Perfect Match (2 page)

“You’re a great friend, Matt!” I told him finally pulling back from his embrace.

“Friend…” he paused, and then continued with a bitter smile, “Of course I am. Everything is great about me, Miss West. I’m just waiting for
you
to figure that out,” his smile turned into a smirk that was so usual to him.

I smiled and nodded, taking the hot cup of coffee in my hand again. Leaning his head to the side, the sunshine touching his face gently, he sighed profoundly.

Chapter 3

Bad Day

~
M
att
N
icholls
~

I was tired of the sick feeling of having a bad day. I woke up too early and I had to go to school to solve some kind of misunderstanding with my bachelor degree. Seriously? In there, there wasn’t a mistake at all, only this incredible jam I had to rush through. For about an hour I was stuck on the highway, causing me to arrive at the university way too late. I had to beg the secretary to help me. Seriously, people! The system was seriously fucked up.

And then my ex tutor from
high school
, Mrs. Melville, called me to help her with something for the actual Prom. Was I in high school and I wasn’t aware of that? I’ve just graduate from University of Connecticut! Anyway. It’s not like I had anything else to do on my free time. Just notice the sarcasm.

Again, I found myself stuck in a car for a half an hour, with oh-so-bad music, thanks to my parents who took away my great, old Porsche. They figured it was “perfect” for their vacation, and that I should keep their brand new Mercedes, with an incredible speed, practically reading my mind at every touch. It drove me crazy! I was so used to my baby, forcing myself very hard to take a curve, steering the wheel fiercely... Oh, those were good times… And, of course, they left with my good CDs. And I felt trapped here, with the brad new Mercedes, and the… radio? I couldn’t even convince myself to turn the evil thing on. I knew what kind of music they play on the radio. The Justin Bieber crap. Oh, no, thank you. So I haven’t listened to anything on my way home.

The road to high school was familiar, and actually reminded me of how good it was back then. It had a different me. I hadn’t a single worry in high school, but… Actually, I have no idea where all this complaining comes from. I don’t give a fuck about things, just like I haven’t in high school. So haven’t I changed at
all
?

I walked out of the car, remembering the first time I ever drove my old Porsche to high school. A smile appeared on my face remembering the admiration of everyone and just how good I felt.

Of course, I remembered everything in the institute. It’s like nothing had changed in three years. But yet, it did. Everything was different. I wasn’t a teenager anymore, and soon enough I had to be on my own in a different city, probably. Finding a job, or… something else?

I went directly to the Organization Office. I would know perfectly where the office was, especially since it was where I’d spent the last weeks of high school, being so drawn to the Prom thing. I just loved this organization stuff. I couldn’t help it.

So, as I entered the office, I was completely amazed by this new Prom theme, which looked professional, but I knew that the organization was made by students, under the surveillance of Mrs. Melville, as always.

There was nobody inside, just my luck! Trying so hard not to punch anybody, at the same time glad no one was near me, I slowly walked to the principal’s office to find Mrs. Melville. Of course she wasn’t there! Because chasing her around the school in a horrible day like this was just what I needed! This was officially “Piss-Off-Matt” day. Congratulations. The secretary told me some girl named “Emma West” should be in the Organization Office, but I clearly knew she wasn’t there. But then again, who was I to doubt the secretary’s words?

So, walking slowly, I returned to the Organization Office. And… Yes, there she was. She didn’t even notice me when I came in. She was too busy staring into some catalog, looking really stressed out about something. Well, if she made this look this good… Then… She was clearly amazing.

“Excuse me. Are you Emma West? I studied here three years ago and I wanted to see Mrs. Melville, and the director sent me here.”

I’ve talked way too fast and my voice sounded weird. Why would I be weird talking to a girl? Seriously, I was Matt Nicholls.

But that didn’t stop the stupid bitch that cheated on me on Prom’s night.

Completely different story.

“Hey,” she answered with a casual voice, without even looking at me.

