Avril's forehead wrinkled even more. For the first time, Avril had no idea what she wanted to say. Avril clearly couldn't say anything. However, there was something she realized. This was a world that Avril knew nothing about. Avril seemed to have entered a new world even though she had been in the same place and time as everyone else. How could her experience be so different?

Matt looked down. Matt doesn't know what came over her, but his fingertips touched Avril's forehead. The man imitated Avril again. “You better not do that often, Avril! You'll get wrinkles in no time.”

Matt wasn't smiling. His face was even expressionless. Strangely, it managed to distract Avril's mind. The girl held back her smile desperately. Matt might be putting on a straight face, but he was worried about Avril right now.

“You're so annoying!” said Avril. Why were they repeating the same scene?

Matt was thinking the same thing as Avril because he was now chuckling. “I am indeed handsome. At least, better than Evan.”

Avril's laughter exploded. Oh, my! Avril didn't know Matt could also joke like this. “You're making fun of me!” Avril said following Matt's game.

The man raised one eyebrow. Matt hadn't answered Avril at all when he heard the sound of someone snickering behind him. This time, the man with blonde hair looked at Matt sarcastically while looking at his locker in displeasure.

“Sorry,” Matt said as he walked away.

The man didn't turn around at all. He immediately opened his locker door as if the man was sick of seeing Matt's face. Had he been standing there for a long time? Even so, Avril didn't think he should have done that to Matt.

Matt understood the meaning of Avril's gaze. This is what Matt was saying. Their worlds were different. Avril's friends were different from Matt's. His way of having fun was definitely different from Avril's. The girl was just lowering her standards with Matt like she was doing right now. Matt eventually walked ahead of Avril. He didn't like seeing Avril's face looking at her world. It was indeed that sad of a world. Nevertheless, Matt still did not want to leave his little world.

“Wait for me!” said Avril.

Matt kept walking. If Avril was taking him on a roller coaster ride, he must be at the bottom of the roller coaster track. Matt descended the stairs and made it out of his school building.

Unfortunately, the footsteps came back behind him, hurried and almost running. Of course! Avril was quite short. She must be struggling to keep up with Matt's pace at the moment. In the end, the man stopped and Avril immediately stopped her steps. Matt turned around while trying to manage his expression. But, no! Matt couldn't hide it this time.

“You've seen it, right, A?” Matt said.

Avril didn't answer. How could she answer Matt's question without hurting him? But Matt didn't need an answer.

“That's why we prefer to be transparent rather than the center of attention,” Matt said. “Even if we were in the limelight, we'd just be the butt of jokes.”

Avril had seen Matt angry many times before. However, this was the first time Avril had seen Matt's sad face. The man in front of her had labeled himself a loser. I don't know how long Matt had been experiencing this, but it was what Matt did even when Avril first found him. That was also why Matt was wearing a hoodie and probably for the same reason, Matt chose to leave Avril at that moment.

“You're better looking than Evan,” Avril said. It sounded stupid but Avril couldn't even think of another one-liner.

“Don't humor me, A!” said Matt. “I think you get my point, right? You understand why your presence is the biggest no-no in my life, right?”

“You're overreacting, Matt,” said Avril.

“You should understand, A!” said Matt dislikingly. “Isn't that obvious?”

“It's obvious that you're handsome?” joked Avril.

Matt ruffled his hair in frustration. Oh, my gosh! What had he just done exactly? Matt let out a long breath. “A! Not a good time!”

Avril sighed. “So, why?”

“What does that mean?” asked Matt, not understanding.

“Yeah, why, some people have brains as small as shrimps,” said Avril.

Matt frowned and Avril flicked his forehead this time. Matt touched his forehead. “ah! It hurts!”

“I just wanted to wake you up! I didn't tell you that you were wrong to expect to be transparent, did I?” Avril asked.

Matt nodded. “Yes!”

“With people like that, of course, it's natural for you to think that way. You're too kind. For me, I would have wished they didn't exist instead of wishing me to be transparent.” Avril said.

Matt couldn't believe Avril said that one. But, the girl smiled and took Matt aside. Of course! They were in the middle of the street. Matt was too upset to realize that.

Avril led Matt to the field and now they were sitting under the bleachers. Matt frowned.
Normally, Matt stayed away from the pitch. The field was not a good place for Matt. But, Avril brought him to the sidelines. Was this going into the field?

“You frown a lot, huh!” mocked Avril as she touched Matt's forehead with her forefinger.

“Why are we here?” asked Matt while ignoring Avril's words.

“I guess, I was right. I'm in disguise right now, the middle of the road wasn't a good choice and also, if I were to delve into my role right now, I'd choose here. No one wants to bother us here” Avril said proudly. “Did I get my role right?”

Matt couldn't say anything. Instead, he sat down without a care in the world that his pants would get dirty. Avril complied. She even smiled when she saw Matt following her will. Matt sighed. Matt was used to being treated like this. The problem was, that Avril wasn't used to it at all. The girl was surprised and she was covering it up well at the moment.

“Why should I, A?” Matt said. “You're even in disguise! I wasn't sure you liked me. I think you're misrepresenting your feelings.”

Avril looked at Matt. Being in a quiet place like this was fun too. “This is a nice place. We're even protected from the sun.”

“Don't change the subject! You heard me” Matt said.

Avril raised her hands in surrender. “All right, Mr. Connor. I didn't know you could be so bossy like this.”

Matt chose to remain silent. Avril sighed.

“I already said that. I'm curious about you. I feel challenged. Lastly, I like you. I think I've made that clear,” Avril said.

“We haven't even known each other for three weeks,” said Matt. “We don't even see each other that often.”

“We could see each other more often,” Avril said lightly.

“A! I'm serious now,” said Matt impatiently.

“Good! I'm not playing around either. I didn't know you were serious about me” Avril said amused.

“That's not what I meant” Matt replied quietly.

Avril sighed. “You can't blame me for my feelings, Matt! You can't control my feelings at all.”

“That makes no sense. I'm so boring, Avril Marie Miller” Matt said desperately.

“I don't like you calling me by my full name,” Avril said quietly. “And I disagree on the last one.”

Matt adjusted his hair again. “You just can't see straight now, A!”

Avril shrugged her shoulders dismissively. “It's you who can't, Matty dear! If you're bored, what do you call that corridor? I'm sure as hell we both realize we can do just as well as we did earlier. We can joke around like we did before.”

Matt lost his voice. How could Avril be so calm? In fact, at the same time, Avril was able to answer Matt's question straightforwardly and decisively. How could Avril do all that? Avril did not insist at all. She did it slowly, surely, and without any judgmental intonation at all. Avril made Matt uniquely realize this.

“We can't,” Matt said adamantly.

Avril cupped Matt's cheeks and smiled gently. “We can Matty darling. As long as you lower your defenses!”

Matt stayed where he was. They rarely met and rarely talked. Matt still didn't know Avril Marie Miller. But, how could she understand him so far?