MATTIA POLIBIO A FRIEND MORE THAN A LOVER

Chapter 8

I finally saw Mattia after two weeks. It was at soccer practice. He was arguing with one of the players. When practise finished Mattia was the first one out and came to sit by me. We said no words; it felt like we were back to where we started. All of our memories were gone. I missed Mattia, I missed goofing off together and having fun. I guess Cynthia kept him busy. It was Friday and this weekend I decided to go stay with Robert. He hasn't had the best of weeks; he failed his one test and took it way too hard. I didn't bother telling Mattia. I mean, what would such irrelevant information matter to him?

Sunday evening when I got back Cynthia came over and Mattia was packing a bag. I didn't ask any questions. I was too afraid of the answers I might get. Mattia knocked on my door, "Hey Anna, Cynthia and I are going away for the week you can call Kairi over." That was when I had enough. "Mattia wait," I sighed. He looked at me and I lost all my courage. "Have fun." I smiled, but I could feel the tears wanting to fall. He nodded his head and left without any words. I had grown too depend on these boys. Maybe a break is exactly what I need. I switched off my phone and never went out other than to class. Kairi caught me a few times walking in the hall ways. I explained to him that I just wasn't in the mood or people. Thankfully he understood.

Exams were around the corner and I was studying day and night. Nothing was more important than upholding my scholarship here. I ignored all my messages and calls. Whenever the boys knocked I pretended to not be at home. It was 2am in the morning when I got a call that I could not ignore.

Anna, I need your help. Can you come bail me out of jail? I got arrested for drunk driving.

I put my phone down. So this is what Mattia has been getting up to. I can't believe that this is Mattia. What happened to the Mattia that took me to the spa and baked doughnuts, what happened to my friend? I got a taxi and went down to the station. I didn't say a word to him. The officer explained how since this was Mattia's first offense he was letting Mattia off the hook. He handed me the car keys and let Mattia out. Mattia was stumbling over his feet. I didn't know whether to hit him or cry. So I did both and walked away. I got in the car and waited for Mattia. Once he put his seat belt on I started the car and drove off.

We pulled up in front of the outhouse. "Why," I asked, tears rolling down my cheeks. I was always a cry baby. It was my worst trait. Mattia sighed, "I don't know. I needed something to calm my nerves. You were about to leave me. I saw the principal leave here the other night. I knew what that meant. I just, didn't want to see you go." I reached over the seat and hugged Mattia. My fool was still there. "I'd never leave you Tia. I told the principal the same. I'm not going anywhere anytime soon. You are completely stuck with me." Mattia smiled, a sight I haven't seen for a long time. "Tia, promise me that you will never do such stupid things again." He looked at me with regret in his eyes, "I promise I won't do such stupid things if you promise to never leave me." I nodded. We made our way into the outhouse. "I don't like your disappearing acts and I sure as hell don't like Cynthia." Mattia burst out laughing and I suddenly felt stupid. He came up behind me and hugged me. "Cynthia is my girlfriend, but you're still my main dude. I know you don't like her because ever since she came I started disappearing, but I promise she is a nice girl and you will really like her once you get to know her." We swayed side to side together. "Or is my little vixen jealous." That earned him an elbow to the stomach. Mattia really is one of a kind I tell you. Tia and I decided to watch a movie before going to bed. I swear we need to get a less comfortable couch. I woke up expecting to be in my room like usual, but this time I was still in the lounge. I don't blame Mattia, I would of left me here too. I stretch myself over the couch and laid back down. The couch started moving. Wait, couches don't move. I look down to see Mattia. My blood ran cold. We must have both fallen asleep on the couch. I got up and went straight to my room. I can't believe that I was laying on Tia. We shared the couch. This will be the first and last time this ever happens.

Tia thought it would be a good idea for me and Cynthia to hang out once without any of the boys. The first time he planned to get us to hang out I had to cancel because Kairi missed me and he booked us movie tickets to watch Robert Downey Jr. and I couldn't let Kairi down. The second time I had no excuse. Mattia dropped us off at an art gallery. I was slightly nervous because I haven't socialized with anyone other than the boys since I got here. Hanging out with Cynthia wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. We bonded over how boring this gallery was and rather went for ice cream. I also found out that the ice cream shop was hiring and booked an interview. Cynthia and I walked to the closest park and talked. So maybe Mattia was right, one point Tia. It was getting late and I wasn't in the mood for Mattia and that smug face he has when he is right about something so I called Alejandro to come pick me up. I was so happy when Alejandro got there a few minutes before Tia. I said by to the two of them and hopped in Alejandro's car. I pulled out the emergency sleep over bag out of his boot. I made all the boys keep a bag filled with two days outfits in their cars.

Please don't forget to hit that star.