ELENA'S POV:
"I'm sorry that happened" I said quietly. Mattia was driving us home from school, and we decided to go to his place. Mom would go apeshit on me if she found out I bunked school. But there was no way I was staying in the same building as Alicia. Homeschool didn't seen like such a big deal right now.
Mattia placed his hand on my thigh and kept his other on the wheel.
"Baby don't apologise for their dumbass actions, you did nothing wrong" he said. His voice was quieter, and he didn't seem as happy as he usually was. I placed my hand on his and looked over at him.
"Mattia, are you okay?" I asked him. He smiled, but it wasn't his usually smile, there was some kind of pain behind it.
"Y-yeah of course I am" he stuttered. I pressed my lips together and wondered whether I should ask him again.
"Baby" I said, grazing my thumb along his fingers. He sighed and gave in finally.
"I feel like I'm letting you down" he said eventually. I look at him, puzzled by what he'd said.
"You could never let me down Mattia" I said firmly. I didn't want to plant any seed of doubt in his mind.
"You say that now, but I could've prevented what happened at lunch, I could've been there for you" he said, running a hand through his hair.
"Mattia they were gonna be rude to me, regardless of whether you were there or not, that wasn't in your control" I argued. He tightened his grip on the steering wheel and thought about it for a second.
"From now on, I'm gonna be there for you, I'm not leaving your side" he declared. He looked at me seriously "and if anyone, absolutely anyone says shit to you, I'm not holding back".
His seriousness made him even hotter, but at the same time it frightened me. Mattia often did shit that got him into trouble. Trouble with his parents, his teachers, but I was scared that next it would be the police. And I couldn't let him protect me if it meant there was a chance of losing him.
If I lose Mattia, I lose everything.
"As long as you stay out of trouble" I said, raising my eyebrows at him.
"No promises" he said, lifting my hand and kissing it softly.
We got to his house and everyone was out.
"Do you wanna eat?" he asked, walking into the kitchen.
"Only if you're cooking" I said as I kicked off my shoes and hung up my coat. Mattia's family was slowly becoming like my own. They treated me like I was one of their own, and it was honestly the best.
I walked into the kitchen and saw Mattia getting out a frying pan. I smiled and took a seat.
"I was only kidding when I said you had to cook" I told him. But he smirked at me and shook his head.
"Nah nah nah, you can't go back on your word like that babe, you asked for it, now you're getting it" he said in a deep voice. Whilst he was making us his famous chilli hot dogs, we talked about how bad the Vegas trip went. I thought that recounting the events would upset me, but he had me laughing till my sides hurt.
"Okay if you enjoy the food, you can pay me $20" said Mattia, coming over with two plates.
"And if I don't?" I asked curiously. He looked at me and laughed as he took his seat.
"Then your tastebuds clearly aren't working, cause no one has ever disliked my chilli dog" he said, causing us both to laugh.
The food was insanely good, and Mattia and I get on like a house on fire. It was easy to talk to him, and there wasn't ever an awkward moment. My phone started ringing and it was Ma. I swallowed my food and looked at Mattia.
"The school probably phoned her" he whispered.
I bit my lips nervously and hesitated, before picking up the phone.
"Why aren't you at school? said my Mom on the other side. She sounded calm, which was unusual.
"Ma I had to leave, it's a long story" I said quickly.
"Well, get home now so you can explain" she paused, "I also have something to tell you".
I looked over at Mattia who was washing dishes.
"O-okay I'm coming now" I said, standing up and walking into the hallway. I hung up and Mattia came over to me.
"You're leaving already?" he whined, letting his shoulders drop.
"I have to Mattia, my mom has something to tell me" I sighed, putting on my Air Forces. He grabbed his keys and my jacket.
"Let me at least drop you off" he offered. I nodded and we headed out to the car. The ride was only 5 minutes since we lived so close.
"So what do you think she's going to say?" He asked.
I shrugged as we pulled up to my house "I have no idea". I leaned across and planted a kiss on his lips.
"Text me what happens?" he said.
"I will" I smiled as I got out the car. I opened my front door and walked inside.
"Ma?" I called out.
"In here" she replied from the kitchen.
"What did you-" I stopped talking as soon as I saw what was going on. She was sat at the table with a guy. They were holding hands.
She smiled and introduced the strange man, sitting in my kitchen.
"Elena, this is my boyfriend Mike".
