20 Days To Fall In Love

#3 - The Bet

Chapter 3 - The Bet
published: Saturday, 2 May 2020

"You're really looking for Lizzie?" Elizabeth's roommate shot him consistent looks of disbelief as the car trundled down the road.

Matthew nodded absently, his eyes fixated on the sky outside the window. He glanced warily at her. "You're not one of those people who hate their roommates..."

"No," the girl snorted, pulling down on the indicator as she made a left turn. "Elizabeth's my best friend. But she doesn't seem like your type."

Matthew raised an eyebrow. "What's my type?"

"Dumb," she offered. Her gaze flickered to him and then back to the road. "Which reminds me, I'm driving you to our apartment because I'm curious to see what you actually want with her."

"You don't believe I'd ask her out?"

"You're Matthew Campbell," she repeated. "She's...Elizabeth. How would you guys even meet?"

"I bumped into her yesterday morning," Matthew informed her. "Literally."

"Well," she started. "If you're telling the truth, then I hate to break it to you, but Elizabeth will probably say 'no'."

"Because I slept with the girl across the hall two years ago?"

"Because you're you," she corrected. "Elizabeth might not be like the girls you usually date, but you're definitely not her type."

"I'm everybody's type," Matthew protested.

"Maybe most people," she said, gaze taking over him. "Honestly, you're a lot nicer than I expected. So I guess you get bonus points for that." She glanced over at him. "I'm Maya, by the way."

Matthew had to suppress the urge to crumple the papers in his lap. It was three sheets of notes from the lecture. "I kind of need her to say 'yes'."

Maya eyed him suspiciously. "Why?"

Matthew hesitated. Yeah, he couldn't exactly get Elizabeth to date him by saying that it was for his inheritance. "Um, I really like her," he lied smoothly.

The corner of her mouth rugged upwards. "Never thought I'd see the day. Matthew Campbell sitting in my car, pining after my roommate." She glanced at the side mirror. "Okay, now, I like you, so I'm gonna give you some pointers in getting Elizabeth to like you."

"Yes, please," Matthew said warily. He was already drawing blanks at asking out someone like Elizabeth. "Does she-does she watch soccer?" he said bewilderedly.

"Firstly," Maya started. "Don't call it 'soccer' around her. And secondly, yes, but if you don't know what the sport is really like then don't mention it. She gets very..."

"Passionate?" Matthew suggested.

"Aggressive," Maya finished. "When talking about it."

Matthew visibly deflated as he sunk into his seat.

Could've chosen any other girl, but no, he had to name one who wasn't even from the same continent as him.

"At least she isn't Canadian," Maya added helpfully, sensing his apprehension.

Matthew frowned. "What do you have against Canadians?"

"They're too nice," Maya insisted. "There's something fishy going on there."

"Wow, the Canadian conspiracy. That's a new one."

"Shut up," Maya ordered as she pulled into the parking lot of a greying building. The place was comfortable, but not really what Matthew was used to, compared to his house. "She likes Taylor Swift. She hates cooking - loves eating. Favourite colour's blue. And she's from Manchester."