a lot lately). "Don't worry, we're almost there anyway."

He looks at me so I nod, but keep pouting. All of a sudden his jaw hardens and he grips the steering wheel really tight. I have no idea what's happening. But I notice we're parked outside a really cool looking diner. 

He gets out of the car so I get out too and join him by his side. Then he turns to me and says: "This is probably my favourite diner. Fridays and weekends it's open 24 hours, so it's great for midnight food. I come here all the time, the food is the best! So don't go spreading any rumours about an awesome restaurant, with awesome food," he says, with a little smile on his face. " For real now, this place really is really cool."

I laugh and say, "Your secret's safe with me," I say smiling.

"Leonardo!" A small framed middle aged woman says as soon as we get in the diner, "Cómo estás?"(How are you?- A/N: I'm not spanish, but I'm trying my best)

"Estoy bien, Sabrina," Leo answers. 

I don't know what's happening...I never had spanish, always went for french, but let me tell you, Leo speaking spanish was sexy af, I'm not even mad.

Then Leo turns to me and says: "I come here all the time because this is Sabrina, the owner of the diner. Sabrina, this is Matt."

"Nice to meet you," I say and go to shake her hand but she pulls me into a hug instead. 

"Nice to meet you too. And look at you, such a hadsome young man! I'm so glad Leo finaly brought someone here, he never does," She tells me with a thick spanish accent while holding me at arms length. Then she turns to Leo and asks,"És tu novio?" (Is he your boyfriend?")

Then Leo's eyes widen and says, "No! Él es sólo un amigo, Sab!" (No! He's just a friend, Sab!)

I'm very confused now... well, at least I get to see Leo speaking spanish with that deep, throaty voice of his... Snap out of it, idiot!

I feel something on my upper arm and look down to see Leo's hand gently grabbing my arm and guiding me to a booth. Seeing as it's like 2 am, other than us, there's no one else here.

"I found this place with my sister once, when I was 12. I've been coming here ever since. It's like our special place, for when we need to get away, or like...bonding or something like that."

"Oh, well, I don't mean to intrude or anything..."

"No, it's fine. I just never bring anyone here because I feel like no one will appreciate it. And this place deserves to be appreciated."

Then we just kind of stare at each other for a while. I mean, I don't mind, his eyes are gorgeous and he's hot, so...eye candy, good for me!

But he's looking at me weird, so I feel kind of uncomfortable and look away.

I look away and clear my throat and say: "So, you have a sister? I mean, of course you had a sister, you said it before, why in the heck would you lie?" Stupid idiot!

He chuckles and then says, "yeah, I have a sister. She's 8 years older than me. She's a photographer. Works at Vogue. She's getting married in a few months actually."

"Oh, that's cool. Do you get along with her fiancé?Oh, crap, I'm sorry, is that too personal? I take it back, I don't want to, like, medle or anything, I was just curious and you know-"

I stop abruptly when he grabs my hand and I look at it wide eyed and he immediately drops my hand. I was kind of disappointed, not gonna lie, but then he laughs and my worry disappears.

"Matt, chill. I don't mind. And if I do mind I'll tell you. But don't worry, I'm pretty sure you couldn't offend me even if you tried. You're too innocent."

"I don't know why people say you never smile or laugh. From what I've seen, you look like a relatevily smiley person," I realize what I see and try to mend myself. "Uh I mean...that's not...I just-"

"I don't usually smile 'cause I don't have a reason to do so, but you're a fun person to be around. You have a smiley vibe that makes people want to laugh for some reason... you're real. It's hard to find someone real nowadays."

"Oh, umm, thanks, I guess," I say embarresed. I really wasn't expecting that...he just just complimented me! Oh my God, I'm dreaming. Not only did I have a crush on him before based on his appearance, but now you had to bless him with a good personality too??

I'm saved from further embarrassment from the waitress with our food orders. Wait! Our food? I didn't order anything...

"I ordered for you. It's I usually order so I told Sabrina to bring it to you too. I hope you don't mind...and that you're not a vegetarian," he says once he notices the confused look I'm giving the burger and fries in front of me.

"Well, I'm not a vegetarian," I say and he looks relieved, but only for a moment before I continue," I'm a vegan actually, sooo..."

He looks up with wide eyes, which is probably the funniest thing ever, so I decide to give him a break and just save him from further panic and start laughing. He looks at me weird, like I just lost both my eyeballs, so I just stop and say, "Sorry, I couldn't resist. I'm not a vegetarian, I love meat to be honest."

He looks at me weird again, but this time it's different and I start getting a little worried I did something wrong. Just as I'm about to apologize he starts laughing. 

Not chuckling, not grinning, not smiling... but laughing! Like full on laughing! And a really nice one at that! So smooth and it sets shivers down my spine and emerald green eyes shining and I really just want to be the reason for that wonderful sound. I wanna hear and see it more often. Like, all the time, to be honest. It's such a rare sound and I feel special for hearing it, like it's been waiting for years to be set free.

And man, am I glad he did.