Joining the soccer team made life a whole lot easier thought Matthew. While there were still a handful of guys that razzed on him for being 'weird' most of them stopped. He had friends and of course he was still friends with Erin and her group of ladies.
He excelled in all of his classes and with the help of Erin he was passing science with an A. Everything he had learned was outdated, but he was fortunate to have Erin as his tutor. Even more so was he glad to have her as a friend.
Erin was passing French and she realized she was definitely going to get to go to France with the school. She jumped up and down and hugged Matt tightly, "Thank you." she whispered into his ear and his cheeks flushed.
Gym only got worse when the second half of the year was health and swim. Swim was manageable after he had found an appropriate bathing suit. Health though was another story entirely. He grew up in a household with a victorian mindset, sex was something that one did not discuss in the open. Each time they spoke of anything sexual in nature his face turned red with embarrassment. When he tried to speak to Gregory about what was being discussed, the man took him to the library and had 'The Talk' with him. After that health was a little better, but it was still so weird to be discussing these things out in the open!
In science instead of a final exam the partners had to do a presentation on a topic of their choice. They chose to do the ecosystem and they would use his estate to complete the project. Matthew was excited for her to come to his house and he was beyond thrilled. But, the more he thought about it the more nervous he became. He hadn't taken into account Emmy, Ania, or Gregory and then instead of excitement there was intense dread and nervousness in the pit of his stomach.
After school that day, he asked Gregory about having a classmate over to work on their project. It was for school so Gregory automatically approved and there were not additional questions asked.
That following Saturday she would be coming over to his house for the science class but she would also meet the rest of his family. He shook his head furiously, they were just friends so it was no big deal. He woke up early Saturday so that he could finish his chores early and then come back and wash up and get dressed. This was not a date he had to keep reminding himself as he looked for clothes to wear during the day.
When he stared in the mirror he was satisfied. Not too dressy and definitely not date apparel; they would be going to the fields to do their work. Matthew paced in his room until he couldn't stand it any longer. He then headed down stairs and paced some more and his nervousness became all consuming due to her impending arrival.
"You know Matt, you are going to burn a hole in the floor if you keep pacing like that." Ania joked.
"Er- Just nervous, this is the first time a classmate is coming over." What Matthew said was the truth, just not the whole truth. He looked over at Emmeline who was doing some needle work for a new jacket she was making for him. To himself he stated his mantra over and over again.
We're just friends. This is not a date. We're just friends. This is not a date. We're just friends. This is not a date.
The mantra worked and he was able to calm himself down. Until Ania called out that there was a car coming down the drive. The robin's egg blue VW convertible beetle, Erin's car and suddenly his mantra was no longer working. She pulled up and got out. He blushed when Gregory and Emmeline looked over at him.
Gregory spoke quietly so that Erin couldn't hear, "You didn't tell us Erin was the classmate."
Matthew's ears were growing hot, he purposely didn't want to tell them because they would make a big deal about it. And as expected they did just that, Emmeline stated, "I'll go prepare some tea and scones."
Gregory leaned over to Ania, "You'll have to act as his chaperone."
Ania giggled and Matt groaned.
Erin waved, "Hey Matt. Hi Mr. Casper."
Erin looked over at the the small girl next to them and the woman walking back to the porch.
Without needing a prompt from Gregory, Matthew introduced Ania and Emmeline as his cousins. "They are staying here for a bit. Everybody this is Erin."
Erin nodded. So it seemed that most of Matt's family was a little eccentric. She shrugged her shoulders.
"When you both are done with your assignment, I'll have tea and scones ready for you, all right?"
"Thanks Emmy. We're going to the field now."
Ania followed like a little puppy, she kept a safe distance and gave them their room. But she didn't forget the task assigned to her! She was their chaperone and she would make sure there was absolutely NO funny business. She giggled to herself.
"I didn't expect that you would be dressed so formally for field work!"
Matt ran his fingers through his hair and looked off to the side, "Well, this isn't that formal, this is just my normal clothes. Papa would not let me leave the house if I was anything less than presentable." A wide smile overtaking his face, his blue eyes almost sparkling with the sun.
"Yeah." They kept walking to the field and Erin kept sneaking glances over at the boy next to her. He really wasn't like all the other boys in school. He was sweet and polite not to mention he was always dressed so elegantly, like he stepped out of 'Downton Abbey'. He was always so reserved and he was the same with everyone: polite. Erin didn't think he like liked her and that they truly were just friends.
When they reached the field, he removed his jacket and rolled up his sleeves. "Just be careful, it is quite muddy in some areas from the recent rains."
Erin nodded.
As they were finishing up their project and heading back to the Octagon House. Erin slipped and when Matt was reaching to hold her steady he was pulled to the muddy ground with her. He fell on top of her and he was so surprised by the entire incident he didn't react right away. He looked down and noticed her face and lips were inches from his own. He felt his stomach do a loop and his heart beat rapidly. He quickly rolled off and attempted to hide his beat read face.