Ugh. But why is it so hard to keep my eyes from shifting his way? No matter how many times I order my brain to forget about him, my heart can’t.
“What’s going on here?”
My head snaps up to find our teacher standing there, glancing from me to my so-called partner.
“Why aren’t you two working on the assignment together?”
I clear my throat. “Uh, we decided to work on it separately, then come together.”
She shakes her head. “This is a team effort. If I don’t see you working together, I’ll fail you.”
My eyes widen. “Fail us?!”
“Yes. And Ryan, I don’t allow cell phones in my class. Put it away before I take it away.”
He grunts so softly I’m not sure Mrs. Lee heard it, and stuffs it in his back pocket. He looks straight ahead.
The teacher walks off, leaving me alone with him.
Fine. Looks like I need to be the bigger person, or else I’ll risk failing this class. My grades are great and I don’t need him ruining this for me.
“Let’s just work together,” I say. “I know you hate me. I mean, I don’t even know what I did to you—”
“I don’t hate you.”
My mouth clamps shut as I turn to him. He still won’t look my way, busy with the walls at the front of the room like it’s the most interesting thing in the world.
I cross my arms over my chest. “It sure feels that way.”
He moves his eyes to me, and for a second, something flickers in them. But it’s gone so fast I’m sure I imagined it. “Sorry, but I don’t.”
I take in a breath, then let it out. “Was it the whole Yoda thing? Why did you run off?”
“Ryan, Artemis, are you discussing the project?” Mrs. Lee calls from the front of the room. Geez. It’s like she’s got super hearing or something. How does she know we’re not talking about anything school related?
The bell rings and everyone shoots out the door. I gather my things and make way to my next class, algebra.
Ryan has this class with me and my mouth nearly reaches the floor when he takes the seat next to mine. This desk belongs to another girl, but she doesn’t say anything, choosing his seat. Wow. I guess when someone looks like Ryan, he can get away with anything.
There are a few minutes before class starts. Ryan plays with his phone and I watchhim like it’s the most fascinating thing in the world. Honestly, I still think everything about him is fascinating, which is really stupid because he’s been acting so rude and cold.
“I just don’t understand,” I blurt. “I thought we were having a good time. Why would something as silly as face art spoil that? It’s not like I think we’re together or anything. I mean, I see you as a friend.”
He snorts, thumbing through his phone. “Friend. Sure.”
“What’s wrong with friends? You haven’t made any since you moved her, have you? Why? What’s wrong with this town?”
He lifts his head to look at me. “Nothing.”
“Sure seems like there is. Do you want to be my friend or not?”
He shakes his head.
“Wow,” I say, trying not to let him know how much this hurts. It’s like a slap in the face. “Why not?”
“Just don’t want friends.”
I stare at him. “Who doesn’t want friends?”
