caller • mattia polibio

017.

It edged on two am, Claudia sat watching movies.
It was often her weekend routine, staying up late watching the most random of things, she was quite certain there wasn't a movie she hadn't watched on Netflix. Outside was rather windy, the tree beside her window tapped and scraped against the glass every now and then, adding suspense to 'Hush', Claudia had watched this at least four times, in the past month alone.

The branches shook more violently against the window, 'it is just the wind' she told herself. However with the continuity of the tree Claudia grew more alarmed, slyly creeping out of her bed and to the darker side of her room. Much to her disbelief, two hands grabbed onto the windowsill. Terrified. At that moment, with full seriousness, Claudia thought she was about to die.

Following the hands, a head popped into view, this relieved the teary eyed girl, but also made her fear overcome with annoyance. There was Mattia's grinning face staring at her from the outside. Despite his adorable smile she loved so much, Claudia wanted to push him back down the tree. Sadly that wasn't the option.

"Do you understand how much you scared me?!" With her weak arms, she attempted to punch at his chest, Mattia however felt nothing. Easily, he grabbed her arms and pulled them around his waist.

"I'm sorry, I wasn't sure if your dad was here and I wanted to say I'm sorry for earlier. It was too forward, please don't be mad."

Claudia smiled up at him, standing on her tiptoes and planted a kiss on his lips, she wasn't mad, in the end she found it cute. The effort he was putting in to her warmed her heart dearly, she was really falling for Mattia. Hard. Now here he stood, doing something out of the ordinary to make the girl smile. Mattia himself had never felt like this before, he's had girlfriends but hadn't tried this hard, doing things he'd never see himself doing ever. He just felt that it was right to run that extra mile for Claudia.

"I'm not mad, now finish this movie with me, seeming as you so rudely interrupted."

As the boy climbed into the king sized bed, with many unnecessary pillows, stuffed animals and blankets, he realised he hadn't been in Claudia's room before. It was en suite, bathroom and closet, in the corner was a large mirror. It was decorated with many memories, tickets, photos, he could see one of the roses that he bought her at the match, even the fairy lights from the first time they met strung down one side. His eyes stared there for a while, with a smile unconsciously on his face, thinking about their short but yet amazing time together so far.

"You okay there Tia?"

"Tia? That's new." Mattia planted a kiss on her forehead. "I'm good beautiful, as long as I'm here with you."

"You cheeseball." Claudia grinned, pinching his cheeks like a baby. He pushed her hands away and pulled her into a close cuddle.

"Mattia, it's late, you should stay the night."