He doesn’t say anything. So it’s not me he hates. It’severyone? Why?
“I don’t believe you don’t want any friends,” I say after a few seconds of silence. “Everyone needs friends.”
His eyes flicker to mine, but he doesn’t react. And there’s not a speck of emotion on his face.
“You don’t know me,” he says, voice low and cold. “Don’t even try to understand.”
“Understand what? Why you’re like this? I thought…” I puff out some air. “I thought you had a good time at the dance.”
He doesn’t say anything, continuing to play with his phone. It’s a game, but he’s not concentrating because he keeps losing.
“Just leave me alone,” he says, voice even lower than before.
“What about the project? It’s due in two days. You expect me to do it alone? I mean, I could, but I’m not going to fail because of you.”
He squeezes his eyes shut like he doesn’t want to deal with it. Or me. I’m about to go on, but he says, “Fine, we’ll work on it.” Then he turns to his phone. Straining my eyes and neck, I notice it’s not a game. He’s got some kind of art app. He’s engrossed in it. Like he’sin his place.
“It’s so cool that you like to draw,” I say.
He totally ignores me. Of course it hurts, but I’m trying not to let it. I don’t know what it is about this guy that draws me in. And it’s so stupid because he clearly doesn’t want anything to do with me.
“Maybe we can go to my house after school?” I ask.
His head lifts, eyes narrow like he’s deep in thought. “Told you I don’t want to be your friend.”
“I meant for the project. The sooner we get it done, the sooner you can be free of me. Because you hate me,” I mutter under my breath.
He squints, then sighs. “Told you I don’t hate you.”
I open my mouth to argue, when Mr. Grant walks in and begins the lesson.
Chapter Ten
Ryan
During lunch, I text Jason to meet me at the soccer field. I need to make sure Artemis doesn’t see this.
I’m on the bleachers, surveying the area and thinking back to a time when I ran on the field, was the star player on my soccer team. Mom and Dad were always in the stands, cheering me on, their voices louder than the other parents.
They encouraged me to dream big, to never give up, no matter what. And I’ve always taken their words to heart. I wanted to be the best version of myself. To conquer the world.
But not anymore. Now the world has swallowed me whole and doesn’t bother to spit me out.
“Hey.”
Looking up, I find Jason standing there. He plops down next to me. “Got your text.”
I reach into my back pocket and pull out the hundred-dollar bill. I hand it to him, and he adds it to the rest of his bills. I have no idea how he walks around with so much cash.
“I know I said this already, but thanks for taking my sister to the dance.”
I nod, keeping my gaze on my sneakers. They’re a little dirty. Guess I’m in need of a new pair, not that I’m interested in getting one. Seems useless to care about that sort of stuff when my life is crap.
“Sorry things didn’t work out, but I’m glad you guys can be friends,” he continues.
Why in the world would he think Artemis and I would work out? I just took her to the dance. It’s not like I asked her to be my girlfriend.
“Guess a crush is just a crush,” he says, then laughs. “I remember when I was crushing on Jenna so hard in middle school. I couldn’t eat or sleep or do anything.”
