Young Runners- Matt Espinosa

Chapter 19

Matthew ran into the bathroom, and kneeled down next to me. He started rubbing circles on my back, trying to soothe me, but I continued to shake uncontrollably.

"Try and calm down princess, okay? You're fine, I'll look after you." He said. His voice was gentle, this would usually calm me down, but it wasn't working.

"I don't feel fine Matthew, I feel like I just vomited in a toilet, to be honest." I snapped back at him, and he stared at me. His expression confirmed that I had hurt his feelings.

"I was just trying to help." He mumbled, and passed me a piece of toilet roll to wipe my mouth with. I don't know why I was rude to him. It's true that he was only attempting to help, even if I didn't want him to.

I stand up, and wipe my eyes on my t-shirt sleeve. I try to walk around him, but he stands up and blocks my way.

"No. You are going to tell me what's wrong, right now y/n" he orders, and I look down at the ground.

"I don't know what's up Matthew! Okay? I don't know what's wrong with me! Most girls want to kiss their boyfriends, but apparently you just make me sick!" I whisper-yelled, because his parents were still asleep.

He looked shocked, angry, and confused, but mainly, he just looked upset.

"What do you mean you don't want to kiss me?" He mumbled, and his voice cracked a little, since he was on the verge of bursting into tears. "Do you still like me?" He added.

I didn't even have to consider it for a second. I shake my head, and he immediately starts to cry.

"I don't like you Matt... I love you." I cried, and he looked at me, relieved. He grabbed me, and hugged me.

"Don't mess with me in situations like this y/n! I was so scared, I thought you were going to leave me." He cried, and we just held each other tightly in our arms, crying.

After a minute or two, he picked me up, and carried me to his room, placing me on his bed.

"Seriously though, why were you so upset, are you feeling ill, or was it some sort of panic attack, or-"

"I panicked. A lot. You were putting your hand up my shirt, and I was worried about where things were going. I'm not ready Matt, not for things like that." I said, my voice trembling slightly. It may sound stupid, but I was worried that he would leave me for some girl who will do that kind of stuff.

But he didn't leave me. He just kissed me on the head, and ran his fingers through my hair.

"I'll never rush you again. You're only young, we don't have to do anything you don't want too." He said, and I hug him tightly.

"I really do love you Matthew." I whispered in his ear, as I hugged him.

"I know you do, but I love you more."

We laid silently in each other's arms for a little while, before he whispers.

"That's why we should run away together, because we love each other."

"That isn't a good enough excuse for me to abandon my life here Matt. I do love you, but I'm not ready to leave home." I say in response, and he sighs.

"Fine." He mumbled, then kissed me on the forehead, before falling asleep, holding me tightly.