ʀ⭒.’s Reviews > More Than We Can Tell > Status Update

“Can I ask you a favor?” Matthew says.
“Anything.”
That throws him, but only for a moment. “If I do something that might screw this up, would you tell me?”
“You won’t screw this up, Matthew. Mom and Dad aren’t like that.”
“But—just in case.”
“Okay.” I carry my bowl to the sink. “Anything else?”
“No.” He hesitates. “Maybe.”
“What’s up?”
“Do you think you could just call me Matt?”

I'M CRYINGGGGG

“Please,” he says again, and his words have dissolved into a sob. “My son. Please. I am dying.”
“Good.”
Then I slam the door behind me and walk out.

YAAAAAAAS WE CHEERED

But then I stop and turn back. “Hey,” I say, keeping my voice low. “You don’t need to keep running from them. I’ve got your back. Dec does, too.”
He looks startled, but he covers it quickly. He looks back at his painting. I don’t think he’s going to say anything.
And I really am going to be late to class.
“Hey,” he calls after me. I barely hear him over the rush of students.
" Thanks"

“So that’s really how to stop a punch?” I say to him. “I feel like TV has lied to me.”
“Technically I should bring you to the ground, but—”
“That sounds promising.”
Clearly my brain has disconnected from my mouth. My face catches on fire.

OMG EMMA SHUT UP 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

“Yes,” I say. “A test from God.”
“We all have free will, Rev. If it’s a test for you, it’s a test for me, for Mom, and even a test for your father. He’s choosing to send you these messages. You could look at all of life as a test. No one lives in a vacuum. Our actions have an impact on everyone around us. Sometimes without us even realizing it.”

His words warm me from within, but I snort and push hair back off my face. “Even when I’m screaming at you to get out of my room?”
“Even then. We all push sometimes, just to make sure someone is on the other side, pushing back.”

🥹🥹🥹🥹

Two teenagers falling for each other while their world is falling apart, yeah this isn't ending well

“He won’t say.” His face screws up in thought. “Sometimes, I think people are so used to negativity that a positive atmosphere is uncomfortable, or even frightening. It goes along with what we were talking about. When you can’t trust anyone, the unknown is a very frightening place indeed.”

I need someone to hug him omg

Oh this is going to be brutal, I feel it