It was late when Matt and Clara stood outside his door after another date. "I had a nice time." She smiled.

"I did too." He replied. She gave him a look. "Even though we've seen that movie ten times?"

He shrugged. "Didn't notice I just really like being with you." Matt softly kissed her hand.

Clara blushed. "Maybe we can see each other again tomorrow night?" She said tugging on his tie.

He grinned. "Yeah?"

She came closer biting her lower lip. "Yeah." Clara tenderly kissed him while caressing his face.

After the kiss he was blushing. "Well, I'll see you tomorrow night, then." He squeaked.

Clara giggled and kissed his cheek. "Bye." She said giving a small wave as she left.

Matt couldn't stop smiling as stepped inside the apartment; he clicked on the light waking David who was sleeping on the couch.

"Oi'!" David grumbled squinting at him.

"Sorry, what are you doing up?" He asked.

David sat up and stretched dropping the text book that was lying on his chest. "I was studying."

"In the dark?" Matt replied.

"Yes, I prefer to study in pitch darkness all the time." He sarcastically said. "I got tired." David added.

He grinned. "Is that all you did in here?" Matt asked pointing at the strawberry banana lip gloss on the coffee table.

He shrugged. "Amy wanted to come over and try it out. Who am I to stop her?"

Matt just smirked and headed to kitchen. "So you did you study at all?" He pulled out some soda bottles, tossing one to David.

David rolled his eyes and opened the cap. "Yes, I did dad."

"Good boy!" Matt teased.

David chuckled. "How was your date with Clara?" He asked.

Matt grinned. "It was perfect!"

He smirked. "You really like her, huh?"

Matt looked at his bottle and nodded softly. "Yes, I do."

David smiled at his friend. "I'm glad."

He then snapped his fingers. "Oh, before I forget Dean Oswald wants to see you tomorrow." He pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to Matt.

He looked at it and frowned. "Why?"

David shrugged. "Don't know I'm just glad it's not me."

Matt rolled his eyes but smirked. "Your support is overwhelming."

He smiled sweetly. "It's what I'm here for."

Matt dramatically chuckled at his friend. They continued to talk and finish their drinks before going inside the bedroom.

David noticed the growing laundry basket in the corner and groaned.

"I swear ever since our love lives improved our dirty laundry has grown." He muttered as they both switched into their pajamas.

"Do you have enough to get quarters for the school laundry mat?" Matt asked buttoning his night shirt.

"Yeah, I got a couple of bucks. I'll get started on Saturday." David grumbled pulling on his navy blue t-shirt.

"I hate the laundry mat." David groaned.

Matt set the alarm before turning in while David read a "good night" text from Amy.

"If it's that bad why don't you bring Amy to keep you company?" He asked curious.

David playfully scoffed and sat on the edge of his bed. "You want us to get arrested?"

He glanced at David. "You really like Amy, don't you?"

"Yeah, I really do." He admitted thoughtfully crawling into bed then setting his glasses on the dresser. David glanced over at Matt who was lying on his back still beaming.

He propped himself up and studied him. "Thinking about Clara, huh?"

Matt nodded. "Yeah, in fact I think I want to tell Clara I love her."

"Well, look at you, then. Go for it!" David grinned.

"So you think I should?" Matt asked nervously.

"Definitely." He yawned lying down.

Matt turned his head towards him. "You don't think it's a bad idea do you? Because' if it is I"

David groaned. He really wanted to get some sleep. "Just do it! You like her; she likes you, okay?"

Matt nodded. "Right!"

"Great, now turn off the light." He replied burying himself under the covers.

Matt clicked the light off but after a few minutes he said. "You don't think I'll scare her off?"

"Go to sleep, Matt!" He exclaimed.

Matt nodded but laid in his bed worried about what Dean Oswald wanted.

The next afternoon Matt nervously walked into the main building his shoes echoing off the walls of the huge room. Paintings of past Deans seem to mock him as Matt walked up burgundy carpet stairs.

He was still trying to figure out why Dean Oswald wanted to see him. Matt was pretty sure he hadn't done anything wrong and his GPA was high so why did he want to see him?

He arrived in front of the oak door of his office and knocked.

"Come in!" A deep voice replied.

Matt took a deep breath and walked inside. Dean Oswald was busy looking through a file cabinet and didn't seem to notice him.

"You wanted to see me sir?" He asked.

The Dean glanced up and smiled warmly. "Ah, Mr. Smith come in and sit down." He replied sitting behind his Mable wood desk.

Matt nodded and sat in front of him looking around nervously.

Mr. Oswald chuckled lightly. "Relax Mr. Smith you're not in trouble."

"Oh, good!" He replied relieved.

"No, far from it especially with your high marks." The Dean replied.

"So why did you call me, sir?" Matt asked.

