Breakfast was served late, as usual on Fridays. Stefan and Matt made each other laugh with historical jokes that Bonnie didn't bother to pay attention to. She decided to drink coffee for the first time that week – and one sip was enough for her to regret it.
The three of them spent the afternoon talking and walking around. Stefan suggested them to go to the library – it was obviously his favorite place – but they denied the invitation, in the most sensitive and polite way, of course. He also sometimes exchanged looks with Matt, like they shared a funny secret Bonnie wasn't supposed to know. Stefan even insinuated once or twice that she'd be wonderful as Mrs. Donovan, since she and Matt got along so well.
when Stefan made that statement, Bonnie didn't noticed but, Matt bit down his lip and looked away to hide a smile.
The guests started to arrive by 7 o'clock.
Mr. and Mrs. Salvatore would only get home late, by 10:30pm, but that didn't seem to upset anyone except for Stefan – he missed his parents more than his pride would let him admit it.
Soft music was playing and the food was being served to everyone. There was tables spread through the room – no more than a hundred-fifty of them – and the lights were spectacularly amazing. Apparently, Stefan was just as good as organizing parties as Caroline.
Matt was waiting for Bonnie on the hall, as she and the maid helping her made the last adjustments on her dress. He wondered if make-up existed around that time – he really liked when Bonnie wore a pink or red lipstick –, then he shook his head 'cause that was something irrelevant. He knew she'd be beautiful anyway. He knew.
When the door opened, he held his breath – only to breathe again in the words:
"You're wonderful."
Bonnie wanted to say thank you but nothing came out of her mouth. She smiled to him instead, as her heart throbbed with doubt. He would not fall in love with me, she kept telling herself. But he offered her a smile too, wider than hers, and her doubt momentarily changed to hope.
Everyone looked at them once they stepped in. They were by far the most appealing and charming people, perhaps for having a different aspect. Their teeth were whiter, their posture was different, their height, weight, skin – it all seemed to call everybody's attention. People even applauded and Matt whispered that maybe it was Bonnie's dress. Then she searched for Stefan, hoping him to be near them. But Mr. Donovan and Ms. Bennett really were the center of the attention.
They walked through the room and ate, without talking or directly eyeing each other.
Some people went to them from time to time, completely astonished with their presence.
Once, Bonnie whispered to Matt's ears:
"They probably think we're powerful figures."
She expected him to laugh but he whispered back:
"We're not?"
It was nearly 9pm when she suggested them to dance.
"That's a great idea!" He put down his drink and put his hand on her waist, slowly leading her to the white circle in the middle of the room.
Important note: no one else was dancing.
Matt looked for Stefan. The younger Salvatore mouthed a few encouragement words then went back to talk to a weirdly short man beside him.
A new song started playing and Matt made a gesture with his head to see if Bonnie was ready. One feet to left, one feet to right and back and forth and spin her around, he remembered Caroline's voice in their training to prom. Matt took a deep breath and they started.
They danced their first song beautifully — and the second, third, fourth and the fifth too. There was a new round of applause every time they paused — just to stare at each other's eyes.
Matt brought Bonnie close, leaving no space between them, and started to move slower. His hand went up and down her spine and he could feel her warm breath in his neck.
He closed his eyes.
"I think I'm in love with you, Bonnie Bennett." He stated, so calmly and gently.
They stopped dancing.
"What are you saying? Everyone is looking!"
"Bon, do you think I care about them?"
She took a step away from him and made a reverence to their audience (there was still no one but them dancing).
Bonnie held Matt's hand and pulled him out of there. They walked around until she decided to go into the library.
She kept telling herself she'd talk to Stefan later, because she had a theory he had something to do with all of it – her dress was too pretty and so was her shoes. They were serving cake. And champagne!
Matt had a silly face on whenever he talked about Bonnie during breakfast or dinner.
All that looks and compliments;
Oh, God.
She tried to not hate herself for not realizing everything sooner – it would have avoided so much drama!
"Please tell me it wasn't a joke. Or an illusion, something I made up. I hope it's not a joke, Matt."
"Why would I joke about that?"
"I don't know, you tell me!"
I want to believe it, I want to believe him, I want—
"We've been best friends since forever. You know me, I know you."
"Exactly. So you wouldn't fall in love with me. Caroline—"
Bonnie remembered her imaginary conversations. Caroline would ask: why not? Why wouldn't he fall for you? But she'd be just as confused as Bonnie. Matt was impossible to read sometimes...
"Why are you even mentioning Caroline right now? And what did you say? I wouldn't fall in love with you? Well, I did! I am. And proudly so."
She hid her face behind her hands.
"Now, will you please just let me declare my feelings?" He took a step closer to her. "Bon? Can I declare my feelings?"
Bonnie stifled a laugh. Sure, she thought.
"Are you ready? I've been planning this for months, I hope you're prepared."
Well, I'm probably not.
Matt closed his eyes – he did that a lot when he was anxious.
"I wanted your lips in mine for the longest time. I'm in love with you, with everything you are and aspire to be. With everything you can teach me. With everything that you already taught me."
Bonnie breathed heavily. She was watching him, full of expectation. Her stomach felt weird and maybe she had a fever – or was she cold-sweating? Bonnie couldn't tell. She never felt that way before. "I-I don't even—"
"Shh. I'm not finished. I know every good part of you. I see it, every day. Your compassion... Your honesty. But I want you, Bonnie. All of you. I want you to tell me your darkest secrets..."
His hands found her arm and his fingers caressed it.
Bonnie didn't move, didn't blink.
"I want you to show me what you're capable of. 'Cause I'm in love with you. And I'm willing to knee at your feet to announce that I surrender my heart, myself...
He stopped when he sensed her face close to his. Standing on her tiptoes, with her hands on his shoulders.
Matt's eyes opened.
"You can kiss me already."
Matt smiled before leaning down. Her hands grabbed his hair and he held her by the neck.
It started softly.
Then they pressed each other's' bodies firmly and the kiss suddenly got rough, as if they were long lost lovers. It was amazing.
Bonnie pulled Matt by the collar and opened the door of the library's secret room. Once they were in, she locked it so it could only be open by the inside. She knew they had to leave before midnight, but, God, she dreamt of that moment. Bonnie dreamt about having something real. And she always had it with Matt...
So they held each other as their lips entwined. They kissed for the longest time, stopping only to breath. Then they kissed again. And again and again and again and again.
A/N: a) The title for this fic comes from Neon Trees' song "Mad Love".
b) Thank you for your reviews again, they really mean so much to me!
c) Have you noticed I named all the chapters?
