Chapter Thirteen Artemis
Chapter Thirteen
Artemis
I’m still so shocked I can’t focus on science. We’re in the middle of a quiz and I should know the answers. But my mind is blank. All because Ryan Rogers asked me to paint with him? It’s not like it means anything.
So why am I freaking out?
He’s at the other end of the classroom, doodling instead of answering the questions.
I don’t know what made me look for him in the art room.
During lunch, I saw him pile some food onto a tray and leave the cafeteria.
Then I saw Brianne talking to him, touching his arm.
I figured they’d go off somewhere to eat lunch alone, to talk in privacy.
But then Brianne stomped into the cafeteria, pissed beyond measure.
He rejected her again, and that made my heart flutter. I still have no idea why.
So I went looking for him. The first place I checked was the art room, because hello, art is his thing. And there he was, though not as engrossed in the painting as he usually is.
“Okay, papers up,” the teacher says.
I stare down at my quiz. Only half of it is filled out. I quickly rush through the rest of the questions, hoping I at least got a B. Gosh. Why am I so messed up about this Ryan thing? Is it normal to still have a crush on a guy who told you he doesn’t want to be around you?
But…he invited me to paint with him. That only made my crush strengthen. Which is dumb because he probably asked me to be nice.
The teacher starts the lesson, and I do everything I can to forget Ryan. Because if I don’t, I’ll ruin my grades and my dad won’t let me date. Like ever.
And besides, I shouldn’t let a guy distract me from school. Even one as gorgeous as Ryan.
The day passes in a blur and I’m packing away my things in my locker. Jenna rushes up to me. “Want to go to the mall after school?” She bends close. “I still need to buy a gift for Jason for our three-year-anniversary.”
“I have plans.”
She lifts a brow. “With who?”
“Ryan. He asked me to paint with him.”
Her jaw falls. “Thee Ryan? The one who rejected Brianne, I don’t know, a million times? The one who ditched you at the festival? The one I told you to be careful about?”
I shut my locker. “Yep. That Ryan.”
Her jaw falls even lower. “I don’t know about this, Art. I mean, I have no right to tell you who you can or can’t hang out with, but I need to protect you. You’re so fragile right now, with your crush on him and everything.”
“I told you I don’t feel that way about him anymore.”
She rolls her eyes like she knows I’m lying through my butt.
I hike my backpack strap up my shoulder.
“I’ll see you later.” After giving her a quick hug, I dash down the hall toward the art room.
It’s not a popular place to hang out after school, so it’s empty like usual.
Except for one guy sitting in front of an easel, staring at his painting.
I’m no expert, but it doesn’t look like he’s touched it since lunch. Is he…maybe waiting for me?
“Hey,” I say as I dump my school stuff on the floor and take the seat near him.
“Hi.” He nods toward the canvas. “Want to get started on the shark? I’ll work on the sunset.”
I just gape at the painting, then slowly move my eyes to him. “Um, can we maybe do the shark together? I don’t want to ruin this masterpiece with my crappy art skills.”
“Okay.”
We stand and begin forming the shark. I watch, fascinated, as he dips his paintbrush in different colors to create this awesome creature of the sea.
He nods toward the second paintbrush. “Try to shade it in. Use different colors. Be creative.”
I furrow my eyebrows. “Okay, but don’t kill me when I butcher the whole thing.”
He waves his hand. “I told you this is just for fun.”
Fun. I didn’t think that word was in his vocabulary. But is he having a good time with me? I mentally smack my head. I seriously need to stop my rambling thoughts. He’s just being nice. It’s not like this art project means anything.
It’s quiet as I focus my attention on the shark and he takes care of that sunset. I was freaking out at first, but now my muscles have relaxed and I let myself enjoy myself.
I don’t know how much time passes before Ryan steps back to examine the painting. He rubs his chin. “Not too bad.”
My gaze darts from his sunset to my sorry excuse of a shark. I mean, it definitely looks like a shark, but it’s childish compared to his.
I cover my face. “Ugh, look at it.”
He steps closer. “I see a lot of you in it.”
I blink at him. “Is that a good thing?”
His eyes move to me and stay there for a little bit. It’s like time stands still.
But then he tears his gaze away and the moment—whatever the heck it was—is gone.
“Yeah.”
That’s all. No explanation, nothing.
“Thanks, I guess.”
We just stand there looking at each other. He shoves his hands into his pockets and I hug myself. The only sounds are from the football guys playing outside.
“So I guess we’re done,” I say. “Thanks, I had a lot of fun. And you’re so talented, like really, really talented.” I staple my lips shut before I start rambling again.
“Thanks. We need to keep this here overnight to dry and then you can take it home.”
“Me? But it’s yours.”
He shrugs. “It’s yours now, too. And I have enough of them.”
“Okay, thanks.”
We continue staring at each other.
“Right, so I’m gonna go,” I say. For some reason, I hope he’ll tell me to stay so we’d talk or something. But he doesn’t and I grab my backpack and leave the room.
Turning around in the doorway, I find his gaze latched on the canvas. His mind doesn’t seem to be in the room anymore. It’s like he’s been transported to another time or place. Does it have anything to do with his parents? Or why he’s living with his grandmother?
