Chapter 117

Matt was waiting for me when I got out of class, leaning against the far wall with his arms crossed. He had on a pair of gray track pants and a form-fitting black t-shirt. He must have been at the gym or practice because his hair was still wet from the shower.

His face brightened when our eyes met. “Hey,” he said, walking over to me.

“Hey.” I couldn’t help but stare a little. He looked good like this, and not for the first time, I wondered what he was doing with me. Matt had to be one of the best-looking guys at our school, by far. I could see girls and guys alike sending him covert glances as they walked by.

“Ready for lunch?” he asked, his eyes roving over my face.

If he noticed people looking at him, he didn’t give any indication.

“Yeah, ready.”

Matt took my books from me and started down the hall. I hurried to catch up with him. “You don’t have to carry those.”

He flashed me a grin. “I know.” I reached to take them back, but he didn’t hand them to me. “I want to.”

“Oh.” I felt my cheeks heat, and I looked away. This was so far from what I was used to that I wasn’t really sure what to do or how to act.

His smile widened as he glanced at me. “You’re cute when you blush.”

This, of course, just made the blushing worse. “I am?”

He nodded.

A few people greeted Matt as he walked by, and he nodded to them. I recognized some of his teammates and people from Jack’s parties, but the rest I didn’t know. I was so used to walking through these halls with my head down, not looking at anyone and hoping that no one was looking at me. Now people were sending me curious stares, and it made me want to shrink into myself a little.

Matt led me to the cafeteria.

“This is where we’re eating?” I asked, glancing around the crowded room.

“Sure, is that okay? I figured you’d want to stay on campus.”

I swallowed hard. There were so many people in here, and a lot of them were turning to look at us as we walked in.

“Don’t worry, I’ve got a good spot,” he said, nodding toward the back of the room.

I noticed a table in the corner, somewhat tucked away from the others. It was private. As private as a table could get in here.

“Okay.”

Matt nodded at the food. “Grab something and meet me over there.”

He walked away before I could protest, leaving me alone to join one of the lines. I joined the one for the salad station and bit the inside of my cheek. Now that Matt was gone, fewer people were looking at me. At least, that’s how it seemed. I could feel someone’s gaze boring into my back, and I glanced over my shoulder.

Sabrina and her friends were sitting at their table, and her gaze was locked on me. She sent me a mean smile. I forced a smile in return before I turned back around. I couldn’t let her scare me. She didn’t have anything to hold over me anymore.

I got a salad with chicken and Greek dressing, then walked to the back of the room. Matt was already seated at the table with my books, a pile of healthy food heaped in front of him. He had a half-eaten apple in his hand.

I took the seat across from him and set down my salad.

“That looks good,” he said, leaning slightly forward.

I nodded. “Yeah, Greek salads are my favorite.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.” He leaned back again and took another bite from his apple.

We ate in silence for a moment, and my mind wandered. Sitting here felt so incredibly surreal, I almost didn’t know what to do with myself. It was so much easier when I was Rose, and I could hide behind the mask. Sometimes I felt like I could be more myself while I was hiding who I really was. Now I was very aware of everyone glancing at us, and this growing pressure to be interesting. After all, he could still decide I wasn’t worth all this effort.

“Penny for your thoughts?” he asked. He finished the apple and got started on his salad.

“Hmm?” I pushed lettuce across my bowl, not taking another bite.

“What were you just thinking about?”

I considered coming up with something, but what was the point? “I was thinking how much easier it was when I was Rose.”

He frowned. “Why is that?”

“I don’t know. I guess I could just be myself…”

“Without everyone knowing it was actually you?”

I nodded.

“Without me knowing?”

I nodded again.

He was quiet for a moment, taking the time to cut his chicken breast into pieces. I followed the deft movements of his fingers without taking a bite of my own food.

“I think I can understand that,” he finally said, looking up at me.

I’d never noticed it before, but his blue eyes had a ring of gold around the iris. You couldn’t see it from a distance, but up close, it was the first thing my eyes caught on. I remembered the way they changed to gold completely. Another werewolf thing, I guessed.

“Celeste,” Matt murmured, startling me.

“Yes?”

“I’d never judge you. You know that right? I always liked you as Celeste. As much as I liked you as Rose. I want you to be yourself.”

I swallowed hard. “I know. It’s just–”

Before I could continue, a tray slammed down onto the table beside me. I jumped, my heart racing. Matt looked up, an annoyed expression on his face.

I followed his gaze, surprised to find Enzo and Nina standing over me. “Sorry, didn’t mean to startle you,” Enzo said, sliding into the chair next to mine. Nina walked around the table and sat down beside Matt.

“What are you guys doing?” Matt said, his voice tight.

“We wanted to meet Celeste,” Nina answered, “officially.” Her bright eyes met mine, and I had to resist the urge to shrink beneath her gaze.

“It’s all she can talk about,” Enzo added, elbowing me lightly.

“Oh?” I really didn’t know what to say.

Nina gave me a puzzled smile. “We’ve heard lots about you.”

I just smiled.

Nina’s smile brightened. “I’ve seen you dance, by the way. You’re really talented.”

Great, I was definitely blushing again. “Thank you.”

“I wish I could dance, but I’ve never been good at it.”

“That’s not true,” Enzo cut in. “I think you’re a wonderful dancer.”

Nina flashed him a smile. Beside her, Matt looked like he wanted to sink into the earth. He took a bite of his chicken, a pensive look on his face. Was he worried I wouldn’t like his friends or that his friends wouldn’t like me?

“Maybe you can give me a few pointers sometime,” Nina said, looking back at me.

“Yeah, sure.”

“Awesome!”

“So, how did you and Matt meet?” Enzo asked.

“Well, my brother–”

“Right, your brother, but I imagine there’s a story behind how you two got together. Come on, I’m dying for a little drama.”

I shifted in my seat, remembering the feel of Matt's hands on me in that bathtub. The night that started everything.

“Alright,” Matt said, dragging out the word. “Well, I’d better get Celeste to class.”

He stood up and grabbed my books. I followed his lead. “Well, it was nice meeting you,” I said. “Officially.”

Nina and Enzo both smiled.

“See you around,” Nina said.

“Bye,” Matt answered, giving them both pointed looks. He took my hand and led me away, weaving through the tables. I spotted Fiona and gave her a quick wave. She waved back, her eyebrows nearly to her forehead.

“Sorry about them,” Matt said once we were out in the hall. “They’ve been wanting to meet you for a while.”

“I thought they were nice.”

He laughed. “I’m glad.”

He put his arm around my shoulders and walked with me to my next class. I caught my brother’s gaze as we turned into another hall. He was standing against the far wall with a few of his friends. He frowned at me for a moment, then his gaze slid past me to Matt.

They stared each other down for a moment, and I felt my heart rate quicken. I never thought their argument would come to blows, but now I wasn’t so sure. Judging by the look on my brother’s face, a fight between them wouldn’t be out of the question.

I just couldn’t let that happen.