♥︎ ✯ ☘︎︎

𝟏𝟏 ... 𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐟-𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐲

☘︎︎ ✯ ♥︎

callie 💋

The world is a blur around me as I collapse onto the edge of the bed. I can still hear the storm outside, and I flinch every time thunder rolls. My heart beat is roaring in my ears and my breath is coming fast enough that I am starting to feel lightheaded.

"Hey." Warm hands grasp my own, and I look up from my lap to see Matt crouching in front of him, his forearms resting on my knees as he offers me a crooked smile. "What's up?"

I sniffle, fighting the urge to burst into tears, but when Matt gently tucks my hair behind my ear, his hand warm against my face, I am finally able to draw a deep breath. "I don't like storms."

Matt laughs quietly, his gaze not leaving my own. "I noticed. What can I do for you?"

"Knock me out so I don't remember being so embarrassing in front of you tomorrow," I say weakly, trembling when thunder roars again.

"Having fears isn't embarrassing." Matt studies me, his eyes gentle. "I know you have a hard time opening up, but I'm not going to judge you. Especially not over something you're scared of."

"I've never liked thunderstorms," I admit quietly, my gaze locked on Matt's hands. His thumbs are rubbing a soothing rhythm over the backs of my hands, and with each stroke, my racing heart slows a bit more. His hands are warm against mine, grounding me as thunder rumbles outside. I focus on the sound of his breathing over the storm, steady and close. "My mom said we got trapped in our car on the side of the road during a bad storm when I was a baby, and ever since then they've freaked me out. I don't know why, but they just make me so nervous."

"It's okay to have fears," Matt says softly, shifting his weight slightly and unintentionally moving closer to me.

"What are you scared of?" I whisper, my voice loud in the quiet of the room.

Matt's eyes meet my own and his Adam's apple bops as he swallows. "A lot of things," he admits, his gaze falling from my own. "Large crowds. Being alone for too long. Facing unfamiliar situations by myself. Losing the people I love. Not being good enough."

My stomach flutters at Matt's confession. Everytime I think I have him figured out, he reveals another layer of himself. He's a mystery, and I hate to admit it, but I'm enjoying learning mre about him. "I think you're good enough."

Matt meets my gaze again, his eyes shining with something I can't place. "Tell me something else you're scared of."

On a normal day, I've already shared enough to make myself want to jump off a cliff, but today is different. I'm telling Matt things I don't say out loud—not to anyone, especially not someone who gets under my skin the way he does. But right now, in this ridiculous mediaeval-looking, lantern-lit bedroom with him crouched in front of me, sharing doesn't feel so scary.

"I told you I'm scared of being hurt again because my dad, my friends, and my ex-boyfriend all left me."

Matt nods, confusion flickering across his face, unsure where I'm going with this.

My hands tremble below Matt's, and he tightens his grip on me, silently encouraging me to go on. "Nobody seems to like me when they figure out who I really am." My voice is but a breath, but it seems loud in my ears, the only other noise besides the storm being Matt's quiet breathing. "My dad wasn't around throughout my childhood, and when he finally decided to show up, I overheard him say that I didn't feel like his daughter and he didn't care if he never saw me again. My boyfriend cheated on me for a girl who everyone considered to be an angel. She was kind, funny, and better than me in every way."

I continue to avoid Matt's gaze, my eyes locked on his thumbs still stroking my hands. "And my friends disappeared after my mom was diagnosed with cancer."

Matt draws a sharp breath and his thumbs still on my hands.

"It's been three years since she was diagnosed. The doctors don't think she's going to get better." My breath is shaky and I blink rapidly, still not looking up at Matt. "Everyone else knows. Chris has even met her. But I couldn't stand to see the look of pity in your eyes. Everyone always pities me, and I'm fucking sick of it. You make it easy to forget everything going on because I get so mad at you so quickly, and I didn't want you to treat me differently once you found out. I like fighting with you."

Matt is quiet for a moment, his gaze dropping to our joined hands as if he's processing everything I've said. Then, without a word, he rubs his thumb over my knuckles, grounding me in a way words can't. "Callie, you're a fucking bitch and you smell like shit."

I laugh in surprise and a tear slips from my eye as I finally look up at Matt. He is smiling softly at me, not an ounce of pity seen on his face.

"I like fighting with you, too," he says softly, his gaze glued to my own. "And sure, it makes me sick that you had to go through all that and that your mom is sick, but I'm not going to treat you differently because of it. And you wouldn't be you if you let me treat you differently. You're one of the bravest people I've ever met, Callie."

I bite my bottom lip and nod, Matt's words sinking into my heart and warming me from the inside out. "Thanks, Matt."

"Anytime, weirdo." Matt ruffles my still wet hair as he stands up. "I once again think my stomach is going to eat itself, so I say we shower and get warm and then go find the kitchen. Lina said we're welcome to whatever food is there."

My lips curl up in a smirk as I process Matt's words. "You want to shower together?"

