Chapter 108

After the confrontation with Jack, I needed space. The weight of our conversation hung in the air, suffocating me. I retreated to the sanctuary of my room, seeking solace in solitude. The hot water cascaded over me, washing away the tension that had built up inside me.

It was a balm for my weary soul, a temporary respite from the chaos outside. As the steam filled the bathroom, I closed my eyes and let my mind drift. I should have been focusing on what my father had told me. Or maybe what he hadn’t told me.

But that’s not what I was thinking about. Only one moment stood out, clear and vivid - the kiss I had shared with Matt. It was like an electric jolt, a spark that had ignited something within me. I could still feel the warmth of his lips against mine, the gentle pressure that spoke volumes. It was a kiss that held promise, potential, and a thousand unspoken words.

Matt and I had kissed before, but those times hadn’t counted. He hadn’t been kissing me. He had been kissing Rose. But last night had been different. Sure it wasn’t a mind-numbing, spectacular kiss. But it felt like it had changed everything nonetheless.

As the water cooled, I stepped out of the shower, wrapping myself in a towel. I stared at my reflection in the fogged-up mirror, searching for answers in my own eyes. What did that kiss mean?

Was it a momentary lapse in judgment, a product of the emotional maelstrom that had consumed us all? Or was it something more, something that had been simmering beneath the surface for far longer than I cared to admit?

I shook my head, trying to dispel the uncertainty that threatened to overwhelm me. I needed to talk to Matt, to clear the air, to understand what this meant for us. But the thought of broaching the subject filled me with a strange mixture of anticipation and dread.

What if it actually had changed everything? What if it shattered the fragile equilibrium we had managed to maintain? Our relationship had just been repaired to a nice friendship. And I was okay with that. At some point I had forgiven Matt enough that I knew I wanted him in my life in any way.

With a deep breath, I left the bathroom and made my way to my room. I closed the door behind me, shutting out the world and cocooning myself in the safety of four walls. The silence was deafening, broken only by the rhythmic beat of my own heart.

I sank onto the bed, my thoughts swirling like a tempest. The memories of Matt's eyes, dark and intense, in the moments before our lips met. It was a juxtaposition of pain and longing, a collision of two worlds that I hadn't known could coexist.

Hours passed in that room, the outside world a distant echo. Time seemed to lose its meaning as I grappled with the weight of my own emotions. Finally, with a resolve that surprised even me, I reached for my phone and sent a message to Matt.

"Can we talk?" I typed, my fingers trembling over the keys. There was no way I could talk to him on the phone. I just knew that my voice would be all shaky if I tried.

The reply came almost instantly, a beacon of hope in the darkness that had settled around me. "Of course. Where are you?"

I chewed on my bottom lip. He would meet me right now if I asked him to, but after last night and the conversation with Jack, I didn’t think I was ready to do it today. It was too many emotions to handle.

“I’m at home, but I was thinking more like meeting in person tomorrow. Maybe at a coffee shop?” My eyes widened as soon as I sent the text. We were going to a coffee shop. Coffee shops were like prime date spots. Was this going to be a date?

“Wouldn’t that be too public? What about Jack?” He asked and I smiled. He was always looking out for me.

“Actually, Jack has given me my freedom. I told him that I knew everything and threatened to leave if he didn’t back off. He said okay,” I typed back, my fingers starting to shake from excitement at all the possibilities.

“What?!? Are you serious?” was his reply and I had to laugh. He was as surprised as I had been. I thought I would be under Jack’s thumb forever. Apparently so did Matt.

“Yep! Totally serious. So…how about it? Could you meet me tomorrow? Maybe at around 10?” I asked and the butterflies in my stomach took flight. I had basically just asked him out on a date. I couldn’t believe I just did that.

“Yeah, that sounds good. Did you have a specific coffee shop in mind?” Matt asked and I could have smacked myself. I racked my brains for the few coffee shops that I knew about and decided on my favorite.

“What about the one on Main? Freddy’s?”

My heart beat in my chest hard as I waited for his response. I never took my eyes off of the screen. When my phone chimed, I almost threw it across the room.

“It’s a date,” Matt said and even added a winky face at the end. I squealed and threw myself into my pillow, thrashing around like I was in high school again. Matt and I had a date tomorrow. A date!

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the city, I couldn't shake the fluttering excitement in my chest. With my heart racing, she decided to make the night before just as memorable as the date itself.

I carefully selected my outfit, laying out a stylish dress that accentuated my favorite features. I tried on different combinations until I found the perfect one that made me feel confident and beautiful.

As I stood in front of the mirror, I envisioned the moment Matt would see me and couldn't help but smile. This was going to go so much better than it had with Alyx. I shuddered at the memory and quickly brushed it aside.

As I applied a touch of makeup for practice, I thought about the conversations I hoped to have with Matt and the laughter we would share. I wanted every detail to be just right. When I was satisfied with the makeup look, I wiped it off and pampered myself with a skincare routine, ensuring my complexion glowed.

The night wouldn't be complete without a playlist that set the perfect mood. I carefully curated a selection of songs that ranged from upbeat and fun to soulful and romantic. Music, I believed, had the power to enhance any experience, and she wanted the ambiance to reflect the connection she hoped to build with Jake.

Before going to bed, I took one last look at herself in the mirror, a mixture of excitement and nervousness in my eyes. As I slipped under the covers, I couldn't help but wonder how the date would unfold. With a heart full of anticipation, I closed her eyes, dreaming about the possibilities.