I never really like parties.
I suppose I could blame it on my naturally shy and sensitive nature. I tended to stick to the quieter corners and not really socialize. Especially when we went to 'Cuba's' house, because he always mistook me for my brother Alfred (just like everyone else does). And he and Alfred never really got along.
Sure, when I gently reminded him I was Matthew, not Alfred, he'd immediately change his tune. But as I get reallytired of being mistaken for my brother, I thought it better just to avoid him altogether.
And since his parties usually ended in drunken quarrels, I also avoided... Well, everyone. I hated fights.
But it wasn't like anyone noticed me anyway.
That is, until this most recent party.
She was there, chasing after her younger brother and sister (who were both very frightening).
"Katyusha." She introduced herself as, after having bumped into me. She smiled sweetly. "But you can call me Kat."
"M-Matthew, I'm Matthew." I said, nervously holding my hand out to shake.
She took it, and shook it gently. "You bear a striking resemblance to Alfred. Are you two related?" She asked.
I sighed. "He's my brother. And people always seems to get us mixed up..."
"I didn't think you were Alfred." She smiled again. She was so cute. "Alfred doesn't have this cute little curl." She told me, curling my infamous cowlick around her finger.
I blushed. "Um... Yeah."
"Oh!" Katyusha exclaimed, letting go of it. Tears formed in her blue eyes. "I'm sorry! I was just, I-"
I smiled, putting my hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry about it."
"ALFRED." Roared a familiar, accented voice.
"Damn." I cursed. "I'm sorry." I told Katyusha, patting her shoulder. "-But I need to go. It was nice meeting you, Katyusha." I smiled as I ran off to hide.
Sure, I'd been mistaken for my brother again. But I was too happy that someone actually introduced themselves to me, Matthew, to care.
Someone had noticed me.
~ * ~
"What're you thinking about, Matthew?" Katyusha asked me, snuggling up against my chest.
"The night we met." I replied, wrapping an arm around her.
She laughed. "That party at 'Cuba's' house? He ended up mistaking you for Alfred again, didn't he?"
"Yeah." I sighed, pressing my lips to the top of her head. "But you didn't, so I was too happy to care."
Katyusha laughed again. It was such a sweet sound. She lifted her head up to touch foreheads with me, a small blush in her cheeks. "I love you, Matthew."
I smiled. "I love you too."
We kissed.