7 Years Later
Matthew's life was perfect, and he knew it. He had a kind, loving family, albeit small. School was going great, even though he had very few friends. Even though there were obvious downs, he always found the ups. He knew life could be much worse. He could be homeless, he could be poor, he could have no family at all, he could be unable to attend school. His life was pretty normal. He liked it that way. He was a freshman in high school. Even though he kept his spirits up, he had to face the fact that he was the lowest of the low. Of course, there was that girl he liked. Her name was Amy. Amy Rose. She was a year older than him. Sophomores were more likeable than freshmen, especially the cool or cute ones. Amy was definitely one of the cute ones. Her blond hair was long and kind of curly. Her green eyes could look at you and make you drop dead. They were so starry… so beautiful. Matthew thought he was the only one who knew her eyes were green. All the other guys were too busy staring at her butt or her chest. Matthew was more modest. He was raised not to be rude.
They went to East High in Westopolis. There were three other high schools in the city: North, South and Central High. Matthew was one of the best students in his freshmen class. He had all A's except for one B, thanks to a recent test in Biology. The school lacked in education, but made up for it with really talented athletes. Those jocks were the main people to bully Matthew. He tried to ignore it. He was smart and his teachers liked him.
Today, Matthew was deep in thought, like most days. He didn't speak very much. It wasn't like anyone wanted to talk to him anyway.
"Hey, Matt."
Except for Amy.
Matthew was at his locker when he heard her voice. It was just after third period. It surprised him so much he dropped his things. He turned to see Amy standing there, beaming at him.
"H-hey," he stammered, still in shock. Be friendly. Smile at her, his mom's words repeated in his mind.
"So, um, can you help me with my Algebra at lunch?" she asked.
Matthew hesitated, giving her enough time to add, "You're, like, the smartest person I know."
He decided to try on that smile. "Yeah, sure," he said.
"Thank God. You're a lifesaver." She squeezed his shoulder as she walked away.
She digs me, he thought to himself cockily.
Fourth period was Geometry. After that came English. Then lunch. Instead of paying attention in class, he kept thinking about Amy. What did that shoulder squeeze mean? Was she flirting with him? Wait, a girl flirting with him? The idea would baffle anyone. Matthew definitely wasn't ugly. He just seemed… weird. He often wore black clothes, but it was only because he liked the color black. He though the clothes went well with his black hair. Also, people were weirded out by his red eyes. He was probably the only one on the planet with eyes that red. The other kids also thought his fascination with motorcycles was strange. He wasn't trying to be a phony who thought he was badass. He just liked bikes!
Amy was different, though. She wasn't judgmental like the others. She was his only friend, and the closest thing to a best friend he ever had. But he guessed Amy didn't think of the two of them as best friends. They never hung out outside of school. But she treated him nicely. She didn't make him feel like he was the lowest of the low.
He went back to his initial question: was she flirting with him? Surprisingly, as beautiful as she was, she really didn't flirt. Matthew liked that about her. She was the only girl in the school who didn't act like she knew she was hot. This year she dated a couple of Average Joes. No football stars, no basketball stars, just regular guys.
Matthew was so caught up in her he almost didn't hear the bell ring. But he would do anything for love. He would spend next period thinking about how to ask her out.
It was finally time for lunch. Matthew was so excited he felt like he might pee himself. He never felt so strongly about Amy before. Just one squeeze on his shoulder?
Matthew found a small round table. He brought his own lunch from home. He started eating it as he waited for her. Around 30% of him knew about the possibility of her ditching him. But he was wrong. He heard a clang on the table—the sound of Amy setting her tray down.
"You brought your own lunch?" she asked.
He looked up and let the corners up his mouth form into a small smile. "Yep."
"The food is kind of gross," she said, sitting down.
Matthew noticed she didn't bring a book or a notebook. "Where's your algebra?" he asked.
"Oh. Um… I didn't bring it. I figured it out."
"Good for you." He took a bite out of his sandwich.
"What're you eating?" he heard her ask.
"Let's see." He look in his lunchbag. "I brought… an apple, some pudding, and a sandwich."
"That's not a lot."
Matthew could feel himself sweating. Why was this so weird for him? She didn't bring her Algebra… She had time to finish it? Or maybe it wasn't done, but she still didn't need help.
"Your eyes are really pretty," she said.
A compliment.
"Uh, thanks," he said, looking up at her.
"How did you get them so red?"
"I don't know why they're like that. I was just… I don't know. I was just born with them."
"How are you born with red eyes?"
He looked down at his food and shrugged. "Someone in my family must've had red eyes."
She giggled. "You're so mysterious."
They ate in silence for awhile. Amy kept texting her friends, while Matthew just stared out the window.
"Can I get a picture with you?" she asked, making his train of thought crash and burn.
"What?"
"A picture. For Facebook."
She likes me, he thought. Now he was starting to get scared. A girl never "liked him" liked him before.
And he hated getting his picture taken.
"Sure."
Amy moved beside him and held the phone in front of them. Matthew thought the finished product looked pretty good.
"Hey, Amy!" a voice yelled. It was a tall senior with blond hair. "Stop hangin' out with Martin and come over here!"
"His first name's Matthew, and I'd rather be with him than you!"
Matthew faced away from them, not liking being the topic of conversation.
The bell rang. "See you later, Matt."
"See ya."
He felt happy, scared and confused all at the same time. All he knew was that he was in love with Amy Rose.
"HEEEEEEEEEELLLLLP!" he texted to his mom.
"Wut is it?"
"I think Amy Rose likes me"
"Y do u need help?"
"Cuz I dont know wut to do"