Solivagant

“We should all try to sleep shouldn’t we?” Matt asked looking up. "I can't sleep.” Stella said low but Nathaniel stopped her from saying anything else "When is your audition though?" And then she had to explain that one of the juris flight was delayed due to some storm and he would only make it there in the next day “Therefore…” she mocked “only tomorrow”. 

"Audition for what?" the boy on the sofa had to ask “Violin." she smiled “I'm trying to get in the Royal College of Music ". And he tried to smile back at her “So you play the violin?” and then it was Nate who answered "And a few more” Nate answered “I mean she plays the damn harp, who the hell knows how to play harp…” and they all laughed.

While they were still talking about it the girl just stood up and asked them if they wanted to eat anything and even though they both said no she still made her way to the kitchen to get herself something. 

"Will we leave soon?" Matt asked once she left the room "I would really like to go home please”. The blonde one looked at the clock hanging on the wall “We have to be really quiet though... It’s 4:30 and they are all asleep”. With that said, Matthew managed to find the strength to sit down all alone.

Stella walked in with a plate of cookies in both hands and with a smile on her face "Which do you..." But she stopped as soon as she saw him sat on that white couch she absolutely adored. "Are you okay?" She rushed and sat by his side holding his arm so he could stand still. "Where are you going?" She looked at Nate who was putting on his trainers. "Matthew wants to go home.” he said not looking back at her.

"Thank you for being so nice" he said with effort "And please thank your mum, she was very kind, and your brother, for going with Nate’s word.” he said and now it was the boy that was helping him to stand up. It was easy to see the shirt that had once been white covered in his blood. 

The girl walked to the door and opened it, and then she saw them leaving. The blonde one holding the other by the shoulders, clearly making an effort not to let him fall. 

Once they were far enough she closed the door. Her brother was sleeping peacefully on the living room and she carefully made her way upstairs, to her bedroom so she could do the same thing.

The way home was hard for the both of them, Nate was running out of strength because he was literally carrying his friend and Matthew was clearly feeling a lot of pain. But when it seemed like none of them could continue they saw the hurt one’s house and somehow managed to gather some strength and forced themselves to get there.

As soon as they got inside Nate took him to the bedroom and helped him to sit down. Then he took a long deep breath "Once you are better I'm definitely going to punch you for making me this tired" he laughed. “I’m sorry mate, and thanks” he said in a low tone although they were alone "I hope you're not kicking me out, cause I'm not leaving" he said and it was clear that he was being serious that.“You can stay yes.” Matthew simply said and closed his eyes “Sorry for the trouble.”

———

Two weeks had gone by since that terrible day and things had gotten better for Matthew. These days he would stand up and go for a walk, buy some food and then come back home where he would lay down and relax until Nathaniel showed up and made him go god-knows-where with him. 

It was Saturday and he had just finished his shower when he heard the bell ring. He yelled a "Just a second.” and quickly put on sea blue shirt that ended up matching his eyes. He heard another knock on the door "Nate I'm going!" He yelled as he put on a pair of jeans and his favourite trainers.

He opened the door truly believing it was his best friend but two other people were waiting for him outside “Hey. Nate gave us the address, I promise we are not stalkers.” Joe laughed as he greeted Matthew. Next to him was Stella, the girl who had spent a night taking care of him. She was smiling too "We wanted to check on you, but we weren't in town, so we only managed to come today. You look better.” she said looking at his face that only showed some bruises on the left side and a healing cut above his left eyebrow. "We thought about having lunch at 'Yorky', Nate said he was in if you agreed.” Joe said “But only if you want of course".

"Sounds cool.” Matthew smiled. Considering the fact that that family had basically saved his life and that they were worried about him, he couldn't say no. Besides he knew they had been with Nate while he was away and he clearly liked them so why not give them a chance. He told them to wait a few seconds and went inside to grab his wallet. "We can go" he said and closed the door behind him. 

And while they walked to the restaurant that was just a few streets away they talked about the most random things, they laughed about the most stupid things which was the best way to break the ice and ignore the fact that they had basically just met. And for some minutes Matthew completely forgot about his problems and he was sure that lunch was just what he needed.