Chapter Six Artemis
Chapter Six
Artemis
We’re just standing there like two strangers, which I guess we are.
Ryan looks so hot in that suit. It’s white, not black like most of the guys here.
There’s just something about him that yells for him to be stared at.
That’s probably why many girls are glancing his way.
I tell myself he came with me, that he won’t ditch me for them.
Mom spent hours on my hair and makeup. Did Ryan even notice?
He’s barely looked my way, hardly said more than two words.
What is it about this guy that makes my heart pound so hard I’m about to pass out? Sure he’s so good-looking, but there’s more to it. There’s a lot hidden behind those mysterious, beautiful blue eyes of his. I want to know what.
He’s staring at the walls like he doesn’t want to be here. Or maybe it’s me?
“Why did you ask me to the dance?” I blurt before I can stop myself.
He slowly faces me, eyebrow lifted. “What?”
I wave around. “Everyone looks like they’re having fun, except for you. Why did you ask me if you don’t even want to be here?”
His eyebrows scrunch. “Who said I don’t want to be here?”
I roll my shoulders. “Lucky guess?”
He shakes his head. “No, I do. It’s just that…” He blows his hair out of his eyes. Why is it so long? Why does he hide behind it? “Dancing isn’t my thing.”
“Mine, either. But I still want to have a good time.”
He doesn’t say anything. Gosh, I’ve never met anyone who hardly talks. Or hardly shows any expression. I don’t get him, not one bit. It’s like something is forcing him to be here.
But it’s all in my head, right? He did ask me.
“Want to dance?” I ask.
His shocked eyes spring to mine. “What?”
I gesture to the students bobbing to the beat of the music. “We’re at a dance, aren’t we? Might as well join the others.”
He’s still shocked as he takes them all in. A look of horror passes over his face. “I don’t think so.”
“So we’re going to spend three hours watching everyone else have fun? I mean, it’s not like you’re talking to me or want to get to know me.”
He stares at me so deeply my heart skips a beat. “Okay, let’s dance.”
My body deflates as I follow him to the center of the room. Does he not want to get to know me? Why ask me here if he’s not interested?
We face each other, just standing there like two idiots. I’ve been to dances before, but never with a date. Normally, I’d let loose and have fun. But I’m like a different person now, so scared and shy about making a fool of myself.
We’re probably standing here for a few minutes before I decide that this just won’t do. I’m not having fun, and Ryan definitely isn’t. Did we come here to dance or be miserable?
I shake my body from side to side, not really matching the beat of the music and I don’t care. I’m probably the worst dancer in the world, but I’m here with Ryan Rogers, the hottest guy at school. He asked me.
“Why are you just standing there?” I call over the thump of the music. “Dance!”
He watches me like I’m some weird creature with flailing arms. I grab his hands, and freeze as a jolt passes through me. Shoot, this dress is still full of static.
Ryan flinches back, then brushes his fingers through his hair. I retake hold of his hands and tug him along with me as we jump around in place. He’s not really moving, though, but I think I’m starting to see him loosen up a bit. He’s always so wound up.
“Come on,” I say as I do some weird moves. “No one’s even looking at us.”
Correction, they’re not looking at me but at him. But he doesn’t notice. Maybe he doesn’t care.
It takes some more nudging, but I manage to get him to shake his body a little. He’s still as stiff as a brick, though. Still, I dance enough for the two of us, hoping he’ll maybe smile or something?
He doesn’t, which makes me even more determined to get one out of him. I really am making a fool of myself, but seeing that smile will make it all worth it.
“What are you doing?” he asks.
“Dancing!”
He’s still watching me like I’m from another planet. Or like I’m a malfunctioning robot. My arms fly all over the place.
He’s slightly moving to the beat of the music, but that smile won’t come. No matter how silly I’m dancing, nope. It’s like he doesn’t know how.
When the music stops, I bend over to catch my breath. I think my hair’s ruined, but at least I had fun, and even though he didn’t smile, I hope Ryan did, too.
“You okay?” he asks, voice gentle and sweet.
Pushing a few wayward strands of my brown hair out of my eyes, I nod. “Yep, I’m good. Super pumped for the next song. How about you dance with me next time?”
He opens his mouth to refuse, but I place my hand on his arm. “Come on, Ryan. Let’s have fun. Live a little.”
His jaw clenches. He shuts his eyes like he’s arguing with himself. I squeeze his arm. “Don’t make me do this all on my own.”
His eyes open. “Fine. I’ll dance with you.”
“Thanks.”
He leaves to fetch me a drink and as soon as he returns, the music starts up again. It’s a slow song this time, and couples wrap their arms around one another, swaying.
I give Ryan an awkward smile. “We can wait until the next one.”
