𝐎𝐂𝐄𝐀𝐍 𝐄𝐘𝐄𝐒, m. sturniolo - 𝟎𝟏𝟒 - i wish you would (2024)

 
 
           
 
 
aug 2, 2022 
3:30 a.m. 
When your birthday passed, and I didn't call...
The last notes of Taylor Swift's "Back To December" fade out, but even as the song ends, that specific lyric continues to engrave itself into Aphrodite's mind.
Yesterday was the triplets' birthday. And she didn't text Matt. She didn't text any of them.
She had wanted to, of course. But she didn't exactly know the guidelines for birthday wishes to your ex who just fled to L.A. because you realized you love him. She went back and forth all day, opening a new conversation with him (she had deleted all of their old texts in a moment of anger, which she now regretted), typing out different messages, and finally deciding against saying anything by the end of the night.
She'd thought it was the right decision a few hours ago, but now... she wasn't so sure. Guilt consumed her, and she so badly wanted to reach for her phone and text Matt a happy belated birthday. But the girl knew that would just make things even worse. 
So instead, Aphrodite lies on her bed, staring at the ceiling while the joyful beat and depressing lyrics of "I Wish You Would" fill her room. 
You're thinking that I hate you now 'cause you still don't know what I never said...
🌊
aug 2, 2022 
8:45 a.m. 
See Also
𝐎𝐂𝐄𝐀𝐍 𝐄𝐘𝐄𝐒, m. sturniolo - 𝟎𝟏𝟕 - reputation era  - Page 2Thirty-Six Questions - Chapter 5 - Anonymous#brothers!triplets | ericshoney#matt sturniolo | ericshoney
Matt is becoming a coffee drinker.
Something he never thought he'd say. 
But, admittedly, L.A. has so many cool coffee shops and cafes, and Matt found his favorite: Déjà Brew. It was a family owned, small business cafe in a cute neighborhood in the less crowded part of the city. 
Going to the cafe was also a good distraction, especially today, from the fact that Aphrodite had not even bothered to say anything at all to him for his birthday. Not even a simple hbd text. 
Today would be his third day in a row, and the past two days he got an iced vanilla latte, something he never thought he'd drink. He didn't even like vanilla lattes— he'd tried them so many times before, but Déjà Brew was different. 
He steps into the shop, realizing that he's already memorized the short walk from the hotel to the cafe as he does. Breathing in the scent of coffee and pastries, he steps up to the register where there's no one else in line. 
He looks up, expecting to see Pam and Todd, the married couple who own the small business, but is instead met with the softest blue eyes he's ever seen. The girl in front of him has vibrant, red hair, just like Pam and Todd, but without the subtle streaks of grey. His heart sinks. 
She's tall, maybe around the same height as Matt, and her wavy, fiery hair is tied up into a ponytail. He assumes that this is Pam and Todd's daughter... but why hasn't he seen her here before? 
The girl looks up, and they make eye contact. 
His heart sinks terribly; again, as he tries not to think of Aphrodite. 
He reads the girl's name tag briefly before she greets him. 
See Also
moon 𐙚 @strnlio - Tumblr Blog | Tumlook
Delilah. 
"Welcome to Déjà Brew, what can I get started for you this morning?" Delilah asks, her tone cheerful for barely nine in the morning. 
"Um... I'll have a small iced vanilla latte. Please."
"For here or to go?" 
"Huh?" Matt says, lost in thought, distracted by the girl's pretty face. "Oh, sorry. To go, please."
"Coming right up!" Delilah chirps, right as Pam and Todd appear, greeting Matt with a smile on their friendly faces. Matt had only been coming here for an extremely short period of time, but they had already been so welcoming to him.
"Is that your daughter?" Matt whispers to the couple, after letting the silence settle; after greeting them. 
"Yep!" Pam responds, tone much louder. 
"She helps us run the cafe on weekdays, but she was sick yesterday and the first day you came in was one of her days off," Todd explains. 
Matt nods, opening his mouth to say something, but closes it when Delilah starts making her way back over to the three with Matt's drink. 
"Here you go," the girl says, smiling. "$4.75." 
Matt gives her a five, tells her to keep the change. And then, subconsciously, he's pulling out a twenty and placing it in the tip jar. 
Delilah smiles again, this time with all her teeth, which are pearly white and perfectly straight and create the perfect, stupid smile to light up her stupidly perfect face. 
Pam and Todd exchange somewhat of a knowing look, which makes Matt almost drop his coffee. The couple and Delilah say goodbye, and he's practically flying out of the door. 
Matt glances down at his phone nervously when he gets outside, checking the time. But as he does, he notices a new notification. From Aphrodite. 
Apphie 🫶🏻
happy late bday
Matt stares at the message, then looks back into the dimly lit cafe, where Pam, Todd, and Delilah are all laughing about something behind the counter. He sees Deliliah smile at him, and immediately looks back down at his phone. 
sh*t. 
🌊
a/n: i FINALLY updated this book ?!? let's ignore how it's been over a month pls... it won't happen again i promise. 
oh also, i picture delilah as kennedy clairewalsh! ok byeee ily 🫶🏻