Why touch me, if not to feel me? {discontinued}

Chapter 6: The argument

"I still suffer!" Matt yells, his face is red with anger - he's become almost unrecognisable. His nails are biting into his palms.

After I got home yesterday, I've been avoiding Matt. He caught me when I came down to make dinner. I have not yet made dinner because we're currently in a debate. It started as me yelling at him for almost telling Alex about Bentley, but then it turned on its head.

"You're not the one that was sold!" I scream back, my throat raw from it. I'm shaking, so overwhelmed with fury.

We stand a few metres apart in the living room. It's darkening outside and neither of us have bothered to turn the lights on.

"One day with Alex was fine you pathetic twat. But I've been faced with questions about being single for my entire life!"

I scrunch my eyebrows up in pure rage. "Oh? And you think I fucking haven't?" I seethe. "Oh Persephone when are you gonna marry and have our grandchildren?" I mimic our mother's voice. "I'm just a baby making machine so they can boast about it!" I cry, emphatically gesturing to make my point.

Matt looks away and then jerks his head to glare right into my eyes, "You think they don't do that to me?" He questions.

"Not as fucking much you fucking asshole!" I swear, shouting as loud as I can.

Matt turns and walks out without a word.

"Oh, don't look so victimised," I snarl at his back.

I hear the door slam. I don't know if it's all these crime shows I've been watching, but I burst into tears. He could die! It's dark outside; what if I never get to say sorry? I run to the doorway and see him stomping down the path.

"If you love me, you will get back inside this house!" I scream desperately. Tears stream down my face, making it impossible to tell if he gives me the middle finger or something else.

He carries on marching. My subconscious overtakes as I fling myself off the step and run towards Matt. I grab his arm and attempt to yank him back to the flat. He shakes me off roughly. I grasp his wrist and try again to get him back inside.

I think my mind blanks for a moment because the next thing I see is Alex getting in between us and grabbing Matt then hugging me to his side. I wrap my arms around his torso and cry into his side as we move into the flat again.

He leads us to the sofa where Matt and I sit down. Alex stands in front of us - he's glaring at Matt.

"Fookin' 'ell, guys! You were shouting up a storm out there," He exclaims. His voice makes me smile, it's comforting to hear after having Matt shout at me for the last half hour.

"Persephone started it." Matt glares over at me, as if I was the one that got him into trouble with his friend.

I burst into tears all over again. I'm too emotionally exhausted to do this. I feel warm arms around me and a scent that's distinctly old cars and leather. I let myself be pulled into Alex and cry.

"Mate, she's clearly upset. What are you doing sitting there, saying nothin'?" Alex questions Matt.

I hear a sigh; it sounds kind of remorseful. "Seph, Honey? I'm sorry. I guess I'm still upset about Jess..."

"Cut the crap, dick head." Is all that Alex says to that. It makes me smile.

Another sigh and a hand on my back. "Okay, there's been talk at work that I might get fired."

I frown and look at him, still koala-ing Alex. "Why didn't you tell me?" I whine.

"I didn't want to worry you. I know how much you do." He explains, frowning sorrowfully at me.