Page 10 of Open Water

“Because we need you. Because your stuff is good. And to be honest, you’re good too. So, will you at least think about it?”

“Did Simon put you up to this?” I snap.

“No, we talked about it in class, a few of us were saying you should be there.” He shrugs his shoulders whilst I am soaking my t-shirt in perspiration under my arms. Classy. Really classy.

“I’ll think about it,” I croak out. Fuck, I need him to leave.Please, don’t leave.

“Tomorrow?” he says and arches an eyebrow.

Oh God, he is so cute. I am going to have a wank-fest and a half tonight, dreaming of his voice this close to me. His lips are a little bit wet. I bet they are warm from the coffee. Soft to kiss. His tongue against mine.

“Earth to Max?” He laughs and waves his hand in front of my face and I jerk back to life with what is no doubt a terrified look, betraying all the smutty shite going on in my head.

“Okay,” I whisper. Because what the hell else can I say? It’s not like I can be cool and suave with bloody Matteo Adler sitting opposite me. Most beautiful boy in the world.

“Sweet,” Matteo says. “See you tomorrow, then?”

He gets off the chair to leave. Looking at me like I am expected to make my mouth work long enough to form words, when all I can do is stare at him, nod lamely and try to make my lips smile whilst he is grinning like a bloody sunbeam.

Instead, my phone goes off again and he walks backwards waving his coffee cup in the air, still looking at me as he swerves to avoid a bunch of girls trying to grab the table he is almost tripping over… I wish he was mine.Fuck, I love him. If I could, I would just hug him to death.

DAD: He hates me and I don’t blame him.

Overdramatic much, Dad?

ME: Not good enough Dad. Why does he hate you?

I can’t even think straight. Matteo just spoke to me. Matteo just spoke to me.Matteo just spoke to me.I can die happy. I am about to die anyway if I can’t get my heartrate under control. I need to go to the bathroom and get rid of this t-shirt, or I will smell like a bloody turd by this afternoon. I try to remember what I said. Replay the conversation in my head cringing and wishing that the world would swallow me up.

TO: [email protected]

FROM: [email protected]

RE: Informal Meeting

Max. This is not about me or your father. This meeting is about you passing this year, so you can go on to Year 3 and graduate. I have some ideas how we can ensure you fulfil the requirements to at least get you a C in Biology and Maths. I also have an idea how you can gain extra credit to add hours to your Drama degree. This is about you, and how we get you back on track in a way that is manageable for you.

I am assuming your parents won’t attend so I have taken the liberty of getting Simon Vasquez to support us.

Lukas

TO: [email protected]

FROM: [email protected]

RE: Informal Meeting

Whatever

TO: [email protected]

FROM: [email protected]

RE: Informal Meeting

Max. Please.

Lukas

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