I Dare You...

Chapter 8

When I woke up, I had the strangest feeling of being relaxed and happy. I was finally able to consider the mystery of MakeHerHappy21 closed. I opened my eyes and saw the familiar surroundings of my guest bedroom. I now have some happier memories here. I can feel Matt’s heartbeat because my head is on his chest. His smooth, consistent breathing lets me know that he is still asleep. I love the feeling of being wrapped in his arms. I hadn’t planned on this happening. It was too late to go to school and too early for my parents to be home. As I pulled away from his grip around my waist, his eyes opened and he smiled at me.

“Hey beautiful,” He said as he moved some hair from my face. This seemed so right. I smiled at him and got up from bed. I walked over to the door and opened it letting in the light from the giant windows in the hallway.

“Where are you going?” Matt calls to me as he sits up.

“I am starved.” I holler from my room. I walked in and found my phone on my bed. Matt stalks into my room and sits down next to me.

“Want to go out for coffee again?” Matt says as he kisses my neck. I smile to myself. This is what I have been wanting for so long. This thought trickles down my spine like water and leaves me with a cool splash of reality. What if my parents find out?

“Uh Matt. Does this mean we’re…?”

“I hope so,” He says in a slightly sleepy voice.

“Get dressed. I want to take you out,” He calls as he leaves my room and walks back to his. I really need to figure out what to do about my parents. I go to my closet and find a pair of short shorts and a t-shirt. I curl my hair quickly and add on a little bit of make-up. I head to the bathroom to brush my teeth and Matt comes in and hugs me from behind. I smile and continue to brush as he holds me tightly. By the time we get into the car we have spent a half hour goofing off and enjoying each other.

“So, we can’t tell my parents.”

“Why would I?”

“I don’t know but, we can’t”

“Okay but can I tell everyone else. I don’t want guys all over you.”

“Fine. As long as I am not your hoe of the week.”

“Never.” Matt says and smiles at me. I know he means it and I just hope I can make that smile last.

One Week Later…

          Matt and I pull up into the school parking lot and everyone stares. They consider us a perfect couple because of everything we have together. I haven’t had to deal with skanks since I brought Kimberly down and the only rumors I hear about her are that she is planning her revenge. I am totally prepared for it though because I have Matt on my side. We walk into the building and are greeted by his friends. They have come over a lot since Matt moved in and think that we are just an amazing couple. They have my back for anything and I finally think I am making something of myself.             In the corner of the hallway are Tyler and Lacy. I haven’t talked to them since forever and honestly I think they have accepted that I have moved on. I wish they could be part of my life but my ‘I’m sorry’ emails don’t make a difference to them. They have moved into a new group though and are part of the ‘emo, punk, scene, gothic’ people now instead of the nerdy individuals who make up the nerd group. I am glad they have moved on but I won’t forget how helpful they were to me in the rise to my success.              Classes are a lot more fun now that Matt sits next to me and not Kimberly. She gives me a ‘You’re a stuck up bitch who deserves to burn in hell’ look whenever she sees us together but I am not scared of her anymore. I wasn’t to start with either but, now she just seems even more pathetic. I hope she finds a better attitude when summer hits because next year is going to be hell on her if she doesn’t change.                                                   Keeping Matt and I a secret has been harder than I thought. We can’t be close when my parents are home and we have to act like we are just house mates instead of so much more. I have almost been caught kissing him several times but luckily my mom is gullible. My dad on the other hand has been getting more and more suspicious so we try and tone it down when he is near us.                                                                                                          Things have been perfect though for me and I don’t have to check for messages from MakeHerHappy21 anymore because he is down the hall from me. I finally have everything I want. As the days are passing by I know that I will always have him to be there for me and help me through the crappy problems of high school. He never doubts me and is always there to defend me when I have troubles. He makes me realize that being myself isn’t such a bad thing anymore.                                                                                Afternoon comes and Matt and I ride home together. We blast the radio and sing together. We smile and talk about random stuff. It is the perfect moments in this car that I will remember forever whether I am with him for 50 years or another minute. We pull in the garage and find that my parents are home. That is the depressing sign that we have to barely know each other once again.

“So, Marissa. How are you?” My mom says as soon as I walk in the door. Her suspicious tone makes me nervous and I have a feeling she knows our dirty little secret.

“Fine,” I reply and then run up the stairs.

“Wait Marissa I want to talk to you alone for a minute.” The moment of truth. It’s obvious now that she knows about Matt and I. I walk back down the stairs and follow her into her bedroom. I give Matt a ‘help me. My ass is screwed look’ and he looks at me with apologetic eyes. This could be the end of my perfect life. It lasted for so long. Not.