Furrowing my eyebrows, I opened the message on my phone screen, immediately growing tense as I looked ahead of me, onto the stage.
“What is it?” Lia whispered, looking down at my lap, reading the message on my phone.
Will be fifteen minutes late. Got caught up at work!
Man, this was Matt and Joe’s graduation; the one day where parents are expected to be on time to witness their son or daughter moving onto the next phase of their lives.
Rolling my eyes down a few rows, I could see the back of Matt’s father in the crowd, and next to him, other parents from the graduation year.
“Don’t worry. The speeches usually go on for an hour anyway.” Lia whispered, winking my way when the principle introduced the crowd.
**
At exactly twenty five past eleven, my father located his seat next to Lia and I, distracting a few, if not, most of the crowd with his heavy foot stomps and tall frame. Lia smirked, embracing the attention flown our way, while I cowered deeper into my seat, trying to slink away from the nosy stares of the crowd.
To make matters a little more awkward, the guest speaker, who was a woman from the community’s council, faltered as she read her speech, looking at my father like he was God’s gift to women. Eww!
Spotting Joe and Matt in the crowd with all the other graduates, I couldn’t help but let out a chuckle when they started making suggestive hand motions to my father, who might I add, completely ignored the two idiots. Nonetheless, it caused Lia and I to giggle uncontrollably, so we left the auditorium, trying to calm the hell down.
When we heard the announcer call out some of the students’ names, we entered the auditorium, standing in front of the crowd so we could take pictures of each student holding their graduate certificate. Yeah, Lia and I volunteered ourselves as the photographers for the day, just so we could get out of class and see our boyfriends graduate. And when I say our boyfriends, I actually know with one hundred percent certainty that Joe and Lia are going out. Turns out that even though we initially thought my dad won the bet, with Lia hitting Joe in the chest with her fists, Joe ended up holding her tiny fists in his hands and kissed her in front of dad, Matt and I. Afterwards, he claimed that they had been seeing each other secretly, much to all of our surprises. Not!
It was a beautiful moment, though one which we hardly got to embrace, due to the constant bickering between the two. They’re just so weird.
“Joe Mason!” The announcer introduced, causing Lia to grin wildly, waving the camera in the air like a crazy woman. Some of the kids who had already received their certificates snickered, while others gave her a knowing smile.
As soon as Joe shook the principles hand, he stood on the stage, grinning broadly when he noticed my father, Lia and I clapping wildly.
After a few moments, the principle cleared his throat, signalling to Joe that he better get off stage soon.
“They haven’t snapped my shot yet!” He whispered to the principle, though his voice resonated loudly in the auditorium, causing most of everyone to chuckle aloud. You could even hear some of the girls from backstage making really suggestive comments; comments which caused Lia to glare at the curtains shadowing the girls.
“Rain and Lia dear, snap away please.” The principle commanded softly, though the look in his eyes told us to do it instantly. He obviously wanted to wrap this thing up already. He seemed kind of bored.
Lia shrugged, bringing the camera to her eye so she could snap a few pictures of Joe. I didn’t take any, seeing as the few she took of Joe was more than what she and I have taken from any of the other students.
Finally, after a dramatic exit from Joe, the principle continued to hand out certificate after certificate, the whole ceremony continuing to run quite smoothly.
I could feel Matt’s eyes bore into me from the left side of the stage, but I ignored his glance, taking the pictures of a few of the students introduced before him.
“Mathew Wilson!” The announcer introduced, causing butterflies to appear in my stomach. Looking at Matt, it was clear to everyone around and myself that all I could do was stare at him as he collected his certificate and stood on the podium to get his picture taken. When he stared at me, he smiled brightly, showing off his teeth and dimples.
Suddenly, a bright flash enveloped my vision, causing my eyes to blink madly. I could hear Lia chuckle, soon followed by Matt.
When my vision cleared, he had already left the stage, sitting in his designated seat. “You better delete that picture Lia.” I told her, completely embarrassed at being caught staring at Matt only. It wasn’t my fault though. He was way too handsome for his own good.
“Sure thing sweetie.” I shook my head at her sarcasm, promising myself to delete that picture first chance I got.
**
“Please tell me you guys managed to do one thing right and arrange the seatings with Jack, Leo, Marty and Brian?” Lia asked Joe and Matt with a little shake of her head.
“Why the hell do you want to sit with those idiots?” Joe asked angrily, clinging to Lia’s side more ferociously.
“Because I don’t want to be stuck on a table with guys who have bimbo dates. Can’t be bothered dealing with them tonight!” She pointed out, much to Joe’s relief. Who knew what was going on in that big head of his?
