Chapter 4 - The Knife

*Mattel Ingrid's POV*

---

"France, Matt, I'll just catch up with you. I still need to buy some eggs and fresh milk." Eve Dalton stated as we stopped in front of a convenience store that is three blocks from our apartment. She is a neighbor of mine and at the same time, we are classmates. Same with Francis Tales.

"Okay, just go knockin' on Matt's door. But wait, buy some chips, Eve. And, I'll be the one to order us some dinner." France told the blonde-haired girl and she saluted before turning to walk to the establishment's glassdoor. 

We actually decided to have a group study for our long quiz in Social Science for tomorrow, and also, for the coming quarterly exams next week. 

"France, what do you think about the play that we are going to perform for our Lit Class?" I asked him as we continued walking.

"Yeah, I bet that it is gonna be insane since we have Natalie Porter and Georgina Vandross in our group. I wonder if what would happen though. And, I am sure that we would either win or win. Yeah, I trust those bitches. But I just hope that no blood will shed." He replied and I chuckled. Well, yeah, those girls are like the best rivals slash enemies in the academy in terms of academics.

"Yeah, both are alphas. But hopefully, they would team up for it." I uttered and he halted and looked at me in the face.

"Matt, do you think that Gina is gay? Like a lesbian since we never saw her with anyone since forever. But Nat got two exes. But she could be gay, right? Even if she got in a relationship with men?" He chatted and my eyebrows met.

"What made you say that? Wait... Don't tell me that you are one of the NatGin shippers?" I asked him and he grinned. Damn this gay.

"Of course, who doesn't ship them? Like, literally, every homosexual I knew at the academy ships those two, and even the heteros. Don't you like them together? They could be a great couple." He stated and I laughed as we started walking again then turned left.

"Well, yeah, they surely are. But talking about gays, when are you gonna come out to the whole academy?" I replied and asked him a question that I really wanna ask for a while. Damn, he loves to be in the lacrosse team because of one thing... Men.

"Umm, after graduation. Or maybe during prom. In which I could never see some of my homophobic teammates right after that." He answered and I tapped his back. This dude has come out to me during my first two months in the apartment about three years ago because I thought he was hitting on me that I started avoiding him, and the same with Eve. And, we became friends.

As we are near the entrance of the building he nudges me and we both looked at the person who is standing in front of the double door.

She flashed a small smile and took a deep breath before speaking.

"Hi!" She greeted and I smiled in response.

"Matt, I guess you have something to talk to. I'll just go ahead. And, I still need to order our food. Do you want the usual?" France told me and asked.

"Alright, and yep, the usual. And, oh, France, here. Kindly feed Tiberius if he's there. Just the usual amount. Thanks!" I stated as I handed him my keys and he nodded his head in response before getting inside the establishment. He just loves my cat so much. He even named him, and I like it.

Then, I inhaled deeply as I faced the brown-haired girl that seems like she waited for me out here and she appeared sad or something. Does she have a problem? Well, of course, everyone has problems.

"You waited for me?" I asked her and she nodded her head while pouting her lips. 

"Well, I just want to return this. Thank you so much, Ming." She uttered and handed my knife.

"Okay. No problem. And, thank you again for last night." I replied and she finally smiled a real one.

"Yeah, anything for you. Well, if I have just known that it was you, I could have beaten their asses and not let them get away with nothing. Even just with broken noses or ribs." She stated and I couldn't help but laugh at her words.

"Well, thankfully, you came, or else they could have landed in the hospital." I joked and she laughed nervously. I would really stab people if I need to. It's called self-defense.

"Right. You could have caused them something worse." She replied and combed her straight hair with her left fingers. I wonder if how would she look like with the original color of it which I think is the same as Nadia's. Blonde. Well, they would literally just look the same if she didn't dye it. And, brown looks good on her, or she looks good with brown? Damn, why am I checking out this girl's hair?

"Well, anyway, Ming... I'm supposed to ask you if we could grab some snacks or coffee or dinner, no, not dinner, just snacks. But, I should go since you still have an appointment with... Francis. Mhmm." She stuttered while her hands are in her jeans pockets, and did I hear it right? She's asking me out? Damn!

