Weeks had passed where Kai kept pestering Cinder for help with his project, but Cinder continually refused. Sometimes she felt guilty enough to nearly say yes, and other times she was tired of everything.
Cinder couldn't focus on that anymore, though, because a new thought occupied her head: homecoming.
It was all Iko could talk about. Every day Iko thought of new outfits, color combinations, and dates.
It all came to a head at lunch one fateful Monday. Homecoming week had just begun. Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, Iko, Peony, and Émilie were all sat at a table together.
"So, who's everyone going with?" Iko asked.
For a moment, everyone was silent. Then, Cress spoke up.
"Thorne asked me."
Scarlet nearly spit out her food.
"What did you say?" Émilie asked.
"I told him I'd think about it."
"And?" Iko asked, practically on the edge of her seat.
"I think I'm gonna say yes."
Everyone at the table went crazy with their different reactions. Iko and Peony were gushing while Émilie was trying to keep Scarlet from doing something rash and Cinder tried to balance all of the thoughts swimming in her head at once.
"Calm down, guys," Cress said. "It's just a dance."
"Just a dance?!" Scarlet said. "You have no idea what you're getting into."
"You're right," Cress admitted. "But I don't see any reason not to go with him."
"Oh, I can think of plenty," Scarlet said.
"Scar, that's enough," Émilie told her friend.
"I'm just trying to protect her," Scarlet told Émilie. "Cress, you don't know him like we do. He's a womanizer, a player, a—"
"A sweet, caring, kind-hearted guy?" Cress said. "Just because you haven't seen that side of him doesn't mean it doesn't exist."
Scarlet just sat there with her mouth wide open. For once, she had no comeback.
"Scar, sweetie, please close your mouth. Who knows what could end up in there." It was Thorne. He somehow managed to slip by unnoticed. Or perhaps the girls were too caught up in the drama to notice.
"Thorne!" Cress said with a big smile on her face.
"Hey, babe. Have you thought about what I said?"
"Mm-hmm."
"And?"
"I'll go with you."
Thorne flashed his dazzling, charming, pearly white smile.
"Perfect. I'll pick you up at 8."
For a moment, Cress and Thorne shared a sweet look where it seemed like everyone else faded away...that is, before Scarlet interrupted.
YOU ARE READING
Artemisia High
FanfictionCrescent Moon never expected she would ever leave her orphanage. Now, she must begin a new life with new people who have problems of their own. From the boy whose father is dying to the girl who is being neglected, every student has something they a...
