Later that day, as I’m lying in bed staring at the ceiling, all I see before my eyes is Ryan in a dashing suit and me, dressed in a breathtaking dress, dancing under the moonlight.
And then…then he dips his head, slowly bringing his lips to mine…
I sigh happily.
Chapter Five
Ryan
“A suit? What’s the occasion?” Grandma asks as she passes my room, a basket of laundry in her arms.
I tug on the tie. “Going to the school dance.”
I have no idea if I put this thing on right, or what the heck I’m even doing. I’ve been to dances before, but no one has ever paid me to go with someone. Am I a jerk for accepting? Probably, but I need the money. I’d have to sell hundreds of my paintings just to afford that guitar.
Grandma places the basket on the floor, then steps into the room, a look on her face that I’ve never seen before. “You look just like your father.”
I tear my gaze away from her, to the mirror. This suit and tie…it doesn’t look right.Idon’t look right.
Her smile is strained as she fixes the tie for me. Eyes are dazed, as if she’s remembering something from long ago. Probably when things were good, happy.
“Are you going with a girl or with friends?”
Friends. She knows I haven’t made any. I guess it’s her way of digging for information without being too obvious about it.
I pull away from her, heading to the window to peer out. The streets are busy on this cold February evening.
“A girl,” I answer my grandmother.
Though my back faces her, I can feel her body perk up. She’s probably thinking a girl has caught my eye. That’s farther from the truth.
Grandma and I…we’ve never had much of a relationship. Dad lived in this tiny town until he left for college, and never looked back. He and his mom never saw eye to eye, and we never visited her. So I don’t know my grandma well. She wants to build a relationship now, and as much as I’d like that, it’s too hard. I just want to be alone, where I’m happiest.
“Who is she?” Grandma asks, coming to stand next to me. She reaches to maybe push my long hair out of my eyes, but I pull away. Her hand drops.
I head back to the mirror, just to distract myself from her prying eyes. “Just a girl.”
“Okay. Have fun.” She watches me for a few seconds, giving me a smile, before shutting the door behind her.
I continue staring at my reflection until Grandma calls that my ride is here. She tells me once again to have fun as I pass her on my way out. I wish I could give her something, some sort of acknowledgment, but I don’t.
Jason’s car is stationed before the house and I spot Artemis in the back seat. Her eyes are dead locked on mine. Jason’s girlfriend, Jenna, is in the passenger seat.
I tug my jacket up to my chin before making my way over to them. Jason’s wearing a suit and it looks like he gelled his hair. Artemis is clutching a purse tightly in her lap, her expression nervous but excited. Her hair’s piled on top of her head, making her green eyes pop out.
“Hey,” Jason says, and I note the look in his eyes. A warning. Treat his sister well. Jenna waves kindly.
“Hi, Ryan,” Artemis greets with a wide smile. “You look nice.”
I brushed my hair, but that’s pretty much it.
“Hi,” I say before sliding into the backseat. Artemis gives me another smile. “I never thanked you for asking me to the dance.”
I just nod. Her gaze lingers on me as her brother starts the car.
The ride is silent. Jason’s eyes keep flicking my way, most likely assessing me. His girlfriend checks her face in the mirror. Artemis fidgets with her bag, and I’m looking out the window. Lots of cars are headed for school.
“So…” Artemis says with an awkward laugh. “Why is it so quiet in here?”
