me, texas, and the popular boy

chapter 9

The rest of my weekend I did virtually nothing. My father was really only home to sleep, I could tell he felt bad about not being around. I wished he was around more, but I didn't blame him. Plus, it gave me time to get used to school and do my homework. Molly texted me a few times and asked if I had heard from Matt. I lied and said no. Matt texted me basically once an hour on Saturday until he eventually gave up as I didn't respond to any of them.

Matthew: Did you get my phone charger from Porter?

Matthew: You there?

Matthew: Nvm Ryder had it, how's our amazing project going?

Matthew: I know you are not ignoring me rn Margaret.

Matthew: If you don't respond you're gonna be sorry

Matthew Jesus christ Margaret, fine. See you on Monday ig

I rode my bike to school and was determined to avoid Matt at all costs. Monday I didn't have any classes with him. I made eye contact with him once during a passing period, but I quickly ducked into my Chem class. On Tuesday I had Spanish with him, but he couldn't approach me with Georgia right there. We had a lecture in English, and I made sure to get there late and leave early so he wouldn't be able to talk to me. He couldn't keep his eyes off of me during that class. Again, no classes with him on Wednesday, and during Spanish, on Thursday he still couldn't talk to me.

I arrived late to English on Thursday with a pass from the principal's assistant. I took my normal seat between my friends and Matt. Halfway through I needed to use the bathroom, so I excused myself. I looked myself up and down in the mirror, I'd decided to look nice that day so I wore a blue ruffled skirt and a white tank top. I opened the door with my back as I normally would.

"Margaret Skipper Hanahan," Matthew Fletcher was leaning back against lockers with his hand in his pockets. He was wearing sweatshorts and a t-shirt.

"What do you want Matt," I started walking back to our class.

"What do I want?" He stood in front of me so I couldn't pass, "I want to know why the hell you're ignoring me all of a sudden."

I crossed my arms and understood that he wouldn't let me through until I explained myself, "I don't understand why I would give you attention. You have a girlfriend that's not me, and we aren't really friends."

He bit his cheek and quietly said, "Margaret, don't be like that."

"I know about the bet," I said, glaring at him.

He genuinely looked confused, he paused, "Margaret, what the hell are you talking about?"

For a moment I believed he didn't know what I was talking about. Only for a moment. "I was at Molly's house. When I was getting water Porter was there and we started talking, he said --"

"No, no. Stop," he interrupted me, "Why were you talking about me to Porter Manchester?"

"You weren't the topic of the conversation, the bet you made was."

"What bet?" He was visibly getting very upset. He had clenched his jaw, and you could see the whites of his knuckles.

"The bet you made with Ryder about which one of you would fuck me first," I stated matter of factly.

"I don't want you talking to Porter Manchester. He's slimy and manipulative," he spat his words.

"You're literally friends with him."

"That's not the point."

"You don't get to decide who I talk to," I mimicked his tone.

"Fuck, Margaret," he looked at me, almost disappointed, "He's bad. I don't know what bet you're talking about. He's lying. I wouldn't do that. Not to you. Stop talking to him."

"I don't know you," I was getting emotional, "I don't know Porter very well either, but I know Molly, and she's good people. The only people I've seen you around are bad people. So move on so I can get back to class."

I pushed him out of the way, and he moved, as there would be no way I could physically move him by force. I didn't turn around but I heard a bang against a locker, and I assumed he had hit it. I made my way back to class and reclaimed my seat. Matt didn't come back until thirty seconds before the bell rang. He grabbed his things and left without even looking at me. Not that I wanted him to.