Claire blinked, realizing she had been standing frozen for a mont too long. With a small nod, she turned and walked down the stairs, Margaret and Alex following closely behind.
As they reached the front door, Claire hesitated before finally pulling it open.
Mathew stood there, his hands stuffed into the pockets of his suit pants, looking slightly nervous. He was dressed well, in a navy blue suit, and although his hair was neatly styled, there was an awkwardness about him.
Like he wasn't quite sure if he should be there.
When he saw her, his lips curled into a small smile. "Hey... I'm sorry for showing up like this. I had to ask so of our friends to know this place," he said as though knowing they'd ask him how he knew the house.
Claire tilted her head slightly. "It's nothing," she said, her voice neutral. "But... why are you here?"
Margaret and Alex stood close by, watching with curiosity.
Mathew exhaled and rubbed the back of his neck. "I know we barely talk... and that's my fault. I guess I was just too nervous to approach you before. I wasn't sure if you'd even want to talk to ."
Claire arched an eyebrow. Nervous? Around ? What was he saying? She mused, narrowing her eyes.
Margaret, always one to cut through awkward monts, folded her arms. "Then what changed?" she asked, looking him over.
Mathew let out a soft chuckle. "I guess I finally convinced myself to take the risk. I... I wasn't even sure if you'd be ho, but I had to try."
Claire frowned slightly. "Try what?" she asked in confusion. Sothing about him didn't seem right.
Mathew's gaze t hers. "To ask you to prom."
Imdiately he said that, everywhere fell silent as different thoughts swirled in each of their minds.
For a second, Claire thought she had misheard him. She glanced at Margaret, whose eyes widened in surprise, and then at Alex, who just blinked, confirming they had heard what she heard too.
Though they had suspected that, it still didn't make it any less shocking.
She looked back at Mathew. "You're... asking to prom?" she asked, wanting to be sure he knew what he was asking.
Mathew nodded. "Yeah. If you'd let ."
Claire let out a slow breath. Of all the things she expected tonight, this wasn't one of them. To be abandoned by one person and be asked by another in the sa hour.
What was going on? Did Mathew's appearance have anything to do with Isaiah backing out? Mathew did say he had always liked her so does that an he had been the one scaring guys away from her?
He couldn't be. Mathew looked to calm to do that. He couldn't even approach her even though he had liked her for a while. She thought, looking him over.
Margaret leaned in slightly. "Well...?" she asked, nudging Claire a little, reminding her she was yet to say anything.
Claire shifted her gaze back to Mathew. "Why?" she asked simply, making everyoñe look at her in confusion.
Mathew blinked. "Why what?" he asked, his face mirroring his thoughts.
Claire crossed her arms. "Why ? We barely talk. You don't even know if I like you," she said with a shrug.
Mathew looked taken aback for a mont, as if he hadn't expected her to ask or say that.
Then, after a brief pause, he smiled softly. "Because... you've had my heart for a long ti now. I just never had the courage to tell you. And I didn't co here hoping you'd go with to prom since i know you'll have guys that must have asked whom you like. I just wanted you to know I liked you. To be honest? I didn't even expect to see you ho but I guess it's my lucky day," he said and Claire's lips parted slightly in surprise.
Had his heart? For a long ti? From all he had said, 8t was obvious he wasn't the guy scaring people away from her. And he probably must've taken the guy by surprise since this one had kept his emotions well hidden.
She studied him for a mont, searching his face for any sign of fear or that he was probably joking with her but he looked completely serious. The only thing she saw on his face was his nerves wrecking, probably because he was scared she'd reject him.
Margaret let out a small oh under her breath, clearly amused by the turn of events surrounding her sister.
Alex, on the other hand, was watching Mathew with a skeptical expression. Although he didn't know much since he was the youngest there, he sort of knew he didn't like this Mathew guy for reasons he couldn't explain.
Claire sighed, glancing down at her dress. She was already ready. She had done her hair, put on makeup, and picked out this dress with excitent earlier. She had been ready for this night.
But Isaiah had taken that from her. But why should she let his decision ruin everything?
Besides, what better ti did she have to show those idiots that kept running from her that she was capable of being liked genuinely?
She also had to show Isaiah that him canceling didn't an she couldn't have fun and if he had been expecting her to cry over this, then he'd have to think twice.
She lifted her chin slightly, looking back at Mathew. "Since I'm already dressed... there's no reason to say no."
Mathew's face lit up, a mixture of relief and happiness flashing across his features. "Really?"
Claire nodded. "Yes."
Margaret grinned. "That's the spirit."
Alex, still unconvinced, simply muttered, "Be careful."
Claire turned to Margaret and Alex, giving them a small, reassuring smile before stepping toward Matthew.
She didn't know much about him.
She had no idea why he had chosen tonight, of all nights, to finally approach her. But what she did know was that she wasn't going to sit at ho, crying over Isaiah.
What she didn't know at the ti was that the decision she had just made would change her life forever.
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