After the introductions had been exchanged, Syn got to know her. Well. They talked about his past, her past, and somehow, that ended in the hottest make-out session she had ever had in her entire life. And, of course, the hottest make-out session could only be the forerunner of the hottest sex she had ever had in her entire life.
And through the whole exchange that night, only one incident could be defined as particular enough to be mentioned. In the midst of their passion, she had uttered three words, and he had returned them. Ordinarily that would not be a consequence; unless somehow who held nothing but envy and malice in his heart were to overhear.
By Sunday morning, the passion had died down and she lay in his arms, her head against his chest. And she was smiling. She was smiling, another noted with disgust as he opened the door to the room. Brian was still asleep, and she was fading in and out of consciousness.
The Shadow made his way into the room and grabbed her arm in a gentle, but firm hold. Her eyes opened immediately, and Matt put his hand in front of her mouth to ensure nothing awakened Syn from his sleep. "Come," he whispered quietly, and she let herself be wrestled away from Syn's arms as Matt pulled her into the hall.
"What?" she demanded angrily, probably the first words she had ever truly said to him from her own mind.
"Today, when you get to choose who you want to room with," Matt said slowly. "You're going to choose me."
"No, I'm going to choose Syn- Brian," she corrected herself.
"Did you just talk back to me?" Matt demanded, and she looked him in the eye and nodded defiantly, but did not dare to speak. If Matt hit her, she would just cry out for Syn and he would save her.
But Matt was smarter then that.
"Listen-" he grabbed her shoulder and squeezed it, causing her to wince. "I can make life difficult for your lover-boy. Very difficult. I can get him kicked out of the band-" her eyes widened. The band meant everything to him. "-then you'll do what I tell you to, okay?"
"You wouldn't do that," she whispered quietly. "He's your friend."
"He is," Matt whispered in a rushed tone. "That's why I won't let filthy whores like you get in his head, telling him you love him-" her eyes widened again as she pulled away from Matt. "If you really do love him, you'll keep away from him," Matt warned as he retreated back down the hall.
"Matt," she called suddenly with final decision. "I pick you today."
"Good," Matt smirked, and he came around to collect his prize, grabbing her by the elbow as he wheeled her into his room.
She was not allowed out of his room on Sunday, and he could also control her on Monday.
The next time she would be allowed to see Syn was Tuesday, and she knew already that Matt had coerced this situation to his advantage. He was playing with a full deck.
But she had love on her side.
She paused for a moment and reconsidered.
She didn't even know what love was.
Love is the movement. Love is the revolution. Love is the deepest emotion. –Switchfoot
