Who knows what local pizza companies think about delivering to the weird school, but with a building full of teens who love food, they’re happy for the huge amount they earn from the academy.
“No. This.” He delves into the bag and pulls out a plastic DVD case.
I grip the pizza box as if it’ll ground me to this strange world where Matt brings me pizza and company. He crouches down by the TV and pushes the DVD into the old DVD player.
The screen flickers on, and Matt chews his lip as he watches me warily.
“I hope I’ve not screwed up here. I asked Jamie what you enjoy doing, and he told me how much you missed your sister.”
“Right.” I place the box on the table.
“I felt really shit about what happened in Tobias’s class the other day and asked Jamie what he’d do to cheer you up. That’s when I ordered the DVD. I’m pissed off delivery took this long, but it’s well-timed after Katherine’s bitchy behaviour this morning.”
He pats the sofa, and I hesitantly lower myself onto the soft cushions.
Onscreen, the poster image for one of my favourite '80s movies appears.
“Oh...” I breathe out.
He flips open the pizza box. “Movies and pizza. I have chocolate too—I heard M&Ms are your favourite.”
What’s happening here? I rub my cheek and attempt to form a response.
Matt springs to his feet. “Shit. Did you want to be alone? I can go.”
“No. No, it’s okay. I just...” I wave a hand. “Never expected this.”
“Why? I told you I wanted to spend time with you over a week ago.” He smiles. “You’re a good influence on me.”
And if you stay here, you’ll be a bad influence on me.
Why does he really want to be alone with me?
“I know you were watching this when I...”
“Saw my memories?”
He pulls face. “Yes. But Jamie says movies with your sister is your happy place. She’s not here, so I’d like to share in your happy place.”
I stare at him. “Okay.”
He touches my knee. “Lia, I’m struggling to understand your responses here. Is this a ‘yes’ or ‘get out of this room’?”
I can’t help imagining other girls at the academy who’d lap up this attention from Matt. I point at the pizza box. “I can’t eat all that on my own. I guess you can stay.”
His eyes shine as he kicks his trainers off and curls up on the couch. The day suddenly becomes a lot more bearable.
I’m used to tactile guys. Ash in particular always has an arm over somebody’s shoulders or a hug for me when he thinks I need it. This always amuses me as it’s the opposite to his tough guy, head of the rugby team image. I’m close to Jamie too, and although he doesn’t hug much, he’s empathetic and knows when I need one.
The thought of physical closeness to Matt is a world away from friendly hugs. After the kiss the other night backstage, I’ve wavered between dreaming of what more could happen, and staying away in case he breaks my heart. I don’t think the desire to touch him will ever leave—not since we held hands and our magic energies linked at a deeper level.
“How many times have you seen this movie?” Matt asks through a mouthful of pizza.
“I lost count,” I admit.
The movie’s ironic, considering today’s spat with Katherine where she mocked my poorer lifestyle. In my movie, the girl from the wrong side of town falls for the rich guy while his friends mock him and bully the girl. Although, I don’t have the lifelong male friend to create a tricky love triangle, the similarities are there.
“I hope she doesn’t choose the arsehole,” he says.
“Which one?” I tense. Is he judging the best friend character? Because he’s my favourite.
“The rich dude. He’s not treating her right.” I laugh softly. “What’s so funny?”
“That you’re passionate about this. Guys don’t usually like this movie.”
“Ah, well. I’m not a usual guy, am I?” He turns to me and shifts closer. “Not to you.”
“Are you being big-headed again, Matt?”
“No. Well, of course I’m irresistible, but I mean the magic connection. The kiss.”
Instantly, my shyness takes over and I grab a handful of popcorn and eat so I don’t need to respond.
“We’ve avoided that conversation, haven’t we?” he continues.
“Because I was overwhelmed by the magic, and I didn’t know if you felt how our energy connected in the same way I did.”