collide, m.sturniolo (✔️)

●12

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matt tried to concentrate on the road as he drove, but he was having a really hard time doing that when florence was clutching his waist. he could feel her shaking slightly, she kept removing one hand, and he knew she was crying. 

he wanted to reach for her, or tell her everything was going to be okay, but he wasn't wearing a helmet, and making sure they got home safely was his main concern. he couldn't really believe this was reality right now - driving along the road with the most popular girl in school on the back after arguing with her mom.

matt wanted to drive straight home but when he saw an opportunity to pull over, he took it. he stopped the bike and gently climbed off to look at the girl. she didn't remove the helmet, and she didn't even look at him, but she sniffed lightly.

''what are you doing?''

''you're crying and i'm tryna drive.''

''am i putting you off?'' she asked weakly. ''i'm sorry, matt. i just-''

''no, flo.'' he muttered before sighing. ''do you want a hug?''

she hesitated for a moment before nodding and holding her arms out. matt rolled his eyes dramatically, but didn't take long before pulling her into him. he gently removed the helmet and put it on the floor, and she pressed her head to his chest.

''i'm ruining your shirt.'' she cried. ''and my make-up is ruined.''

''it's nick's shirt.'' he replied, removing the jacket. ''and you don't need make-up.''

''what am i gonna do, matt?'' she said between sobs. ''my mom is gonna murder me.''

''you're joking, right?'' he asked hopefully.

''i don't really know, and i don't want to test it.'' 

''you can stay with me.'' he replied instinctively. 

''but what if your mom doesn't like me? or what if chris and nick get pissed off? or what if...'' she trailed off, her breathing becoming fast. her heart felt like it was going to beat out of her chest, and she suddenly couldn't breathe.

''flo?'' matt frowned. ''yo, flo, you're okay.''

''i can't...i can't breathe.''

he grabbed her elbows tightly. ''you're having a panic attack. you need to calm down.''

she tried to reply, but she truly felt like the oxygen was running away from her. she grabbed his arms terrified, and he saw the fear in her eyes. he felt his stomach drop, rambling to her as he tried to calm her down.

''you need to focus on something.'' he urged. 

she nodded, scanning her surroundings before landing on matt's arm. more specifically, his tattoos. she looked at all of them before focusing on the key. she looked at the numbers, wondering what they could mean.

346.

''what do the numbers mean?'' she asked breathlessly.

''what?''

''on your key.'' 

''it doesn't matter.'' he shrugged. ''are you okay now?''

''yeah. thank you.'' she backed away shakily, taking a deep breath before nodding. ''how did you know what to do?''

 ''i just do.'' he said uneasily, not wanting to tell her the complete truth. ''i get anxious easily.''

''oh.'' she replied. ''well...how do you deal with it?''