As if sensing me watching him, his head springs up. I adjust my backpack straps on my shoulders. “See you tomorrow.”
He just nods, his mind going back to wherever it was before.
***
Dinner time is family time and Mom and Dad make sure we’re all seated at the table before anyone can start eating.
Jason’s late, probably because he’s been busy with one of his charity events or “endeavors.” When he finally gets here and we start eating, the table is dead silent. I guess we’re all occupied with our thoughts. So much for a family dinner, huh?
“Jason, Artemis, there’s something I need to tell you,” Dad says after a few minutes.
Jason lifts his head from his phone. I’m pretty sure he’s texting Jenna. “Yeah, Dad?”
Dad sits forward, his brown hair falling into his eyes.
“As you know, every year your mother and I attend The Winter Ball.” The Winter Ball is a huge charity event, where the guests dress up in their finest, hold auctions, have many dances, and there’s a ton of speeches and food.
They always raise lots of money for different charities.
Other than the festival, it’s a huge deal.
“What about it?” I ask.
“We’d love it if the two of you would attend this year,” Mom says, then takes a bite of her steak.
Jason and I exchange a glance. I blurt, “But kids under eighteen aren’t allowed.”
“They’re allowed, but most don’t attend,” Dad corrects. “These events are a little boring for them. But as you know, I’m up for reelection next year and I need to make a good impression.”
I roll my eyes. “So this is a publicity stunt.”
“Artemis,” Mom warns. “You and Jason are Wests, one of the founding families. It’s time you start behaving as such. That includes attending these events.”
I groan. “But I don’t fit in with their fancy clothes and pretty hair. I’m not even sure I’m a West. Was I adopted or something?”
Except I look like Mom, so that can’t be…
“Artemis,” Mom warns again. “Enough of that. You and Jason will attend the event and you’ll be on your best behavior.” She lifts her eyebrow at me.
I poke at my food. “It’ll be so boring there.”
“Artemis, you’re sixteen, not a little kid,” Dad says.
Oh, so now he sees that? Where was he yesterday when Ryan and I were working on the project? He kept coming in and treating me like a little kid. But I press my mouth shut because I don’t want to be disrespectful.
“Can I bring Jenna?” Jason asks.
“Of course,” Dad tells him.
“What about me? Can I bring a date?”
Mom and Dad exchange a glance. I know what that look means and I shoot to my feet, maybe a bit too harshly, but I am upset.
“You’re telling me I’m sixteen and mature enough to act like a proper West. Then why are you treating me like a little kid?
” I point my thumb at my brother. “Why can he bring a date and I can’t? ”
“She has a point,” Jason says.
I sigh as I drop down on my chair. “Thank you.”
My parents continue looking at one another. I swear it’s like they can read each other’s minds.
“All right,” Mom says. “We’ll let you bring a date, but we need to approve of him.”
“Seriously? Can I ask Ryan Rogers? You met him.” Something tells me a fancy charity event isn’t his style, but he’s the only guy they know, and really, the only person I’d want to go with.
Dad rubs his chin. “Lauren is a nice woman and we’ve known her for years.” He frowns. “But I’m sorry, honey. Ryan’s not coming.”
I gape at them. “What? Why not?”
Mom and Dad exchange another glance.
“What aren’t you telling me?” I demand, keeping my voice soft so I don’t sound like a crazy woman.
Mom sighs. “Ryan has been through a lot, but that’s all we’re going to say. If you want to take a date to the Ball, bring him here and we’ll decide if he can come.”
I cross my arms over my chest. “This is bull. Jason gets to take whoever he wants while I’m treated like a baby.”
“Artemis,” Mom says in her strict voice. “Enough.”
I throw my hands up. “Well it’s true! You treat me differently from Jason because I’m a girl. Admit it.”
“Fine,” Dad snaps. “I worry about you more than Jason because you’re a girl and because you’re younger than him.”
“That’s stupid!”
“That’s how it is. We worry about you.”
I roll my eyes. “How am I supposed to grow up and be independent if you keep trying to protect me? I can take care of myself. Even if I am a girl.”
Mom shoots me a look. “Don’t turn this into something it’s not.
” She sighs, reaching for my hand. “You have a big heart, sweetie. And you’re a romantic.
We just worry you might not make the right choices at your age, that’s all.
We think you need to grow a little before you’re ready to have a boyfriend. ”
I pull free. “Don’t you think it’s up to me to decide if I’m ready? And Ryan isn’t my boyfriend, anyway. We’re friends. I think. I mean, I’m trying to be his friend. He doesn’t have any.”
Mom smiles proudly. “That’s very nice of you. Lauren mentioned to me that he’s having a hard time fitting in.”
I nod. “So can he be my platonic plus one? He probably won’t want to come anyway. So you have nothing to worry about.” I guess I’ll sit on the side like some loser. Or maybe I’ll find some rich guy to talk to. Ha. Sure.
My parents once again have their telepathic conversation.
“Okay, you can invite Ryan,” Dad says.
“Thanks.”
He holds up a finger. “But only as a friend. You promised me that.”
“Yep.”
Now the hard part is asking him to come.