Through You [Hidalgos #2]

Prologue

ARTEMIS

July 4th

The sound of fireworks booms throughout the main square. The night sky explodes with colorful circles that expand and then quickly vanish. The people around cheer, shout, and clap. I wipe my sweaty palms on my pants.

Why am I so damn nervous? Because it's her.

I turn to watch her at my side. I am rethinking everything, calculating. I rehearse in my head what I need to say, how I should say it, if I can actually say it. We're sitting on the grass, and she's smiling, her gaze fixed on the spectacle. The fireworks shine on her face and give it a multicolor glow.

She's been by my side since childhood. As the years have passed, part of me has always known that what I feel for her goes beyond friendship. I want more. It's taken me weeks to build the courage, to confess my true feelings and let her know where I stand.

I'm ready.

I stare up again at the sky streaked with vibrant colors. I slowly run my hand through the grass until I reach hers, and place mine on top. My heart is racing, and I feel like a fool because I'm losing control. I don't like feeling this vulnerable. I never thought I could feel this way about anyone, and didn't expect to find something like this. She remains silent, but doesn't move her hand away.

I feel her eyes on me, but I'm unable to look at her or speak. Words have never been my forte.

Then I finally make my move, and the swiftness of my advance takes even me by surprise. My free hand moves to her neck, and I pull her toward me and press my lips to hers. However, the brush of our lips, like the fireworks in the night sky, is short-lived. She pushes me off and quickly moves away. Her reaction leaves me breathless.

Bitter rejection settles in the pit of my stomach. My heart tightens. She seems about to say something, but then quickly closes her mouth. She doesn't want to hurt me and is unsure what to say—I can tell by looking in her eyes. But it's too late. I clench my jaw, stand up, and turn my back to her. I don't want her pity.

"Artemis . . ." she whispers. But I am already walking away, leaving her behind.

That night I decide to put her in the past, and close myself off. I will never be vulnerable like this again or let anyone hurt me this way. It's not worth it.