Chapter Twenty-Seven

Caliegh's POV

Just recently, I learned that my sister had started going out with dear old Alfred. So even though it wasn't me who had the boyfriend, I was still giddy and giggly about her relationship. I mean, they had already been like a couple in the first place. But then Alfred had made it official on the night that she went to his dorm to watch a Japanese horror film.

So of course, in my happy mood, it surprised me to see that Matthew wasn't too happy on Tuesday morning. In fact, he seemed to be completely depressed. A dark aura just seemed to surround him as he stared down at his pancake breakfast, frowning softly. I sat down next to him, gently putting my right hand on his shoulder while my left hand took his. I entwined our fingers together, but he still didn't look up.

"Matthew, love…" I whispered, taking the hand from his shoulder. I instead put two fingers under his chin, lifting his head so that he would look at me. "Something's wrong." He sighed, gazing at me. It tore my heart to see his expression, but I kept the soft smile on my lips.

"Well, I always knew that no one really noticed me. But you know what I've always hated the most, Kay?" I tilted my head, the smile fading. "Someone called me Alfred. They confused me with my brother, even though they were a friend of mine." My shoulders fell, and the smile came back, this time reassuringly.

"Chin up, boy. People confuse me with my sister all the time!" I chuckled lightly under my breath. He stared at me in disbelief.

"You look nothing alike." I pursed my lips.

"Yeah, I know. Look, the point is, that person is stupid. Everyone who doesn't know who you are is just an ass, okay?" He averted his eyes back to his breakfast plate, poking at a pancake with his fork half-heartedly.

"I still can't help but feel that I'm really nobody. Like I'm just a ghost. The only people that actually notice me are you, Francis, and Gilbert. And you're the only ones who really know me." He nearly whispered.

"Hm?" I sat straighter, cocking my head. What did he mean by that? "What about your brother, or that Cuban guy you're always hanging around?" I tried to hide my hatred for the said Cuban; I had a strong distaste for him.

"Even Alfred hardly notices me…and you know that Carlos thinks I'm Alfred half the time." Yes, I did know. I glanced down at Matthew's arm, where a healing bruise had made its mark on his shoulder, hidden just slightly by his shirt's shoulder. The bruise was a result of a time just recently when Carlos thought Matthew was Alfred; the latter being hated strongly by him. As a result, he proceeded to wallop poor Matthew in the shoulder before I came up, telling him off. Needless to say, he didn't like me either. He gave me a glare, muttered, "Americanos estúpidos. Odio a los estadounidenses.…" and walked off. I understand Spanish, you idiot. So thank you for your compliment, dearest Carlos.

"Like I said, people are stupid. Very stupid."

"If you say so." He sighed gently, and I rubbed circles with my thumb on the top of his hand.

"I do say so." I gently leaned forward, kissing his nose. His cheeks flushed red, and he glanced at me.

"Well what was that for?"

"What?"

"…You know…that kiss." I shrugged, glancing down at the table.

"Because we're friends. I figured I could." Friends? After thinking back on what I did, I felt a blush come to my face. "Friends" don't kiss each other, or feed each other, or hug each other close to keep warm when outside in the cold. "Friends" don't tell each other their deepest secrets (though best friends may), and they don't hold hands in the hall.

With a pang, I realized something very important.

I was completely, totally, head over heels for my best friend.

I swallowed, glancing at him.

He looked at me as well, raising his eyebrows.

I imagined leaning forward, touching my lips to his…The soft feeling of our skin connecting, the taste of maple syrup lingering on my own lips…I imagined his hand grazing gently down my side, the warmth sending an electric shock throughout my whole body. Our eyes would be closed, and nothing in the world would matter. Nothing but us. The whole cafeteria would disappear as his lips moved gently with mine, and we would never want the moment to end. I frowned to myself, looking away. I knew it would never happen, no matter how much I wished it to be true.

Even the whole wish about being alone was snapped in half as Francis sat beside Matthew, propping his chin in his hand. "Bonjour, you two. Having fun?"

"Define 'fun', Francis." I muttered more to myself than him. He looked at me, smirked, then popped a strawberry slice in his mouth.

"Non, never mind. I just…saw the way you two were looking at each other. It makes me think, very sadly, that mon petit Matthieu is growing up…So big, you've gotten. Already in love with a girl." He chuckled lightly, patting Matthew's cheek.

"I-in love?!" Matthew looked panicked. For some reason, I felt my heart drop when he said these words. He looked quickly at me, then back at Francis. "I can't be, she's my best friend." Which confirmed my suspicions. As I figured, Matthew had friend-zoned me.

"So? Does that mean anything?" He paused briefly, then quickly continued. "Non. Not when it comes to l'amour."

"Um, but isn't it bad to like, date someone who is your friend? It'll just screw up the friendship…right?" I leaned across Matthew to speak to Francis, who just laughed lightly.

"Oh, but even if you two break up, if you date, I can't see you two ending your friendship that easy." I paused, just dead-panning.

"Why do you say that."

"Because you two are already so sweet…it won't happen." He winked, biting the tip of his fork flirtatiously. Right then, my sister bounded up and sat down, her lovely little boyfriend sliding onto the bench next to her.

"Hey! How're you lovely little duckies doing?" I looked up at her, narrowing my eyes just slightly.

"Why…"

"Cuuuuz I'm your sister, and I deserve to know!" She grinned, chomping on her granola bar. A smile tugged at the corners of my mouth, and I looked away from her.

"Fine, thank you. To answer your question."

"God, so polite." Alfred laughed loudly, and Gabby leaned into him, smiling softly herself. Just the small gesture of affection reminded me of me and Matthew, and my heart began to pound uncontrollably. I really was in love, but I knew it could never happen.

After all, things like that only happened in the stories.