Chapter Twenty-Two Artemis
Chapter Twenty-Two
Artemis
Ryan and I have been up the whole night texting. I don’t even know what we’re talking about. Maybe the movies we’ve watched?
Sheesh. I never met a guy who likes my stuff, but then again, I never really met many guys. Dad did a good job of chasing them away.
Smiling like a goof, I roll around on my pillow, letting the sunlight from the window shine on me. School will start in an hour, and I could do with some more sleep. But I wouldn’t be able to if I tried. I’m just so…ah! Ryan likes me. He actually, actually likes me.
I sit up, my eyebrows knitted. He said something happened last month that messed him up and he’s worried he can’t be a good boyfriend. Does that have to do with his parents and why he’s living with his grandma?
I’m so curious, but clearly he doesn’t want to talk about it and I need to respect his wishes.
But ah! He’s my boyfriend!
Reaching into my drawer, I pull out the drawing Ryan gave me before he left yesterday. It’s me, but he captured me more beautiful than I really am. Is this how he sees me?
My phone dings and I quickly grab it. My face practically splits in half with a smile when I notice it’s a text from my boyfriend. Gosh boyfriend.
Ryan: You up?
Me: Yep. What’s your excuse?
Ryan: Couldn’t sleep. Kept thinking about you. What’s yours?
Me: Realized I didn’t do my homework.
No response from him.
Me: Just kidding! It’s all because of you, you bad boy. But I did stay up late doing it. You’re distracting me.
Ryan: Good.
Me: No, not good!
Ryan: Okay, I’m going to try to squeeze in some more sleep. See you soon.
Me: You bet!
Rolling onto my other side, I slide my hand under my pillow and shut my eyes as I relive the moment when Ryan told me he can’t stop thinking about me.
He doesn’t realize what a good guy he is. I want to be there for him. I want to show him he can be a good boyfriend. I don’t care if it takes years, but I won’t give up on him.
My eyes shoot open. Years? Could it be he and I…?
I’m not going to think about that now.
I must have dozed off because the next second, Mom’s knocking on my door. “Artemis, you’ll be late for school.”
I groan. One thing that’s a crime in this house is being late. My parents not only expect my grades to be perfect, but for my attendance to be, too.
So I get ready in record time, gobble some food down, mumble good bye to Mom—Dad already left for work—and Jason and I climb into his car.
I stare out the window, not able to hide the smile on my face, and I don’t care. Ryan likes me. He wants to be with me. I’m so giddy inside I’m about to explode from so much happiness. And when he touched my cheek…his finger so warm and soft…
“What’s up with you?” my brother interrupts my fantasy.
I blink. “What?”
His gaze shifts from the road to me, back to the road. “You’re in a weirdly good mood.”
I shrug. “Nope.”
He looks like he wants to say more, but chooses to focus on the road instead. And when we pick up Jenna, I decide to act normal because she can see right through me. I’ll tell her and Jason about Ryan, just not yet. I kind of want to keep him to myself for now.
The first thing I do after I enter the school building is look for my boyfriend. Of course he’s not here. Ryan likes to come a few minutes before first bell.
But when I reach my locker, my eyes widen as they take in the tall guy leaning against the lockers, arms crossed over his chest. I zoom over to him, wanting to fling my arms around him, but then I remember we’re taking things slow. And anyway, it’s no one’s business that we’re together.
“Hi!” I smile brightly.
“Hi.”
Still no smile yet, but maybe he’ll get there one day. “Missed you, boyfriend,” I tell him.
His lips lift a tiny, tiny bit. “Me, too. Want to hang out after school? Maybe get some books?”
“What?”
He shoves his hands into his pockets. “We can read the books together, then watch the movies.”
Can this guy be any more perfect?
“It’s like you speak my language,” I say.
His lips lift slightly higher, only slightly, though. “Cool.” He’s about to say something else, but the bell rings. I quickly get my stuff, then we walk to class.
It’s different walking down the halls with Ryan as my boyfriend. I feel like people are staring at us, like the spotlight is shining on us. But that’s probably all in my head.
He’s the most important person in my life right now and I can’t wait to see where things go with us.
