“What?” she asks as she lowers herself beside me. “You got this weird look on your face.” She scans around, as if worried she accidentally left a mess on the floor. But no, it’s spotless.
“It’s nothing,” I tell her. “I’m just…shocked that this is your room. But forget that. Let’s watch the movie.”
She puts it on and we scoot back until we reach the headboard. I’m well aware of exactly how close we are. Her bed is huge, but for some reason, we’re sitting really close, almost as if we can’t get enough of each other. I definitely can’t get enough of her.
I keep my hands at my sides because it’s really hard for me not to be tempted to take her hand. All I can think about is how it would be if I held her hand as we watched the movie.
She’s a friend. Afriend.But heck, I want her to be so, so much more.
As the movie goes on, I don’t think I can take it anymore. All this talk of love and romance, the way Artemis is so captivated by everything…and when Jane and Mr. Rochester kiss, that throws me over the edge.
Stretching my hand, I let it slide over hers. She glances down at them, then at me. I can’t look at her, don’t want to see the expression in her eyes. Because if she’s upset with me, I don’t think I could handle it.
But when she doesn’t pull her hand away, my eyes dart to hers. She’s staring at me, her eyes confused. I don’t know what the heck I’m doing and quickly jerk my hand away, focusing on the movie.
Her hand sweeps over mine, her fingers interlocking with mine. I hold her gaze, my heart pounding a million times a second.
She rests her head on my chest and my arm goes around her shoulder, tugging herclose. We sit like that until the movie ends. Not that I’m paying much attention to the movie anymore. The only thing on my mind is this beautiful, awesome, amazing girl.
The credits roll down and we just sit there, staring at the TV. Our hands are still clasped, and I know she can feel my thumping heart.
I don’t know how much time passes before Artemis slowly turns her head to face me. A shy, sweet smile crawls onto her face, one that makes warmness spread all over me.
“Hi,” she says, then giggles.
I want to laugh, want to crack a smile, like she’s asked me so many times. But I don’t think I have it in me.
Keeping my fingers locked with hers, I reach over for my backpack and dig out my sketchbook. After flipping through a few pages, I slide it over to her.
She examines the drawing, from the mesmerizing green eyes and brown hair. To the beautiful smile on her face. I turn to the next drawing, and the one after that. She slowly, so slowly, brings her gaze to meet mine.
“What…? Why…?” is all she can say.
I flatten my free hand on the bed, wanting to fist it because this is just too hard. What does she think of me now?
“You…drew me?” she asks in a low, shocked, but also surprised voice.
I nod. Can’t talk even if I wanted to.
“But…why?”
I take a deep breath, slowly releasing it. “Remember I told you I just draw what I feel? Or what’s on my mind?”
She nods, staring back down at my last drawing. “So…I’ve been on your mind?”
“Ever since that first dance.”
Her mouth drops open a bit. “What? What do you mean?”
I can’t look at her. “I…I guess I couldn’t stop thinking about you.”
She’s quiet and I expect her to laugh at me. Sure she had a crush on me, but it’s possible she’s over it.
“Wow. Um, okay. So when you said you didn’t want to be friends…?”
I puff out some air. “I didn’t.”
She gives me a confused face.
