Matt

There was nothing more exciting than waking up in the morning to a Winter Wonderland outside my bedroom window and then racing downstairs over to the TV, clicking the station to the News channel, and proceeding to shift from foot to foot as I watched school cancellations loop through the bottom of the screen with bated breath only to find out that mine was closed for the day.

I let out a loud whoop before immediately sagging my shoulders. Crap.

There was also nothing more disappointing than realizing that I would be the one spending half of that snow day shoveling out the sidewalk and driveway while my Dad slept to make sure everything was clear for him to be able to leave for work in the evening. Ugh. Today was supposed to be a day for lounging around, reading books, and binge-watching my latest reality show obsession; not for huffing and puffing as I struggled to lift the 78th shovelful of snow and toss it onto the lawn.

The only thing that could possibly make this chore any fun for me was some company. Well, company from one specific person that is. Addison would no doubt only stand there whining the whole time about how frigid it was and gasping if I so much as suggested she help which would end up being more annoying than enjoyable. I would definitely go with my first choice in this scenario.

I bolted back upstairs, unplugging my phone from the charger as I flopped onto my bed and dialed the number.

"Hello," a sleepy voice answered softly from the other end of the line.

"Hey, V. Did I wake you?"

She cleared her throat and I heard some rustling as she probably pushed back her covers. She let out a yawn. "It's ok. I'm up now. Is everything alright?"

I nodded but realizing she couldn't see me, I replied, "Sure is. School's been canceled for today. Do you want to come over and help me do some chores? I'll make it worth your while." I chuckled. "I'm not sure just yet what to offer to entice you into coming over but I'll think of something."

"I'll come," she said abruptly. "I don't mind. Just give me about thirty minutes to get dressed and walk there."

"Ok," I said a smile growing on my face. "See you soon!"

A little while later after the driveway and sidewalk had been cleared, Vanessa stood in the foyer of my house slightly shivering with her jeans wet up to the knee from the snow. I frowned at her as she shook her gloves off and rubbed her fingers together, her teeth chattering. I was hoping she would hang out for a little while longer but I couldn't just leave her cold and soaked.

"Do you want me to drive you back to your house," I asked as I stamped the snow off of my boots.

She shrugged but didn't give a definite response.

"If it's about the clothes," I said laughing, "I could always loan you a pair of my sweatpants." I was half-joking, not really expecting her to take me up on the offer but she slowly nodded her head, a flush making her already frost-bitten cheeks even redder.

"If you wouldn't mind..." She looked down at the floor as she unwrapped the scarf from around her neck. "I really would like to get out of these clothes." Her face instantly went crimson and she turned away from me, busying herself with the zipper on her jacket.

"Ok. Get yourself comfortable then. I'll go dig up something for you to change into." I took the stairs two at a time to get to my room before fishing around in my dresser for a clean pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt just in case she wanted it. "Here you go," I said coming back down into the foyer and handing them over to her while giving a sheepish grin. "I believe you know where the bathroom is."

As she headed off to get dressed, I went into the kitchen and opened the top cabinet, pulling out the packet of hot cocoa mix. This will warm her right up, I thought.

I prepped the drinks before heading out into the living room, pausing in my tracks at the sight of Vanessa wearing my clothes. She was curled up on the carpet with her feet tucked beneath her and a smile lighting up her face at the sight of the hot chocolate in my hands. "For me?"

I clutched the mugs to my chest, giving her a pretend dirty look. "Nooo," I said slowly. "They're both mine. You want some, go make it yourself." I broke out into a grin before handing one over to her. "Yes, of course, it's for you, silly. I even put some extra marshmallows in yours to satisfy that sweet tooth you have."

She squealed as I joined her on the carpet, closing her eyes and warming her hands on the mug. I was aware that I was probably sitting a tad closer to her than what was acceptable for two people that were only just friends but if she noticed, she didn't let on. "So..." I began, letting out a small laugh as I fingered a piece of the carpet, "Did you get a chance to finish the book I bought you yet?" I held my breath as I waited for her answer. If she said "No", it would have felt like a personal rejection.

She took a sip of her drink before smiling at me over the rim. "Matt, it's only been a couple of days since you gave it to me but I did start it."

I fiddled with my hands in my lap as I carefully eyed her expression for any hint that she was being dishonest so as not to make me feel bad. "And? Do you like it so far? I can return it. Well, I probably can't but I can definitely get you something else if you prefer." The words were coming out in a rush now. "I did see this one novel that looked like it would be to your interest but then I wasn't sure if you would want to read it because it had a murder in it but it looked like the book was centrally a love story so I don't know..." I shrugged my shoulders, giving her a shy grin. Oh my god, Matt. Stop babbling. You sound like an idiot.

She set down her cocoa mug on the coffee table in front of us, a wide smile lighting up her brown eyes. Gently, she reached over and placed her hand on my arm, giving it a light squeeze. "I love it, Matt," She whispered. She lowered her gaze to her fingers on me, abruptly pulling back as her cheeks turned pink.

"Ok, good," I said blowing out my breath as I leaned forward to pick up a book that was on the coffee table. I clutched it in my fingers before holding it out to her. "When you're done with that one, you can begin on this one next." I cleared my throat. "It takes place in New York City and I thought you might enjoy it."

As she took the novel from me, our hands brushed and I noticed that despite her grasp on the heated cocoa mug, her skin was still cold. I furrowed my brows as I studied her. "Are you warm enough? I can grab my blankets from upstairs if you aren't."

She gave me a small smile. "That's ok, you don't have-"

I jumped up. "It's no trouble, V. I don't want you to be chilly." I hurried upstairs, yanking the comforter and sheet from my bed and quickly coming back downstairs with my arms full. I set aside the blanket so I could spread out the sheet on the carpet in front of the TV. I glanced over at her from where I was kneeling on all fours. "Sit," I instructed her.