His eyes widen and he quickly shakes his head. "No! That's not what I meant. I mean, you're super hot, but like–"

"Matt!" I interrupt him, laughter rolling through me. "I'm messing with you. Go shower. I'll go when you're done."

Matt nods sharply and darts away with his tail between his legs, slamming the bathroom door shut behind him. He comes back a moment later to sheepishly grab the lantern from the top of the dresser. "It's really dark in there."

I watch with amusement as he hurries back into the bathroom and slams the door again. After baring my soul, maybe I should feel embarrassed. But watching him scramble, red-faced, to the bathroom? It's almost worth it. I like fighting with him, but making him flustered is really fun too. Maybe even more fun than yelling at him.

When the door clicks shut, I'm left with silence, thunder, and a feeling I can't quite shake—a feeling that letting Matt see this side of me wasn't a mistake. And that, somehow, might be scarier than the storm outside. But at the same time, I've never felt more safe.

There's no hot water so my shower is freezing cold, but I emerge feeling cleaner and in better spirits. The storm is still raging outside, but I feel safe here with Matt. Who would've thought?

After dressing in the spare pair of shorts I brought and my blue fleece sweater from earlier, I emerge from the bathroom. Matt is lying on his back on the bed, fiddling with his phone. He's also dressed in his sweater from earlier, plus a pair of sweatpants that he had in his bag. Why he thought it was necessary to bring sweatpants on a day trip is beyond me, but at least now he's warm.

"There's no service and the wifi is down. I want to go see if Lina has a landline I can borrow to call someone." Matt sits up, tossing his phone beside him on the bed. "They're probably worried by now."

"I doubt it." I shrug, grinning when Matt gapes. "I'm serious. Nick and Madi are probably still at the concert, and after the entire day that Bryn planned for her and Chris around Florence, he booked them a private tour of the Uffizi Gallery and made reservations at a really nice restaurant."

"I swear sometimes you know more about my own brothers than I do," Matt grumbles as he climbs off the bed, but the playful wiggle of his eyebrows tells me he isn't actually mad. "I still want to call though. I'll go find Lina and you go find food? She said the kitchen is down the hall from the lobby."

"Sounds good." I grab our keycard before following Matt out into the hallway, the lantern clutched in his hand lighting our way. "The lanterns are crazy."

"I'm just waiting for a knight or pirate to emerge from one of these rooms," Matt whispers back, making me laugh.

We split directions when we reach the main floor, Matt sending me with the lantern since the lobby has its own. I quickly find the kitchen and scrounge through the cupboards and fridge to find enough food to make it through the night. Since the power is off, all the meat and cheese is going to have to be thrown out, so I grab some of that, plus some fruit, cans of Italian soda, and a box of crackers.

Matt laughs at me when I meet him back outside our room, since I am struggling to hold onto everything. "Bryn would have dropped everything by now. I'm impressed. By the way, she said to tell you that if you decide to kill me overnight, make sure you get a verbal agreement from me that promises Luna goes to her and not to Chris."

"Shut up and open the door." I laugh at Bryn's words and twist my body so Matt can grab the keycard from my pocket. I pretend not to quiver when his hand brushes my stomach as he pulls his hand from my pocket.

Soon enough, Matt and I are seated on the bed with the food scattered between us. "Good haul," he observes, cracking open one of the sodas and taking a sip. "Drinks were a good choice."

"I assumed you would go into cardiac arrest if I don't get some sort of drink." I roll my eyes in amusement as I open the box of crackers. "By the way, I'd love to know the inspiration behind this hairstyle you went for. It's giving 'half-drowned puppy.'"

Matt snorts in disbelief, putting his drink down to grab a pepperoni stick. "Says the girl whose hair is going in every direction. I thought you were supposed to be a professional hair stylist."

"That's different. Storm damage." I nod seriously and dramatically brush my frizzy hair over my shoulder. "I'm waiting for it to dry so I can braid it."

"Sure, okay," Matt chuckles, a velvety sound that warms my body. "That's what we'll call it."

We continue to chat lightheartedly as we eat, and I hate to admit it, but Matt is a really good conversationalist. He's a great listener, and when he talks, something about the way he speaks is incredibly intriguing. I think I could listen to him talk for hours.

It's not until we've packed up our leftovers that I suddenly realize there's only one bed. How I didn't process that before is beyond me, but now it's like the bed is screaming with laughter at me, leaving me unable to focus on anything else.

Matt seems to notice my hesitation and casually grabs one of the pillows from the bed. "I can take the floor."

I clear my throat and roll my eyes, not wanting to seem caught off guard by the idea of sharing a bed. "Relax, it's fine. No need to be dramatic. The bed is big enough for both of us."

Matt raises an eyebrow, and I know before he says anything that it's going to be something sarcastic. "Oh, so now you're fine sharing a bed with me? Must be desperate for warmth."

Maybe I am starting to figure him out. "Look, we're both adults right? As long as you keep to your side..."

Matt gasps dramatically and claps his hand over his heart. "As if I'd cross the pillow barrier. Even if you begged."

