Chapter Text
Now that I've been sitting here for a few minutes it doesn't seen like a restaurant anymore it's more like a bar now. The table filled with different glasses. Everybody already ate their dinner and the plates have been put away. Now all are just ordering drink after drink. I haven't even really introduced myself to the people next to me. I've seen them before but don't know their names. As I'm starting to talk to the guy next to me the waiter comes and asks for my order. ''one cosmopolitan please'' I say as the waiter is writing it down and already turning to the next person.
I look over to Chris at the complete opposite side of the table to see what he is doing. He seems to be arguing with Nick. I can't quite make out what they are talking about but their friends around them are all laughing so i assume they are just joking around. You can see Chris's happiness in his eyes. It really is his day. I know how stressful the last months must have been. Finally everything he planed is coming out.
Nick sits next to him. Wearing all black, intimidating as always. I'm not really nervous about him. Rather the person next to him. On his right side -as always- is my ex-childhood-bestie. Madi.
Ahh. Why does she have to be so close with Chris. Seeing her so close to the boy i'm interested in is breaking my heart a little. Not because I think there will be anything between them. No. But just the point that my half enemy is close to my love interest. The person that i really admire next to the person I would never in my live trust again. I know they are really good friends, he sees her like a little sister Chris told me. He asked me once if I know Madi and I said yes but left the part of us being friends for years out. I just didn't feel like it was necessary, it probably would make everything more complicated. I wonder if she knows about me being closer to Chris now. Has he told her and his brothers? Has she talked to him about me? Has she told him that we know each other really well? I pray that she hasn't.
She didn't look at me when I arrived. I don't know what to do about her. And I don't want some sh*tty friendship i had in middle school ruin my chances with Chris. Why is everyone a problem. Madi. Matt. I just wait for the next moment I'll get on Nick's bad side too. I sign silently.
After my drink arrives and I take a few small sips. I get to know the people around me more and am really starting to have fun. Chris's friends are really nice. They all are pretty close. A lot of inside jokes that I don't understand, so I mostly don't say much and just observe the positive energy and laugh with them. I feel better than I thought I would. I love that Chris has such a close friend group. A group of loyal friends. Madi doesn't fit at all.
The evening goes well so far. Even the bad vibes on the walk here with Matt didn't stop me from having fun now. Hah. I almost forgot it even happened since it was so unreal.
''Y/N. Don't take it personal Chris just... has no interest in you. The earlier you get it the better. I've seen girls like you a million times before. Don't make the same mistake as them. Chris isn't a relationship type of guy. That's just the way it is. Stop wasting your time and his time.'' , that was what he said.
Relationship type guy. Who's talking about relationships already. I haven't even made my mind up about all that. Chris and I aren't dating. We are not exclusive. As of right now we are just friends. Friends with casual flirting and texting almost everyday and facetiming. Maybe we are a little bit more. But with him busy the last few weeks we just haven't talked about this kind of thing at all. Who is Matt to judge our situation? What does he know? Has Chris told him something? I don't understand one thing about Matt. I try to not think about his opinion but his words burned into my mind: ''It's better you keep your distance from him. You don't want a guy like him.''
This doesn't make any f*cking sense. He doesn't know me. Why is talking so bad about his own brother. What does he know what i want. I can't understand him. He is ignoring me, being rude and deliberately hurting my feelings.
But even though his words hurt a lot, it kind of came across that he just wanted to prevent me from making a mistake. I can't really tell. Has he said these things with Chris's best interest in mind? Or mine? Putting the jacket around my shoulders and telling me i look good at the entrance of the restaurant today. In these moments he wasn't ignoring me and dismissing my presence. He noticed and cared. Suddenly so friendly.
f*ck. Stop reminding yourself y/n. I try to get the negative thoughts out of my head and listen to the conversations passively but now my thoughts are so loud I can't shut them out. I look over the table to find a new conversation to join and my eyes catch Matt. He doesn't notice me looking at him from the other side of the table. He's laughing and talking with his friends.
It seems like for the first time ever I see Matt smiling and genuinely having fun. Laughing, enjoying the company of his friends and his brothers. He looks so much better when he's happy. Rather than his usual stare as if I killed his family.
I only really saw him on kenzie's birthday and he was not like this there. Not happy and talkative. And the whole day today he was even worse. But right now it seems only my presence is bringing this side of him out. Wait no. Who am I to think I have such an impact on his mood. But it seems like it. Argh i hate him. I hate how he's on my mind all the time making me overthink everything I ever done in his presence.
