Page 52 of I Don't Need Your Romance

The second course is brought in and it’s as delicious as the previous course. My mood is a little better and I enjoy it somewhat.

A few girls make remarks that some people don’t deserve to be at this table. Obviously they’re talking about me, but I pretend they don’t exist. Instead, I think about Sophie and what she’s doing. Probably reading. Maybe about William King again. I wonder about this guy. What makes him the perfect specimen of male in her eyes? Why doesn’t she think anyone in real life could come close to him?

After the courses are done, it’s time for dancing. Men and women, boys and girls, grab partners and make their way to the dance floor. Luckily, my table empties as all the kids find partners to spin around on the dance floor with.

Mom doesn’t dance with anyone. A few guys ask her, but she holds up her hand, politely declining. I never really thought about why Mom never remarried. I know Dad didn’t becausehe was still in love with her, but why didn’t she? It can’t be because she still loved Dad—that much is obvious. Maybe she figured she’d rather be married to the school and the Harrington Empire.

As I watch the dancing couples, a feeling enters me, something I’ve never felt before. What would it feel like to hold a girl in my arms the same way these guys do? While I’ve had girlfriends before, I never slow danced with one. My friends and I went to parties and such, but we always danced as a group.

For some reason, Sophie enters my head. My thoughts wander to what it would be like ifshewere in my arms. I quickly stop them. I have no idea what that was about.

I take out my phone to respond to her text.

Damian: Not really, but it’s almost over, so there’s that.

Sophie: That’s good.

Damian: Am I bothering you from reading?

Sophie: No, I’m a pro at multitasking.

Damian: Right. You mentioned that.

She informs me that she’s not reading about William King, but another book, and tells me the overall plot.

Damian: Is the love interest better than real life, too?

Sophie: Duh. Like I said, all guys are.

Laughing lightly, I shake my head. I know she’ll find someone in real life who’s better than those fake guys. Hopefully, it won’t take too long.

The guests continue to dance, but as the night drags on, many start to leave. Because my mom is the host, we need to pretty much stay until the end. I stop texting Sophie because I don’t want to take her away from her book.

I busy myself with my phone until Mom decides it’s time for us to go home. She calls for Chandler, who’s in the area, and he opens the door for us.

“Did you have a good time, Ms.?” he asks after we climb in.

“Yes, thank you.”

The car is quiet as we drive home. I know Mom isn’t thrilled with my behavior tonight, but she doesn’t say anything. It’s not until we walk through our apartment door and I loosen my tie that she places her hand on her hips.

“You didn’t make an effort to be friendly with your peers. Do you not understand that these are alliances you need to form for your future and the future of the Harrington Empire?”

I grit my teeth. “I told you I’m not taking over the empire.” Twisting around, I march toward my room.

“That’s a conversation for another day,” she calls after me.

“No, it’s not,” I call back before shutting the door behind me.

I change into pajamas and climb into bed with my sketchpad, trying not to think of tonight and Mom, but about texting with Sophie instead.

Chapter Seventeen

Sophie

Well, let’s say that Operation Find Me Real Romance continues to be a bust.

It’s Thursday afternoon and I haven’t gotten anywhere close to finding romance. I could see Addie’s heart getting chipped away with every name she crosses off the list. Itoldher the guys here suck, but she refuses to listen to me and instead decides to hold on to this impossible hope. If things continue this way, I won’t be able to complete Damian’s challenge. I guess if that happens, none of us will win. Unless he plans to wait until college or after for me to go out with a decent guy. Something tells me he and I would go our separate ways by then.