i met matt at in-n-out about five minutes later. i was worried he would see something was wrong, so i tried to hide the bruises on my throat with concealer. it didn't really work, but i needed to try.

i had to walk there because hayden took the car to his work, but i was fine. it gave me a chance to take time for myself and surround myself with nature—one of the things that keeps me going.

matt saw me, and we ordered our food, then sat down at one of the booths, looking out at all the fun shops and food spots around us.

'how are you doing?' matt asked after we finished eating. 'hayden treating you good?'

i shouldn't have done it, but i gently touched my throat and looked down at my food, saying, 'he's fine, and i'm good.'

matt looked at my neck and then back at my eyes, anger and concern spreading across his face. 'he hurt you, didn't he?' he asked, his gaze intense enough to kill.

i wasn't ready to tell matt the truth—not now, maybe not ever. it was too much.

'no, he didn't,' i lied, hiding my hands under the table.

i must not be a good liar because matt ignored me and kept asking questions. 'look, y/n, i know we haven't talked in a while, but you can trust me,' he insisted. 'what happened? i need to know.'

i sighed. i know i can trust matt; i'd trust him with my life. but with this? i wasn't so sure. 'matt, i'm fine. it's nothing,' i said, standing up to throw away the wrappings from the leftover food.

the intensity in his gaze hadn't lessened, and i could feel his eyes on me as i avoided looking at him. his usual light-hearted demeanor had vanished, replaced by something heavier, something more protective.

we got into the car, and he drove me home. i saw that hayden wasn't back yet, and relief washed over me.

once matt pulled into the driveway, he stopped the car and turned his full body toward me. neither of us moved. we just looked at each other.

'please be safe, y/n. i know whatever that is'—he pointed to my neck, and i gently touched it again, feeling the soreness—'is not nothing,' matt said.

'bye, matt,' i said as i got out of the car, waving goodbye and walking into the house.

i walked over to the living room and slowly pulled back the curtain, watching as matt pulled out of the driveway.

that was too close, 

no one can know. 

[A/N]

hey guys! sorry about a short chapter but i hope that you liked it!!!

you know what happens to people when they don't drink water? they die, so drink up love!!

love you so much and thank you for reading!!