Well, it all happened a little too quick for even Nicholas to react.

Unfortunately, his reflexes, while quicker and sharper than an average human's, were inferior to Mattie's. So when her fist came flying at his face with a simultaneous scream erupting from her throat, the only thing he managed to do before being hit was open his mouth and get the first syllable of her name out. Somehow, as he tumbled to the concrete and nearly busted his head open from the sheer force of her punch, he managed to keep clutching the rose bouquet. A heavy weight tugged his heart as he heard the door shut and lock while he lay, shocked, in front of her residence.

Finally, he sat up, took a breath, and wiped the blood that was gushing from his nose, which did no good because his nostrils were now the host of Hemoglobin Falls. The spot where his head had hit the concrete seemed to be stinging and numb at the same time, however that was possible. And now the roses that he'd bought for her were completely crushed and mangled. If he weren't so angry, he might would have cried.

After he managed to compose himself, which took several moments of listening to Mattie yell bizarre curses from inside her home, Nicholas stood up and tried again. He knocked softer. He dared to speak her name, "Mattie?"