Matt’s apartment complex is...surprisingly normal.

I don’t know what I expected? Statues of lions made of marble or doors made of diamond and pillars of gold, but that sure as hell ain’t what I’m looking at. The complex is a gated community and there are a few apartment buildings among the lush green grass. There is obviously some extensive upkeep so, yeah, those that live here have to have some semblance of money. But I thought there’d be some fountains or a golden statue? Who knows.

I spotted at least two pools driving in, but inside the complex are the typical plain floors and walls with an empty elevator. I thought there’d be some dude inside offering us forced smiles and maybe a glass of wine. The elevator takes us to the ninth floor where I follow Matt down a long hall to a door that says “9” except he has stuck up a piece of paper so that it reads “9 ¾”.

“Nice Harry Potter reference.” I smile at the small smirk he sends over his shoulder. He doesn’t unlock the door though, instead facing me.

“The girls can be a bit...overzealous,” he whispers, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. “If you’re uncomfortable or want to go, feel free to tell me. And if they’re getting on your nerves, tell them.”

I doubt I can do that, but I give him a nod in hopes that he’ll feel better. Since he unlocks the door, I take that as meaning he’s at least ok. Once the door swings open, we step in to kick off our shoes. There are rushed footsteps moments before a short girl with the same blue eyes as Matt but slightly darker hair pops up.

“Mattie!” She squeals, throwing herself into her brother’s arms. He nearly rams into me. I’m about to be a Dana sandwich! But luckily Matt manages to steady himself and step away.

“Careful, Marcy,” he says, but let’s her continue to cling to him. He carries her into an open living room. Her toes drag on the ground. I hesitantly follow, peering about the luxurious space.

Matt’s apartment is an industrial style loft. The door leads straight into an open living room with tall ceilings and equally tall windows among off gray walls. There’s copper piping that I’m fairly certain is more for aesthetics than necessary. The natural sunlight pours into the room of dark gray furniture and sleek stone floors. To the right is a hallway leading to the kitchen that is behind a sliding metal door. The other door in the hall must be to the bathroom. As for Matt’s bedroom, it’s up a set of stairs to the loft above, surrounded by black piping fence. The stairway is also a shelving unit, filled with movies and the square beneath the loft is actually an office area with clear glass doors revealing a desk and computer. In other words, it’s expensive as hell.

Michelle and Mandy are on the couch watching a movie that they mute once we’re in the room. Unlike Matt and Marcy, the older sisters have light green eyes and dirty blonde hair. I’m not sure who is who until the tallest of the three stands and says, “You must be Matt’s one and only friend-”

Matt rolls his eyes when plopping into a chair. Marcy simply sits in his lap, already talking to him about something she’s doing at school. He listens with rapt attention, smiling and nodding along.

“I’m Michelle,” the tallest girl says, and gestures to the other two. “This is Mandy and Marcy.”

I wave when introducing myself, “I’m Dana.”

“Nice to meet you.” Michelle holds out her hands for me to shake, which I do. “So you go to school together?”

I nod.

“How’d you meet?”

“Don’t interrogate him,” Matt hisses, causing Marcy to giggle as if her sister had gotten into trouble. Michelle doesn’t feel the same way it seems because she only rolls her eyes.

“I’m curious!” She exclaims, retaking her seat by Mandy. She gestures for me to sit down on the other armchair as well. I slowly do so while continuing to admire the apartment. There are movie and drama posters on the walls. The coasters on the glass table look like Star Trek teleportation pads and they light up when Mandy sits her drink on it so the liquid glows within. I smile at that because...how very Matt.

“Um, I actually spilled food on him in the cafeteria,” I explain, nervously laughing then cringing at the memory. The girls all laugh. Across the room, Matt scowls but says nothing. When he catches my gaze though, he puts on a smile that makes my toes curl. I look away.

“So what? Did he get mad at you?” Michelle looks to Matt with a disappointed scowl. “Were you being a jerk?”

Matt actually appears offended. Leaning back with a look of disbelief before he points accusingly, “If any of us would get mad about their clothes getting ruined, it’d be you. You screamed at me for, like, ten minutes when I got a spot of ketchup on your shirt.”

Michelle shrugs. “Yeah, but you’re my brother. It’s my job to put you down.”

I snort at that, sheepishly grinning at Matt’s disbelief being turned to me. Sorry, but I am taking the younger siblings' sides because, hi, I am a younger sibling.

“He w-was really nice about it,” I explain, picking at the ends of my t-shirt since I can’t stand sitting still. “I tried to p-pay him back but he told me not to worry about it.”

“I would have taken the money,” Mandy whispers so Matt smacks her upside the head for it. She squeaks, says nothing, but sticks her tongue out.

The light hearted atmosphere is shattered though when Michelle asks, “Ah, so you two started dating after that?”

I don't know who starts coughing first; me or Matt. But we’re both coughing, with me somehow choking on my own breath. I’m not so sure about Matt. He recovers quick enough to say, “We aren’t dating.”

I’m slamming my hand into my chest when Michelle leans over to whisper something to Mandy. Both then stare at me, their brother and back to me. Although neither say anything more about that, Michelle holds her hands up in surrender.

“Ok, ok, not dating. Then your...friendship started after that?” She may have said friendship, but I heard the word “dating,” and now my heart won’t stop slamming into my ribcage.

Maybe it wasn’t such a good idea that I came over. My face is heating up. All this attention is making me nervous (and hopeful.)

“When is the pizza getting here?” Matt asks, ending the interrogation. Marcy giggles about it while Michelle and Mandy give very knowing stares. I may not know them but I swear I can read their looks that are stating they are only letting this slide because we just met.

“Should be here in about twenty minutes,” Mandy finally answers.

“How long are you staying?”

“Do you want us to leave?” Marcy pouts, successfully making Matt feel bad based on his slumped shoulders.

“No, I’m just curious.”

“We have to be home by ten.” It’s Michelle’s turn to roll her eyes. I see the family resemblance because she definitely looks like Matt when annoyed. The slight scowl and the intimidating eyes. “Apparently, I’m not allowed to drive when it gets too late. I guess after midnight I lose my eyesight or some shit.”

“We’re lucky we came over at all. Mom was being a pain,” Mandy adds then glances at me. Whatever else she has to say, she cuts herself off, shrugging when leaning back into the couch. “Why don’t you get a bigger apartment and let us all move in?”

“I moved out for a reason,” Matt teases, earning a pinch from Marcy. The two of them laugh with him pressing a chaste kiss to her forehead. “Keep up your grades and go to college and I’ll pay for your apartment.”

Mandy sits up fast, wide-eyed and slack jawed. “Seriously? I’m holding you to that!”

Matt waves her off as if it’s no big deal to offer to pay for your sisters apartment while in college. Wow, I kind of hate rich people.

“Besides, we wouldn’t come over to visit out of the blue if you came home every once in a while,” Michelle accuses, crossing her legs and arms. “You’re such a neglecting older brother.”

“Neglecting, right,” Matt snorts. “Seriously, call next time. We had plans.”

“A date, you mean,” Marcy whispers, but her whisper is loud enough for the whole room to hear. The girls laugh yet again with Matt glaring at her and me practically bursting into flames.

“Not a date,” he says yet peers across the room at me.

I’m not sure what he’s trying to say. I’m not sure what I want him to say.