Chapter 3
Matt danced around his kitchen, listening to a playlist Frank made, making a sandwich. He didn’t notice when his dad got home. “Matty!” Matt spun around, pulling out his earbuds. “Yes! Sorry, I didn’t hear you come in.” He squeaked, playing with the cord of his earbuds. “It’s fine. I was just askin’ how school was,” His dad sat at the table with a heavy sigh, “You seem happy today.” Matt nodded slowly, then quickly– “Yes! I had a good day. Frank took me for lunch, and then we helped his mom with the bakery,” He felt his face heat up. He loved spending time with Frank. “A–anyway, how was your day?” He placed the sandwich in front of his dad. “It was alright, just dealin’ with the normal. I had a few students today,” He sounded proud of himself, “A lot of fanboys too.” Matt chuckled, and the two talked about the rest of their days.
Matt sat at his desk, softly tapping his pencil to the beat of the music playing on his phone. Frank was trying to teach him Spanish. Matt couldn’t pick up anything, and it was bothering him. He felt so dumb and not good enough. Matt sighed, got up, and walked to his closet to change. He reached into his closet and grabbed one of his oversized T-shirts. After changing, Matt crawled into bed and cuddled his otter plush, a gift Frank got him recently. Matt took the time to think about his crush on Frank. He was never good with relationships and never really connected with other people. He had a few friends. Peter didn’t count. They were cousins. He didn’t understand his feelings. Things don’t always work out for him, considering Matt has a massive crush on his friend. He was in love with the sweetest man in the world. And one of the only people who didn’t treat him like he was glass.
He felt so stupid sitting in bed, kicking his feet and twirling his hair over his Best Friend! It was just that, a laughable crush. He sat up and rubbed his face before heading to the bathroom. He splashed his face with water and sighed. “This can’t keep going on.” He ran his hand through his hair. It had been getting longer, and Peter even offered to cut it for him. He remembered Peter telling him hair holds trauma and thought it was dumb at first. But standing in the bathroom, Matt realized something had to change. He walked to his room, grabbed a pair of scissors from his drawer, then the bathroom. Matt took a deep breath before grabbing a lock of hair and snipping it off. It felt freeing like he had control. He continued till his hair stopped touching his neck. “Oh, shit.” Matt gasped. “What did I just do?” He put the scissors on the counter and stepped back. Matt rubbed his neck, smiling, then shook his head and happily waved his hands. He laughed as he slid down the wall. “I’m going to lose it. Maybe get a piercing?” He shook his head and then started cleaning up the mess of hair.
Matt tried avoiding Peter or Frank at school. Luck was not on his side, and Peter cornered him in the library at lunch. “Matthew! What happened? What did you do?” Peter slammed his hands down on the table Matt was eating at. “Hello, Peter. I’m fine, and there’s nothing to worry about.” He pulled his hoodie tighter and tried playing it off like he was cold. “Matt, it’s ninety-six outside, and you’re wearing a hoodie?” Peter walked around the table, staring at Matt before pulling his hoodie down. Matt heard Peter gasp and hold in a laugh, “Oh! Oh god, Matt. What happened?” he pulled away from Matt, gasping as he laughed, “You look– You look like modern art!” He fell to his knees. Matt sighed and rubbed his face, “Thanks, Peter.” He pulled his hood back on. “I knew it was a mistake.” He hid his face, embarrassed. Peter stood up, panting. “No, no, it’s all good man.” He wiped his eyes. “I can fix it. It’s not that bad.”
After school, Matt went to the store with Peter. They bought dye and scissors. Matt was anxious. They got to May’s house and went straight to the small bathroom. “Alright, Matt.” Peter laid out all the contents of the plastic bag. “I’ll trim it. Then we’ll have fun dying it!” Matt was more worried.