Quick and Painful

Flashback

”Bethy!” I turned, hearing my name, and saw Matt flying at me. He pulled me into a hug. “I missed you! We haven’t seen each other in so long!” I smiled and pulled away. Matt was my best friend. We were practically siblings, how we acted.

“Oh c’mon!” I giggled “I saw you just a week ago! It’s not like it was a year!”

“We used to see each other everyday though, remember.” He pointed out. I nodded.

“I’ve just been spending a lot of time with Stephan! He’s so amazing, Matt! He’s perfect! I can imagine us spending our lives together!!” I could feel myself glowing with happiness.

“That’s great, Bethy!” He pulled me into another hug. Bethy was his nickname for me, it was probably my favorite nickname. There were so many names you could get out of Elizabeth Marie Joseph. Elle, Ellie, Liza, Lisa, Beth, Bethy, etc. Some people even called me Joe.

“So where do you wanna go first?” I asked, pulling away from Matt again. I didn’t mind him hugging me. It was just I was taken now. You can’t just go around hugging random guys when you’re taken.

“How about Hot Topic?” He suggested.

“Okay!” I squealed and we both almost ran to the store. It was our favorite store in the mall. We could stay in there for hours just trying on clothes or belts and just messing around. We entered the story, nearly collapsing over each other in laughter. The store clerks were laughing with us. Our laughter was that contagious. When we had collected ourselves I walked over to a wrack of clothes. I picked out a random set of clothes, A Skelanimals hoodie with a matching shirt and skinny jeans, and headed back into the changing room. I quickly changing into the outfit and walked out to model.

-*-*-

-Matt’s POV-

As I waited for Bethy to change, I thought about our current situation. I liked her…no. Not liked… I swear I was in love with her! What else could thing be? Why else would I be willing to do anything to make her happy? Why else did my heart race when she touched me? To me, she was perfect. She was the only girl for me. I knew she didn’t like me that way, and it broke my heart. She was happier with Stephan. The only thing that got me through the heartbreak was knowing she was happy. I vowed that I would live behind her and make sure she had the happiest life possible. Whatever the cost on my part, it didn’t matter.

“Matthew!!” I looked up as she called my name. I stared up at her beautiful features. Her long, wavy, chestnut hair flowed down her back. The black clothes she wore brought out the green in her hazel eyes. “Mattie!” She smiled and walked over to me. “How do I look?” She posed like a model.

“Amazing!” I replied, smiling.

“D’you think Stephan will like it?” She straightened from her pose and smiled at me. My smile faltered a little, and then fixed itself. At least she’s happy I repeated over and over in my head.

“Yeah! He’ll be crazy not to love it!”

“Really?” She blushed thinking about it. “Okay! I’ll change and pay while you try on yours!” She said noticing the My Chemical Romance shirt I held in my hands.

“Alright.” I smiled and watched as she disappeared into the changing room.

End Flashback

I felt a warm hand on my cheek. I tried so hard to focus on the strange man's face, but I couldn't.

"It's okay Bethy. You'll be okay. I promise," his voice said. It was so familiar but I couldn't place it. The pain from my self inflicted wound throbbed and stole my consciousness.