CHAPTER 50
Falling Hard
ARIENNE CALLOWAY
"You could find a better girl than me, Mateo."
I crossed my arms, keeping my tone firm but polite. I wasn't interested in going to prom with him. Not now. Not ever. But for some reason, he wasn't getting the damn hint.
Mateo leaned against the auditorium stage, giving me that same cocky smile he always wore. "Come on, Ari. You're just saying that. We both know no one else fits the part like you do."
I sighed, fighting the urge to roll my eyes. The dim auditorium lights flickered slightly, and I could hear the steady sound of water leaking from the ceiling, tapping against the wooden floor.
The rain outside was making everything worse. The floor was already slick, glossy with moisture, and the air inside the empty hall was thick with humidity.
I took a small step back. "I'm serious, Mateo. You're a good guy, but I'm not the girl you're looking for."
His smirk faltered slightly, but he still didn't back off. "Why not? You haven't even given me a real reason."
I frowned. "Do I need one?"
He huffed a short laugh. "Well, yeah. You're turning down a perfectly good offer."
I sighed. This was exactly why I hated dealing with guys like him. They thought persistence meant something when it was just annoying as hell.
I crossed my arms tighter. "Look, Mateo. I don't want to be rude, butâ"
Before I could finish, he suddenly stepped closer.
Too close.
My shoulders tensed as I instinctively moved back, but the moment I did, my foot slipped on the damp floor.
Shit.
I barely caught my balance, my heart lurching at how easily I could've fallen. Mateo reached out like he was going to steady me, but I immediately shot him a glare.
"Don't," I warned.
He held up his hands in mock surrender. "Relax, Ari. I wasn't gonna do anything."
I clenched my jaw. I didn't believe him.
Outside, the storm continued to rage on, the sound of rain pounding against the auditorium's high windows.
I needed to get the hell out of here.