Page 12 of With You

“It’s just a dance,” I tell him.

“We both know it’s not,” he replies. “I’m not used to all this stuff, fancy dinners and events and wearing suits all the time. I was really worried before I came here, but I’m glad I met you guys. I don’t think I’ve ever said thanks to any of you for letting me into your world.”

There’s a pang in my chest at his admission, the vulnerability in what he’s saying. Being at d’Étoiles was never something I considered a huge deal; I was raised with the knowledge that I would attend this university as soon as I knew what university was. But Grayson never had that. He probably didn’t even know it existed until a few years ago.

“You don’t have to thank us for that,” I tell him, our steps still moving to the slow rhythm of the music.

Grayson smiles at me again as the music shifts once more, switching to a more upbeat song that has the couples around us moving quicker than before.

“You got two dances out of me there,” I tell him, and he lets out a soft chuckle.

“I’ll let you go now,” he says, stepping away from me, but keeping my hand in his as he walks us back to the table.

River looks extremely bored, as usual, and I wonder why he even bothered hanging around when Zena and Layth are perfectly fine by themselves. Zena smiles as we approach, and Grayson must catch something in her eye because then he’s offering to dance with her next. She flashes a quick look at Layth, but I can’t read his expression to figure out what he’s thinking. Zena always knows, though, and she takes Grayson’s hand from me so the two can go dance. Layth keeps his eyes fixed on her the whole time.

With four of my friends occupied, and only Layth and River left at the table, I say a quick goodbye to them before turning around.

“I’m leaving too,” River says, and I almost run back onto the dance floor in protest.

The sigh I let out is audible as I turn back to him, and River doesn’t pretend to ignore it. He rises from his seat, fastening the button on his jacket before adjusting the cuff links on his wrist.

“I’ll walk you back,” he adds, in what I guess is an attempt to be a gentleman. The gesture would have more impact if my room wasn’t a few hundred feet away.

“I can walk fine by myself,” I assure him.

“My god, why is everything an argument with you?”

“It wouldn’t be if you left me alone.”

“If only I could,” he mutters so quietly I barely catch it.

I don’t have a chance to register what he just said before he lifts my hand and tucks it into the curve of his elbow.

“Layth.” River nods at him goodbye as he starts to walk away from the table, taking me with him.

My legs move of their own volition as my mind overthinks the last thing he said to me. I know our bickering is more of a game than actual hatred, but I’m still confused by it.

River matches my pace as we walk back to the dorms, the sounds of students enjoying themselves slowly fading into the silence as we get further away. Our footsteps on the stone floor echo through the tall hallways as we walk in uncomfortable silence. In just a few days, I’ve found myself alone with River again. Before this, we’d never spent much time together with just the two of us. We’re always with our friends or classmates, and it’s strange to think that, in all our years of knowing each other, it’s only happening now.

The steady warmth radiating from him keeps me from shivering as a light breeze sifts through the open windows along the hallway. I curl my fingers around his bicep, solid and warm even through layers of clothing, and I can’t deny that even though this whole thing feels unfamiliar, it’s nice, too. This must be how Evie feels with Damien at times. Although their relationship is fake, I can’t help the strange feeling I get in my chest when I look at them sometimes. For just a second, I try to imagine I’m walking with someone else, some random celebrity crush, but River smells so much like himself, a citrusy floral scent with just a hint of woodiness to it, that it’s impossible.

We don’t share a single word as River guides us toward my room, going straight past the common room and the hallway leading to his own.

“Goodnight, Amelie,” he says, voice husky as he breaks the silence when we reach my door.

“Goodnight, River.” I extract myself from his side, half of my body suddenly almost freezing from the lack of him next to me.

He takes a step back, giving me space to let myself in before he turns to leave. I step into my room, but something pulls me to give one last look back at River. When I do, he’s walking away, rubbing at the spot on his arm my fingers were just wrapped around, with his other fist clenched.

Chapter 6

Amelie

The rest of my life comes down to today’s audition.

I’ve practiced my variation as much as I can, perfecting the thirty-two fouettés I need for the performance, and even stretching it to thirty-five on a good day. The other ballerinas are talented, of course, but I know I’m the only one who has managed it. The solo in the year-end showcase is mine as long as I don’t fall at the final hurdle.

“We’ll be waiting right outside,” Zena says as she rubs my shoulders.