Page 40 of Breaking Matt
Realizing I wasn't going to be able to change his mind, I got out of bed. I got some clothes out of my wardrobe and had a shower before I got dressed. I was busy putting on a little makeup when I felt eyes on me. My eyes connected with Matthew's in the mirror.
"You know you're beautiful without all of that stuff," he said. I smiled at him.
My heart warmed at his words. It was ridiculous how a comment like that could make me feel so much for him. My feelings for him seemed to grow every moment I spent with him.
"Thanks," I said. I didn't use a lot; I put on some lipstick and mascara. Once I was finished I surveyed myself in the mirror.
"Beautiful," he whispered from behind me. I turned to face him.
"You're not too bad yourself," I said with a teasing smile.
"Say what you want. I know I rock your world," he said confidently. I bit back a laugh.
He was right. But not only did he make my world tilt when he kissed me, he also made my heart swell with emotion. There were still moments when I thought about his betrayal and it was difficult to completely forget about it. It was going to take time. It was strange—I trusted him with my life and yet I couldn't trust him with my heart. Some wounds couldn't be fixed with bandages and medicine.
On our way to college I felt his hand cover mine. I smiled at him. As hesitant as I was to give him a second chance I was glad I had. But there was still a part of me that held on to doubt.
Matthew was his usual reserved and occupied self, paying attention to every detail. When we got to the campus we got out of the car and walked to the spot we normally met up with Courtney. I glanced down at my watch to check the time. Courtney wasn't in the usual spot waiting for us. That was unlike her; I figured maybe she overslept or was running late.
Matthew glanced down at his watch before his eyes scanned the sea of students moving around us. He looked agitated and preoccupied, but I didn't ask questions.
Once we were seated in our first class of the day,he grabbed his phone and typed a message. I frowned. There was definitely something up.
"What's wrong?" I asked in a hushed whisper, watching him anxiously. Did it have to do with Courtney being a no-show? I couldn't stop the anxiety from building up in me.
He looked at me, masking any emotions he may have been feeling. He didn't have to answer my question. His eyes said everything. There was something wrong.
"Courtney?" I questioned, trying not to let my thoughts go wild before I knew there was something to worry about.
"I'm not sure," he whispered.
I swallowed as the lecturer started the class. Any questions I had would have to sit until the class was finished.
I tried to concentrate on what the lecturer was saying—but it was impossible. My thoughts were already starting to run wild with possibilities. I threw a couple of glances at Matt, hoping to be able to read his expression, but I couldn't. I was annoyed and agitated by the time the class had finished.
Just outside the classroom I pulled him to one side.
"Tell me," I demanded. His eyes held mine reluctantly. He didn't want to tell me, but I wasn't going to let this slide.
"I don't know anything yet," he revealed, and I felt myself tense up.
"You're worried about Courtney," I said, and he nodded.
"I've sent Mark by to check on her at her apartment," he told me.
"How do you know where she lives?" I asked. He'd never been to her place.
"It's my job to know."
"She could just be running late—or...maybe she overslept," I rationalized. I didn't want to think that something worse than that could have happened to her.
His phone started to ring and he got it out and answered it.
"Okay. Stay there," he ordered.
I felt my stomach fill with dread. He wasn't revealing any emotions but it didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out something wasn't right.
He paused. "She isn't there," he said slowly.
