" Hey, Matt. Ready to go home?"

His eyes were blank, " Don't do that Haley. I know what he did."

" Just let's go."

He didn't stop her but didn't leave the issue alone. He followed her to the car all while pestering her with empty advice.

" Haley. Would you just stop just for a moment? Please?"

She ignored him and squeezed through a small opening between two frat boys trying to chat up a less than impressed senior girl.

One nearly elbows her in the face but Matt catches his arm and glares. The boy apologizes half-hearted and offers a friendly smile.

Even half sober, his reflexes were unmatched.

She wanted to scream and slam a door, break a plate. Something. She wanted to feel something, anything. But no she was stuck there trying to take home her ex-boyfriend's brother/ her best friend.

She didn't know what compelled him to ram her again the wall, but she was definitely gonna need something stronger than soda to deal with him.

" Matt Pluto. If you do not get off me. I will make you regret ever coming to this party."

" Why don't you ever listen to me?" His head dropped to her shoulder.

" I listen all the time. But it's hard to take you seriously when you're dru-"

" She broke up with me."

" Matt-"

" Every single time. I think that I can maybe love someone. They always break up with me. Am I that unloveable?"

" Matt. Come on. I'll take you home and you'll feel better in the morning."

He glanced up, his eyes were strikingly clear.
" Will I?"

After an incredibly long speech about the importance of underage drinking, she finally managed to drag him into the car.

The words were etched into her mind. He seemed so awake. Was it possible that he wasn't okay? That he was actually sober? After
a glance at him through the mirror. She came to the conclusion he was not.

Matt was slumped against the window, an arm slung over his eyes, moaning every time she took a sharp turn. And she made them often, some of them were unnecessary. But he deserved it.

" Come on you big baby. You decided to drink and now you're gonna face the consequences." She said as she marched him up the stairs.

" Oo look at me. I'm Matt Pluto. I'm so hot and brooding. Look at my abs. I have abs. Have I mentioned I have abs?" Haley mocked as she threw a set of clothes in his direction.

Matt moaned, " I get it. I'm stupid, you're smart," he cracked a smile, " But I do have nice abs." The smile didn't last long before his face twisted into disgust.

Uh oh. Matt practically lunged across the room and stumbled into the bathroom.

She made a face and left the room and headed for the kitchen.

Aspirin was kept in the left drawer on the right side. She knew this because the first time she found Matt in such a state, she tore through the house looking for a bottle. It wasn't until Mr. Pluto marched down the stairs, bathrobe and all pissed that she was making such a ruckus.

He had pointed to the drawer and scowled before saying if she wasn't his son's girlfriend. She would be already kicked out.

When Haley returned Matt was dressed and sitting on his windowsill. She joined him.

" How are you doing?" She pushed the bottle and a glass of water over.

Matt stared at her. Which was normal but this time, he didn't look away.

" Haley I think I'm in love with you."