Page 58 of I Don't Need Your Romance

“Dance unites people no matter where they’re from,” she says with a smile.

Part of the reason I don’t like to dance is because I hate to sweat. That explains why my lowest grade is in PE. I know it may sound pathetic, but sports are not my thing. Well, moving toomuch isn’t really my thing. Which is why I need to take a break when I’m hot and feel sweat gathering on my forehead.

“I’m getting a drink,” I tell my friends. “Anyone want anything?”

When they tell me they’re good, I walk away from the dance floor and weave my way through the dancing bodies until I find myself at the punch bowl.

A tall, skinny guy with red hair stands there staring into the bowl.

“Did a bug fall in or something?” I ask.

He jumps like he didn’t know someone was standing right next to him.

“Sorry,” I say. The guy looks familiar, but I can’t place him.

He waves his hand. “It’s cool. I didn’t hear you come by because of the loud music.”

“I gather you’re not a fan of the loud music, either?”

He shakes his head with a smile. “I have sensitive ears.”

I study him for a second, and then I realize why he looks familiar. “You’re a sophomore at Harrington Bay Academy, right?”

He nods. “Yep. What school do you go to?”

“I go to the same school as you. I’m a junior.”

His eyes widen. He sheepishly rubs the back of his neck. “Sorry about that. I’m really bad with faces and names. I don’t even remember my grandma sometimes.”

That makes me laugh. “It’s okay. I’m kind of invisible at the school. I’m a scholarship student.”

“I’m on scholarship, too. A sports scholarship. I play soccer for the school.”

“Oh. Sorry, I don’t really watch the sports games.”

He waves his hand again. “That’s cool. I’m sure I’ve seen you around, though. You look familiar.”

“Yeah. I’ve seen you around, too.”

We stand before each other in silence.

I laugh slightly. “So…is there a bug in the punch?”

“What? Oh, no,” he says with a laugh. “I was trying to determine if the punch is spiked.”

I gape at him. “Are you serious?”

He shrugs. “You can never be too careful.” He grabs a cup and stares down at the pink liquid. “Do you want to take the risk or should I?”

“There’s no way in heck I’m consuming alcohol.”

“I’ll take one for the team.” He gathers some with the ladle and pours it into his cup. After taking a deep breath, he brings the cup to his lips and downs the entire thing.

He makes the most disgusted face I’ve ever seen.

“So thereisalcohol?” I hiss. That’s it—I’m grabbing my friends and leaving.

He shakes his head as he wipes his mouth. “No alcohol. It’s just the worst punch I’ve ever had in my life.”