But it’s all in my head, right? Hedidask 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 askedme.
“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 ammaking 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.