She came over and made herself comfortable on the linen as I wrapped the comforter around her shoulders, making sure to tug it securely closed. "Better," I asked as I met her gaze.

She nodded and I sat back against the front of the couch, clicking on the TV. "Alright, now let's find a new series to watch because it's been a week since I got my last fix of drama and I'm going craaazy."

I could feel Vanessa's eyes on me as I went through the motions of booting up our preferred streaming service and I glanced over at her. "What's up?"

A pink flush covered her cheeks as she bit her lip. "Um...I feel bad. I'm hogging the entire blanket while you don't have anything." The color on her cheeks deepened to a scarlet as she held open one side of the blanket. The side that was nearest to me. She cleared her throat. "Do you...do you want to share?"

Fuck yea, I did. My pulse started racing as I attempted to keep a neutral expression on my face. Play it cool and nonchalant, Matt. Get excited all you want inside your head but on the outside, be casual. "I guess," I said shrugging like it was no big deal. "Whatever."

I scooted over until I was wrapped inside the blanket with her, our shoulders touching and our hands only inches away on the carpet.

"What do you want to watch," I asked moving my hand until I could feel the warmth of hers right beside it.

"Whatever you're in the mood for," she replied.

"It looks like they have a new season out of that show where all the strangers live in a house together." I moved my pinky so that it was laced over hers.

"Isn't that most reality shows," she said laughing. "You're going to have to be more specific." She didn't pull away so I took that as a good sign.

"That's true but they always end up being really riveting." I nudged my hand over even more until it was completely covering the top of hers.

"Ok, let's watch it then." She flipped her hand over so that our palms were pressing against each other.

I shook my head. "My life is so unexciting. I have to live vicariously through others." Slowly, I threaded my fingers in between hers as she curled them around mine.

"Oh, for sure. I know exactly what you mean." And that's how we stayed for the entirety of the show; my heart thudding loudly in my chest as my clammy hand held onto hers.

When the episode ended, I reluctantly pulled away, wiping my sweaty palm on my jeans and hoping she hadn't been too grossed out by it. She didn't say a word about what had happened and wouldn't meet my eye as she stood up. She looked around the room as she spoke to me. "I should probably go change back into my clothes now."

I shrugged. "Nah. Your jeans are still going to be soaked. It's better to stay in what you have on. You can return it to me whenever." I pushed myself off the carpet, heading towards the coat hook by the door to throw on my jacket. "Let me walk you home."

"Ok." She joined me in the foyer, wrapping her scarf around her neck before slipping her feet into her snow boots.

After we were finished getting dressed, we made our way back to her house, a comfortable silence between us as we listened to the sounds of snow blowers and tow trucks making their way to clear the snow around the neighborhood.

When we reached her doorstep, she looked up at me. Her brown eyes looked so clear in the bright sunlight that reflected off the snow that I could see every golden fleck that stood out in her irises. Her cheeks and nose were rosy red from the cold and her breath was visible in the air as she let out a small sniffle. She was bundled up in her puffy black jacket, a matching beanie with a little puff on it snugged tightly onto her head.

Unlike at the beach, nearly every inch of her skin was covered up and yet the feeling that I had for her was something much stronger than what I had experienced on the day that she first truly caught my eye. Then, in a move that was reminiscent of the first time she had come over to my house by herself, I moved in to flick one of her waves right before hugging her. Only this time, it wasn't an awkward side hug. It was a tight embrace that she fully leaned into as she nestled her head against my chest.

We stayed that way for several moments before I cleared my throat. "So, I guess I'll see you at school tomorrow then?"

"Yes."

Neither of us let go as we just continued to hold on to one another. Shivering slightly, Vanessa eventually pulled away looking up into my eyes. "Matt...um...I just wanted to let you know that...I'm sorry about the other day."

"Oh, you mean the lovely tattoo Kurt gave to my car?" I shrugged. "V, it's not your fault."

She looked down as she scuffed at the pavement with the tip of her boot. "Actually, what I'm trying to apologize for is how I reacted to it." She sighed. "Everybody was staring at us and it kind of freaked me out. I'm not used to having that kind of attention on me."

I could feel my body stiffen as I eyed her. "Vanessa, in case you haven't noticed, that's an everyday thing for me. There's always something for people to gawk at or snicker over when it comes to me. 'Oh, Matt got another answer wrong. What an idiot.' Or, 'Matt once again missed a basket in gym class. What a girl. He's this; he's that, blah blah blah.'" I took a step back from her, my agitation growing as I raked my hands through my hair. "If you can't handle that people are looking at you when you're around me, then perhaps this isn't the friendship for you."

She whipped her head up, her eyes growing wide. "Matt, please. That's not what I'm saying."

I scoffed. "What are you saying then, Vanessa? You ran off with Addison when I could have used a friend. Only one of you had my back in that situation and it wasn't you."

She grabbed my arm trying to pull me towards her for another hug but I shrugged her loose. "I have to go," I said my voice turning as cold as the icicles that hung from the roof of her house. "I want a friend that I can rely on, not somebody that's going to scurry off the minute she's put into an uncomfortable situation."

I turned on my heel, storming down the sidewalk and leaving her standing on the front step with her mouth open. "Matt, please don't be mad. Please," she shouted with desperation in her voice but I just ignored her.

I could tease Addison about her taste in clothes and her inane questions as much as I wanted but when it boiled down to it, the only one that I had ever proven themselves to be any kind of a friend to me was her. 

A/N Hot damn! Didn't see that one coming. Seriously, even I didn't see that one coming. It was supposed to be a sweet little moment with Matt and Vanessa but it felt right to address a very fair point that Matt had.

What do you think will happen next?

Next update: Monday 02.07