Chapter 29

We're doing the cake sell during lunch, right in front of the cafeteria. I almost forgot about it if it weren't for Kaia, who called our landline and told my mum. She made strawberry cheesecake and banana fudge cake. My car smells so much like cake I have to go and buy snacks from the vending machine before class.

"Hungry?" Matthew grins and leans against the wall.

He's carrying a large box and follows my eyes. "Marble cake. My favorite. My mum made two and Leonard ate one on his own."

"Smells nice," I say and stuff my bag with cereal bars, "Are you going to condition after school?"

Matthew looks surprised. "I do. Will you – stay? Wait for me?"

"Don't know, is Logan going to be there again?" I ask.

Matthew rolls his eyes. "I have no idea why he showed up last time. He never cared for soccer."

I smile and nudge his side. "I'll be there. See you at lunch."

"Science," Matthew says.

"We sit in different rows," I turn around and spot Carlos waving at me from the other end of the hallway, "Don't lose your cake."

Matthew slings an arm around my shoulders from behind, and completely catches me by surprise. I stumble and almost fall, but Matthew holds me steady.

"See you," he says and presses a quick kiss to my temple.

I'm weirdly floating to where Carlos is waiting for me.

"You look like a human tomato," he says.

I roll my eyes and hold on tight onto my boxes. "Let's go."

Carlos teases me all through English, calling me totally smitten and putty in Matthew's hands and a whole lot more annoying things. I sigh and press my cheek against the desk.

"Do you have a partner for prom?" I ask, because it would be such a nice change to see Carlos all head over heels for someone.

He shakes his head with a grin. "I don't think I'm going to ask someone."

"Because you don't have to?" I snort, "Help, what should I do with everyone throwing themselves at me."

"No, why would I," Carlos laughs, "I'm just – do you need a partner for prom? I don't think so. It'll be fun nevertheless."

"I guess so," I say and close my eyes.

"You're going to prom with Matthew, aren't you?" Carlos asks then.

I'm quiet for a second, because we haven't really talked about it. As in, putting the cards on the table, Matthew kneeling in front of me with sappy music in the background while he formally asks me out, confessing his undying love for me while he's already at it. But I guess there's no need for all of that anyway.

"I do."

Cake sell is mostly uneventful but satisfying. Hordes of freshmen and sophomores crowd around the tables, practically throwing their money at us while trying to get an extra big slice of cake and Agatha's cute cupcakes. Seniors and juniors use different tactics, coming from the sides all sneaky and conspiring We're in the same math class, come on get me a free one. There is this one guy gets all uncomfortably close to me and talks something about how we're practically best friends while I don't even remember his name.

"You would never expect what people do for food," Johnny says and sounds positively amazed.

"I can't really say I'm surprised," Carlos says.

Vivian is all annoyed with Logan, scolding him for giving away too many slices for free.

"But those are my friends!" he protests.

"So what? This is an official fundraising event for our prom."

Carlos turns back to us and furrows his brows. "Why is he VP again?"

Johnny does a financial evaluation afterwards and claims we reached the goal he set for us.

"Which is great, really great," he says with a pleased expression on his face, "The money from the cake sell plus the support from the school and our sponsors allows us to keep the ticket prices low for everyone."

"Except the teachers," Duncan adds quickly.

"Except the teachers," Johnny nods, "So, good work everyone. Today is no club meeting but remember the photoshoot on Saturday. Anyone that shows up late will be excluded from the pictures. No exceptions."

"Wow, pretty harsh," Carlos states, "What if my car breaks and I have to use like, the bus?"

"No exceptions."

"What if I fall sick and –"

"No exceptions."

"What if –"

"No exceptions."

"Come on dude."

"What Come on dude?"

After classes I look to find Kaia and hand her the cereal bars I didn't eat yet, as an apology.

"I can't drive you home, I'm sorry. Can't you ask like, I don't know, Johnny to give you a ride?"

"Sure thing," Kaia smiles and starts unwrapping the snickers, "Have fun. Take pictures or videos if you can, I want to judge Matthew's skills myself."

I roll my eyes. "They're only doing condition. Also, you can stay and watch yourself, you know?"

"And third-wheel you guys? No thanks," Kaia squeezes my hand, "See you tomorrow!"

She squeals and runs of, curls flying all around her head, and I wonder if she's really going to ask Johnny to drive her. He would be overjoyed.

I buy a green smoothie from the vending machines and store it in my bag before making my way to the back of the campus. Matthew told me their training starts at three, and it's already past four, so I hope I won't have to wait for long.

I spot Matthew's team from afar, and they apparently too, because one senior turns to me and hollers.

"Girlfriend is here, Mat."

Matthew grins and waves in my direction and I smile back at him.

I sit down on the bleachers and put my knees up, resting my chin on them. Condition is not exactly the most interesting thing in the world, so I scroll through my phone and continue working on my latest run on BitLife.

Condition lasts for another twenty minutes, and before I can even do so much as finish five years Matthew comes jogging at me. His face is bright red, and he's breathing hard, but he looks good. There's a towel slung around his neck and sweat dripping down his arms and – hmm.

Matthew grins as he plops down next to me.

"Had fun?"

"Definitely," I laugh and reach out to gently wipe away the sweat of his face with his towel.

Matthew catches my hand and places a soft kiss on my wrist. So cheesy. I love it.

"Hey, should I drive you home after we're done?"

"Do I look like I want to die?" I say and shake my head, "I came with my own car, remember?"

Matthew smiles, and conveniently leans in, catching my lips in a soft kiss. I'm surprised, but pleasantly surprised, and lean forward right when he leans back. My hands curl around the collar of his shirt as I kiss him, once, twice, and lean back with a laugh.

"Gross, get a room," someone calls from the background.

Matthew grins and winks. My ears are burning.

"Thank you for staying," Matthew tells me afterwards.

We're in the parking lot and everyone's already left. Matthew's back in his normal clothes, freshly showered with wet strands of his hair hanging in his forehead.

His arms are wrapped around my waist, and he's holding me close. It feels nice, and warm. I don't mind staying like this for a while, even though the wind is cold and feels icy against my cheeks.

"Why shouldn't I?" I look up at him and blink rapidly.

Matthew cups my cheek with one hand and furrows his brows.

"Cold," he states.

"It is winter," I say and poke out my tongue.

Matthew laughs and pulls me closer, until I'm pressed flat against his chest, and then leans in to kiss me. His kisses are of the kind that is warm and comforting but still leave you breathless all over again. I curl a hand in his shirt and raise onto my tip toes, which doesn't do much with my shoes but gives me one or two extra centimeters to be closer to him. Matthew deepens the kiss slowly, and I don't mind it at all. I like Matthew, so much, and being close to him like this feels amazing.

"I feel like we're Logan and Vivian," Matthew chuckles when he finally breaks the kiss, "Making out in the parking lot."

"Oh god," I groan and bury my head in his chest, "Don't mention Logan while I'm so happy, please."

Matthew laughs and rests his chin on the top of my head, and it fits perfectly. We stay like this for a while that isn't forever, but feels like an eternity nevertheless.