7 Years Later

Part 15 - High School

Now that Matteo and I had s*x- it was like we connected on a whole other level.

And my feelings for him were strong.

Still, at school, we didn't show PDA. But when we were alone- it was a whole other story.

I could not keep my hands off Matteo.

It wasn't just that. I had never wanted to talk to anyone in my life before as I wanted to talk to Matteo. I loved listening to anything he had to say.

I could not get enough of this man.

Is this what love is?

Matteo got a job working at a local pizza place as a delivery driver so he could start making more money. He worked in the summers as a camp counselor, but he wanted to start making some more money.

One Friday night in the beginning of April, he picked me up after he had worked until 9:30.

"Do you think I should get a job?" I asked him, "I know I'm going to get one when I start college. My mom gives me money now when I need it, which isn't often."

"Of course you can wait until you start college" Matteo said, his hand on my thigh as he drove, "Don't feel pressured to get a job now just because I did."

"Did you like working as a camp counselor?" I asked Matteo.

"I did. I love working with kids. Each year I've been a counselor for 7 year old boys." Matteo said.

"Aw." I said, "That's sweet that you like working with kids. Do you...want your own one day?"

"Definitely." Matteo said, "In the future, of course. Do you?"

"I want to be a mom one day." I said, "I can't really think about it now. But one day, yes."

"You'd be a good mom." Matteo said to me, and I smiled at him.

"I know you'd be a good dad." I said.

"I would just hope to be as good as mine."

Matteo had snuck me into his house a few more times since the first- and tonight, he was going to again. Garrett had some friends over, and I did not want to be there at the same time with Matteo.

I was a little bit nervous about sneaking into Matteo's house, but not as apprehensive as the first time.

My heart still raced as we went up the steps and into his bedroom.

We sat on the bed together, and I noticed Matteo looked tired.

"Was work exhausting?" I asked.

"It was." he said, "The day has been. Going to school and then work is a lot. It's a 15 hour day."

"You can just relax now." I said to Matteo, putting my hand on his.

Matteo gave me a grateful smile.

I looked at him and said, "You know, sometimes I still feel really bad that I didn't know who you were until a few months ago."

"Hey, it's not like I talk a lot in class ever. I didn't know anything about you, besides your name. And I thought you were pretty." Matteo said.

"It's just crazy. Winter break was not even too long ago, and I had no idea I was about to meet the best person."

I saw Matteo's cheeks flush, "I am not the best person, please."

"No, Matteo. You are. You mean so much to me." I said, putting my hand on his cheek and stroking it.

"I love you." Matteo said to me.

No hesitation.

I looked at Matteo and smiled, "I love you too. So much."

Matteo leaned in and kissed me, and when he pulled away, he said, "I knew that when I got partnered up with you for creative writing that you were going to be someone that meant something to me."

"Really? You didn't say much to me after you informed me we had multiple classes together."

"I know, I was kind of a d**k, I'm sorry. Just how encouraging you were to me to share the song I was going to choose meant something. And then by the time we went to Starbucks for our first hangout, I knew I really liked you." Matteo said.

I looked at Matteo and said, "Of course if you decided to live away at college I would support you. But I'm really glad you're still going to be here."

"Me too." Matteo said, "I'm really looking forward to the freedom after high school. And continuing our relationship in the real world."

I was about to agree with Matteo, when there was a knock at his door.

I felt my heart pound, and I looked at Matteo, panicked.

"Ah, fuck." he said, "Don't worry, it's fine. I've got this."

"Matteo?" I heard a woman's voice say.

"Come in, mom." Matteo said.

His mom opened the door. In front of me stood a woman in pink silk pajamas. She had hair the same golden brown color as Matteo, and she wore glasses as well.

She looked at Matteo and I and said, "Matteo. You don't have to sneak her in."

"Sorry." Matteo said, "We just wanted to hangout here, that's all. Sorry if we woke you up."

"You didn't, I got up to get some water and then I heard you two talking." Matteo's mom turned to me and said, "Cassidy, it's nice to meet you, even under these circumstances."

"Nice to meet you too Mrs. Edmonds." I said. My face must've been beet red.

"Matteo, next time just tell me that Cassidy is coming over. It's fine."

"I will." Matteo said, "Thanks for being cool about it."

"I was 18 once." Matteo's mom said, "It's fine. Just drive safe when you leave, okay?"

"I will." Matteo nodded.

"Once again Cassidy, it was very nice to meet you. Hopefully I'll see you again when I'm not in my pajamas." Matteo's mom looked at me.

"That would be nice." I said.

I got home at exactly 1:03 AM.

My mom was up, in the kitchen, with Steven, who she had been seeing for months now.

I hadn't met him yet, but she seemed to be really into him.

She still had on a dress, and Steven was a tall man with dark hair and dark eyes. He was handsome, no wonder my mom liked him.

When I walked into the kitchen, she said, "What did I tell you, Steve? She was going to waltz in minutes after 1."

My mom looked at me and said, "1 AM next time. No later. I let you do a lot, but some rules I have to enforce."

"Come on, let her live a little." Steven said.

"I let her live plenty." my mom said, "Believe me."

"It's nice to meet you, Cassidy." Steven said, "I'm Steven."

"Nice to meet you as well." I said, "Did you two have a good night?"

"We had a really nice dinner and then drinks." my mom said, "How was your night?"

"Great, even though it was a bit humiliating." I said.

"Why is that?" my mom asked me.

"Matteo snuck me into his house. We were in his room talking- and I mean it when I say we were talking- and his mom caught us." I said.

"s**t, was she nice about it?" my mom asked, and Steven chuckled.

"She was, actually." I said, "Very nice about it."

"Good." my mom said, "See, that's why I let you do things. So you don't feel like you have to sneak around."

"I am not looking forward to my daughter being a teenager." Steven said.

"How old is your daughter?" I asked him.

"She just turned 12. So, one more year." Steven said.

"Good luck." I said, and Steven laughed.

Steven stayed for about an hour longer, and then he headed out.

After he left, my mom asked me "Do you want a cup of tea? I'm making myself some."

"Sure." I said, sitting at the kitchen counter, "Steven is nice. I like him. I can tell you like him too."

"I do." my mom said, heating up some water on the stove, "Which kind of terrifies me."

"Why does it terrify you?" I asked her.

"I've been on my own for so long. Sure, I've had some boyfriends here and there. But it was all about you and your brother for so long, I've gotten used to being on my own. I like it. But you and Garrett are getting older, and I'm only 38. I want to find someone." my mom said.

"And you deserve someone." I said to her, "Hey, you're still young enough to have another kid if you want to!"

"No way in hell." my mom said, pouring the water in cups and adding in tea bags. She added some honey into the tea, and put my cup in front of me.

"Thanks." I said.

"You're welcome. So, how is Mr. Matteo doing?"

"We told each other 'I love you' tonight." I said.

"Oh! Who said it first?"

"He did."

"Good." my mom said, "Though I know you've felt the same way."

"You did?"

"For sure. You get starry eyed whenever you talk about him. I know you're young, Cass. But I could see it working out." my mom said.

"I hope so." I said back, "I can't imagine my life without him now."

"I hope you never have to." my mom said, taking a sip of her tea.

I hope I never have to as well.