“Brian and Jack are on our table. The other two are on someone else’s.” Matt answered Lia, who sighed deeply at his response. “There’s also a few of us on the football team who are on our table. I think Flint, Ralf and Aaron are on our table too.” He continued, trying to keep her calm, even though it was his and Joe’s graduation dinner/party.
“All of them will have bimbo dates so sucked in.” Joe teased Lia, knowing damn well that it was going to cause a fight between the two.
“Brian and Jack won’t so we’re sitting next to them.” She pushed Joe with her shoulder, though he didn’t move much. Considering his size and muscular figure, I was kind of surprised she didn’t hurt herself, even though I knew how strong she can be when she wants and needs to be.
“Na, I think I want to sit with the guys tonight and just admire your beauty from afar...”
“Let’s leave ‘em alone for a while and go for a walk.” Matt whispered in my ear, tightening his hands around my waist slightly.
I smiled in response, looking at Lia and Joe who were about to get into another argument quite soon. “But won’t everyone be settling down to eat soon?” I asked, looking at the time on my watch. It was just past eight fifteen now. Surely they would start serving appetisers soon.
“We’ll be back before they hand out the dinner. Trust me.” I nodded my head, following him out of the room, stepping outside of the reception hall, the wind blowing my hair in all different directions.
“I like that you changed your hair colour back to normal.” Matt complimented me as soon as we started to walk along the edge of the flowery garden.
“You do? Because Lia suggested that the black was making me look fake and that...” I lost my train of thought, thinking back to when Lia scrubbed the colour out of my hair and re dyed it a light brown again. It was as close to my natural hair colour as ever.
“...and what? Trust me, you look great with the black hair but I just prefer your natural colour. Your dress is nice too.” He admitted, blushing lightly when I focused solely on his face.
“What’s with the compliments? Think it’s gonna help you score some?” I teased, trailing my finger down his chest towards the top of his black pants, leaving my finger there, feeling his breathing quicken.
“Well if that’s all it takes.” He smirked, grabbing my hips tightly in his hands and pushing me against him roughly. I moaned when he hit my sensitive core, not even considering that we were outside in public. It just felt good. “Come with me.” He whispered, holding me against him as he took me to a gazebo in the middle of nowhere. Thank God for that!
“Matt.” I whispered, holding his gaze when he looked at me expectantly. Before he knew what was happening, I reached my arm around his neck, pulling him lower until his lips touched mine.
Immediately, he groaned into the kiss, taking complete dominance as he trailed his tongue against my lower lip. I granted him entrance straight away, not even bothering with playing any games.
Feeling his fingers roam my back, I melted to his touch, stepping even closer into his embrace, not removing my lips from his once. I felt his lips curve upwards when he felt my whole front press against his; my heart thumping in my chest when one of his hands landed on my upper bare thigh.
“God Ray, I miss doing this...” Matt whispered when we broke apart, only to attach his lips on my neck and collarbone. I arched my back and neck, providing him with easier access as he worked his tongue in rough circles around my neck area.
“No Matt. Don’t leave a...oh!” I succumbed to the traitorous feelings enveloping my whole body. His touch was maddening; his swirling tongue was driving me insane. Slowly, the two combined began to make me feel hot, alive, oh I don’t know, it was burning my whole body. I didn’t even care that there was a high possibility of getting caught. I was literally throwing caution to the wind.
Grinding my hips against his, I wasn’t surprised when he groaned aloud, turning me on even more so. “We c-can’t do this now.” He whispered, though his actions contradicted his words. Instead of moving away from me, he pulled me against him, continuing to kiss my neck and collarbone, wrapping one of my legs around his waist.
“I know!” I moaned when he hit my core again, successfully shutting me up. He was making me feel things that I haven’t felt in such a long time. He was making me want more.
“Sh*t!” He groaned loudly, moving away from me, trying to steady his breathing. Looking around the gazebo, I didn’t find anything that looked out of the ordinary.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, turning around to look behind me. Once again, there was nothing or no one in the way of the floral covered gazebo.
“Uh, you reckon I can meet you inside. The guys are probably wondering where we are anyway.” He looked down at the big bulge in his pants and I couldn’t help but let out a giggle.
“Oh my...sh*t Matt, you scared me for a second...” I let out a long sigh, one which showed how relieved I felt for not being caught in the middle of a full on make out session “...I’ll just wait with you until you become normal again.”
I didn’t know if I heard a groan emitting from his mouth but the darkness in his eyes told me he was nowhere near ‘calming’ down any time soon.
“Uh, on second thought, I’ll just go back.” I realised my mistake here. By staying with Matt, I was delaying the process of him calming down and returning back to normal. There was no way Joe was going to let this go without any words of animosity, maybe even a punch or two in between.
