Chapter Three Ryan
Chapter Three
Ryan
The only place in this school where I’m left alone to draw in peace is the art room. No one comes here unless they need to, so it’s the perfect spot for me to sneak off to during lunch.
But first, I need some food. The line is taking forever. Only reason I’m at the back of it is because I was late coming here. I had to finish my drawing that I worked on during math class.
“Hey,” a high pitched voice says from my left. Turning in that direction, I find that girl Brianne standing there, a wide smile on her face.
I twist away from her. Why in the world won’t she leave me alone? I can still feel her pushing my hair away from my face, whispering in my ear.
“You’re cute,” was what she said. And she introduced herself. Not that I care. Girls and I don’t mix. Not now, and probably not ever.
It wasn’t always like this, but I’d rather not think about that right now.
“Ryan,” Brianne persists, snaking her hand toward my arm.
I flinch back, my focus on the line that barely moves. I can’t see so well from here, but there’s a commotion up front. A kid is fighting with the cafeteria woman. Something about healthy food.
Brianne shifts closer to me. When she once again reaches for my arm, I whirl around and stalk out of the cafeteria. I don’t stop until I stand before the art room, shove the door open, and plop down in front of an easel.
I don’t think about anything or anyone, just focus on a new drawing. No idea what it’ll turn out to be, but I just let myself go.
Footsteps sound down the hall and as soon as the door opens, I shut my eyes. She followed me here. What will it take for her to understand that I don’t want to talk her? To anyone? I just want to be alone, where I’m happiest. Well, happy as someone like me can be.
“Hey, Ryan?”
My eyes shoot open. It’s not Brianne. It’s a guy. I’ve seen him around. Don’t know his name, though.
He steps into the room, an uneasy smile on his face. Pushing his hand through his brown hair, he shifts from one foot to the other. “Hi, I’m Jason West. Can we talk?”
I shrug.
He lowers himself on the seat next to mine and stares at the empty canvas before him. I return to my drawing.
“Here’s the thing,” he says after a few minutes of silence. He faces me while I keep my focus on my canvas. “I have something weird to ask. But I’m willing to pay.”
I stop mid-draw and slowly twist toward him.
“You know there’s a school dance this weekend,” he says.
I might have seen posters around, not that the sort of thing interests me. I turn back to my drawing.
“You don’t have a date, right?” he asks.
“Not going.”
He clears his throat. “What if you had someone to go with?”
“Not going.”
He places his hand on my arm. My eyes lower to it before I shrug it off. He curls his hand to his side. “Look, there’s this girl who wants to go with you.”
I stop. “Brianne? Did she pay you to convince me?”
“What? No. I’m talking about my sister, Artemis.”
I squint. “I don’t know who that is.”
“She looks like me, brown hair, green eyes. I’m pretty sure she’s in most of your classes. I think she tried to talk to you a few times. Anyway, she wants to go to the dance with you. And I told her I’d ask on her behalf.”
I focus back on my drawing. “Not interested.”
“Like I said, I’m willing to pay.”
I freeze and turn to him yet again. “You’d pay me to take your sister to the dance?”
He holds up his hands. “She really wants to go with you.”
“Why?”
He shrugs like he has no clue. “Will you take her?”
I shake my head.
“How does a hundred bucks sound?” He slips his hand into his pocket and pulls out a wad of hundred dollar bills.
My eyes nearly pop out. I’ve never seen, or even held, that amount of money in my life.
My parents and I had always been poor, but we managed fine.
And Grandma isn’t exactly rolling in dough, either.
She gets by. But now that I’m living with her…
Jason slides the bills back into his pocket. “If you’re not interested…”
I squeeze my eyes shut. “A hundred bucks?”
That would get me closer to the limited edition guitar I’ve been saving up for. It costs a few hundred dollars. I’d never ask Grandma to help pay for it. Heck, truth is we hardly speak as it is. Not her fault, though. That’s all on me.
A small smile tugs Jason’s lips. “Yeah, a hundred bucks to take my little sister to the dance. But I have conditions.”
“Conditions?”
He leans forward. “Look man, I don’t know you, but my sister wants to go to the dance with you, so I want to make that happen.” He pauses. “I’ll drive you guys, you keep the touching to a minimum. Definitely no kissing. You treat her right. With respect. If you hurt her, I’ll kill you.”
I just look at him. “You’re making demands when I’m doing the favor?”
“You want the money or not?”
I stare him down. I don’t know much about the kids at school or the people in town, but I know he’s the mayor’s kid. And he’s from one of the founding families. He’s rich. Stinking rich. If all I have to do to get that money is take his sister to the dance and follow a few rules, then I’ll do it.
“Fine,” I tell him.
A satisfied smile washes over his lips. “Good.” He stands. “You might want to ask her today. Then I’ll give you the money.” He faces me. “Remember, if you hurt her, you’re dead.”
He leaves the room.
I stare after him for a little bit before resuming my artwork.