The Other Side Of Matthew Taylor

Chapter #8

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The Other Side of Matthew Taylor _ chapter #8

I took slow steps towards the Taylor's house. I could see someone sitting on the porch. I wished it would be Matthew sitting on the porch, so that I could talk to him before dinner. But at the same time, I wished that it wouldn't be him, because though I was mentally prepared about what I had to say to him, I wasn't sure about how he would react. An all time enemy suddenly trying to befriend you is a little too wierd.

"Umm, hi..good to see you! " I said as I approached him. Ugh! Silly me! The tone I used out of nervousness made it seem more like a question.

"Hey" he said,  his voice only slightly higher than a whisper.

"Can I sit?" I whispered back. Why did I whisper again?  I don't know. Everything around and about this guy is just so confusing.

"Umm..yea. Sure."

He actually said 2 whole sentences, though short ones, but two whole sentences, without calling me a nerd! Wow. This is something i can get used to.

Though he did not call me a nerd, he didn't sound too cheerful. I mean, I don't exactly expect him to be all happy about this dinner, but he sounded sort of.......hesitant.

I had to do something to calm him down and make him atleast talk to me.

"Listen Matthew, what happened at the basketball court.... I don't have explanations about my behaviour. All I want you to know is I am genuinely sorry."

"It's okay" he said, raising his voice higher than a whisper for the first time.

"So, your parents told you about it?"

He asked.

"Huh?" I didn't get him at first. But then it hit me. Oh my god. So my parents knew about it all this while? Whoa. A lot of discoveries are happening. I thought it'd be best to let Matthew think that they told me about it ; because I didn't want him to know that I have his diary. I might come across as a creep - reading someone's personal diary. But if my parents never wanted me to find out, and Matthew wasn't expecting them to talk about this to me, then I couldn't use this lie.

"I..umm..overheard them talking about it"

"Oh" he said. He clearly wasn't in the mood to talk.  Especially not about this.

"Matthew, I know it would be difficult for you....."

"Look nerd, I don't need your fake sympathy. Tell me what do you want to keep your mouth shut. Name it. Just don't ever open up your mouth about it and I wouldn't cross your way."

Wow. He made it sound so easy! Of course I hated him, but I wasn't so shallow!

"This is not fake sympathy Matthew! I could have simply not come tonight and spread this bit of knowledge in the entire school if that is what I wanted. You know I could've done that. I haven't come here to blackmail you! I am not so shallow. How could you even think of something so...so...low?" I said, my voice shaking with anger.

"Because you hate me!" he replied, his voice again a whisper.

"I don't hate you. I mean I don't have a reason to!"

"But after all that I did..."

"Matthew that was your choice. No nerd hates the jocks and cheerleaders. You guys love to make us your object of fun and that is simply why we reciprocate your hatred. "

Silence. He sat there looking at me as if I was some alien.

So, I took the cue and continued...

"I never hated you. I simply disliked you because of the constant teasing. That's it. And now, honestly, that has faded too. I respect you and your decision Matthew. I am not going to say that I know what you must going through, because I don't. All I know is it isn't an easy task to live with that kind of weight in your heart and act as if life couldn't get better. You could've simply gained the sympathy of the entire school, but you chose to bear it all with dignity. You chose your parent's dignity over your comfort. I don't know how difficult it must've been, but I am sure it was a tough choice to make. You chose the hard way, and followed it with grace. I respect you Matthew, I don't hate you. "

Silence. And more silence. I took a quick glance at Matthew's face. He looked....pale.

He opened his mouth to say something, but just before he could say something, my mom yelled.

"Matthew, Kiara come in! It's getting cold outside and the dinner is almost ready. "

Yeah, it's a universal law : All moms have great timings.

Anyway, not expecting anything but more silence from Matthew, I got up to go inside. Just as I was about to open the door, Matthew spoke up.

"Kiara"

"Yes, Matthew? "

"Thank you"

     -------------------------X------------------------

So Matthew and Kiara are finally talking!
Keep reading to find out what happens at and after the dinner!
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