Sheesh. I never met a guy who likes my stuff, but then again, I never really met many guys. Dad did a good job of chasing them away.
Smiling like a goof, I roll around on my pillow, letting the sunlight from the window shine on me. School will start in an hour, and I could do with some more sleep. But I wouldn’t be able to if I tried. I’m just so…ah! Ryan likes me. He actually, actually likes me.
I sit up, my eyebrows knitted. He said something happened last month that messed him up and he’s worried he can’t be a good boyfriend. Does that have to do with his parents and why he’s living with his grandma?
I’m so curious, but clearly he doesn’t want to talk about it and I need to respect his wishes.
But ah! He’s my boyfriend!
Reaching into my drawer, I pull out the drawing Ryan gave me before he left yesterday. It’s me, but he captured me more beautiful than I really am. Is this how he sees me?
My phone dings and I quickly grab it. My face practically splits in half with a smile when I notice it’s a text from my boyfriend. Goshboyfriend.
Ryan: You up?
Me: Yep. What’s your excuse?
Ryan: Couldn’t sleep. Kept thinking about you. What’s yours?
Me: Realized I didn’t do my homework.
No response from him.
Me: Just kidding! It’s all because of you, you bad boy. But I did stay up late doing it.You’re distracting me.
Ryan: Good.
Me: No, not good!
Ryan: Okay, I’m going to try to squeeze in some more sleep. See you soon.
Me: You bet!
Rolling onto my other side, I slide my hand under my pillow and shut my eyes as I relive the moment when Ryan told me he can’t stop thinking about me.
He doesn’t realize what a good guy he is. I want to be there for him. I want to show him hecanbe a good boyfriend. I don’t care if it takes years, but I won’t give up on him.
My eyes shoot open. Years? Could it be he and I…?
I’m not going to think about that now.
I must have dozed off because the next second, Mom’s knocking on my door. “Artemis, you’ll be late for school.”
I groan. One thing that’s a crime in this house is being late. My parents not only expect my grades to be perfect, but for my attendance to be, too.
So I get ready in record time, gobble some food down, mumble good bye to Mom—Dad already left for work—and Jason and I climb into his car.
I stare out the window, not able to hide the smile on my face, and I don’t care. Ryan likes me. Hewantsto be with me. I’m so giddy inside I’m about to explode from so much happiness. And when he touched my cheek…his finger so warm and soft…
“What’s up with you?” my brother interrupts my fantasy.
I blink. “What?”
His gaze shifts from the road to me, back to the road. “You’re in a weirdly good mood.”
I shrug. “Nope.”
He looks like he wants to say more, but chooses to focus on the road instead. And when we pick up Jenna, I decide to act normal because she can see right through me. I’ll tell her and Jason about Ryan, just not yet. I kind of want to keep him to myself for now.
