{irl, imsg, social media}

-

"Shut the fuck up" Nailea gasps "Good thing he took the first step because your slow ass was never going to"

"I was getting there" Iris squints with a small smirk

Matt went home early that morning after kissing her forehead and leaving a note about the time he would be there to pick her up.

This new dynamic with Matt intrigued Iris. Never did she ever imagine going on an intimate date with him, or feeling butterflies at the mere touch. She didn't plan for his compliments to be taken seriously.
Nonetheless, she loved it.

Her friends enjoyed the duo as well.

"Let's be honest with each other. You were never going to admit your feelings to him" Blake says "I'm happy for you. Just can't believe it took you two this long"

"You're joking" Iris laughs

"Iris be for real. You and Matt have been holding hands since eight years old. Fuck, you two would even sneak off to the park just to be alone because we didn't get you. Of course I expected this" Blake laughs as she puts air quotes around a few of her words

"Contrary to popular belief, we don't all cuddle with the Sturniolos" Nailea sarcastically adds

"Okay jackass" Iris remarks, rolling her eyes and playfully pushing Naileas shoulder "I get it. It took me a while to realize. But I haven't cuddled with the Sturniolos. Only Matt Sturniolo"

She places air quotes as she speaks.

"No judgement. If I were you, I would've already cuddled the hell out of Chris. I mean damn" Nailea laughs

"Huh" Iris gasps "You're gonna need to explain that"

"Okay wait hold on a minute. Does this mean you're staying in Los Angeles?" Kennedy asks

The offer completely slipped Iris's mind. With all the commotion with Matt she wasn't focused.
Did she want to stay in Los Angeles?
She wouldn't have all of this in Philadelphia, but it would basically be like giving up on everything she ever dreamed of. Would Matt understand that? Iris groaned in frustration and slumped back on her bed, resting one arm on her sister.

"I don't know. I don't know if he is going to take this as well as you guys did" Iris says

"As your sister, it will be hard to watch you leave. But it would be harder to see you stay. I mean UPenn is everything to you." Blake says, rubbing up and down comfortingly on her sisters arm

"And Babe, you're already a special person to us. But Matt has known you almost his entire life, and now you guys are doing whatever the hell this is, it's going to be hard. He might not take it well. But if I know Matt, he wants you to be happy" Nailea says

"I just don't think either of us could do long distance. His career is here, as well as his brothers. Maybe if things weren't so complicated it would workout...I don't know. Plus I couldn't ask them to come all the way to Philly just for me" Iris says

"So it really is between Matt or Philadelphia?" Kennedy asks, Iris responding with a nod and a sigh

"Have you gotten back to the university yet?" Blake asks

"I have a zoom call scheduled for Monday. Probably going to just tell them I need more time to decide." Iris responds

"Damn. You guys are party poopers..." Kennedy laughs "Back to what you were saying" She turns towards Nailea "You'd do what to Chris?"

"You heard me. Please don't even act as if that white boy isn't fine as fuck" Nailea responds, shaking her head and picking at her nails

"Oh my God" Blake laughs "That's Chris you're talking about. He used to fling dirt at us"

"I wish I cared" She says

Iris's phone dings, converting her attention to the gray chat bubbles.

-

christopher 👽
now that the cat is out of the bag can we talk about how obvious everything was
genuinely
very obvious

nick 🫱🏻‍🫲🏼
"the cat is out of the bag"
who tf are you

christopher 👽
shut your mouth

matt 😛
stop

goo 🙈
??????
what ever happened to hello ??????
how r u??????

christopher 👽
i'm good thanks
it took you a while
we thought you'd never notice matt always being ushy gushy towards you

nick 🫱🏻‍🫲🏼
i hate the way he is saying it but yeah
you're kinda slow

matt 😛
stop.

goo 🙈
WDYM????
THERE WERE NO SIGNS???

nick 🫱🏻‍🫲🏼
i had to laugh

goo 🙈
i would have noticed

nick 🫱🏻‍🫲🏼
you'd think!!!!
apparently not
lmao
on a real note. we are happy for you two
and i hate being sappy so just know i mean it

christopher 👽
^^^

goo 🙈
aw
thanks guys
i'm happy too

-

"What time is he supposed to be here?" Blake asks

"Uh..." Iris responds "Probably like soon" She laughs nervously "Do you think things will be weird between me and Matt?"

"Well he is an awkward person. And you're borderline freaky. So probably! But don't worry about it, everything falls into place. If anything it'll be awkward in the best possible way" Kennedy responds

"She's right, don't worry" Blake says "If you're gonna worry about anything, let it be getting ready. Where are you even going?"

