Log: Matt and Hope

[x-daredevil.livejournal.com]

In search of a slightly more normal high school experience, Matt gets nervous and tongue-tied trying to ask Hope a question.



Finding Hope proved more difficult than Matt expected, but he finally found her in the music room. Super hearing was awesome until someone was in a room designed to muffle sound. Entering, he let her finish, the violin she played making music that he didn't recognize. Probably something classical. It sounded complicated. He supposed that meant it was good.

Hope was facing the door when she saw it open slowly, so she quickly finished with a few last notes and lifted the bow from violin. "Hey Matt."

"Hey," he took a seat in a chair nearby, "You can play and finish the song or whatever, it was kinda cool," well, it wasn't 'cool,' but he kinda liked it. "Don't stop for me."

"It is not that long. I could play it from the start if you would like to hear it." Hope rearranged her music sheets, lifting her bow in anticipation of her answer.

"Sure," Matt agreed. That sounded like a good idea. He'd come here with intent and now that he was here he was a little nervous so anything to prolong it all. Sure.

She just nodded and easily set her bow against the snares of her violin. Then she launched into the music and just focused on the notes in front of her and the sounds coming from her violin.

Listening to the music, Matt had to admit, he liked it. Classical or not, it was pretty and Hope played it beautifully. "That's really nice," he said as she finished the song again.

"Thank you." Hope nodded and carefully put her violin and bow down. "This was just a fairly simple piece though."

"It don't take much to impress me, I guess," nothing new there. Hope was a classy girl. "That...uh..is why I came looking for you actually. 'Cause prom's coming up at Salem High."

Hope froze for a moment. He couldn't have said what he just said, could he? "I am terribly sorry, Matt, but what did you just say?"

"Prom," Matt repeated. "I was hoping you'd want to go with me," he and Sue were broken up and he wasn't looking to date specifically, but Hope was the classiest girl he knew and a friend. So he thought she'd be a great date for prom. If nothing else, she wouldn't trip in high heels.

"You want to take me to the prom?" Hope blinked at him, just a little owlishly.

Hadn't he been clear? "Yes..." Matt hoped he didn't sound too hesitant or unsure. "That's why I asked you and not someone else..."

"I apologize, Matt." Hope blushed a little, glad that Matt was unable to see that. "You just really surprised me. I had not expected it." She really had not and had not even considered there was going to be a prom at the local high school.

"Xavier's usually does something too for everyone. It's not a prom per se, but...I dunno. I figure since I've got the option to go, why not?" He actually liked school dances. "I get why you wouldn't want to go with me though. It's okay," and he felt like refried shit now. Standing, Matt did his best not to run out of the room and walk out like a man.

What in the world? "Matt, please wait. You just surprised me." She repeated, her voice a little more forceful. "And I have not declined your offer."

Wait what? She hadn't? "Oh." He stopped and turned around, waiting for her answer.

Okay, she had stopped him from leaving. Now how could she ask what she was wondering about? "Matt..." Or she could take a cue from what her roommate had shown her and just be direct. "You... you wanted to go as friends?"

"Well, yeah. We're friends, right?" He knew they were. So what was the...oh. He was kinda dumb sometimes. "I hadn't considered it as more than that, but if you want to try dating then we could see what happened."

Dating?!?!? "Uh... You're my friend, Matt, but. uh... but I am not really interested in dating at the moment. That is why I asked..."

"Oh, good," Matt relaxed a little, "Me either. I mean, dating. Not right now. It's kinda...soon, I guess?" He and Sue had broken up in March, but he wasn't interested in dating someone seriously right now.

"Of course. That I can understand." Hope looked at her hands for a moment, thoughts still racing through her head. Why not? She had always enjoyed dancing. "I would be happy to accompany you."

Smiling, Matt relaxed. Asking girls out was stressful, especially one like Hope who probably wasn't interested in a guy like him. "Cool. I'll like...let you know the details once I know?"

"That would be good." Hope nodded. "Especially if there is something of a theme, I can take that in account with my dress etc." She quickly explained.

Good to know, "I'll do that," Matt promised, relieved that she said yes.