Story: [Matt Good] Flowers Grown From Bloodstains [Fourteen]

"Class, I want you to go straight to gym, do not loiter in halls," Mrs. Tucci advised us sharply as Principal Dawson declared our attendance was requested in gymnasium.

No one listened to her harpings as they gathered their belongings and made a beeline for the door.

"Class," she shouted attempting to recapture their attention, "Class!"

But her attempts were futile. She threw her hands up and defeat, and dejectedly tramped to her desk beginning to shuffle through collected papers.

I dumped my materials into my backpack, and lifted it onto my plastic chair, abandoning my bag. I bounded to Matt's desk, and lingered patiently as he packed his materials. He beamed at me then stood to his full height.

We exited the classroom, and out into the jammed packed hallways. We navigated our way through, Matt in front while I held onto his forearm not wanting to be separated from him.

Matt shouldered his way through the throng and guided me to the end of the hallway. He kicked the door open and we emerged into the brightness of daylight, the sun's rays bathing us in golden light.

I hurried to Matt's side as we started across the large campus heading for the gymnasium.

"What's going to happen at this pep rally," I hinted trying to get him to tell me what was making him so antsy to get the pep rally.

He glanced down, peering into my face then his eyes slid down my shoulder and along my arm. I followed his gaze realizing I still possessed his arm.

I blushed my cheeks darkening rapidly. I released his arm and shoved my hands into my jean pockets.

"Sorry," I murmured bowing my head my hair concealing my face.

Matt laughed at my behavior, and ceased walking. He stood in front of me and titled my face upwards with two fingers under my chin. Our eyes locked, and my breath caught in my throat refusing to proceed further.

We stood perfectly still for a good minute and my eyes began tearing up from not blinking.

"Matt," I whispered hoarsely.

My voice ripped him out of his coma, and he shook his head sadly. His eyes glazed over, and he resumed walking towards our destination. I quickly ran up beside him.

"Sorry about that," he apologized his voice quavering.

I smiled softly, and placed a hand gently onto his shoulder. "It's okay, don't be sorry."

He glanced at me, then averted his gaze to the path in front of him. "You probably think I'm an idiot."

"Matt, I believe no such thing," I said my voice completely sincere.

He gazed into my eyes, then quickly looked away as if it were dangerous. His eyes told me that he didn't believe me.

"Matt," I whined capturing his attention. "Don't think that, I actually liked it," I quickly broke off gasping. I clapped a hand to my mouth my eyes wide in horror.

Had I just said that? Aloud?

Ooooooh, shit.

He stared down at me his eyes brimming with question.

"I mean- I- uh, er...ugh," I stammered running a shaky hand through my hair.

Matt grinned, and pinched my cheek playfully. "Does Lynzie have something to tell me?" he cooed in a childish voice.

I batted his hands away and laughed apprehensively. "What, me, no, never!"

I imitated his grin and began prancing in the direction of the gym.

Matt chuckled deeply, and jogged up next to me.

"Lynzie, you're different," Matt remarked quite randomly, if I do say so myself.

I sighed inwardly glad to be off the subject of my crush on him. I spun on my heels, and began skipping backwards paying extra mind not to trip over myself.

I titled my head to the side in a questioning fashion. "Is that a good or a bad thing?"

"A good thing," he replied hastily, grinning lopsidedly.

"Thank you," I offered a smile forming on my lips.

He shrugged casually. "Hey, wait stop," he ordered pointing to my feet.

I obeyed without a second thought.

He bounded up to my level, and looped his arm with mine.

"And we are..." I trailed off waiting for him to finish my sentence as to his motives for us being 'linked'.

He smirked slyly. "...on our way to the gym." He pulled me along as he skipped. I giggled and fell into sync with him.

"We're off to see the wizard, the wonderful wizard of OZ because, because, because, because of all the wonderful things he does," Matt sang deafeningly.

I threw my head back and laughed. I hooked onto his arm tighter, lifting my legs higher in the air as we skipped. As Matt started the next verse I joined in with his tune.

All throughout our journey to the gym people where tossing us looks as if we were insane. A few select jocks openly mocked us, but Matt just threw back a sharp remark that utterly stumped them.

At the double doors leading to our destination Matt propped one open and motioned me through. He bowed, twirling his arm in flourish.

"Ladies first," he crooned in a gentleman like voice straight out of a 1940s movie.

"Oh, thank you kindly, dear sir," I simpered playing along.

He grinned reveling all of his teeth, and walked through the entrance after me.

We linked arms again and loped through the various cliques scattered around the gym. Matt halted in front of the bleachers on the right side of the building. He raised his hand to his forehead surveying the area. There was an outburst from the top right of the stands.

I smiled as I heard Sonny call Matt a nincompoop.

"What's that? I can't hear them," Matt screamed winking at me.

There was further outbursts and Travis declared Matt a deaf-blind-girly-pussy-man-whore. Matt released my arm, and grasped my hand as he leapt up the steps taking them two at a time. I squealed tripping over my own two feet to keep up with him. I was panting by the time we'd reached our group- and Matt still gripped my hand.

Mandy, Jen and Ali cast me sly looks while Hannah gave me a I-told-you-so smile.

Matt sensed our predicament, and slowly freed my hand smiling at me. His smile was tinged with something I couldn't identify, but it gave me butterflies in the pit of my stomach.

He ushered me onto a bench beside Derek and directly in front of Mandy. I lowered my body onto the hard plastic. I attempted to make myself comfortable, but my attempts were in vain. I sighed heavily, and placed my elbow on Matt's shoulder. I rested my chin on my hand blowing a few stray light brown hairs out of my face. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Matt give me a once over with glazed eyes, though I assumed it was due to the lighting that his eyes appeared so.

I watched the gym fill up, our school mates filtering in through the six sets of double doors. They choose seats in the stands, filling the building to the brim with throbbing voices. Some of the guy' friends sat in front of us, and to the side of us. Shouted greetings were exchanged between the groups.

During one of these interactions with Matt I briefly wondered where Becca was, but didn't allow my mind to dwell on it.

It was for the best she wasn't around.

I allowed an insolent smile to caress my lips upon the thought of having Matt all to myself for the time being.

"Lynzieeeee," Matt whispered in my ear his voice agonizingly high pitched.

"Ow," I whimpered, tenderly rubbing my abused ear.

Matt grinned, and extended his arm in the direction of the gym floor. The principal walked into the center of the floor tapping the microphone. Without warning a loud thwack blared from the speakers. I cringed wrinkling my nose in distaste. I was dreading this pep rally.

I need to take a pill to make this town feel okay...