AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Isn’t that like …”
“Like what?”
“You know … a boyfriend thing or something?”
“It can be.” I suppress a laugh. “I mean, I introduced him to my last boyfriend.”
His attitude suddenly shifts as he straightens his shoulders. “Your last boyfriend?”
“Yes, Matt. I have had a boyfriend before. Being Mr. President doesn’t mean you’re the only guy that goes out with the girls at our school.”
“I-I know that.” I have to bite my lip in order to not laugh at how self-conscious he gets.
“Don’t worry, I won’t introduce you as my boyfriend. Wouldn’t want the rumors to spread about you dating a nerd girl,” I tease.
“I wouldn’t care about those rumors.”
“That’s right. You’d only care if the rumors were about you.”
He tilts back, sending a groan into the air. “I thought we were past all this.”
“We are.” I smile, pulling out my phone. “Fine, here.” I send a text to him with my address. “How’s five sound?”
“Sounds good to me.” His grin returns.
I start my car and pull out of the parking lot, wondering how I can be smiling today when last week I was balling my eyes out.
It’s only a few hours until Matt’s supposed to show up, but the time drags on forever. Getting home, I let dad know I invited a friend over who’s interested in how I make my videos. Hey, it’s partially true. He nods, as he works away at his computer desk, the multiple screens displaying different programs he’s running. He runs his own computer support business, so there’s always computers and computer parts all over his office.
Doing a quick sweep of my room, I organize my shelves and dresser. I’m not a neat freak, but I do try to keep things in order. Well, except for my desk, which is where I film and edit and have papers strewn about, post-it notes, and other pieces of scratch paper littered everywhere. I organize as best I can before doing one more scan of my room. I think back to Matt’s room, and how everything seemed to be in perfect order and I’d followed him home with no advance notice. Then again, he does have a housekeeper. Did she organize his figures and his desk and everything? I shake my head, trying to come to my senses.
Matt isn’t my boyfriend. As pleasant an idea as that is, he can’t be. He isn’t free to be who he really is, and that’s because of him. I pull my comforter over my bed, straightening it out. I wonder if we’ll end up on my bed the same way we ended on up his–No. Izzy, stop thinking about that. I turned him down to going out and to prom. I shouldn’t be thinking about kissing him again.
Only, the thing is, I do want to go out with him. I was so shocked when he asked me to prom I nearly blurted out yes right then and there. But going with him, being with him, means I have to keep his secret. I’ll have to pretend he’s someone else. Someone who everyone in school thinks he is, when I just want him to be who I know he really is. How in the world the significant others of superheroes keep their secrets, I have no idea.
“Hey, Isabel?” my dad’s voice calls out, a tone that sets off alarms.
He usually calls me Iz or Izzy and only saves ‘Isabel’ for when I’m either in trouble or we have to have serious talks. I walk into the living room and see Matt standing by the door, looking more nervous than I’ve ever seen before.
“Oh, hey,” I wave, before catching my dad’s concerning look. “Daddy, I told you a friend was coming over.”
“Yes, you did.” He nods. “You neglected to tell me it was a boy friend.”
“He’s not my boyfriend,” I reply, and Matt looks at me with a small quirk of his lips.
“Fine, a guy friend.” Dad folds his arms, staring at Matt.
“Yes, sir.” Matt flashes his confident smile and extends his hand. “I’m Matt. Matt Hillard.”
His smile seems to wane, as my dad keeps staring at him. I’ve seen this before. The last time I brought a guy home to meet him was last year, my last boyfriend. Dad made it a point to act standoffish.
“And you’re interested in Isabel’s YouTube channel?” His arms stay crossed, not believing it.
“Yes, sir.” Matt nods, dropping his hand. “I’m kind of a geek myself.”
“Oh,” Dad seems to ease, unfolding his arm. “Oh, so you’re into all that stuff.”
“Yes.”