"Dunno. Matt planned everything. I feel like such a mess, I don't even know how to dress. I don't know how people chronically date, I can barely do it once" She groans

"Stop stressing. This is what we are here for" Nailea smiles

Soon enough, the three friends worked together to help Iris get ready and be comfortable. Kennedy did her makeup, Blake picked her outfit, while Nailea did her hair.

"What if it's something absolutely outrageous? Like rock climbing or knife throwing?" Kennedy asks

"Don't even put that idea in my head. I'd like to imagine Matt knows me better than that" Iris laughs "I would shave off my eyebrows before I climb a mountain"

"I dunno. I'd do it" Blake shrugs

"You would climb a mountain on a first date?" Iris doubts, rolling her eyes and running her fingers through her hair "Blake I can't even get you to do your own damn laundry"

"Never doubt me bitch" She responds

Iris laughs and rolls her eyes once more before the front door has a knock at it. Her eyes widen as she stands up and takes a deep breath. Blake stands up to walk with Iris, resulting in an arm grab from her sister.

"You absolutely cannot follow me" Iris laughs "You're crazy"

"A girl can't escort her baby sister to her first date?" Blake frowns, playing a light sigh

"Zip it"

The three friends remain on Iris's bed, staying quiet in order to eavesdrop. Iris opens the front door to a smiling Matt holding a bouquet of roses. Iris gasps as she grabs them, eyes still locked on the boy in front of her.

He had one hand in his pocket and both of his feet were touching, indicating nervousness. Iris was relieved to know she wasn't the only one on the edge of her seat for the night to come.

To the average person, you wouldn't be able to tell he was nervous. But Iris knew him.

"This is the cutest thing that has ever happened to me" Iris gasps, wrapping her arms around Matt for a hug "Thank you Matt. Who knew you'd be so romantic"

"I get that a lot" He jokes "Want to put them in your room, say goodbye to your friends and go?"

Iris smiles sheepishly, "How'd you know?"

"Secrets shouldn't be posted online" Matt replies with a laugh

The two walk to the first bedroom on the left, placing the bouquet next to unfinished paintings and an uncapped Charlotte Tilbury setting spray.

"Be good to our girl, okay?" Kennedy says

"I promise" Matt smiles, glancing at Iris.

Matt smiled at the brown eyes looking into his. They were sparkling with wonderment, nervousness, and peace.
He knew she deserved more than just good. He wanted to be all she deserved.

@IRISLILLY made a new post!

tagged ;; @matthew.sturniolo

@IRISLILLY:  i can buy myself flowers (but they're prettier if he does)
liked by @matthew.sturniolo, @nicolassturniolo, and 3000 others
view all 250 comments

@kennedyclairewalsh: gorgeous baby
↳ irislilly: mwah ily ken

@naileadevora: okay 😍😍
↳ irislilly: ate?
↳naileadevora: devoured.

@user: THE TAG????

@matthew.sturniolo: i was focusing more on you than the flowers
  ↳irislilly: floating rn

@christophersturniolo: the flowers match ur shirt
↳naileadevora: hi
↳christophersturniolo: hi
↳irislilly: STOP IT

@blakely: hawt
↳irislilly: ily.

@nicolassturniolo: yum 😍
↳irislilly: 🤭🤭

@user2: this is not a drill 🚨
 
@user3: i am freaking out

@larray: bitch i missed a chapter
↳irislilly: call me bb 📞

@KENNEDYCLAIREWALSH made a new post!

tagged ;; @irislilly @blakely @naileadevora

@KENNEDYCLAIREWALSH:  girlhood is helping ur bff get ready for a date <3<3<3
liked by @matthew.sturniolo, @christophersturniolo, and 250,700 others
view all 5,200 comments

@user: DATE?

@irislilly: makeup cred to my queen
↳ kennedyclairewalsh: ily

@naileadevora: #girlgang
↳ irislilly: #myloversinanotherlife
↳blakely: #questioning
↳ kennedyclairewalsh: #slaysisters

@user2: cannot believe we are living through this rn

@matthew.sturniolo: last slide on top
  ↳irislilly: oh fr? 🔝

@christophersturniolo: girlhood looks so fun 😢
↳ kennedyclairewalsh: be jealous!

@nicolassturniolo: no invite?
↳ kennedyclairewalsh: u got it next time

@user4: date is definitely with matt LMAO