Take On Me // a-ha

Hannah: Do you still talk to your ex?

Matt: No. that's done.

Hannah: You couldn't shut up about her that night

Matt: Shit, I must have sounded pretty fucked up

Hannah: LOL, you were a mess!

Matt: Thanks *eyeroll emoji*

Hannah: But you said some other stuff too

Matt: Oh no, don't tell me

Hannah: You had me worried for a while

Matt: What do you mean?

Hannah: I didn't know if you'd do something...

Matt: Like...???

Hannah: don't make me say it

Hannah: You know what I mean?

Matt: That bad?

Hannah: Yeah

Matt: not gonna lie, I was in a dark place right then. But I'm better now.

Hannah: I'm glad then *smile emoji*

***

Hannah: U going to the lot tonight?

Matt: Maybe. Are u?

Hannah: No, wouldn't be caught dead there after last time.

Hannah: Jeff said something about u going. Do u think it's a good idea?

Matt: Probably not

Hannah: Then don't go

Matt: The guys will give me a hard time if I don't. They're still riding me for not hanging out as much

Hannah: So. Tell them to F off. Do what's right for u

Matt: easier than it sounds. People expect me to be a certain way, go certain places

Hannah: I thought u blew all that off. Be your own man, not a puppet for the masses.

Matt: Damn girl, drop that mic!

Hannah: I'm serious Matt. When does your life start belonging to you?

Matt: first day of college.

Hannah: that's BS. Ur Life starts today. Right now. Be the guy you want to be, not the guy they think you are. Man up.

Matt: ugh. U R relentless.

Hannah: don you forget that when you start college and get wrapped up in football.

Matt: How could I?

***

Matt: if you were an animal what kind would you be?

Hannah: R U serious? *laughing emoji*

Matt: Totally serious. Answer the question

Hannah: I don't know, probably some kind of bird. Always wanted to fly

Matt: bats fly. Some types of fish and squirrels 'fly'

Hannah: feathers are pretty tho

Matt: okay, a pretty bird with feathers that flies. Not a penguin or an ostrich

Hannah: this is so weird. What about you?

Matt: Easy. A bear

Hannah: a grouchy bear. Scary

Matt: yes, but also a top predator, sleeps all winter, lives alone and goes wherever they want.

Hannah: hmmm okay I see what you mean

Hannah: what's your biggest fear

Matt: bears don't have fears

Hannah: noted. What about Matt?

Matt: ugh. This is why I want to be a bear

Matt: bears don't answer questions

Hannah: tell me. I'll tell you mine first

Hannah: I'm afraid that what I think my life will be like won't be anything like reality. I don't want my choices now to ruin happiness in my future.

Matt: wow. Yeah you are a planner. I don't think I've lived my life that way.

Hannah: I don't think that many 18yo kids do.

Hannah: so...fears?

Matt: that I'll be just like him some day. That my own kids will hate me.

Hannah: that's a big one.

Matt: yup

Hannah: know what? The fact that you are worried about that means it won't happen.

Matt: I hope so

Hannah: trust me

Matt: I do

***

Matt: you busy? Can you talk?

Hannah: yeah, just doing hw. Whats up?

Matt: nothing

Hannah: then why the need to talk?

Hannah: come on, tell me

Hannah: where are you?

Matt: the park

Hannah: because...

Matt: because I needed to get out of that house.

Hannah: your dad home?

Matt: yup. Two days now and I can't wait for him to leave.

Hannah: what did he say?

Matt: that I'm pissing my future away. That I'm not going anywhere in this life. That my head is so far up my ass I can't see the light of day. The usual.

Hannah: ...

Hannah: shit

Matt: yeah

Hannah: You know he's wrong don't you?

Matt: what do you mean?

Hannah: that shit he tells you is all lies. None of that is true. At all. Don't let it sink in any more than it already has. He actually doesn't know you.

Matt: and you do?

Hannah: I think I do, actually. Let me ask you this...do you tell your dad the stuff you tell me?

Hannah: that you want more than just money buys you happiness mentality?

Hannah: that someday you want to travel the world?

Hannah: that your biggest fear is having your kids hate you?

Hannah: that you next biggest fear is being just like him?

Matt: no of course not.

Hannah: then yes, I know you. Much more than he does. And I say that you are so much better and stronger than he gives you credit for. Do not forget that.

Matt: noted

Matt: thank you

Hannah: you are worth it.

***

Matt: Graduation is tomorrow

Hannah: sure is! Sweating in your cap and gown in the hot sun. It's a right of passage.

Matt: Did Jeff tell you I'll be at his party?

Hannah: nope. But you just did.

Hannah: what about your party?

Matt: not having one. I don't want to celebrate with my family. I'd rather celebrate with people I actually like.

Hannah: what does your dad say about that?

Matt: he could care less. We'll grab dinner after the ceremony and then I'll head to Jeff's. That's enough celebrating for us.

Matt: I'm assuming you'll be at Jeff's???

Hannah: Yeah, I will.

Matt: so that means...

Hannah: we will see each other for the first time.

Matt: are you okay with that?

Hannah: I am. I'm ready. What about you?

Matt: I am very ready. I think I've been ready for a while but didn't want to rush anything.

Hannah: two months of texting every day is a long time. No rushing happening here.

Matt: none at all.

Matt: I'm ready to graduate. But I am more ready to see you.

Hannah: me too

Matt: can't wait for tomorrow night

Hannah: *heart emoji*

Hannah and Matt spend a couple of months just texting each other, developing a friendship based on words, not looks or touches. They don't even speak on the phone. I felt that for Matt, this was essential in the way his feelings for Hannah grow because he is forced to abandon all of his usual moves and actions.

I consider this a #teaserTuesday for what's coming next! One more chapter of MTT overlap and then the story takes off on its own direction. I can't wait!!

And of course we needed music for the occasion here. I think that this a-ha video might be the best one of the 80's, personally. Especially as I am looking back at videos from that era because oh my...some of them are just tragic (*coughs* REOspeedwagon Can't Fight This Feeling). Enjoy!

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

Y'all are invited to join me everywhere! Follow my Facebook page for all of the upcoming excitement with the release of Broken Lullaby, by Friday Burgess (aka Cat) and myself!