Page 121 of I Don't Need Your Love

We leave the dorm and find Caleb and Ryder waiting outside, both of them dressed in their suits and looking smokin’ hot. Ryder’s hair is styled very neatly and his suit fits himperfectly. When he sees me, his eyes soften with what I can only describe as pure joy, and he races to gather me in his arms. “You look so beautiful, Carly,” he whispers in my ear.

“You look beautiful, too,” I tell him.

“I had the suit tailor-made just for tonight.”

I pull back and look into his face. “Really?”

“Yeah. Addie’s grandfather offered to pay for it. I refused at first, but he insisted. I only gave in because I want tonight to be special for you.”

“It’ll be special because I’m with you,” I tell him as I bury my face in his chest, not caring that I’m ruining my makeup.

“I feel the same way.” He brushes his lips on my temple. Then he leans closer to whisper, “I sent a text to my parents telling them about the dance. They told me they would love a photo of us. But don’t worry about it. We can do it later.”

“I don’t mind doing it now. I want to do this for you and for them.”

He smiles as he hugs me. “Thanks so much for being so understanding, Captain.”

“Of course. One day, you and I will be so close that we’ll be able to read each other’s minds.”

We ask Raven to snap the photo, and then Ryder sends it to his parents. His face lights up when they respond right away and tell him how beautiful we look.

Ryder holds out his arm to me. “Shall I escort you to the dance, m’lady?” He bows.

I curtsy. “Thank you, my good sir.”

We make our way to the ballroom, where the dance is taking place. The school hired professionals to turn it into a “starry night” theme. As soon as we walk in, we can’t help but gape at the place. Oh my gosh, I’ve never seen such a beautiful room before. It feels like we’re literally standing under the stars!

“They’re actually twinkling,” Sophie says in wonder as she stares up at them.

“Twinkling like my Twinkle Toes,” I say as I snuggle up to Ryder.

I feel his chest rumble with a laugh. “I don’t think that nickname will ever get old.”

“Let’s dance!” Addie grabs Caleb’s hand and pulls him to an empty area on the dance floor. Raven grabs Sophie, and then Ryder and I are left alone.

He bows again and holds out his hand. “What do you say, Captain? Want to show these kids how it’s done?”

“I thought you’d never ask.” I place my hand in his.

He leads me to where my friends are shaking their bodies to the fast-paced song. As soon as Ryder and I join, I make up a dance on the spot, and then he and my friends mimic my moves. Naya joins us with a few girls she’s friendly with, as well as other members of the team. We’re having such a fun time that I catch a few surrounding kids watching us with jealousy. I assumethey’re not going to join us because I’m a nobody here, but to my surprise, a few start to join, and then a few more. Before long, I have nearly the entire school doing my dance. Huh, I guess Addie is right. At this moment right here, it doesn’t matter who we are or where we come from. We’re all part of the dance, part of the school. And right now? We’re all having the time of our lives.

“Look at you,” Ryder says as he reaches for my hand and spins me toward his chest. He smiles at me. “Changing the world one dance at a time. I can’t wait to see you change more lives in the future.”

“With you by my side,” I tell him.

“Of course. You know I’ll always be at your side. Till death do us part and all that.”

“No, I mean I think it would be fun if you would be like my co-choreographer or something.”

He stops dancing and gapes at me. “You mean, you want me to follow your dream?’

“No, of course not. I want you to follow your own dream. But if your dream happens to be the same dream as mine, I’d love to share it with you.”

He tugs me into his arms. “I can’t think of anything more perfect than that.” He looks to his right and left to make sure the teachers and chaperones aren’t around before giving me a quick kiss. I know this might get me in trouble, but that was so not enough. I wrap my fingers around his chin and pull it back to my mouth, giving him the kiss we both deserve.

He sighs happily as he presses his forehead to mine. “That was so worth detention.”

“We’re not getting detention.”