Your dorm room was quiet, the only sound the soft rustling of fabric as you rummaged through your wardrobe, deciding between two dresses. The anticipation of the evening buzzed in your chest, excitement and nerves mixing in equal parts. You had just settled on an outfit when—

“Hey, baby girl.”

You jumped, nearly knocking over the perfume bottle on your dresser. Heart pounding, you spun around to see Mattheo leaning casually against the doorframe.

"Mattheo!" you scolded, pressing a hand to your chest. "Don't you knock?!"

He chuckled, stepping into the room like he owned it. "I am your best friend! Didn’t think I needed to."

Rolling your eyes, you turned back to the mirror, brushing through your hair. "Whatever."

There was a beat of silence before Mattheo spoke again, voice laced with something unfamiliar—something almost hesitant. "Uh, what are you getting ready for?"

"If you must know," you said, reaching for your lip gloss, "I’m going on a date with Cedric tonight."

"Cedric?"

You caught his reflection in the mirror, brows furrowed, jaw slightly tense. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Mattheo scoffed, running a hand through his messy curls. "I just can't believe you’re going out with him."

You shook your head, unscrewing the cap of your gloss. "He’s actually really great, Mattheo."

"Yeah, whatever," he muttered, flopping onto your bed.

Ignoring him, you finished applying the gloss, smacking your lips together to even it out before turning to face him fully. "On a scale of one to ten, how kissable do my lips look?"

Mattheo’s eyes darkened, something unreadable flashing across his face as he stood up slowly.

And then, before you could react, he was in front of you. His hand cupped your cheek, his gaze flickering from your lips to your eyes, and then—

He kissed you.

It was firm, certain—like he had been holding back for far too long. The taste of spearmint and something uniquely Mattheo lingered as he pulled away, his breath mingling with yours.

"Ten," he murmured, his voice lower, rougher.