Destined

Seven

Tyler had given Talia a ride so I was alone that afternoon. They seemed like they were getting along just fine, which was good, especially considering the circumstances. I could tell my mum hadn't arrived yet when I pulled into the garage. As I got out of the car, I was startled to notice that someone was waiting for me at the door. 

"Matthew,"
"Hey," he walked towards me.
"You disappeared," I said.
"At a very wrong time, I know,"
"Where were you?"
"I'm not sure you want to know,"
"That sounds suspicious,"
"Look, I know things are weird."
I sighed, "Weird doesn't begin to cover it. You left me alone with Vince,"
"I knew he wouldn't hurt you and yes, I did know that, otherwise I wouldn't have left you with him, much less let you speak to him," He said.
"He terrifies me, he looks so unhinged at times," I said. "Like one moment he's one person and the next it's like he's blown a fuse,"
"Vince has some issues, a very volatile temper, but he wouldn't, doesn't, physically take it out on girls," he explained. "Or anyone who hasn't provoked him,"
"Did you know he was going to be taking over my class? And that he's a famous author?"
"I knew about the being an author, but not about the class. I thought he was just here to write. He does that a lot, goes from one place to another in search of inspiration,"
"You want to come in? It's getting cold out here,"
"Yeah sure,"

Matt sat down at my kitchen table and I poured him some juice.

"So, Vince?" I asked unable to keep my curiosity at bay.
"What about him?" he asked.
"Why didn't you tell me you had a famous writer for a cousin?"
"It didn't come up,"
"Uhuh, right. How are you guys related?"
"Our mums are sisters,"
"Huh, okay,"
"How's his teaching? Good?"
"It's...something. How old is he?"
"Twenty-four, I'm not sure I should have told you that,"
I laughed, "Too late," I said. "What happened, when I left you guys?"
Matthew sighed, "I tried to get him to leave. That's when I recognized Roger. He was sitting up and I guess I kind of lost it when I realized why,"
"Why did they argue?"
"Something about their dads. Not my story to tell," he shrugged. "So, I'm guessing the police spoke to you,"
"Yes, how'd you know?"
"Liz told me,"
"Oh, I didn't know you and Liz talked much,"
"Uh, yeah, I'm helping her out with a project,"
"Okay, well they haven't spoken to me officially, I feel like they're trying to catch me off guard,"
"You have nothing to hide,"
"Except that I witnessed Roger get beat up,"
"We know it's irrelevant,"
"That's for them to decide. Why are you helping him hide the truth? If he's not guilty, why does it matter?"
"Krissy, I really can't explain it right now. If you can't do it for him, do it for me, please," he pleaded and I hated myself for being so compassionate in that moment.
"Then we should get our stories straight," I said.
"We went for a walk, we came back, you before me,"
"That easy, huh?"
"If it's complicated, they'll dig holes into it,"
"Okay, but won't they want to know why I came back before you?"
"Have you told anyone the real reason you ran off?"
"I told Talia some guy scared me,"
"Let's roll with that. Say I played a prank on you and you got mad and left,"
"Do you spend your time weaving up stories for moments like these?" I raised a brow.
He laughed, "I'm sorry I dragged you into this,"
"As long as you're both being honest, it's fine, are you really not going to tell me what they were fighting about?"
He shrugged again, "Sorry,"
"Fine, I'll see you around,"
"Yeah,"

Before he could leave though, my mum arrived and I had to introduce them to each other.

"Mum, this is Matthew, Matthew, this is my mum," I said.
"Well hello Matthew," my mum smiled.
"Hello Mrs. Sanders, a pleasure to meet you, "
"Oh no, please call me Diana," she said.
Matthew nodded, "Well I should get going, thanks for having me over,"
"Uh yeah, later," I said and walked him out.
"He's cute," my mum said while toeing off her shoes when I got back.
"Uh, yeah," I said. "You're late,"
"Had a pitstop for a conference call," she said. "I need a shower and then we'll talk,"
"I need to run an errand, I'll be back shortly,"
"Sure," She said and went up to my room as I left.