Okay, this girl was testing my patience and also my ability to charm girls. Looking at her, I noticed just how lovely she was. All caught up in preparations, dressed casually, with denim jeans, a top that was way too big for her, falling over her shoulder in a sexy way, and her light brown hair was caught in an improvised tail, with strands falling on her beautiful face.

Those were too many details. Why have I been staring at this girl?

Because I was having a bad day; and I needed distraction. So it was pretty easy to start suggesting her around and criticizing everything. I was in a bad mood. And this was the only way I could ever calm down.

But, through the few minutes we talked, she had been able to make me smile for real, just by being so natural and cute… Wait, cute? Dude, you’re a man. Girls are either hot, or not. Guys don’t say cute. Grow some balls or something.

But that didn’t stop me from asking her out. Of course it didn’t. And I was definitely looking forward to that.

*

Okay, so maybe the first time I’ve met Emma I overreacted. I mean, seriously, it has been way too long since I’ve had a serious girlfriend. I don’t even know… Yes, I do. Since that bitch hooked up with my best friend on Prom night. But Emma was different. She wasn’t interested in me at
all
. And, to be frank, that was a little bit annoying. But I liked her, either way.

I had a lot of things in common with her, and we’d gone out for about a week without any awkward silence or anything, simply because she didn’t think of me that way. She was way too involved with her Prom. And since she got accepted into UCLA, she was freaking out about leaving for LA. An unsteady boyfriend wasn’t something she needed.

Although, there was that time when she just kept complimented me, telling me I was a good…
friend
. Was she being serious? All the girls were jumping around to get my attention, then this particular girl, who was so damn interesting, and funny, smart, attractive…
She
had no interest in me. Maybe I was way
too
good for her, and she was aware of that. But it was impossible, and now I was being a jackass. I wasn’t good
enough
for her.

But I had no time and energy to make her see me like she should. I mean, she’ll be leaving to L.A. in a few weeks, and then, if something happens between us, she’ll be hurt for leaving me here. Or if it got bad, things would get weird. No, it’s better like this. Just friends.

But still I was pretty excited to go to Prom with her.

And I know what you’d all think right now, but I kind of
need
my second chance to a perfect Prom. Yes, yes, I was voted Prom King that night, but that’s irrelevant. I mean, I want that perfect night to remember, and Emma is pretty perfect to make the night as it should have been the first time.

I’ve just invited Emma because she sounded so sad, investing all that time in organization, and then she was supposed to go on her own? No, I was there for her, even though she couldn’t afford herself to think of me like that. Because, at the end, that’s what friends do, right?

So, when the Prom night finally arrived, I think I was even more excited than she was. I’ve spent like half a day trying to find the perfect suit, the perfect hairstyle, something that would fit her. I had to be worthy of her, knowing that finally Emma would allow herself to have fun and relax, at least for a few hours.

And then, maybe I’ll get my chance with her, right?

Chapter 4

Prom Night

~*~
E
mma
W
est
~*~

I was looking into the mirror for the tenth time in the last half an hour. I knew I looked perfect and everything was exactly as I’ve planned. My curly hair was falling perfectly on my back. I had impeccable makeup and the right dress. But I felt my heart pounding in my chest and I knew that wasn’t a good sign.

I had been way too worried for this Prom thing, and I tried everything to make it perfect, but I hadn’t planned everything since I was 5, like I heard other girls had. I have bought my dress about a week ago, my shoes a few days after and my jewelry today, which was a silver necklace, elegant, with a small diamond heart and matching earrings.

I sat carefully on the edge of the bed, kindly pulling my hair on my back, watching the clock again. Matt still could be here on time, but I was extremely nervous. I had no idea I was going to make such a fuss about it, and I was totally grateful because he offered to go to Prom with me, because I wouldn’t have been able to go there by myself.

It was almost 8 o’clock and now I was literally freaking out.

