CHAPTER 6: Hell Yeah!
Greg: So, Matt, you still got the hots for Lori?
Matt: Hell yeah!
Chris: Really?
Matt: Yeah really. Why?
Greg and Chris: Just wondering.
Matt: Have you guys seen her at all?
Jesse: I saw her yesterday when I went to the mall.
Matt: Was she with anyone?
Jesse: No she wasn't.
Greg: Do you even know if she's single, Matt?
Matt: I have a feeling that she is.
Jesse: She probably is single.
Frankie: Have you asked her?
Matt: No.
Greg: Are ya gonna ask her out?
Matt: I dunno yet.
Chris: You should...even though you two fight a lot.
Matt: Imagine how many times we'll make up if we go out.
Chris: Is that the only reason why you pick fights with her?
Matt: Yeah....and the fact that she's so fuckin' hot and sexy when she gets pissed off. She turns me on.
Greg: You're horrible.
Matt: Fighting with her is fun. Way too much fun.
Frankie: I wonder what she'd be like if you were actually nice to her.
Matt: She'd still be fuckin' hot and sexy.
Greg: So be nice to her!!
Matt: Don't wanna.
Jesse: Why not?
Matt: Hey I got to amuse myself somehow.
Frankie: I'm sure you could find another way to amuse yourself.
Jesse: Yeah, by looking at himself in the mirror.
Matt: You're such a loser Jesse.
Jesse: I'm not the one crushin' on a girl who I treat like shit.
Matt: Whatever.
Chris: Don't you feel bad about the way you've treated her?
Matt: Kind of.
Greg: Are you gonna stop treatnig her like that?
Matt: I dunno. I mean, she's so hot and --------
Chris: She'd be even hotter and sexier if you treated her the way she deserves to be treated.
Matt: And how should she be treated?
Guys: Like a princess.
Greg: We all know you like her a lot so how about showin' it?
Matt: I don't want to get close to her just yet and get emotionally attached.
Frankie: Is that why you're pushing her away?
Matt: Kind of. Yeah.
Chris: Matt's a scaredy-cat.
Matt: No, I'm not.
Greg: Umm...I hate to interrupt, but Matt there's someone on the phone who wants to talk to you.
Matt: Is it that obnoxious, stupid idiotic fan?
Greg: I don't think so.
Matt: Well, did the person give you a name?
Greg: No.
Matt: This is gonna be interesting.
Narrator: Greg handed him the phone and sat on the edge of the bed to take his shoes off. Matt rolled his eyes and took the phone from him.
Matt: (into the phone) Hello.
Girl: Hi. Is this Matt?
Matt: Yeah, this is Matt.
Girl: OK.
Matt: Who is this?
Girl: It's um Candy.
Narrator: It was Lori and she just wanted to find out if he had any romantic feelings for her----without all the yelling, name calling and the fighting.
Matt: Candy huh?
Narrator: His friends looked at him, wondering what the hell was going on.
Girl: Yeah.
Matt: Candy who?
Narrator: Shit, she thought to herself.
Girl: Candy Cane.
Narrator: Candy Cane? What the fuck?!?!? God I'm a dumbass, she thought to herself.
Matt: Candy Cane? Your name is Candy Cane?
Narrator: The guys snickered.
Girl: Yeah.
Matt: Cool name.
Candy: Aww. Thanks.
Matt: Anytime.
Candy: So, um, do you know a girl named Lori French?
Matt: Umm....yeah. Why? Do you?
Candy: Yeah. I guess you could say that.
Matt: So, why'd you want to know if I knew Lori?
Candy: What do you think of her?
Matt: I love her.
Candy: Y- You love her?
Matt: Umm....yeah. Is that a problem?
Candy: No, it's not a problem. (pause) Do you really love her?
Matt: Yeah.
Candy: Have you told her?
Matt: No.
Candy: Why not?
Matt: Can I trust you?
Candy: Of course you can trust me.
Matt: Well, OK.
Candy: So how come you haven't told her?
Matt: It's kinda personal, but I haven't told her 'cuz I don't want to get----wait. I can't tell you.
Candy: Why not?
Matt: 'Cuz my feelings for her are personal.
Candy: You told me that you loved her.
Matt: Yeah, well, I didn't mean to. That slipped.
Narrator: God, I miss Lori so much! I wonder what she's doin' right now, he thought to himself. I wish I was holdin' her in my arms......
Candy: You miss her, don't you?
Matt: Yeah, I do. I miss her so much.
Candy: You're one sweet guy. Lori's pretty lucky.
Matt: I dunno 'bout that.
Candy: What makes you say that?
Matt: I treat her like shit.
Candy: Why do you treat her that way?
Matt: I dunno. She's just-----irresistible. And I have no idea why I'm telling you all this.
Candy: Do you know where she is?
Matt: Know where she is? Lori?
Candy: Yeah.
Matt: Honestly? No. I have no idea. She's probably at home wondering why I treat her the way I do. Why? Do you know where she is?
Candy: Yeah I do.
Matt: Where is she?
Candy: Go to the door and open it.
Matt: Why?
Candy: Just do it.
Narrator: Matt rolled his eyes, stood up then walked over to the door. He put his hand on the handle and hesitated before pulling the door open. He was in complete shock.
Matt: Lori? (pause) You're Candy?
Lori: (shyly) Ye-Yeah. (pause) You disappointed?
