It was Matt’s turn to be pleasantly surprised when Byron hugged him. Matt looked so happy that everything seemed to be working out well. “You’re really been good for me.”
“You’re smiling from ear to ear,” Natalie said.
“Why shouldn’t he when he gets the girl in the end,” Byron teased.
“Now you behave yourself Lord Byron,” Natalie chided him gently. “We are all good friends.”
Natalie’s mum came by and hugged her. She said she was on the phone to her dad and her face brightened up after that. He’d come around in the weekend to see them. His dad realized that he missed Natalie considerably.
Matt’s grand dad came in and immediately noticed the change in him. This pleased him greatly. “I’ve had a very long chat with your dad. A heart to heart talk,” he told Matt, looking very pleased. “He understands that he’s treated you shabbily. He’s going to call you.”
“That’s great news.” Matt introduced him to Natalie’s mum. They got along very well.
“I told Nat that I had forgiven dad and it was as if a great weight had come away from me. I felt so great.”
Grand dad was happy that Matt had found a girlfriend so soon after coming to Tracey High. They held hands looking into each other’s eyes. It was as if they were made for each other.
Byron was no longer feeling jealous or bitter.
Natalie had made her choice and he was happy for her.
“That was really kind and brave of you,” Quentin said from behind him.
Byron looked quizzically at him.
“I saw everything on the ramparts. You really loved her but she loves you like a brother. That’s why she went for Matt.”
“Oh I didn’t see you.”
“As he came up the ramparts, I could see your thoughts whirling like a tornado. You wanted to hurt him by kissing her again passionately. But deep down you’re a sincere guy. You couldn’t bring yourself to do that,” Quentin smiled.
“Please don’t make me cry,” Byron smiled. ”There was precious little I could do short of forcing myself on her and that’s not my style.”
“You were so noble about it. I found it very touching. You’re a great guy because you’ve gotten over it. The best part is that you’re able to have this conversation without feeling angry or sad,” he paused. “That’s what I like about you. In your own way, you’re wise.”
“Or suicidal,” Byron said trying to be witty.
“She really had a hard time saying ‘no’ to you.”
“I guess it helps that I’m not a serial dater,” Byron said.
“You’re not.”
“Do you really believe the brother thing, that she does not love me because I’m like a brother?”
“To be honest too much of a good thing can be bad. She felt it was for your own good and hers to move in different directions. That’s my own view.”
“I think it was for the best too,” Byron smiled. “Quentin what would you have done if you were in love with the prettiest girl in school?” he asked as he saw Matt and Natalie exchanging pleasantries and laughing from where they were.
“I’d have done exactly what you did. On the other hand I would have screamed (here he pretended to scream in a low tone) ‘My name is Quentin and I love you Natalie. Please die in my arms.” He pretended to faint on the bench.
It suddenly occurred to Byron that Quentin also loved Natalie. The jigsaw puzzle was beginning to fit slowly.
Quentin got up and faced him sensing what was going through his mind. He was not smiling. “Don’t take this too personal Byron.”
“So all this was a smokescreen. I mean you wanting to know me. All along you also had your eyes on Natalie. That was one reason why Russ attacked you.”
“It’s complex Byron. I wanted to get to know you better and still do. I think you’re a great guy. Everyone could see that she was leaving Russ. And we could all see that she saw you as a brother. Love is blind Byron.”
“You mean every one could see that a mile away except me.”
“Don’t take it too hard. She’s the ideal girl friend; very pretty, intelligent. She has all those qualities that any teen would die for. I also tried to win her love.”
“I don’t blame you.”
“I would have won her heart had I stayed and defended her in the woods. I regret that,” he looked directly at Byron. “Do you think I was wrong trying to win her love?”
“No. It just took me by surprise.”
“I want to be your friend Byron. Can we shake to it and bury all this?”
Byron smiled, “Sure. That’s cool.”
Quentin’s sister came by and sat with Byron.
“You have an interesting name,”
“He’s named after Lord Byron,” Quentin said cheekily.
“I’m sure Byron can explain himself without the PR support.” She looked at him. “Looking forward to seeing you in the weekend.”
“I’ll take him hunting in the woods.”
“And I’ll do the swimming part,” she said quickly. They sat together and spoke with gay abandon.
“Before you take Chloe’s phone number I want to make something very clear with you,” Quentin said gently. “You are going to respect her and if you hurt her, you’ll have to answer to me.”
“Of course. I’d never dream of hurting Chloe.” Byron smiled.
From where he was standing chatting to Natalie, Matt’s phone buzzed. His face lit up. It was his dad.
“Hi Matt. I miss you. I’ll drop by on Friday to talk things over.”
They exchanged pleasantries and his dad could sense the subtle changes in his son. “Dad, I know you’re busy and I can always see you later.”
“No son. I’m making time for you. You’re now going to be an important part of my life.”
Matt was speechless with happiness. Natalie looked closely at him. He tried very hard not to shed tears of joy again. He’d been crying too much lately. She hugged him, “My crybaby, I won’t mind if you cried again. I know you’re so happy,” she said as gently as possible knowing that he was trying not to lose face in front of everyone.
“I don’t want to cry because I get touchy feely in front of you. I might end up embarrassing you by kissing you again so passionately.”
“Maybe if I punch you in the mouth you might cry,” she said smiling.
“You’re impossible,” he said.
Everything seemed to have worked out well in the end for everyone.
Trouble Page 8