“Wait...” He grabbed my arm, pulling me against him forcefully, showing me how much he needed me right now. However, there was no way we could get any further tonight. Not even if we both wanted it badly “...I need to tell you something.” He spoke so seriously that I nodded my head quickly, willing for him to continue speaking. When he continued looking into my eyes, I began to get a little frustrated.
“Just spill it out Matt.” I urged, keeping my eyes locked on his.
“Alright but you gotta promise me you won’t be mad at me.” His big brown eyes widened as he awaited my response, but I couldn’t help but feel that something wasn’t right. Nonetheless, I nodded, showing him I wasn’t going to be mad. Too bad he didn’t see my crossed fingers. “I’ve decided to take a gap year off and—“
“And what?” I pronounced, stepping away from him, detaching his fingers from my arm.
“You promised you weren’t going to get mad...” I showed him my crossed fingers to which he rolled his eyes at “...look, just hear me out here. I’ve already spoken to your dad and he has promised to take me on under his wing for a year.”
“Why? I thought you wanted to play soccer or football!” I explained, not understanding where this was coming from. We have spoken endlessly about his passion for sport. He had even suggested that he was thinking of going to a university that specialises specifically in sport science.
“I did but I have spoken to your dad and he has agreed to let me work with him for a year and if I don’t like it, he will introduce me to this guy he knows that manages the football scheme here in Australia.” He seemed to glow brighter at that prospect, and in a way, I was happy for him but I didn’t want him to just work in the court where I knew he would grow to be bored in.
“It seems like my dad’s been manipulating you to work with him.” I counted, though he shook his head determinedly.
“Na, I asked if I could work for him. It wasn’t the other way round...” He seemed to want to say something else but didn’t know if he should. It was as if he was having an internal battle with himself. Finally, he seemed to grow out of his weird state and focus solely on me “...trust me Rain. I actually want to take the next year off and spend them with you, Joe and your dad.” He smiled but the way he smiled felt really real and personal. I didn’t know how or why but my heart was racing slightly as he continued to smile that soft smile of his.
“But...” I didn’t know when I realised it but as I continued to take in Matt’s expression, I knew then that my dad was helping Matt replace the hurt he felt with his own father “...are you sure that’s what you want to do with your life?” I asked, genuinely concerned with his future.
“Yeah, I’ve thought about it for a while now but why aren’t you angry with me?” He asked, looking shocked at how quickly I ended this argument.
“Didn’t I promise not to be?” I teased, stepping forward into his embrace, kissing his soft lips quickly. When we broke apart, his smile broadened, flashing me his pearly white teeth. “Get over it!” I teased, grinning like an idiot while he stood dumbfounded.
“What are you talking about?” He asked, still smiling like an idiot as he waited for my response.
“Just because you got your teeth whitened yesterday doesn’t mean you can smile like an idiot.” I teased; watching as understanding dawned onto his features.
“Hey, I can do whatever I want to do with my whitened teeth.” As soon as I saw the mischievous glint in his eyes, I took a step back, shaking my head, signalling that he should stop whatever he was planning in that beautiful head of his.
“We have to go back Matt. Joe and Lia are probably wondering where we...ahh!” I squealed when he lightly bit down towards my neck, sucking on that spot until my legs gave way beneath me. Thank the Lord his hands gripped my waist firmly; otherwise I would have been on the floor by now.
“You good to leave now?” He asked teasingly, stepping back, watching and waiting as I caught my breath again.
“Ass...” Taking a deep breath, I continued the rest of my comment “...hole!”
When he grinned again, I couldn’t help but hit him in the chest, something which made me feel one hundred percent better with myself. Seriously, the kid needs to go on a ‘Colgate’ commercial or something.
“Okay, I’m good to go now.” I finalised, gaining feelings in my legs now.
“You sure—“
“I’m sure.” I interrupted, lacing our fingers together.
“You sure you don’t need me to hold you up?” Before I could respond, he gathered me in his arm, cradling me baby style out of the gazebo.
“Matt, my butt...” I trailed, trying to hide my exposed flesh from the world. Matt, for his sake more than my own, placed his hands on my butt, a stupid method of hiding my exposed area “...if Joe saw where your hands were, he would smack you silly.” I reminded Matt, who just shrugged indifferently.
“What’s he going to do to me that he hasn’t already done?”
“Oh Matt, there’s a lot of things that—“
“There you two are. Food’s already been served and they need you on stage.” Lia interrupted, relief flooding her features.
“Why do they need me on stage?” I questioned; confused at this new piece of information flying out from Lia’s mouth.
“They want you to do your major tonight. Apparently you did really well in your finals and you and a few others are singing to celebrate graduation.” Lia spoke too fast for me to decipher if she was lying or not because there was no way in hell I was singing in front of all these people. Hell to the effin no.
