Matthew exited the bus with the invisible Ania in tow. He looked around for Erin but unfortunately he couldn't find her. His heart sank a little. He would get to see her in science class, they were partners after all and in french. That would have to do he thought to himself. He had enjoined the day he spent with her, encoring him around the school and to his classes. She was easy to talk to and she was just so normal!
In science class Matt relied heavily on the Erin's abilities as his were severely lacking. He had to work twice as hard to keep himself afloat. Erin was sweet and patient with his fumbling experience. She showed him how to use the bunsen burner and when their hands briefly touched he blushed madly!
At lunch he wanted to sit with her and her friends, but found himself unable to move there. She hadn't invited him this time. She was busy talking with her friends. He looked around the crowded cafeteria. All around him the students were laughing and talking loudly and Matthew felt a tug on his heart. He felt out of place. So instead he took his tin and headed outside behind a tree for privacy.
"How come you're not sitting inside? With all of those lovely ladies." Ania rested her chin in her palms and smiled wildly at him.
Matt rolled his eyes opening his tin and ignored Ania. Ania punched him in the shoulder, "Don't ignore me!"
"Why don't you act like a lady." He retorted. "If papa could see the way you act!"
"You wouldn't dare tell him?!" She gasped.
"Maybe I will and maybe I won't." He smirked. He would never tell Gregory, but that didn't mean he was going to give the satisfaction to Ania.
"Psh, you won't tell him and what does it matter, I'm dead anyway. Why should I have to act like a proper lady, when the girls here wear revealing clothing and kiss so wantonly!" Ania motioned back towards the school.
Matt decided to ignore her comment thinking that Erin wasn't like the rest of the girls. "Thanks for making lunch."
"Anytime." Ania moved closer to Matt and rested her head on his shoulder, "I'm really worried about Emmy."
"Me too, I hope she is okay." Matthew hummed and looked at his ghost sister. He could see her brows knitted with worry and anxiety. He felt the same mixture of emotions in the pit of his stomach.
"Yeah, I hope it will all go back to normal."
"Mm." He mumbled as he consumed the food in the tin and took a drink out of the canister.
Ania stood up and brushed invisible dirt off of her dress. "I think it is time to go back in. I think you have class." Ania pointed to the students exiting the cafeteria.
Matthew nodded and followed the hoard of students. Feeling like a herd of cattle.
Matthew arrived to classes well before the bell. Unlike the other students he didn't have a reason to linger in the halls chatting with friends he didn't have any. He was waiting patiently in the classroom waiting for the bell to ring and the class to start. He was so preoccupied in his thoughts he didn't hear Erin enter.
"Hey! We missed you at lunch! Where were you?"
Matt's heart fluttered, she was looking for me? He was giddy with the thought but he remained calm. He avoided looking at Ania who was making kissing faces over in the corner. "Er, sorry, It was nice outside, I thought I would eat outside." It wasn't entirely a lie, it was nice.
Matthew could feel her gaze piercing him but in the end she seemed satisfied with his answer, "You'll join us tomorrow?"
Matthew smiled and nodded (not too vigorously!). "I would love to."
Erin smiled, "great. I was going to ask you something. I can help tutor you in science if you help me in french? I am doing not so great and if I can't get an A, my parents won't let me go on the french school trip over the summer."
"Sure, I can tutor you in french, no problem and I could definitely use help in science."
"You speak so well, you should definitely come to France with the school group, it would be so much fun!"
"Ah- maybe." Matthew knew that would never be a possibility. They couldn't afford to send him and even if it was free, he had a hard enough time convincing him that he should attend school. His world was still a dangerous place. The men thought he was dead and he had to stay that way, under their radar.
His answer apparently didn't matter too much! Because she kept talking. He really enjoyed her voice. He enjoyed the presence and any worry or uncomfortableness that he felt earlier disappeared.
When the second bell rang she went back over and sat her seat. He gave her a brief glance before focusing on the instructor.
Fortunately gym didn't end up the same way as before with his clothes in the shower. He used the lock they had found in the cellar to keep his clothes nice and dry. Matt changed in the bathroom stalls not wanting to give them another opportunity to make fun of him.
The coach provided him some special socks and shinguards and as we was putting them on he vaguely recalled his time playing in youth league, so long ago he sighed. He would get to play again. He remembered the rules and he was ready to go. When the coach introduced Matt to the boys they raised their brows. 'The coach brought this weird kid to play?'
But as they slowly went through their drills, the boys warmed up. The kid was fast and he could handle the ball well and his shots on net were excellent. When they were done they slapped him on the shoulder. Matt had a silly smile plastered on his face. This was what normal felt like, with other humans.
"See yah tomorrow?" Called out the captain.
"Yes, I am looking forward to it! It was a pleasure playing with you all."
"Er-Okay weirdo, See ya tomorrow." But the captain's words didn't have any malice behind them, they were playful.
Matthew nodded. He glanced over to the parking lot and noticed Gregory waiting. He waved to the guys, "I have to leave now, my ride is here."