“Artemis?”
My fork freezes in place. Slowly lifting my eyes, I find Ryan standing above me.
“Oh, hey, Ryan,” I casually say, giving him a bright smile. “How’s it going?”
His eyes move to Brianne, who’s standing in the center of the dance floor, hands on her hips, glaring at me. Or is it him? Maybe both of us?
Wait, why is he here?
“Looks like you and Brianne are having lots of fun,” I say, again casually. But there’s a boxing match in my stomach.
He looks at her again, then at me. Pulling out the chair next to me, he sits down. “No. Actually, I’m not.”
I just gape at him. “What?”
He tears his hair out of the hair tie, letting the silky strands pour down his back like a curtain. “I’m not having a good time.”
My mouth opens and closes as I try to process what he just said. “Wait, huh? I’m confused. And why in the world are you even at the Ball?” I cross my arms over my chest. “I shouldn’t be talking to you. Youliedto me about your plans tonight. I thought we were friends. Right, you don’t want to be my friend. How could I forget?”
He sighs, running his hand through his hair. “I didn’t lie. My grandmother and I did have plans, but…” His voice trails off.
“But Brianne asked you to go to the Ball and of course you agreed because she’s the most popular girl at school. You could have told me you’re into her. You didn’t have to lie about it.”
“But I’m not into her. I don’twantto be here with her.”
I shrug. “You seemed to be having a good time just a few minutes ago,” I point out. “You and Brianne looked very cozy together.”
He just stares at me with an expression I can’t make out. “Well, I didn’t. I hated it. I don’t want to dance with her, I want to dance with…” He stops himself from going on.
“With?” I ask. I sweep my hand around the room. “Lots of girls here who I’m sure would drop what they’re doing at a chance to dance with you.”
He tilts his head toward mine. “But I don’t want to dance with any of them.”
“Then whodoyou want?”
He stares into my eyes. “I think you know.”
My heart skips a beat and I swear there are billions of butterflies flapping around in my stomach.
“Me?”
He doesn’t answer, but this time, his eyes say enough.
Laughing lightly, I push some hair out of my eyes, only there’s not a lot of hair there, it’s all tied up. “Ha ha. Sure.”
“I’m serious.”
I freeze, my eyes slowly moving to his. Excitement bubbles inside me, but I quickly shoot it down. “You’re with Brianne. Youcamewith her. You chose her.”
“Artemis, it’s not like that.”
I lift a brow. “Then how is it? Because right now, it looks like you made up an excuse just so you could go with her.” I throw my hands up. “I don’t even know why I care.”
He leans toward me, so close our heads are only inches apart. “I only went with Brianne to help my grandmother out.”
I scrunch my eyebrows. “Your grandma wants you to date Brianne?”
He shakes his head, letting out a heavy sigh. “No…my grandmother needed her parents’ help. And to return the favor, I took her to the Ball.”
