picking fights was not uncommon for mattheo riddle. he was aware of his quite succinct temper and his tendency of aggression, but never would he imagine a brawl with one of his very best friends.

mattheo picked fights as often as he slept with girls, so being in a somewhat-relationship for the first time was confusing for him. of course, he wouldn't take the blast on his ego to walk around telling people he was 'taken,' and naturally, he didn't. despite the months you two had spent intertwined in broom closets or drawing circles on each other's backs at night, mattheo had not once told someone you were more than just 'a friend.' though he was unable to realize it, this situationship had taken its toll on you.

and his refusal to take you to the yule ball — it was your very last straw.

each time you begged him to go, you were met with a refusal. why? it was a mystery, but mattheo knew deep down he needed to remain single to maintain his status on the popularity hierarchy. don't get him wrong, he cared about you, a lot, but certain things call for certain measures. for the past two weeks, you had brushed him off, barely talking to him. mattheo didn't know why you were so mad. he was going to partake in a few dances with you, anyways, but he couldn't be occupied the whole night.

so when he arrived to the great hall, in a fitted suit he bought in hogsmeade, his dress shirt's first few buttons undone, the smile on his face was wiped away when he saw you whirling around with theodore nott. of all people, theo? mattheo was fuming. so, as he believed he rightfully should, halfway through the ball he dragged theo by his chestnut hair outside the hall.

it was only after he'd landed a few strong punches to theo's furious face that you had came rushing down the stairs, shouting at him to stop. he ran a hand through his dark brown curls, staring at you with such heat you thought your makeup would melt right off. breathing hard, he turned back to theo. "i'm busy."