WoodBridge Academy

Chapter Five

The hallway was empty as we entered the building, so we made our way down the hall of the first floor to the end. There weren't that many rooms on the first floor because it's where the dorm assistant has their suite, and there are a few lounge areas.

We could hear some music coming from the few rooms we walked by, but no actual people disrupted our walk. I did my best to control my nerves, but I was a little anxious about what was going on.

Did I like Matt Humphrey now? Was I gay too? Why wasn't I more freaked out? Should I be freaked out? The list of questions went on and on.

Matt opened a door at the end of the hallway, and I was instantly filled with jealousy. This suite was amazing. We were in a living area with a mini fridge, couch, and giant TV. The carpet was soft and plush.

There was the same industrial furniture we had in our room, but it was put together a little bit nicer. There was a bedroom off the living room with what looked like a double bed, and a bathroom off the other side.

He had his own bathroom! I shared with 15 other guys! Do you have any idea how gross 18 year old boys are?!

"Wow." I said with a whistle. "You've got some nice digs."

He just shrugged as he dropped his keys on the end table by the couch. "It's the payment I get for all the other s**t I have to deal with."

"I guess so. Not too shabby."

"Honestly, it gets kind of boring. I had a ton of fun living with a roommate. Now it's always so quiet, sometimes I can't even hear anyone, unless music is really loud. I just feel like a spoiled prince sitting alone in his mansion while everyone else slums it."

"Yeah, but you're not spoiled. You earned your role on your own. If you want company, just have people come over. It's not like you don't have friends."

He scoffed as he sat down on the couch. "You know most people are just friends with me because of who my father is, right?"

"That can't be true."

"Come on. Everything I have is because I'm a Humphrey. It's okay. I've accepted it. I mean really, it's the only reason I even passed European history."

I laughed but sat down on the couch as well. "Please. That class was a joke."

"It was, but I still had a D average."

"How is that possible?" I asked him, not believing what he was saying. That was the easiest class I had ever taken. We had a quiz every week on what we learned during that class, and no exams or papers. Everyone got an A.

He took a deep breath. "That was how I figured out I was gay."

Without meaning to, I let out a laugh. "Which King Henry was it?" I joked. "I mean, they were all pretty good looking." I said with a wink.

I jumped as he chucked a cushion at me. "Shut up, you d**k. It was you. I sat behind you in that class and stared at you constantly. I couldn't focus on anything else. I had always wondered why I was never really into girls like everyone else, but as soon as I saw you, I knew it was because I was attracted to guys."

I was still for a moment, but as the rising anxiety began to simply radiate off of Matt, I began to fee bad. I needed to say something.

"I don't know what to say." I finally admitted. "I've never thought about another guy like that."

"If it helps, I haven't either. Like, I'm not attracted to Josh even though he would be someone I could actually be with. I have simply only ever wanted you. Even though you never gave me the time of day." He gave me a shy smile. "Well, until today, that is."

I adjusted myself, slightly uncomfortable with the situation. "Josh said something about it tonight too."

He frowned. "About what?"

"Um. He said you watch me like a hawk."

Matt turned bright red. "I thought I was more subtle than that, but yes, Josh knows all about it. We've talked about it more than once."

My eyebrows must have shot to my hairline. "He knew?"

"Yeah, but I begged him not to tell you." He blushed. "I mean, I've never had the courage to talk to you. I didn't want you to think I was some weirdo crushing from afar."

You could have talked to me, you know." I sighed. "Maybe then this wouldn't feel so scripted."

He chuckled. "How so?"

"I mean, it sounds like the intro to a bad porno." I chuckled. "You know what I mean? It seems awkward and unlikely. You've never spoken to me in three and half years, but now come out that you've always had a thing for me? It's a little hard to handle."

He looked disappointed, and I felt bad. Again. I was not equipped to handle this kind of stuff. "I get it." He mumbled: "Just please don't say anything. I don't want my father to find out through some media outlet that I can't control."

"I would never." I exclaimed. "This is what I mean! You don't know me. You wouldn't know that I would never tell a soul about your personal business. I'm not some blabby teenage girl."

"You just don't know what it's like to be under this kind of pressure." He fought back. "I have to maintain a certain image or my fathers position will suffer for it."

"I do get it, actually. You think I want people to know that I'm only here because my fathers boss paid for me to be here? Of course not. I know what it's like to want to fly under the radar. I would never do anything to sabotage someone else's personal life for my own pleasure. That's just not me."

"Sorry." He mumbled.

"I don't know what you're getting so defensive about either." I huffed. "I never rejected you. I just said it was a bit much to take in."

Matt's head perked up and the dullness in his eyes seemed to fade as a smile spread across his face.

"You didn't?" I just shook my head. "Sorry, I just didn't know what you were trying to say and instantly felt like I should defend myself. I'm a creature of habit, what can I say."

"Who knew Matt Humphrey was so insecure?" I joked, laughing harder at the blush that spread over his face. "I just don't really know what I'm supposed to think. Or do, for that matter."

He nodded. "I know. I'm sorry I sprung this all on you. Honestly, I was planning on just harboring this crush on you until we graduated and went our separate ways, hoping it would fade away or whatever. But I kind of failed at that whole thing."

"Little bit." I laughed. "But no worries. Maybe we can just kind of get to know each other and see what happens."

"Sure." He nodded and gave me a grin.