5
Matthew sat in his math class, penning down the notes but casting glances out the windows. Powdery snow buffeted down, clinging to the windows and lining the rims. He just got his braces off and constantly passed his tongue over the smooth, free teeth. The teacher assigned them their homework. Matthew scribbled it down, standing up with the rest of the class. A sluggish air flooded the school halls. They had just returned from winter break, ready to embrace the new January.
Matthew passed Kat in the halls, exchanging a brief kiss. The girls around her lock burst into 'awws'. Despite all the hype about high school, Matthew was actually comfortable with it. He expected to be tossed around and bullied, but their school was just the right size where everyone stuck to their cliques and couldn't be bothered to pick on anyone. Of course, there were some scandals and damage done, but no one really targeted Matthew. He was deeply grateful for that. In fact, he was quite respected for his brains, but otherwise ignored. In a way, that stung. But he had Kat, and a cluster of other friends. With that, he was content.
For everyone else, the end of the day would not come quick enough. For Matthew, the end of the day was hurtling at him full speed, with the gloomy prospect of work ahead of him. Before he knew it, he was packing up after orchestra. Kat waited for him, as always, and stayed until Mr. Edelstein had left to monitor the hallways. Fancily enough, that hallway had the least amount of tardy students.
She looked into his eyes after they exchanged a long kiss.
"You have work again, don't you?"
He nodded sadly.
"Okay. I love you."
That was the first time she had said that.
"I love you, too."
That was the first time he had said that.
They walked back upstairs, Kat waited at Matthew's locker, for him to pack everything up. A slip of paper dropped out of his locker. Kat bent down to pick it up, reading a legal note on it. Her eyes widened, clutching the paper to her breast.
"Mat, you've been lying."
"What? No, wait, give that back!" He reached for the paper but she held it away from him, holding his shoulder tightly.
"Not until you tell me why the government is contacting you!"
"It's… So you know how I live with just my brother, who is nineteen?"
"Yes."
"Well, the people in charge don't think he is a good guardian."
"Oh," Kat handed it back.
Matthew tucked it away in his backpack, zipping it up, and tossing it over his shoulder. He slammed his locker shut, leaning his forehead on the cool metal.
"You're lying again." Kat said, leaning towards him, "Aren't you? I'm not mad, I just want to know what's happening, and if I can do anything to help."
"It's nothing," Matthew shook his head, "My brother can get through it, I'm sure."
"I can loan you some money. In fact, I can give you all my babysitting money."
He rounded on her. The halls were clearing, now.
"No!" he shook his head, holding her wrist. "You can't do that."
"Why not? I'm your girlfriend"
"Not my wife,"
"But—"
"No 'buts'. I couldn't take your hard-earned money."
"Mat…"
"No."
He kissed her nose, "Love you, bye." He whipped around and scurried down the stairs, sure he'd be late.
The ghost of his kiss tickled her nose and she frowned.
"Matthew…" She turned to collect her own things, lugging the cumbersome cello case in her wake.