Matt: No I'm not.
Narrator: Before he could stop himself he leaned in and gently placed a kiss on her lips. Then he slowly backed away, not taking his eyes off of her.
Matt: (in a whisper) Lorr, I love you.
Lori: (looking down at the floor) If you love me, you have a hard time showin' it.
Matt: Lorr, can I explain something to you?
Lori: Sure.
Matt: I haven't showed you how I felt 'cuz I don't want to get too close to you yet or emotionally attached. I just know that if I give in and show you how I feel I could get hurt and ----------
Lori: Matt, you have a problem.
Matt: I have a problem? What's my problem?
Lori: You don't see a good thing when it's standing right in front of you.
Matt: I just don't want to get hurt.
Lori: (staring into his eyes) What makes you think you'll get hurt?
Matt: The fact that I've been hurt before and the fact that I've been taken advantage of.
Lori: So you think I'm a shallow Dream Street fan?
Matt: No.
Lori: Good 'cuz I'm not like that.
Matt: Lorr.
Lori: Yeah Matt?
Matt: Do you wanna go somewhere else so we can talk in private?
Lori: Sure. I guess.
* Lori's House *
Lori: Do you want a soda or anything?
Matt: No thanks.
Lori: OK.
Matt: Do you need anything?
Lori: (lying) No.
Matt: You sure babe?
Lori: (lying) Yeah I'm sure.
Matt: Positive?
Lori: Yeah, I'm positive. (pause) Matt.
Matt: Yeah sweetie?
Lori: Why are you being nice to me all of a sudden?
Matt: 'Cuz I finally realized that you weren't like that fan who only called so she could brag to her friends about talking to me. You're not like the other girls who ask for my autograph, to get their picture taken with me, backstage passes, concert tickets and all that other shit. You're not just after your fifteen minutes of fame. You don't pretend to be interested in me--you really are interested in me--at least I hope you still are 'cuz I'm- I'm-- I'm crushin' on you big time. You're not fake like all those other girls I've met. You're real and I love you for it. I just (pause) I was being an asshole and I didn't really see this wonderful thing that was standing right in front of me. I was blind, but I'm not blind anymore. I----I'm sorry I treated you like that. I really hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me, but if you don't I'll understand and I'll leave you alone. . . .for good.
Lori: I don't want that.
Matt: (confused) Don't want what?
Lori: I don't want you to leave me alone.
Matt: You don't?
Lori: No I don't.
Matt: Are you saying that you forgive me?
Lori: I'm saying I don't want you to leave me alone. (pause) And you may think that I hate fighting with you, but that's not true. I love fighting with you. It's fun.
Matt: Has anyone ever told you how truly amazing you are?
Lori: No.
Matt: Well you are. (pause) You're incredible.
Lori: Thanks. That's real sweet of you.
Matt: Anytime. So um do you forgive me?
Lori: I was never mad at you Matt.
Matt: I treated you like shit though. Aren't you pissed off at me?
Lori: No.
Matt: Why aren't you pissed off at me?
Lori: 'Cuz I love you, that's why I'm not pissed off at you.
Matt: You still love me after all that shit I put you through?
Lori: You can't just stop loving somebody, Matt.
Matt: Yeah...true. I'm just surprised you still love me after everything I put you through. I wasn't exactly the nicest guy. (pause) Damn. I feel really bad now.
Lori: Does that mean you're gonna stop fighting with me?
Matt: I think I'm just gonna do my own thing right now. Lori, I'm really sorry.
Lori: Oh. No. It's cool. I completely understand. (pause) I think you should go now.
Matt: You are mad at me.
Lori: Matt just go!
Matt: Come on babe.
Lori: Don't 'come on babe' me, Matt. Just leave me the hell alone.
Matt: Don't be mad at me. Please don't be mad at me.
Lori: It's a lil' late for that. (pause) I want you to leave.
Matt: Do you really want me to leave?
Lori: Y- Y- Yeah.
Narrator: Tears started falling from her eyes, which made her run out of the room. Matt ran after her and when she was about to collapse (because she was so upset) he caught her in his arms and she fought like crazy to get out of them.
Lori: Let me go!!
Matt: No!! I'm not letting you go!!!
Lori: Why not?!?!?!?!?
Matt: 'Cuz you need me right now, even if you don't want to admit it.
Lori: I know I need you. I just wish you needed me like I need you. (pause) But anyway, I thought you were gonna do your own thing.
Matt: I know, but umm...do you think you could give me a ride back to the hotel?
Lori: You've gotta be kidding!
Matt: Please babe?
Lori: Walk. (pause) It'll give you time to think.
Matt: Time to think about what?
Lori: Time to think about what you want.
Matt: I know what I want. I want you.
Lori: Umm...I'm being serious.
Matt: I'm being serious, too.
Lori: What the fuck!?!?!?
Matt: Huh?
Lori: Why can't you just tell me how you feel instead of playing these stupid, pointless mind games? Ugh! This is so annoying!!
Matt: Hmph.
Narrator: Lori escaped and dried her tears.
Lori: I want you gone when I get back.
Narrator: Then she walked away.
Matt: I found her wallet a couple days ago and this is the thanks I get? Geez. I should have just left it on the shelf.
Narrator: Too bad you still have the hots for her, his inner voice told him. Matt rolled his eyes. Then smiled. Hell yeah!
Chapter 7