different; marter

1

carter
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I see him in the halls. I see him at Bojangles, he works there. He's cute. I've never really talked to him but- "Yo Carter you up for the usual tonight?" Nash asks, playfully punching my arm.

'The usual' was we go to Bojangles and sit in the booth by the door until we get kicked out for laughing too loud, or using bad language.

"You already know. Is Mendes gonna be there tonight?" I ask. "Nah, he's a church boy and it's Friday. The wittle baby gotta get his rest for church tomorrow." Nash mocks.

"Ah that's ight Tay, and the Jacks will be there so we'll be occupied." I laugh leading Nash to my car.

We get in and head to Bojangles, like every Friday. It's only about half a mile away from school, so we walk sometimes.

I pull into the almost full parking lot and get out, along with Nash locking my doors.

Yeah this is a really ghetto neighborhood so you gotta keep your cars locked at ALL times.

We go in and sit at our regular table, to be greeted by JJ, Jack, and Taylor.

"Hey cuties." Taylor says pulling us both into a hug slowly kissing my cheek then nipping my ear.

No, Taylor isn't gay just.. friendly and weird, but not in an uncomfortable way more like a humorous way other people wouldn't understand.

Hours past and we talked about everything from pubic hair to football, since tonight's game was playing on the tv. It was dark out by now.

The game was pretty interesting so far. So interesting that we didn't even realize that there were no customers left, yet we were still yelling and chanting for Tampa Bay.

"Goodnight, sugar. You can kick those boys out in about 15 minutes, and make sure to lock up. Be safe, and I'll see you Monday!" A woman maybe in her late 50s says to Matt.

"Don't do anything I wouldn't do." Matt says winking at her. That's the first time I've ever heard his voice now that I think about it.

"No promises" she laughs walking out the door.

I refocus on the game. "Tampa's down by two." Gilinsky says as if he read my mind.

I look over and see Matt sitting criss cross on the counter playing with his phone. It's cute the way he rolls his sleeves up, and wears multicolored Dr. Martens with everything. I swear he owns a pair in every color their is.

Why am I thinking about this? Why does any of this matter? Why can't I stop staring at Matt?

"TOUCH DOWN" Nash and Taylor both scream at the same time as if on cue, high fiveing each other.

Matt practically jumps out of his skin, causing a laugh to escape my lips.

I look at my phone and see that it's 9:45 Oh shit this place was supposed to close at 9. "Yo it's almost 10 this place was supposed to close at 9, were holding him up." I say drawing Nash's attention.

"Nah, nah the game isn't over yet, and that's- what's his face from school he won't mind." Nash says. "Even if he did mind he wouldn't say anything" I say. "Yo Espinosa, are we holding you up?" I ask from across the room.

His face goes pale and he looks- frightened for some reason. "n-no" he sputters out quickly jumping from the counter and going into the back.

"Matt, why don't you come sit with us?" I ask. No response. I get up and walk over to the counter. "Matt? You in there?"

"d-do you need something?" He asks looking down. His voice was so soft, and sweet I could listen to him talk all day. "I said, why don't you come and sit with us?"

"I'm fine, thanks." He says smiling to himself. "Well how about you just come and sit with me?" I say smirking.

He slowly walks from behind the counter taking slow deep breaths, looking horrified...

Maybe we can become friends...