is it over now? ;; matt sturniolo

vii.

third person pov

now playing
the grudge - olivia rodrigo

❝ we both drew blood, but, man,
those cuts were never
equal ❞

"What's up LA!!" Natalie exclaims with uncontainable enthusiasm as she takes the stage, her voice resonating through the air. The crowd responds with an eruption of cheers, their collective energy washing over her like a wave, evoking a radiant smile that illuminates her face.

As Natalie gracefully steps onto the stage, her eyes instinctively seek out Matt in the crowd. In that fleeting moment, their gazes meet, a silent connection forming between them. Caught off guard by the intensity of their eye contact, Natalie quickly averts her gaze, a hint of anger filling her eyes

"Welcome to the DMs I can't send tour!" she exclaims, her voice brimming with enthusiasm, as the crowd erupts in a chorus of cheers. With a radiant smile, she continues, "This album holds a special place in my heart, as each song was penned for my first love." As she speaks, she purposefully avoids glancing in Matt's direction, a subtle indication of the emotions that still linger beneath the surface.

"My first love has left an indelible mark on my soul, forever altering me in ways no other could," she confesses, her voice tinged with a mix of pain and determination. "I don't think I can ever find it in my heart to forgive him for the pain he caused." With a resolute tone, she adds, "So, on that note, the first song I'll be performing is 'The Grudge'." The crowd responds with another eruption of cheers, their excitement filling the air once more.

As the music fills the air, Matt's eyes remain fixed on her, his gaze unwavering. He hums along to the melody, occasionally murmuring fragments of the lyrics under his breath. Though she maintains her focus on the performance, Natalie's peripheral vision captures glimpses of his presence, her awareness of him adding an intriguing layer to the song's emotional resonance.

Aware of the weight of the lyrics, Matt senses that the songs are directed at him. However, uncertainty lingers within him, unsure of how they truly resonate with his own experiences. He grapples with the knowledge that he hasn't intentionally caused her any harm, questioning the reasons behind her emotional expression through music.

He couldn't help but feel a sense of resentment towards her for ghosting him. In his mind, she was undeniably in the wrong for abruptly cutting off all communication.

As the song reaches its final notes, a subtle shift in her tone catches his attention.

"Do you think I deserved it all?" she croons, her voice heavy with anguish. "Your flowers filled with vitriol, you built me up to watch me fall," she continues, her voice growing in intensity with each word.

Her melodic voice reverberated through the air, carrying a poignant message. "You have everything and you still want more," she sang, her voice crescendoing to its zenith. As tears welled up in her eyes, a solitary witness to her emotional turmoil emerged - Matt, the only one attuned to the depths of her sorrow, while the oblivious crowd remained oblivious to her silent plea.

His keen gaze caught the shimmer in her eyes, a delicate glimmer that betrayed the depth of her emotions. Within the confines of her caruncle, a tiny pool of tears welled up, poised on the precipice of release yet refusing to succumb to gravity's pull.