And here he is. Happily telling a story really loudly and enthusiastically. Everyone laughing. I hate that i can't hear what he is telling them. He's finished telling the story and everyone is laughing and Matt has a big smile on his face. He's still laughing as his eyes meet mine. Big smile on his face still looking at me. Slowly the smile drifts from genuinely happy to malicious. Smirking at me. I don't look away. I read his stare.
"See you aren't having fun here I was right." , that's probalbly what he's thinking right now. Or something as bad as that. But I was having fun. Until all the doubts came up. All because of him. I'm not sitting with Chris and he likes that. He knows I'm into Chris and want to be around him. He wants me to see that i have no chance with Chris. I can feel it. Ohh just so you wait. I'm going to show you i'm here for a reason.
He is the first to break this eye contact because Chris is saying something to him. Chris. I will prove it to Matt. That he has no idea what's best for Chris or me. And that I desperately need to talk to him. I've missed talking to him. He's so fun to be around always positive funny and encouraging. I feel confident when i talk to chris. Maybe not in the conversation directly, because i do get shy when he says some things i have no quick answer for. But overall i feel confident in the sense that i'm comfortable.
So what's my plan. I need to talk to him alone. Maybe there will be a moment when he shows his feelings towards me. So i'll know how he feels about me. And my own feelings. I really can't deny it anymore. I like him a lot.
And my number one rule for tonight: avoid Madi and Matt. I really can't deal with either one of them tonight.
I don't really get into any new conversations after that weird eye contact with matt. As it's getting later towards the night we all get up and leave for the club. Everyone is tipsy and having a good time. Finally now I'm not bound to my side of the table anymore. I can go to Chris. Talk to him. Have fun with him. I walk up to him as everyone is getting ready to leave. My chance. I only have two problems and they both start with an M: Matt and Madi. The more I think about it they would make a perfect couple. Toxic negative vibes only.
As I'm walking to Chris I look for the two of them but can't see them anywhere. Perfect. I walk closer to him and he notices me mid conversation and turn toward me. "Y/n" he just looks at me "wow you look pretty ", he says genuine. "thanks", I brush a strand of my hair behind my ear blushing. "i thought i'd dress up for you- your event."
"I'm happy you came up to me y/n, i was just about to look for you. Sorry. I'm not really concentrated today. Have you been okay? I know you don't really know a lot of people here-", "No Chris, it's totally okay, i get that. You should really have fun and not think too much about me" He gives the guys he was talking to a knowing look and they leave us alone. "Actually", chris starts, stepping closer to me "not thinking about you is easier said than done" He looks me in the eyes deeply. I don't say anything. "Is it inappropriate to tell you that i missed seeing you?"
There it is again his straight forward way of expressing his thoughts. I like it. But at the same time i don't know what to say to that. He missed me! And of course i've missed him too. I think about him everyday. I've waited so long to see him again. And he looks so good today.
The butterflies in my stomach are preventing me from responding. I just look at him surprised. My cheeks are probably cherry red right now. Thank god i put makeup on. I hope he isn't noticing me blushing.
He chuckles noticing my nervousness. "You're so cute. I guess you feel the same... Y/n i want to apologize..." , "what? Why apologize?", he looks away from me.
"We met at a really bad time since i was so busy all the time. Still you supported me and help me with this whole thing. You understand that i'm busy a lot and don't make drama out of it i appreciate that. But i'm sorry that I didn't give you the effort and attention i wanted to" I didn't know Chris was so mature. Communicating this so directly is not only hot but also so grown behavior.
"Chris, thank you. I... it was-. There is no need to apologize though. I'm happy you even invited me here. I should thank you.", i don't know what else to respond. He looks back at me smiling slightly. "Let's spend a lot of time together today y/n. Agree?". I smile. "Agree". Spending time together really is the number one priority. Just having fun not worrying. Finally me and Chris together.
We leave the restaurant together. There are a couple of people in front of us but we are pretty much not in hearing distance.
It's gotten even colder than earlier. Without Matt's jacket i feel the cold wind making my whole body shiver. I wonder if Chris will give me his jacket. Wait no i shouldn't expect hil to give it to me.
"Soo tell me y/n, how was your flight with Matt. Did get to know him?", Chris asks looking at me expectantly.
Oh god.
Should i tell him the truth? No! Or should I?
