Black and Blue

Chapter 9

Matthew was sitting near the window, listening to rap music, though it was pointless. Rolland left right after his mom called,and he's grounded for a week.

Matthew felt guiltier than ever. Just because of him Rolland is grounded.

Matthew's mind was a mess and he couldn't think straight.

I should have let Rolland die I guess....wait....wtf why am i thinking that way!? Arghh why was Rolland so sad about me sleeping with Sara? Um maybe i ditched him? But he should've been happy for me! Ugh why do  I expect him to care? But he said I'm the only person in his life.

Wait a minute....Sara! She must be mad at me! Wait..am I her boyfriend now? Shit. I guess I am.

Just then his phone rang and it was,as expected and feared, Sara.

"Hey!",Matthew blurted out nervously.

" Why did you leave!",Sara shouted.

"I...I had some work to do..."

"You could inform me!"

"I'm uh sorry."

" Huh never mind, um can you come over? My mom said she wants to meet my new boyfriend, that is you! Make sure you take bath and don't smell like alcohol. Hurry."

"I- uh ok fine. I'll be there in ten minutes."

Matthew hung up and cursed himself for getting into it. He had to go now, but he didn't feel right.
He felt like he was not being fair to Rolland.  He couldn't forget the look on Rolland 's face when he said that he was happy for him, Matthew could tell that he clearly wasn't happy.

After a quick bath and dressing up in some clean clothes, Matthew went out of his apartment and took a taxi to Sara's place.

He rang the calling bell and waited for a few seconds when a short,  pale, pot- bellied man opened the door and smiled warmly at him.

"Ahh you must be Matthew?",the round man said in a cheerful tone.

Matthew nodded and soon the man let him in. Sara was having an argument about something with a woman,he assumed was her mom. She was tall and skinny, just opposite to Sara's dad.

Matthew had known Sara for a while but never met her parents. At the sight of Matthew, Sara and her mom both came to greet him and everyone sat down in front of the television.

He was really awkward ,when Sara's dad broke the deafening silence but introducing himself, " I'm Robert, but everyone calls me Robby."

Matthew forced a smile and then Sara's mom stood up and said," You're having lunch with us aren't you?"  Matthew hesitated a bit but then he looked st Sara,who nodded microscopically, so he said yes.

After a while, lunch was ready and they all headed towards the dining table. The food looked delicious, but something inside him made him lose his appetite.

He hardly gulped down some pastas while Sara's parents debated on some news. Sara ate in complete silence, not even looking up at me. Just when i was about to get up, Sara's mom asked me,"You do love Sara?"

Matthew was shocked and he felt like throwing up. He didn't love Sara,but how could he tell that to her parents? They probably knows that he even slept with her. So without much delay, he blurted out a yes and they both smiled lightly.

Sara didn't seem too happy though. Matthew wanted to get out of there as soon as possible. Soon after the lunch, Sara's mom started doing the dishes and Sara helped her a little, while her dad, tried to talk to Matthew.

"So you're a sophomore eh?"

"Uh yea"

"You earn?"

"Yes sir."

"Oh call me by my name. Robby would be much preferable."

"Okay uh, Robby."

"Nice. You're a nice young man. You drink?"

"Um sometimes.."

"Oh never mind. Considerable."

He then turned his attention towards the TV,where some cricket match was on but it was mute. There was an awkward silence and that's when he heard it.