C|

{y/n} and Mattheo Riddle were never supposed to become serious. What started as reckless flirting, late-night conversations, stolen kisses and a relationship neither of them wanted to put a label on slowly turns into something neither can ignore. Despite their constant teasing, arguments and inability to stay away from each other, they become completely wrapped up in one another. For once, Mattheo lets someone get close enough to see the parts of him he keeps hidden from everyone else. But the closer they get, the more real everything starts to feel. And Mattheo begins to panic. He starts pulling away from {y/n}, replying less, avoiding her between classes and finding excuses not to spend time together. At first, she assumes she’s done something wrong. Then she realizes the truth: Mattheo isn’t losing interest. He’s terrified of how much he cares. Because loving someone means giving them the power to hurt you, and Mattheo has spent his entire life making sure nobody ever had that power. Now {y/n} has to decide whether to chase after the boy who’s slowly shutting her out, or walk away before she gets hurt by someone who doesn’t know how to let himself be loved.