BLACKMAIL | MATT CHAMPION

"MATT'S GONE SOFT"

i almost choke on my apple, why the hell is, matt, being nice just because now?

is this a cry for help?

"did you get hit in the head or something? you aren't acting right, you might wanna get checked." i lean across the table.

"i'm fine," he pushes his food around with his fork, as i just stare at him like he just lost his mind. because he did. he definitely did.

he catches my eye, "what? what's wrong with helping someone out?"

my mouth hangs open, did he forget who he was for a minute?

"you, the matt champion, just defended me. do you see the problem here?"

"listen, that girl gets on my nerves anyways, i've been wanting an excuse to start something with her," he shrugs, leaning back in his seat then crossing his arms, "if i'm gonna be around you until we're done with your revenge plans, then i might as well help you out a little."

"but how do i say this without sounding mean?" he refers to his side of the bet, "well, you're a little defenseless."

i gasp, "what? i can handle myself very well!"

"yeah sure, you literally just stood there while she was insulting you. you looked terrified," he says, "you're lucky that i was here."

"i was not-" i get interrupted.

"do you always have to complain? just get used to it from now on." matt, piles up his trash onto his almost empty tray.

i sigh, trying to forget the subject. he still confuses me a shit ton though.

"well, we need to talk about your friends for a second." my eyes squint, hoping he'll take the news lightly.

"go on." he nods his head.

"they think there's something going on between us, and they're getting suspicious because you missed out on guys night."

"i only missed guys night, because we had that whole egg fiasco," he rubs his eyes, "and i know that they think there's something between us, and it's gross."

"it is not gross!" i say offended.

"so what are you trying to say?" he tilts his head to the side, making his dark hair fall on top of his eyes.

i become speechless, because i didn't even know what i mean.

"anyways, what are we planning to do tonight?" he changes the subject, "i was thinking either piercing his nipples, or cutting all his hair off. what do you think?" he asks for my opinion.

matt's good at changing subjects, i already forgot what the hell we were even talking about.

"we're definitely saving the nipple piercings for one of the last ones," i chuckle, "i say we give him a little haircut."

"i'll bring the hair clippers." he leans forward and i nod.

"then it's settled, i'll see you tonight," he gathers up his tray, and gets up from
his seat, "get to class."

matt walks away and all i see is his back, "see you then!" i call out, he doesn't look back but he throws me a thumbs up.

-

after school i told matt that, ian, could drive me home since we were planning to hang out anyway. i tell him everything that's happened these past few days in detail, even the encounters with matt's friends.

ian lays on my bed, tossing a ball in the air, "girl, his friends are right. you both would be cute together."

i sit on my beanbag that's in the corner of my room, "hell no, we're way too different from each other."

"ever heard that opposites attract?" he asks.

"that's only in movies, we're talking about matt champion here." i tell him, "and you should've seen him today at lunch, he was being totally weird."

"what do you mean?"

"he literally defended me from this bitchy girl."

ian sits up quickly, "what? matt defended you?" he throws the ball at me, "what the fuck, everlee? he's gone soft for you!"

the ball smashes against my forehead, "ow!"

"sorry girl, but you needed to get hit so you can stop being so in denial!" he stands.

i rub my forehead, "he told me that if we're gonna be around each other most of the time, then he might as well just help me out. he even called me defenseless."

"thats a lame ass excuse if you ask me," he paces back and forth, "he's gone soft for you, but he just doesn't want to admit it."

"oh my god, ian, you're looking too deep into this." i whine.

"girl you're blind, you don't see that he-" he stops talking, because we both hear something hitting against my window.

we stare at each other, confused, "i think someone is trying to get you to open your window." he points at it.

i rush to open the curtains, only to see merlyn and joba, throwing pencils at my window, "what the hell are they doing?" i look back at, ian.

he shrugs, and i slide up my window, "what are you two doing?"

meryln starts whispering, "matt, went to the bathroom so we have to do this quickly, but we want to invite you to his birthday party we're throwing."

joba smiles, "you can bring your friend too," he points at ian, " but it's a surprise party, so don't tell him."

i smile back at them, "i won't say a thing, and i'd love to come."

"his birthday is on valentine's day, so we'll see you this saturday," joba says excitedly, "oh, and sorry about throwing pencils at your window, we didn't know how else to get your attention." he apologizes.

i'm so caught up in everything that's happened, that i didn't even realize that we're in february.

"bye, everlee!" meryln says, while they wave goodbye.

i wave back, "bye guys!" they shut their window quickly before, matt, catches them.

i face, ian, who looks shocked just as me, "it looks like we're going to a party this saturday!"

a/n:
the next chapter is about to be hecka wild y'all. SO expect the next chapter to be published in like a minute. BE READY GUYS.