Living with the Campus Jerks

3

"Mom," Andres scolded his mom. "Callie is only sixteen. She's too young."

Madam Cantabria waved her hand as if she was dismissing what Andres said. "Please, 16 is not that young."

I just smiled at them and carefully removed Andres' hand before excusing myself. The media took pictures of me and Andres holding hands! Gosh! I should really stop interacting with them.

The program started so we went to our seats and I sat straight as I paid attention to the program that was happening in front of me. I made sure that I still looked my best because the media is always around... Some of them are like gossip outlets that are waiting for us to mess up or say something off-script.

My heart was racing as I stared at him not knowing what to say. It was like the world stopped, I stopped because of those two words from Matt.

"I love you," I was able to say after taking a few deep breaths.

He chuckled and his lips touched my forehead before hugging me tightly. "Your heart is beating fast."

"That's yours," I denied immediately.

"If you say so." He chuckled lightly.

"How was your day?" I asked him to change the subject. I was dying to know why he was with his friends because they don't usually hang out outside the school during summer break.

"Nothing much happened, I just happened to be at Blair's house so I went." He shrugged.

"Everyone was there?"

He nodded. "Even Zia and Daphne's boyfriend were there. Why didn't I come with you, said Blair."

My eyebrow raised. "Am I allowed to go to their house? I'm a Montagne." It was a huge deal to my grandfather so I'm sure it was a huge deal to them, too.

"I just don't know, it doesn't seem like every time we go there, his parents aren't there."

We continued talking about his day while I did my best to avoid talking about what happened to my day because I didn't want to remember how annoying it was. That is actually the hardest part of living a life like this because it is really hard to straighten things up, especially when people are too blinded by their hate.

After dad's proclamation, I was itching to get home but the Cantabrias invited us to Senator Cantabria's celebratory party and we had to attend because mom likes those kinds of parties.

I sighed in relief when we arrived at our home. Gosh! It is hard to deal with the public during campaigns but it is also hard to deal with politicians when the election season is over.

I think they have too much time in their hands that they'll ask even the most random questions about my hobbies and I'm not allowed to ignore them... They're like the typical nosy titas and titos.

It was already 9 in the evening. All those wasted hours of faking a smile! I texted Matt to inform him that I was already home before I sat on my couch and scrolled through my social media accounts to check if the pictures that were taken earlier looked good.

Several news and gossip outlets released a picture of me and Andres while he was holding my hand earlier. Gosh! They are so quick when it comes to photos like this.

My phone vibrated and it was a reply from Matt.

From: Matty

You go home in the morning.

To: Matty

Yes. Aren't you coming here?

From: Matty

I do not know. Julian invited me to go to Blair's house with him so I'm still here. We also practiced for the opening of the classes, they said we were going to perform.

To: Matty

You're going to sleep there?

From:

Matty

Not really, but I might be late home. Axel is too talkative so we're not done yet.

I pouted because it seemed like he wasn't planning to go home immediately. I dialed his number because it made me feel uneasy knowing that he wasn't home.

"Why, Cat?" Matty asked when he answered my call. He sounded a bit off or maybe that's just me.

Somebody was singing in the background while playing the piano. I wasn't sure if it was Axel or Julian. "Nothing..." I trailed because it was like I had forgotten why I called. "I just wanted to hear your voice."

I heard him take a deep breath from the other line. "I feel like I want to go home...but maybe I won't make it. Go to sleep, I'll go early tomorrow."

"But I wanted to see you today," I said sadly.

He sighed. "Can you wait until around 11? I might be in traffic."

"I'll wait."

"Alright, I'll say goodbye here," he said. "Bye."

"Okay... Take care." I hung up and sighed. He really sounded off.

I kept myself busy by playing the piano while waiting for Matt. I know that I can just see him tomorrow but this day is already stressful and it would be more stressful if I don't end it with Matt.

That is how caught up I am.

I was halfway through playing Fur Elise when my phone vibrated. When I read Matt's message, I wore a jacket and went down immediately.

"Hey!" I said and hugged him. "I missed you. You didn't inform me that you were going to hang out with your friends." I love hugging. I love his warmth and his comfort.

"That was sudden too... How is your uncle's proclamation?"

"The usual... Politics, plans..." I answered and shrugged. It wasn't that interesting, I'm more interested in knowing about his day.

"You have pictures on social media..." he trailed without looking at me. He sighed before looking at me and smiled. "Are you tired of the proclamation?"

I wrapped my arm around his waist. "Yeah, but I'm okay now. Are you also okay now? You sounded off earlier."

He chuckled and nodded. "I'm fine now."

"Hey, I have a thought..." I said and bit my lower lip, maybe I should ask about that? We've been together for almost two months now and we haven't said that to each other. "We haven't said the three words..."

"What three words?"

I gave him a confused look. He doesn't know what that is?

He laughed and pinched my nose. "We always say that, huh?"

"Yeah, but we were still friends when we last said that to each other," I said and frowned.

"We were friends then, let's change," he said and smiled. "Two words."

"Three words?"

He leaned closer to me and looked right into my eyes. "I love you."