Gravity - By Abigail Boyd Page 0,66

to stop beating yourself up."

"I have my reasons," I said.

"Really?" he asked, curious. "What are those reasons? I'm always telling you my secrets, but I've yet to hear any of yours."

"I don't have any secrets," I said, knowing it wasn't true.

"Everyone has secrets, Ariel," he said. The sound of his voice saying my name thrilled me more than was logical; I wanted him to say it again.

"Maybe I'll tell you someday," I offered.

He checked his watch, and as if on a timer, we heard a car pull up outside.

"Time to go," he said, standing up.

"One of these days I have to find a way to repay you," I said, following him to the den doors. He stopped in front of me and turned around.

"Well," he started, rubbing the back of his head, "I know it's late notice but — what do you think about the dance coming up?"

"I think it's so stupid how into it everyone gets," I complained, not understanding where he was going with the question. "Two hundred dollars for a dress you're going to wear for one night? No thanks."

"Oh." His beautiful face fell. "Then I guess you wouldn't want to go with me then."

I nearly choked. I coughed and he patted my back, his face concerned.

"You're asking me to go with you?" I asked finally when I regained the ability to speak. He nodded.

"Sure," I said, the giddy feeling returning. "I'd love to." I had imagined this moment, complete with what we would be wearing and what his facial expressions would be, but I figured that jinxed me from ever having it come true.

"Even though you think it's silly?" he teased.

"Well, I'm returning the favor from you going with me to the haunted house," I offered. Inside I had the heart of a hummingbird, fluttering like crazy. We walked out of the den, me behind him, grateful that he didn't see how absolutely thrilled I was. I had to stop myself from doing a little dance.

It wasn't Henry's father who had arrived, but Claire, who had come home from work. She was waiting for us in the dining room. She had still not met Henry yet, and pestered me about it endlessly, as if I should have waited for her to be home to have him over just so she could.

"Hi, you must be Henry. I'm Claire," she said brightly, holding her hand out to shake. Her blonde hair was pulled into her usual work up-do, and she wore a pinstripe suit, looking as though she had just gotten ready instead of working for ten hours.

"Nice to meet you," he said. I think she was disappointed he didn't say she looked like my sister.

"My daughter and my husband have said nothing but great things about you," she beamed. I groaned internally. "You really have me impressed by how much her grades are improving."

"Well, Ariel did all the work herself," he said modestly. "I've just been sitting there."

"I'm sure that's not true," she said, smiling coyly. I could tell by the way she was looking at him that he had worked his charms on her.

"It's completely true," he said. "Your daughter is a very smart, capable girl. And I hope you don't mind, but I asked her to be my date this weekend for the Halloween dance."

I think I could have pushed Claire over with a piece of paper. The excitement that glimmered in her eyes made them sparkle. "That is just wonderful!" she said. "When did this happen?"

"Just a few minutes ago," I said, and she looked at me as if she had forgotten I was still in the room.

"Well, we have to make sure you get a great dress, and new dancing shoes..." she put her arms around me and led me to the living room as I glared at Henry. I'm sorry he mouthed with a grin.

I'm surprised Claire let Henry out of the house when his dad showed up. By the time we said goodbye, I had been asked about so many dance plans my head was spinning. I hoped it was a good idea to accept, after all.

The next day in Art, we were starting to move on to painting. Small easels with blank canvases sat on all the tables when we walked into the art room.

Theo looked excited. I didn't feel that way; I inflicted more damage with paint than I did with pencils. Being Theo's friend hadn't helped improve my skill any.

"How are your sketches coming along for the gallery?"