"Oh, uh... Well, we are actually gonna have a group study with Eve. Do you know her? That blonde cheerleader with a mole near her left eyebrow? We three are neighbors and close friends. Umm, nevermind. But yeah, I'm sorry, I couldn't... Go with you." I explained, and why the hell am I explaining something to her? It's not like I want her to know that I am not dating Francis. No, not at all. But she could be thinking that thing. And, why the fuck would I care? Ugh!

Then, I noticed that her lips formed a grin. Hmm, why does she seemed so happy that I couldn't go with her?

"Oh, really? Umm, well, it's okay. Truly. Maybe some other time?" She replied and bit her lower lip after licking it. Fuck, why are my eyes getting a sight of it? And why are her eyes so damn blue and staring at me like I am an item in a museum? This is so uncomfortable.

"Hmm, yeah, maybe," I uttered and I just realized that I agreed to go out on a date with her. What date? It is not a date, right?

"Cool! Now, I should get going. See you around, Ming. And, have a nice day." She stated and winked before finally walking away. 

What had just happened? 

Damn, maybe Dahlia was right. She might be crushing me and hitting on me. And, I just realized it. Fuck! And double fuck, I agreed. No!

Then, I looked at the knife in my hand and noticed that there is a small folded paper clamped in it.

I took it out and my left eyebrow raised as I have seen what has been written on it.

*Hi, Ming! It's my phone number, and you can give me a call or text if you need help or if do you want me to walk you home after your work. You know, payback for the messes at the diner. ;) 09462370521.* 

I scoffed as I read her message. Smart move, Zavia.

And, I didn't notice that I have been smiling when Eve didn't show up with a knowing look on her face.

"Does Aidan Seymour has been here and brought that smile on your face, Matt?" She asked curiously and I immediately defended myself.

"No! Of course, not. I just remembered something funny." I reasoned out but I bet that she is not convinced. Even a little.

"Really? You are not a good liar, Mattel. But yeah, what did she say?" She replied and then asked excitedly.

"Nothing. She just asked me something." I answered as we got inside the building and I helped her bring some of the paper bags in her hold.

"Mm, asked you out on a date?" She asked and we stepped inside the elevator.

"No! Not a date. Just cut it off. It's not that important." I stated since I am feeling so uncomfortable with this topic and I could feel my face heating up.

"Mhmm, but why is your face so damn red? You are blushing, Matt. How does that not something important and I bet it's something romantic or sweet." She insisted and I finally handed her the piece of paper that the blue-eyed girl gave me earlier to shut this blondie up.

And, I immediately covered my left ear when she screamed, and I regretted helping her with her items since I can't cover my other ear. Damn it!

Finally, the elevator door opened up and my ears can now rest, but I was wrong. She kept blabbering things until we reached near our doors since she lives next door to mine and Francis. Then, here showed up the gay guy from my flat with a black cat in his arms.

"What is the commotion all about?" He asked worriedly since Eve started screaming again. Fuck, I shouldn't have given her that paper. Now, I absolutely know that they would not end questioning me.

---

"Come on, Matt, do you like her? Don't worry, nobody else would know. If there is, you could blame Tiberius because our mouths are shut. But the cat? I'm not sure." France asked and I have just answered that question already.

"I don't, okay?" I replied and they are both having unconvinced faces.

"Mm, deny while you can, Mattel. We would find that out sooner or later." Eve uttered and I just rolled my eyes. Why would they think that I liked that devil? They are absolutely aware that I hate her because of messing up with my work at the diner.

"Yeah, I just can't wait for this love story of yours to unfold. Finally, there is a big chance that you could be part of the community, you big L. Damn, I ship you now more than NatGin. Well, yeah, they are in second place now. I should be the captain, Eve. Whether you like it or not." The gay let out and I just sighed deeply as they started fighting over if who is who.

"Would you, Bitches, stop that? Did we get here to study or have a debate about my non-existent love life or romance or whatever?" I halted them and they seemed to stop. Good.

"Well, both. We really need to talk about that too. Damn, it's not every day that Mattel Ingrid Lewis blushes over to some other specimen, no, speciwomen. Or... spicywoman." Eve stated and the idiots did a high-five.

Ugh!