Matt had said he’d be here
by
8 and he was never late. He had been so sweet to offer to go with me, and I hoped he was going to keep that promise. But he should have been here. Maybe his parents’ car didn’t listen to him. I knew he hated that car… Or maybe he had changed his mind. I searched through my purse, where I kept my iPhone, a few makeup items and some pills, just in case, and I looked at the empty desktop of my phone. There were no missed calls or messages. If he had changed his mind, he would have called, right?

I arranged a few strands of my hair, making sure it was still perfectly curled, and I jumped out of bed when I heard the doorbell. I smiled involuntary, and felt my body suddenly relaxing, knowing that I didn’t have to go through all this alone.

I heard someone opening the door, and then my father saying something, and I considered staying in my room just a few more minutes, so I wouldn’t look so desperate and excited.

After counting till 100 since my dad invited Matt in, I breathed deeply a few times, and opened the door, pacing gracefully on the hallway. I heard my parents chatting with Matt, and I knew they haven’t heard me so I stepped towards the living room.

My father was the first to notice me and rose of his seat, looking at me stunned, and Matt jumped off his seat at same time as dad, and he smiled when my eyes met his.

“You’re delightful!” mom said, coming towards me with a proud expression on her face.

“Thank you,” I whispered wishing she wouldn’t say anything, and give me the occasion to start crying and ruin my makeup before even leaving home.

“You’re just wonderful,” Matt said, taking a step closer to me and offering me a small, transparent box with a white flower, which matched my dress perfectly, and then he put in on my wrist, as the tradition required.

My father insisted on taking a billion photos, and kept complimenting us, and instead of relaxing, I became even more anxious. I thought it would have been better if Rick, my younger brother, was home, instead of taking stupid trips on Bear Mountain. Right now he would have made some childish jokes, and I would have felt more comfortable.

When we were ready to go, Matt led me to his car, opening the door for me, being such a gentleman, and without adding anything he started the engine.

The truth is that Matt was just breath taking. I wondered how could he be that hot all the time, and so attractive. Every time I went out with him, loads of girls would stop and stare at him. It’s kind of disturbing, and that’s why I haven’t allowed myself to fantasize about him. But I’ve seen how amazingly that black suit fitted him, how his dark hair was styled in that “I-just-jumped-out-of-bed” style, so typical to him and his smile was
so
charming, that kind of changed. The elegant style suited him so good, it was like the suits were made for him, and him only, and I didn’t know any person who can wear a suit like him… It was even better than his “carefree young writer” style, and I was just wondering if he ever notices just how amazing hot he is.

“You know, you really look great,” he said after a few moments of silence, like he was reading my mind or something.

“Thanks,” I answered, slightly embarrassed. It wasn’t so natural for us to give compliments to each other, but in this moment, his words made my heart skip a beat. “You don’t look so bad yourself.”

“Hmm… Thanks, I guess” he commented, with a smirk on his kissable lips. “I think it’s going to be an interesting evening, don’t you?”

“Most likely,” I agreed, smiling.

He nodded, and kept his eyes on the road.

I mean, how could it
not
be interesting? I’ve spend a lot of hours planning this, and I had as a date a student from The University of Connecticut. Well, he had graduated, technically, but that doesn’t matter. He attended that university. And he was smockin’ hot! And I was
so
not like that. I hated myself around him. I mean, I had the biggest GPA in the school, I was so smart - that’s what everybody was saying, stop judging, I
am
a modest person - and around Matt Nicholls all I could think about was how hot he was. I couldn’t even think about the fact that he was also smart, and he could talk about so many subjects in like five minutes.

It was a warm summer night, the wind was blowing slowly, and the stars shone one brighter than the other, while the moon stood there, like a proud queen of the night. Everything seemed to be perfect.

When we arrived at high school, Matt opened my door again, and then he took my hand in his, and I realized my bad feeling had gone completely, and I was only aware of his hand holding mine, and nothing else. Well, I was aware of the fact that everything’s going to be fine tonight. Just as planned.

I was surprised to see how the hall was full of happy teenagers, spinning around each other, and the decorations I worked so hard on were just as I dreamed they would be.