Be My Girlfriend
1012 Words
Anthony stepped out of the art class, the noise of brushes clinking against jars and voices fading behind him.
He blinked against the hallway lights, his boots echoing softly on the linoleum as he followed the trail of splattered red paint.
His senses heightened every splatter like a breadcrumb leading him forward. He didn’t need to guess where it led; he just knew. His wolf stirred restlessly within him, sensing something he couldn’t quite place.
The trail curved down the corridor, past the lockers and around the bend that led to the boys’ bathroom.
Anthony paused just before the door, paint pooling under the edge, dried streaks like bloodstains.
He inhaled deeply and leaned toward the door, the muffled sound of voices inside making his heart pound faster than it should.
He didn’t open the door. Not yet. Something told him to listen.
“I didn’t mean to slip, I was just a little distracted?” Tracy’s voice was soft, barely audible through the thick door as she murmured.
Matt’s voice came clearer, closer to the entrance. “I know, I know. It was an accident. But you should’ve seen your face, Tracy… you were so confused and messy and—adorable.”
There was a pause. Anthony’s jaw clenched. He couldn’t hear Tracy's reply. Her voice was too low, but Matt’s? Matt didn’t hold back.
“You’ve got paint all over your face. Hold on.”
Anthony could hear movement, a rustling sound and almost a heartbeat later, Matt spoke again, “Damn it… where did I...oh found it.”
Tracy’s voice came again, louder this time, laced with surprise. “Wait, what are you doing?”
There was the sound of soft chuckling, and then Matt replied, “Relax. I’m not doing anything weird. Just… cleaning this mess.”
Anthony leaned closer.
“I mean, I can’t just leave you like this, Tracy. You’ve got paint in your eyebrows. What kind of friend would I be?”
Another beat of silence and Tracy finally talked, you would ruin your handkerchief she said nervously her voice shaky.
“It’s just a handkerchief, but you… you mean a whole lot more than a single handkerchief Matt replied in a tone that would make most girls in the school worshipping at his feet.
Anthony felt something twist sharply in his chest and is wolf growled low in his mind.
for a moment there was silence inside the atmosphere both inside and outside was tense, and charged with silence.
But then after a while Matt’s voice broke through the quiet like a hammer to glass. “So ummm Tracy he began… what do you think about being my girlfriend?”
And at those words Anthony’s breath seized and it felt like he couldn't breathe as his hand tightened into a fist against the cold metal of the door.
Inside, Tracy stammered. “W–Why… why would you want me to be your girlfriend?”
And immediately Anthony closed his eyes, straining to hear her every word. There was a vulnerability in her voice, so raw and uncertain.
“I’m not your type,” she continued, her voice trembling. “I’m chubby and and weird, and I..... ”
“Who told you that?” Matt cut in, frustrated. “What do you even know about my type? Tracy, you’re amazing. You’re not ‘just’ anything.”
There was a sound of movement, of something being adjusted. Then Tracy spoke again, quietly.
“But I’m not like those other girls. I’m not…”
“Exactly,” Matt said softly. “You’re not like them. And that’s why I like you.”
At this point Anthony couldn’t take it anymore as something primal kicked inside him.
And without a second thought he shoved the door open with force, the metal banging loudly against the tiled wall.
The sight that met him hit him like a punch to the gut.
Matt was bent over Tracy, his hand near her face, his head tilted as if he was…
No. He wasn’t. But to Anthony, in that split second, it looked like they were kissing.
He blinked.
His fingers flexed with the impulse to swing, to punch, to do something.
Then a voice broke the moment.
“Oh my God! That’s Anthony!”
A group of girls, led by a bubbly brunette with glitter on her cheeks, came bounding down the hall. “It’s really him! The captain!”
Squeals erupted as more students gathered around him, pulling him from the moment.
Tracy stood up suddenly, flustered, brushing her palms against her skirt.
She looked up at Anthony, eyes wide, hands behind her back, her posture tense and uncertain.
She was trembling, and staring down at the floor, unable to hold his gaze.
Anthony didn’t say a word. He just looked at her, his jaw tight, then turned on his heel and walked away, the noise of the crowd drowning out the sound of his retreating footsteps.
Tracy’s heart thundered in her chest. The air in the bathroom felt too thick to breathe. Matt straightened beside her, confused.
“I should… I should go,” she muttered, already moving toward the door.
Matt reached out and caught her by the waist, his grip gentle but firm. “Wait. You didn’t answer me.”
She turned halfway, not meeting his eyes.
“I’m sorry, Matt. I really appreciate that you think I’m pretty and that you like me, but… I just can’t. Not now.”
Matt’s smile softened. “It’s okay, Tracy. You don’t have to decide right away. Just think about it, alright?”
She nodded quickly, her fingers brushing his hand from her waist and then she turned and ran out, the hallway echoing with her footsteps and her thoughts in chaos.
What if Anthony had seen something?
What if he thought…
Back inside the bathroom, Matt leaned against the sink, staring at the door she’d just rushed through. He sighed.
“She really doesn’t see what I see,” he whispered staring down at his hard on.
- Writer
