I roll my shoulders. “I’m great,” I say sarcastically.
Jenna’s about to say something but stops. Her eyes widen as she glances behind me. Jason stares, too.
What? Has another couple formed? Maybe a guy asked a girl to the dance? I’m so sick of everyone being happy except for me.
“Artemis?” a deep voice says from behind me.
Jenna squeals as I turn around. Ryan Rogers stands there, hands shoved into hisjeans pockets. I blink a few times, not sure I’m seeing right. Ryan is talking to me? Wait, heknowsmy name?
His black hair falls over his eyes in a way that makes me want to reach up and…
“Artemis?” he repeats, voice deep and a little unsure.
I just stare at him. I’ve seen him up close many times, but there’s something different about today. Maybe because he’s actually talking to me. His eyes seem bluer than usual. And his hair is extra shiny.
Someone kicks my leg from under the table and I yell, “Ouch!”
Jenna shoots me a look to get it together. Right. I’m probably acting like a complete moron right now.
“Yeah?” I squeak, then clear my throat. “I mean, yeah, that’s me, Artemis. Don’t ask why my parents named me that. My mom has a thing for Greek mythology—”
Jenna kicks my leg again.
“Ow! Sorry, yeah. I’m Artemis.”
Ryan slides his hands out of his pockets, then pushes them back in. He tilts his head back to flip the hair out of his eyes. His bangs are long, almost like he wants to hide behind them. “Can I talk to you?”
My jaw drops. “Huh?”
“Can I talk to you outside?” He nods toward the hallway.
I just sit there, unable to make sense of anything he just said.
Jenna laughs awkwardly. “Sorry she’s being weird. She didn’t really get enough sleep last night.” Giving me another look, she takes hold of my arm. “Ryan Rogers is talking to you, Art,” she hisses. “Ryan Rogers!”
Everything clicks into place and I’m on my feet. “Oh, sure. Yeah, we can talk. Um…outside?”
He nods and follows me out the cafeteria and into the hallway. There are some kids around, but it’s mostly deserted. Ryan leans one shoulder against the lockers, his eyes anywhere but on me. I’m a few feet away from him, keeping my gaze on his. He’s so pretty I’m going to die…
“So um…what did you want to talk to me about?” I ask, trying to sound nonchalant, while I’m freaking out inside that this guy is actually speaking to me.
He lifts off the locker, finally pinning his eyes on mine. Then they dart to the poster near his head. He nods to it. “School dance this Friday.”
“Yeah, the posters have been around for weeks.”
“Want to go?”
“What?”
He steps away from the lockers, inching toward me. “Do you want to go?”
“Yeah, if a guy asked me.”
“I’m asking you.”
“What?”
He gives me a look like I fell from Mars. “I’m asking you to the dance, Artemis.”