***
When I ask Ryan to sit with me, my brother, and Jenna at our table in the cafeteria, I’m surprised he doesn’t object. I guess he doesn’t want to be alone right now. And that makes my heart soar. He’ll love Jenna and my brother. I bet we’ll all get along great.
Jenna’s jaw drops as Ryan and I plop down across from her and Jason with our trays. I don’t even know what’s on the menu today. I grabbed whatever, not taking my eyes off my boyfriend.
“What?” I ask my best friend.
She keeps staring at him.
“You know Ryan,” I say.
“Yeah…” She bends close to me. “But what’s he doing here?” She exchanges a glance with Jason. “Wait, are you and Ryan…dating now?”
I shrug. “I don’t know...”
Her eyebrows furrow. Ryan turns to me with a lifted brow.
I take a bite of whatever is on my tray, then swallow it down. Some sort of meat, I think. “Fine,” I give in. “We’re together.”
“Oh my gosh!” Jenna gushes. “Really?”
“You sound so shocked.”
“Not shocked. Maybe a little surprised. But so excited. Ryan, Artemis is great.”
He nods. From his eyes, I can tell he wants to smile, but for some reason can’t. “I know. She’s amazing.”
My cheeks are scorching.
“Oh my gosh,” Jenna mouths to me.
“I know!” I mouth back.
We talk about random things happening at school and around town. Ryan slips his hand into mine under the table and gives it a squeeze. I squeeze back.
Wow, having a boyfriend is so much fun. No wonder Jenna and Jason can’t keep away from one another.
Ryan stabs his food, his mind seeming to travel somewhere. His eyes are a bit hollow, and I’m wondering if he’s thinking about whatever happened over a month ago.
I poke his hand with my finger. “You okay?”
Both Jenna and Jason stop talking and turn to him. He sinks a bit in his chair like he wants to disappear.
“I’m fine.”
Jenna smiles brightly. “So how did this happen, anyway?”
Ryan and I glance at one another. “I don’t know,” I tell her. “It just did.” I look at my brother. “Don’t be like Dad and treat my boyfriend like a criminal.”
Jason holds up his hands. “Nope. Ryan’s a good dude. And speaking of Dad, are you going to tell him about…?” He nods to Ryan.
I groan. “Ugh, I’ll have to. I mean, it’s not like I can hide anything from him. But I’m not thinking about that now.”
Jenna’s eyes sweep the area. “Everyone’s staring at our table.”
I follow her gaze. She’s right. Everyone is staring at us, specifically Ryan. I shrug. “Let them stare, I don’t care. And if word gets out that we’re together, then whatever.”
Ryan gives my hand another squeeze. Is that his equivalent of a smile?
Someone is shooting flaming arrows at me from the right corner of the cafeteria, and when I turn my head, I find none other than Brianne Crawford glaring at me. Ugh, again? Seriously? That girl needs to obsess over something else.
I turn away from her, not giving her another second of my time.
***
Ryan and I spent a few hours after school at the bookstore, where I picked out all my favorites for him to read.
He told me he’ll read as much as he can tonight.
Wow, he’s being very dedicated. It’s so…
cute. I like it. I think my feelings for him grow with each passing day. I bet it won’t be long before I…
Love him?
Oh my gosh.
There’s a soft tap on my door before Jason steps inside and drops down on my bed. “Hey.”
I give him a curious look. “What’s up?”
He shakes his head. “I’m just happy for you. About Ryan and everything. I know you’ve liked him for a while.”
I squint at hm. “You’re being weird.”
He holds up his hands. “He’s a good guy.”
“Uh huh.”
“What? I’m just telling you he’ll be a good boyfriend.”
“Okay? I mean, I know that. That’s why I’m with him…?”
He nods slowly. “But if he ever hurts you, tell me and I’ll kill him.”
I roll my eyes.
“Just promise me.”
“Fine, I promise. Now can you stop being weird?”
He gives me an encouraging smile before slipping out of my room. Seriously, older brothers.
I work on my homework, then Ryan and I spend the entire evening talking on the phone and texting. I help him a bit with his school stuff, but he’s not really interested, and I don’t want to push him. I hope he’ll pursue something in art after he graduates high school. He’s really so, so talented.