Mattheo

The next morning finds me at the Great Hall enjoying breakfast. But I’m distracted, my thoughts far away from the food in front of me. Across from me, Enzo and Blaise are chatting animatedly about something, but I’m not paying attention.

My eyes keep straying to the other end of the table, searching for a certain pair of eyes...I see her sitting with her friends and try to look away, but my gaze keeps getting pulled back to her like a magnet. It’s like I can’t force myself to look anywhere else. I watch as she pushes a strand of hair behind her ear, my mind suddenly full of thoughts.

 I shift in my seat, trying to ignore the stirring in my jeans. I need to get a grip, I can’t let her affect me like this. But as I watch her laugh and smile at whatever her friend is saying, I can feel my heart skip a beat. I watch as she takes a sip of her drink, my mind suddenly flooded with thoughts of her lips. I imagine what it would feel like to taste them, to press my own lips against hers. I shake my head, trying to clear my mind. 

Enzo’s voice suddenly breaks into my thoughts, snapping me out of my thoughts. "You’re awfully quiet this morning, Mattheo,” he says, giving me a knowing grin.

I try to play it cool, giving him a nonchalant shrug. "Just tired, I didn’t get much sleep last night,” I lie, taking a sip of my coffee. Blaise laughs, a smirk spreading across his face. “Oh yeah, I’d wager you were very busy last night,” he teases, elbowing me in the ribs.

I glower at him, my eyes narrowing. “Don’t even start,” I warn. “I was just up late studying, that’s all,” I lie again, taking another sip of coffee.

Lorenzo gives me a skeptical look, his eyes flicking over to the girl sitting at the other end of the table. “Riiiight… studying,” he says, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

I feel a small jolt of panic as her eyes meet mine, but I force myself to look away. I can see Lorenzo and Blaise give each other a knowing look out of the corner of my eye, and I can practically hear the gears turning in their heads.

Blaise leans forward, a cheeky grin on his face “Say Mattheo, who were you studying with last night?” he asks innocently, his tone feigning innocence. I grit my teeth, my patience wearing thin. I can see where this is going, and I don’t like it. “No one,” I reply tersely, taking another sip of coffee. “I was studying alone.”

My mind starts to wander again, my thoughts immediately turning to her. I imagine what it would be like to have her in my room with me, studying together…I can feel my heart rate quicken at the thought, and I have to force myself to take a deep breath. I can’t let myself get lost in those thoughts, it’s too dangerous. I hear Blaise snicker and I look up to see him watching me with a knowing grin.

Blaise leans in closer, his voice low. “You know, if you’re looking for someone to study with, there is someone else here who’s been looking for a study partner,” he says, gesturing discreetly towards the other end of the table. I follow his gesture and my eyes immediately land on Lexi. I feel a pang of longing in my chest, but I quickly shake it off. “I’m fine studying on my own,” I say firmly, taking a sip of coffee.

Lorenzo rolls his eyes, clearly not convinced. “Come on, Mattheo, anyone can see that you’ve got it bad for the girl,” he says bluntly. I glare at him, feeling my irritation rising.