Mr. Oswald sighed. "I understand you're dating my daughter, Clara."

He smiled. "Yeah and I really like her."

"I'm sure you do, Mr. Smith." He replied with a thin smile. "And that's fine; I think you're a fine young man, polite, responsible and very bright." He added.

Matt didn't like where this was going. "But there's still a problem, right?"

The Dean leaned forward on his desk folding his hands. "Mr. Smith, I'm sure you're aware of what happened to Clara's mother."

Matt nodded.

"Well, then you know how I want only the best for Clara and I know you do too." He said.

"Of course, sir." Matt replied. He was beginning to feel anxious about what this was leading up to.

He nodded. "Good and you're aware she's close to graduating and so are you."

Matt looked at him strangely. "Yes, why?"

The Dean stood and walked around the room; Matt's worried eyes followed him.

After about a minute Mr. Oswald stopped and sat at the edge of his desk. "I know you like Clara but I don't want her to get distracted and have her grades slip or yours' so I would like it if you'd stop seeing her." He replied folding his arms.

"What?" Matt exclaimed. It was like a punch in the gut.

"Just until graduation then you can see her as much as you want." He quickly added.

Matt shook his head. "But it's more than just liking her I love her. Clara's my heart, Dean Oswald."

He smiled cruelly at Matt. "Then if you love her you won't hold her back. Think about it, Mr. Smith." Dean Oswald said opening the door.

Matt was too stunned to speak and just quietly walked out.

"Break up with Clara?" He muttered walking through campus.

That was unthinkable to him but she had been spending a lot of time with him and he wouldn't want to hold her back from her dream.

He paused and stared at Clara as she walked across the grass looking so pretty; a couple of tears fell as her fathers' word replayed in his head. "If you love her then you won't hold her back."

He did love her but he didn't want to be selfish and hurt her chances at a good and successful life. Matt's heart was aching but after witnessing his parents rocky marriage he knew what he had to do.

That night Matt waited anxiously in the living room waiting for Clara to come while playing out what he was going to say to her.

Just then a light knock on the door snapped him out of his thoughts. He stood reluctantly answering it.

"Hi!" Clara smiled walking inside. She kissed his cheek.

"Hi." He muttered softly.

Clara frowned and touched the side of his face. "Hey, are you okay?"

He didn't answer and offered her a seat on the couch.

Clara looked up at him worried. "Something wrong?"

Matt just sat beside her and exhaled. "I need to tell you something."

"I need to tell you something too." She replied.

He gave a small smile. "You first."

Matt felt her delicate fingers intertwine with his reminding him of why he loved her.

Clara sighed. "I know we've dated for a short time but you're sweetest guy I ever met and you're just wonderful."

She paused for a minute before continuing. "You're my heart and my world."

Matt swallowed and knew what she was going to say next.

"I know it's probably too soon but I love you, Matt." She said softly.

Matt closed his eyes like he was in pain. He was dying inside.

It wasn't the reaction she was hoping for. "Matt, what's wrong?" Clara asked.

He shook his head. "Oh, Clara I wish you hadn't said that because it makes this so hard to say."

Clara looked at him strangely. "What?"

Matt struggled to glance at her. "I-I can't be with you right now. I think w-we're going too fast and need to wait a while."

She gawked at him in disbelief. He was breaking up with her just because she said she loved him? All those gentle kisses, hand holding, late night talks and warm embraces were just nothing to him?

"I-I don't understand. I have I done something?" She said sounding hurt.

Matt's heart was breaking as he struggled to fight back his tears.

He shook his head and lowered his eyes.

"Then why?" Clara choked.

"I can't tell you." He said softly.

Clara fought back a sob."I can't believe you're hurting me like this. Last night you say you like being with me now tonight you're breaking up with me!"

He couldn't answer her and avoided her pain-filled eyes.

She looked at him in disgust. "Now I know who you really are." Her voice broke.

"Clara, please try to understand." He tried to reach for her hand but she pulled it away.

"You bastard!" She said slapping him. Clara immediately stood from the couch. "How dare you use me like that!"

Matt couldn't stand it anymore and wanted to explain himself.

He stood and attempted to come closer towards her but it made her more upset. "Stay away from me!" She yelled. "Just stay away!"

"Please Clara I-!" He started to beg.

Clara wasn't listening and opened the door slamming it shut behind her.

Matt panicked; he couldn't let her go, not now, not after everything they've had together.

He rushed to the door and pulled it open as Clara got into a cab. "Clara!" He screamed from the staircase.

"Clara, please I do love you!" His voice breaking and getting hoarse. "Clara, I love you!" He kept yelling but the cab was gone and so was Clara.

Closing the door Matt leaned his head against it hitting the door with his fist until his knuckles ached. "Damn it!" He cried.

Tears were starting to spill but he may no effort to fight them and just allowed them to fall.