Chapter Four Artemis
Chapter Four
Artemis
I stab my macaroni, over and over and over again. This food sucks. Or maybe I just don’t have an appetite. The dance is this weekend. And still no one even looked at me. And Ryan? Forget about it. I’m pretty sure there’s zero chance we’ll go to the dance together. I guess I’ve given up.
“I wonder what happened to Jason,” Jenna says, her eyes scanning the cafeteria. “He never skips lunch. It’s, like, the only time we get to spend together at school.”
I sigh, poking my food some more. “Bet he’s off planning something big for your three-year anniversary.”
Her eyes widen. “You think?”
“Yeah, definitely.”
She gets this dazed look on her face. I want that. I want to be head over heels in love. Books and movies can only satisfy me a little. I need more. I need the real thing. But it probably won’t ever happen to me.
“Hey,” Jason says as he sits down near my best friend and pecks her lips. “Sorry I’m late. I had to take care of something.”
Jenna gives me a knowing smile. I can’t stop another sigh from escaping my lips.
Jason turns to me. “You okay, sis?”
I roll my shoulders. “I’m great,” I say sarcastically.
Jenna’s about to say something but stops. Her eyes widen as she glances behind me. Jason stares, too.
What? Has another couple formed? Maybe a guy asked a girl to the dance? I’m so sick of everyone being happy except for me.
“Artemis?” a deep voice says from behind me.
Jenna squeals as I turn around. Ryan Rogers stands there, hands shoved into his jeans pockets. I blink a few times, not sure I’m seeing right. Ryan is talking to me? Wait, he knows my name?
His black hair falls over his eyes in a way that makes me want to reach up and…
“Artemis?” he repeats, voice deep and a little unsure.
I just stare at him. I’ve seen him up close many times, but there’s something different about today. Maybe because he’s actually talking to me. His eyes seem bluer than usual. And his hair is extra shiny.
Someone kicks my leg from under the table and I yell, “Ouch!”
Jenna shoots me a look to get it together. Right. I’m probably acting like a complete moron right now.
“Yeah?” I squeak, then clear my throat. “I mean, yeah, that’s me, Artemis. Don’t ask why my parents named me that. My mom has a thing for Greek mythology—”
Jenna kicks my leg again.
“Ow! Sorry, yeah. I’m Artemis.”
Ryan slides his hands out of his pockets, then pushes them back in. He tilts his head back to flip the hair out of his eyes. His bangs are long, almost like he wants to hide behind them. “Can I talk to you?”
My jaw drops. “Huh?”
“Can I talk to you outside?” He nods toward the hallway.
I just sit there, unable to make sense of anything he just said.
Jenna laughs awkwardly. “Sorry she’s being weird. She didn’t really get enough sleep last night.” Giving me another look, she takes hold of my arm. “Ryan Rogers is talking to you, Art,” she hisses. “Ryan Rogers!”
Everything clicks into place and I’m on my feet. “Oh, sure. Yeah, we can talk. Um…outside?”
He nods and follows me out the cafeteria and into the hallway. There are some kids around, but it’s mostly deserted. Ryan leans one shoulder against the lockers, his eyes anywhere but on me. I’m a few feet away from him, keeping my gaze on his. He’s so pretty I’m going to die…
“So um…what did you want to talk to me about?” I ask, trying to sound nonchalant, while I’m freaking out inside that this guy is actually speaking to me.
He lifts off the locker, finally pinning his eyes on mine. Then they dart to the poster near his head. He nods to it. “School dance this Friday.”
“Yeah, the posters have been around for weeks.”
“Want to go?”
“What?”
He steps away from the lockers, inching toward me. “Do you want to go?”
“Yeah, if a guy asked me.”
“I’m asking you.”
“What?”
He gives me a look like I fell from Mars. “I’m asking you to the dance, Artemis.”
“What?”
He squints as he moves even closer. “You’re acting like no one has ever asked you before.”
I shrug. “Because they haven’t?” As soon as the words are out, I wish I could suck them back in. He’s asking me to the dance and now I’m blowing it. “I mean, of course people have asked me,” I lie. “I’m waiting for someone special, you know?”
He’s standing right in front of me now, blue eyes deep and beautiful, but so, so very mysterious. “Is that a yes?”
“Yes,” I blurt. “I mean, yeah, sure. I’ll go to the dance with you. I mean, I’m a little shocked, but sure.”
“Okay,” he says.
We just stand there. Friday. That’s two days away. Two days. Oh my gosh.
“So I’ll see you,” he says before taking off down the hall, to the art room. I watch him go, my heart beating so hard it’s about to catapult right out of my chest. Ryan Rogers and me. Dancing in the fake moonlight of the school gym. Ryan and me with our arms wrapped around one another.
It’ll be magical. I know it.
As soon as I return to the cafeteria, Jenna and Jason bombard me with questions. “What did he want?” Jenna asks.
I can’t hide the smile splitting my face in half as I drop down in my seat. “He asked me to the dance!”
Jenna’s eyes widen. “No!”
“Yep. And I said yes.”
She squeals. Then her smile vanishes. “It’s a little weird, isn’t it? I mean, it came out of nowhere.”
I frown. “No, it didn’t. I mean, he probably wanted to ask me for a while but was too shy.”
She’s quiet as she thinks it over. “I just don’t want you to get hurt.”
Jason locks his fingers through hers. “You’re a good friend to watch over Art, but I think she’s right. He was probably too shy to ask.”
“I guess.” She beams. “I’m so happy for you.”
I beam back. “Thanks. Looks like all my attempts to talk to him the past two weeks paid off. He was listening to me after all. Wow. I’m going to the dance.”
Jenna leans forward, a crooked smile on her face. “You know what this means, Art? The hottest guy at school chose you over Brianne.”
I just stare at her, dumbfounded. Then I sink in my seat. “You’re right. Why would a guy like him ask me and not her? Ugh, it’s too good to be true.” I knock my head on the table. “He’ll probably change his mind.”
“Artemis, look at me,” Jason says.
I reluctantly lift my head.
“You’re an amazing, fun person,” he tells me. “If Ryan asked you, then he likes you, okay? Don’t mess this up because you’re worried about his intentions.”
“His intensions?”
He quickly shakes his head. “I mean that you’re worried he’ll break your heart. We don’t know the guy, but he seems decent enough.” His eyes soften. “Try to have a good time and not overthink this.”
“And forget Brianne,” Jenna adds. “She doesn’t exist.”
My eyes flick to her table, where she’s tossing her golden hair over her shoulder as she holds a court of admirers, most of them guys. Ugh. She’s so pretty. And I’m, well, me.
But my best friend and brother are right. If I keep freaking out that Ryan doesn’t like me, then I won’t enjoy our time together.
This may be the only dance I’ll ever attend. I need to make the most of it.
Later that day, as I’m lying in bed staring at the ceiling, all I see before my eyes is Ryan in a dashing suit and me, dressed in a breathtaking dress, dancing under the moonlight.
And then…then he dips his head, slowly bringing his lips to mine…
I sigh happily.