Brianne covers her mouth in exaggeration. “Oh, you don’t have a date?” Her voice is a bit louder than it needs to be. I swear aliens can hear her all the way on Mars.
I can finally see some sort of emotion in Ryan’s eyes, but I’m not sure what it means. He gently yanks on his date’s arm. “Let’s go inside.”
I force a smile as they pass me. Really, I want to tear a few strands of her perfect hair out of her perfect scalp.
Ryan’s gaze catches mine and I once again see that strange emotion in his eyes. Does he feel bad for me or something? Because I have no date? Or because he lied to me? Ugh. Clearly he doesn’t care about me or he would have told me the truth.
Why do I care so much if he obviously doesn’t?
I stay out here for a little while longer, forcing my thoughts not to revolve around Ryan. I won’t think about how handsome he looks in that suit, how it brings out his eyes. I won’t think about the leech sucking on his arm like he’s some prize to be won.
Whatever. I’m so over this. Over him.
Plans with his grandmother my butt.
“There you are.” Jenna huffs as she steps outside. “Everyone’s wondering where you ran off to.” Her eyes widen. “Did you see who’s here?”
“Brianne and Ryan?”
She scowls. “She wasallover him. Really pathetic.”
She’s trying to make me feel better by calling Brianne Crawford pathetic. She’s anything but that. That’s why Jenna’s such a good friend. “It’s fine. They’re perfect for each other, anyway. I should have figured she’d be here. Her family is almost as important as mine and she always comes to these events.”
Jenna nods slowly. “Yeah.” She grins. “Who cares about Ryan, right? There are so many guys out there.”
I lift a brow. “Guys who stay away from me like I’ll contaminate them. No, my dad will contaminate them. With fear.”
She waves her hand. “But we’re sixteen now. Your dad can’t hide you away in a tower.”
“Wanna bet?” I push my hand through my hair, not caring about the stupid updo. “I’ll be all alone. Forever.”
Her eyes soften. “Don’t say that. You’ll meet someone great one day and you won’t even remember Ryan.”
“I guess all those rumors were true. Theyaredating.”
But why would he lie to me? Why reject her in front of the entire school?
“He’s a jerk, Art. You should be glad you learned this before you dated him and then got hurt.”
But he’s not a jerk. He’s never been one to me. I mean, sure he’s been cold and distant. But we had some moments in the art room. And I feel like we’re good friends. But maybe it was all in my head. I saw things I wanted to see.
Jenna takes my hand. “You’ll be okay. You’re strong and won’t let a guy tear you down. We really should go back inside before your dad and my guy send all the guests looking for us.”
I let her lead me back inside, where everyone is seated at tables.
My gaze automatically searches for Ryan, and I find him sitting with Brianne and her parents. Brianne doesn’t stop grinning at him like he’s a million bucks. He definitely looks it. I can’t see from this angle if he’s looking at her, and force myself not to care.
Jenna and I join my family at the table at the front of the room. I have a perfect view of Ryan now. He’s slumped in his chair, though he’s trying to keep his posture perfect. His hair has loosened a bit from his ponytail and a few strands slip over his shoulder.
Several people, including my dad, make speeches. My gaze keeps flicking to Ryan, and I catch him looking at me. But then he quickly turns away like I’m not worth looking at. Compared to his pretty date, I definitely am not.
Not that I care that I’m not as pretty as her. Most girls at school would do anything to have her looks and perfect body, but I’m cool with being me.
I just wish more guys would go for girls like me.
Jenna bends close to me as another founding family member makes a speech. “Ryan hasn’t stopped staring at you.”
My eyes zero in on him, where he once again, whips around. “What’s his problem?” Jenna continues. “Looking at another girl when his date is sittingrightthere? Jerk. I mean, it’s Brianne and we don’t like her, but no one deserves that.”
