You Okay?

Posted on Fri Mar 25th, 2022 @ 6:34am by Private Mattias Tonelly & Unawakened Zosia Galantis

Mission: The Factions
Location: Tonelly and Galantis housholds
Timeline: TBD

The next morning, Mattias awoke with a feeling that something was off. He didn't know what that something was but, he was convinced that something definitely was.

After checking on his parents, and finding nothing there but smiles, hugs and kisses, he grabbed his phone and texted the only other person he cared about.

M: Z...you up?

Z: maybe...

M: LMFAO!! Well, wake up! It's a gorgeous day! Least, it is here, on the Island. How's it up there?

Z: boy it's not even 9! on a sat! im not leavin this bed 4 awhile

M: I'm so excited I cant sleep!! I MOVED MY TOES!!! Didnt tell my parents yet. Wanted you to know first, Z. :-)

*Incoming FaceTime from Zo*

When Mattias answered the screen was rather dark, Zo's bedroom curtains were still closed but she was still visible still lying in bed, her hair was fluffier then normal but her eyes were bright with excitement.

"Matty! Are you being forreal?! Did they really move?!"

Mattias's smile grew brighter when he saw Zosia's beautiful face. "Yeah!" He whispered, not wanting his parents to hear him. "Look!" He turned the phone until he thought his feet were in view of the camera. "Can you see my feet?"

"Yeah I can." Her voice was a bit rough so she cleared her throat.

After a few beats, ever so slowly, both of his big toes started to flex upward then, just as slowly, went the other direction and curled under.

"Matty, that's amazing, but why are you keeping it a secret? Don't you think your parents will be ecstatic?!"

Turning the camera back to his face. The look of pride and a crush on her in his eyes as he replied. "I will, I just...I just wanted you to know first." He seemed a bit bashful and suddenly shy that he was making a fool of himself.

Zo smiled before laying back down on her pillow, the wild curls covering half her face. "Well I feel honored!" She let out a laugh before groaning, "Why are you so awake so early anyway."

Hearing her words, and that gorgeous laugh, Mattias felt his core warm. He took a beat to enjoy the feeling, then answered her question. "I've got pt in about an hour. Carlos is going to have me try to do a few laps in the pool today."

"Cool, bring me coffee on your way. Third bedroom on the right." Zo joked.

Mattias blushed slightly. Oh, how he wished she was that close. He would...well...he didn't really know what he'd do but, if the things he saw on social media and in movies was any teacher, he would very much like to kiss her.

"I wish you were that close," he whispered. Then a little louder, asked, "How was the party last night?"

The shift in Matts voice didn't go unnoticed. The flash back of Hayden's jealousy came to mind. Did Hayden pick up on something Zo didn't? This friendship was innocent...from her perspective anyway. A sense of dread started to creep up on her, Zo would hate it if she ever hurt Matty.

"Ugh, I should have stayed home. I was all too well reminded of why I don't go out often." She sighed and stretched her arms, the screen momentarily pointing to the ceiling. When it was righted she added, "There's an art fair later today I might go to. Oh! I finished my latest painting. I'll have to send you a picture later."

"Oh no!" Mattias replied. "Are you okay?" He didn't pick up the worry in her tone as she spoke. Then, when she mentioned her art, he smiled bright again. He thought that the pieces that she had shown him were all beautiful. Which each one was a little different than the one before, he had started to identify her signature style. "Oooh! Which one?!"

"The water one, with the waves and clear sky. I was thinking about doing a sister piece, a raging storm or something. I almost forgot! I need your address I have something to send you. I started sketching a piece for you and I figured you would want the original."

"Oh, cool beans!" Mattias replied excitedly, his voice cracking slightly. "K! Hold on! Be right back!" He put his phone down and grabbed his tablet. After opening the messenger app, he clicked on Zosia's contact info(she was fourth on his list of four contacts, but, hers had the most messages), and quickly typed out his address for her, then hit send.

Picking his phone back up, he said, "Okay, I just sent it! What kind of sketch is it? Or is it a surprise?"

"A surprise." She said with a genuine smile. A banner slid down on her phone screen notifying her of the new message from Matt. "Okay I got it. ahhhhhh," Zosia moaned as she stretched again, sitting up in bed this time. "I guess it's time for coffee and a shower. Call you later?"

"'Course, Z," Mattias replied with a grin. "I guess it's time I go tell my parents the awesome news. If I don't pick up, it's 'cause I'm in the pool."

"Good luck!!" Zo waved bye to Matty before disconnecting the line.

Mattias smiled and waved as the connecrion was severed. He sat for a few minutes, then decided that it was time to tell his parents.

Rolling into the kitchen, he found his mother busy making pancakes for breakfast. "Hey, Mama, wanna see something cool?"

Looking up from the hot pan briefly Baeryn smiled, "Of course baby." She then set down the spatula to give Mattias her full attention.

Rolling his chair around so she could see him full on, he smiled and gestured down at his feet. A few seconds went by and then, like before, when he showed Zo, both of his nig toes first curled slowly down, then back up. He then looked up to see his mother's reaction.

Shock and excitement colored Baeryn's face. She was speechless, frozen for a few seconds as she processed what this small yet monumental achievement meant for her son. "Oh Matt!!" She exclaimed as she came around the kitchen island and took her sons face in both her hands, kissing him on his forehead before hugging him with all her might. "Baby this is amazing! Wait until Dad sees!"

Mattias wrapped his arms around his mother and held on tightly. "It just started happening this morning," he said into her ear. Then he released his jold and gave jer a shy look. "I...um...I told Zo before I came down here and showed you, Mama. I really wanted to tell her." He suddenly looked a little ashamed. "I'm sorry."

Baeryn smiled softly, as only a loving mother can to her child. "Matty, my sweet baby boy, it's okay. I know you care about Zo a lot. She seems like a very sweet girl. All that matters to me is that you are happy and safe." Mother and son shared an embrace, then continued with their day, waiting for David to come home from work to tell him the great news.

((Truncated))