"You're a child," I chuckle under my breath and chuck a pillow at him, laughing when it hits him square in the face. I climb under the covers of the bed before he can retaliate and grab one of the extra pillows to plant in the middle of the bed, all while trying to ignore the thought of how easy it would be to lose track of the boundary in the dark.

Matt turns the lantern off, washing the room in darkness, before he climbs into bed beside me. The mattress sinks under his weight and he shuffles around for a moment before finding a comfortable spot and growing still.

Thunder and wind still roar outside, but Matt's nearby presence is calming. It's strange, but with him next to me, I feel like I don't need to be scared. I've never felt like that with anyone before, not even my mom. With Matt's quiet breathing beside me, the storm outside almost fades. I didn't think I could ever feel so at ease lying here next to him.

"Just so we're clear," I whisper into the darkness, trying to diffuse the awkward tension sparking between us. "If you start snoring, I will kick you."

Matt chuckles softly and I hear him roll over, his voice sounding closer to me when he speaks. "I don't snore. But if you steal the covers, we're gonna have problems."

I grin despite myself and burrow deeper into the bed. "We'll see about that."

We both fall quiet for another moment, the space between us simmering with energy. I've spent so much time today with part of my body touching Matt's, it's almost tortuous to be so close to him now without feeling his warmth against my own. I'm craving his presence like I'm addicted to him, and that makes me wary.

"Callie?" Matt whispers, his voice no longer playful.

My eyes flutter closed and I inhale quietly, trying to remain unaffected. "Yeah?"

Matt's quiet again for a second before speaking into the dark room, words that will only ever be heard by my ears. "Thanks for trusting me today."

I smile slightly in the dark and pull the duvet up closer to my face to hide my grin. "Don't get a big head about it. Tomorrow I'll go back to making your life miserable."

"I'd like to see you try," Matt murmurs softly, his voice scratchy with sleep.

"Goodnight, Matt," I whisper, rolling over to try to put some distance between us.

But when I wake up in the morning with his arms around me and the pillow barrier thrown on the floor, I'm not at all upset.

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tagged: christophersturniolo

comments

user sometimes you just gotta sigh and think about how single you are

nathandoe08 Me when Chris 😍😍😍
⇨ christophersturniolo Tehe you make me blush

user never in my life did i ever think i'd see these people in person but my shows coming up and im so excited
⇨ brynlee.williams here is an i love you and can't wait to meet you from me and chris 😘
⇨ user MOTHER RESPONDS AHHH

nicolassturniolo @brynlee.williams I think you just got ditched for Nate
⇨ brynlee.williams no joke i just watched chris giggle at his phone 😐
⇨ christophersturniolo I DID NOT! BRYN STOP LYING
⇨ nathandoe08 Awww it's okay chrissypoo just admit your feelings
⇨ user BAHAHAHAHA

user CHRATE 4 LIFE
⇨ madifilipowicz CHRATE IS VILEE (i love it and it is never leaving)
⇨ brynlee.williams AWFUL (i fully second this statement)
⇨ christophersturniolo MADI! BRYN! HOW COULD YOU GUYS (i third this 😉)

user i think i actually just stopped breathing

nicolassturniolo I think that cookie has more m&m's than Chris has brain cells
⇨ christophersturniolo WHY AM I JUST GETTING BULLIED RIGHT NOW
⇨ madifilipowicz it's not our fault your so bully able

user i live for all of their friendship 😭😭

ethanwilliams My sister the world traveller 🏋🏻‍♀️
⇨ brynlee.williams my brother the future nhl star 🏒
⇨ christophersturniolo Me the juggler 🤹🏻
⇨ ethanwilliams @christophersturniolo That emoji looks exactly like you
⇨ brynlee.williams @ethanwilliams LMFAOOO IT TOTALLY DOES
⇨ christophersturniolo I quit.

christophersturniolo When the view is almost as pretty as you ❤️
⇨ brynlee.williams i am the view wdym
⇨ christophersturniolo Sorry let me revise that

christophersturniolo When she's the view because she's so pretty
⇨ brynlee.williams i love you so much💕
⇨ christophersturniolo i love you more❤️

user SCREAMING CRYING THROWING UP

user im having a sleepover on the highway who wants to join??
⇨ user meee
⇨ user meee
⇨ nicolassturniolo meee
view all 20K replies

brynlee.williams i just wanna say if you are ever in florence i HIGHLY recommend the uffizi art gallery! it is beautiful!
⇨ christophersturniolo I'm the one who booked us a tour 😎
⇨ brynlee.williams thank you so much love 💗

carasobsession comment credits to the bestest ever sturnilurnos 🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼 she cooked fr

cara's obsession ❀

i was supposed to post this after an electric win last night against the LA kings but i forgot lolll so here you go!

my sister says she hates callie. but she's only on chapter 5 so she hasn't witnessed the hike extravaganza tehe

question of the day! crafted by my sister: classify matt, chris and nick as the following: superhero, a knight, and a care bear

i love you all and i hope you have a wonderful weekend!! see you soon 🧡

🍉 🍉 🍉