𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐈𝐬 𝐀 𝐋𝐨𝐰. ⁽⁽⁽ᵐᵃᵗᵗʸ ʰᵉᵃˡʸ⁾⁾⁾

Matty can't stand Ray, he knows that much. But he admires her. And he finds her devastatingly attractive. And she surprises him at every turn. And he feels an inexplicable urge to catch her when she falls. And, in his moments of weakness, she even brings out a side of Matty that he hasn't seen before - but it's one that he really doesn't like. So, to be clear: he can't stand her.

~

"Witty," her glass is empty, a useless prop in this exchange. She imagines throwing it against the wall so it shatters right by his head, just to watch him jump.

"I've heard."

"Arrogant, too."

Their eyes meet.

"Confidence, actually."

"Semantics."

He observes her coolly. Her heart pounds in her chest. She wonders where he'll go in this verbal sparring match, if he'll push back even further. She's struck by the sickening thrill of their barbed words, eager to see what he'll do.

"Nice to meet you," he says finally, turning on his heel and leaving her in silence.