“I’m not singing.” I declared, tightening my arms around Matt’s neck, body stiffening as I realised that they needed me to sing tonight.
“But you have an incredible voice. Plus, you’re singing with a few others from the choir. It’s not like you’re alone.” Lia exclaimed, sounding very composed and relaxed.
“What do you think?” I asked Matt, hoping he would say that I shouldn’t do it.
Luck would have it otherwise though, because after the next hour, a few kids from the choir and I sang in front of hundreds of people, fear diminishing each minute and second I was on stage. It helped that I stayed along the back edges of the stage though. It helped a great deal.
**
“You were so good on stage!” Lia complimented, giving me the tightest hug one person could ever give another.
“Thanks!” I managed to choke out, chuckling when she released her hold on me.
“Joe, tell her she was good.” Lia commanded, hitting him in the chest when he just stared blankly in our direction.
“Why would I tell her she was good when I know she wasn’t?” Immediately, Lia’s posture stiffened, something which didn’t get unnoticed by any of us.
“Why would you say that?” She asked in a low, composed voice.
“Calm down babe…” He smiled, lightly caressing her crossed arms caringly. Lia didn’t do anything but eye his movement carefully. Man, this was like the calm before the storm. Maybe Matt and I should intervene sometime soon. When we caught eye contact, it seemed as though he was thinking the same thing “…she wasn’t just ‘good’ babe, she was awesome.”
“That’s right…” Lia trailed, though I didn’t hear anything else she way saying. All I could hear was Joe repeating that I was awesome, over and over again in my head.
“Do you really mean that?” I didn’t realise I asked the question until all eyes looked at me. Embarrassed, I took a step closer to Matt; feeling my face heat up as Joe appraised me with a nod.
“I do.” Instantly, I felt myself smiling widely, flinging myself into Joe’s arms, thanking him profusely for believing that I was a good singer.
“Alright Rain. Let me go now!” Joe seemed desperate to get out of my grip, so I did the only thing a normal sister would do. I tightened my hold on him. “No Rain…Matt help…Lia go make me a sandwich.” Joe commanded lightly.
“Want to rephrase your command big boy?” Lia taunted, obviously pissed at Joe’s sexist comment about women.
“Babe please, she’s killing me and I’m joking about the sandwich.” Man, Joe’s such a loser.
“Would it help if I convinced Rain that we could get some alone time if she lets you go?” Matt asked, obviously praying that Joe would say yes.
“As much as it pains me to say this, I think I would do anything to get my sister’s hands off of me.” Joe admitted, much to my chagrin.
“Joe!” I huffed, listening to both Matt and Lia chuckling.
“Get her away from me.” Finally, I felt Matt lifting me away from Joe but I didn’t object. I wanted some alone time with him anyway.
“Wow…can’t believe he is letting us be alone!” Matt commented, whistling as we walked towards his car.
“I think it’s because he wanted some alone time with Lia.” I responded, linking our arms together tightly.
“Hmm…” He trailed, bringing us to a halt right in front of his car. Not reacting carefully, I stumbled over my own feet, quickly holding onto Matt’s t-shirt before I collapsed onto the floor. Looking into his eyes, I could see his amusement at what just occurred but it quickly changed into something so much more.
“Sorry!” I blurted out, not knowing how to deal with the intensity of his gaze on mine.
He shook his head, bending down to kiss me softly and even though it was a feather light kiss, it caused butterflies to appear in my stomach and my heart to race slightly.
Breaking apart, I noticed the same intense-filled expression on his face, causing my heart to race more aggressively against my ribcage. I had a feeling that Matt was going to say something of great importance.
“What?” I meekly asked, lowering my gaze, afraid of what his answer would be.
“I think we need to say it already.” Looking up, a knowing expression dawned upon his features. I knew then that he knew how I felt and whether or not I was ready to say it out loud, I knew he was going to say something about it.
Feeling my face heat up and my heart pump wildly in my chest, I prepared myself to ask the question that I have been fearing for a long time now. “You’re not going to run away?” I asked, genuinely shocked if he told me otherwise.
“Ray, why would I run away from you when I love you?”
***
Did not edit...sorryy :) Just wanted to upload it already
So there it is....the big LOVE word has been dismantled :):):D:D
I didn't really want to go for an AWW moment but something that was just natural ... Did I do okay?? Do you guys hate me for making it not overdramatic???
So what do you guys reckon...one more chapter to show them in the future? Maybe a Matt POV of one of the chapters that you would like too see him in? If so, tell me which chapter you would like and I'll write it up for ya'll
Thanks for all the support guys...U mean the world and much more to me xxoxooxoxxoxo