He faces me, inching closer. “I promised I’d dance the next one with you, didn’t I?”
“Yeah, but…”
He places his hands on my waist and my breath hitches. His touch is feather-like, so soft and gentle it sends goosebumps all over my skin.
His eyes are so clear and blue as they gaze into mine. “This okay?” he asks.
I just nod because I can’t talk. I can’t even breathe. He’s touching me, and it feels like the most amazing thing in the world. No guy has ever touched me like this.
He takes my arms and gently tugs them around his neck, forcing me to squeeze my body closer to his. My gaze never leaves his.
“I’ve never done this before,” I say before I can stop myself.
He doesn’t respond, doesn’t release his hold from my eyes. It’s like he’s entrapped by them.
We move, not to the beat of the music, but to our own sound. Everyone else fades away and it’s just the two of us.
Ryan looks different up close, and I don’t mean physically. There’s just something about him, something I can’t pinpoint exactly. Maybe I can see into his soul, how pure but tortured it is. And I feel like he can see all of me now, my thoughts and dreams and hopes.
Someone crashes into me and the moment is broken. Ryan blinks, scanning around like he has no idea where he is or how he got here.
Then his eyes pin on me and whatever I saw in there is gone, like it never existed. His face hardens before he whirls around and stalks to the drink table, where he downs two cups of punch.
I watch him for a little bit, trying to read him, but it’s impossible. Why did he ask me to the dance if he’s being so cold and distant?
I inch closer to him. It’s been driving me insane why he moved in with his grandma. No one knows anything about him, not even where he lived before he came here.
Why am I so curious? Why do I care so much?
“Hey,” I say as I come to stand next to him. “Is everything okay?”
He turns to me, another cup of punch in his hand. “Fine. Told you dancing isn’t really my thing.”
I grab a cup and fill it with punch. “But you had fun, right?” I gulp the drink down.
He doesn’t say anything, his focus on the dancing kids.
Vice Principal Miller is weaving through them, yanking those who are too close apart.
He probably missed us, because I’m pretty sure Ryan and I were super close.
I can still feel his warm fingers resting on my waist, his deep eyes boring into mine. It sends a shiver down my spine.
“I had fun,” I tell him after a few seconds of silence. “Thanks for asking me here. Wait, I already thanked you, didn’t I?”
“You’re welcome.”
He still won’t look at me. I shift in my place. “Um…why did you ask me?”
He slowly turns to face me, but doesn’t say anything. His expression, like usual, is unreadable.
“I mean, you ignored me every time I tried to talk to you this past week.”
His eyebrows furrow. “I ignored you?”
“Yeah, every time I called your name you pretended like I didn’t exist.”
He’s quiet for a little bit before saying, “It wasn’t on purpose. Sorry.”
With that, he turns away again. I don’t know what I was expecting. For him to tell me he’s got a major crush on me, too? Of course he doesn’t. And he still never answered my question about why he asked me to the dance.
“Art!” a voice calls before hands grab mine. Jenna bounces in place. My brother stands behind her, a smile on his face. “I’m having so much fun. Are you?” Her eyes dart in my date’s direction.
“Yeah, lots of fun.” I also look at Ryan, who’s once again watching the other kids.
“I need to go to the bathroom,” Jenna says, tugging me along. “See you later, boys!” She pulls me all the way to the other end of the gym and shuts the door to the girls’ room. Sighing in pleasure, she shuts her eyes. “I’m seriously in heaven.”
I turn to the mirror to check on my makeup. It’s still holding strong, but like I expected, my hair has come loose. “You’ve been to dances with Jason before.”
Her eyes open. “I know, but it feels like something changed between us. And I mean in a good way. Maybe because our three-year-anniversary is coming up. I feel like we’re already married.” She sighs again.
A pang of jealousy stabs my stomach. I should be happy for my brother and best friend. I want only the best for them. So why am I jealous? Because I have yet to meet a guy who’ll sweep me off my feet?
Ryan’s beautiful blue eyes flash before my face and my heart skips a beat.
“Now that we’re alone, tell me how it’s really going with Ryan,” she says. “I mean, I saw you guys dancing and it was sooo hot.”
I lean against the sink. “He ran off. We were having a moment—I think—and he just shut down.” I force a smile. “But we’re having fun.”
She gets a dreamy look on her face. “Isn’t tonight everything we imagined and so much more?”
“Yeah,” I say, not sure I agree with her. I am having fun, but I can’t help worrying that something is wrong with Ryan. There’s a reason he’s so distant and refuses to let loose and have a good time. But what can it be?
“We’d better get back before our boyfriends start dancing with each other.” Jenna giggles.
I freeze. Boyfriend?
I blink the thought away and follow her back to the gym.