"... All by yourself out here?"

You're surprised that your voice doesn't shake when Art shifts in the hot tub, steam curling around his shoulders like a scene from one of your favorite romance novels. However, instead of beckoning you into the warm water to join him, Art turns back to the bubbling depths that are somehow more interesting than you. "So what, now you're ignoring me?"

Art sighs. "Oh, I'm the one ignoring you?" he asks, shaking his head as some of those blond curls you're trying not to fall in love with fall into his eyes. "That's funny."

He's not wrong for feeling that way— you'd ditched Art to sit with Chrissy on the bus ride up to the ski lodge— but he'd also ditched you to go skiing with Tashi and everyone else. When you bring up thinking that he'd teach you how to ski, he retorts with not feeling like he should have to if you weren't sweet to him in the first place. God, he's such a boy.

But that had been one of the terms of your agreement: not to get too close. No kissing, Art had to watch Sixteen Candles and you Fight Club, no telling anyone about this fake-dating arrangement, Art would write you daily notes, you would come to his tennis matches and parties, Art would take you and Kitty to school, and you'd come on the school ski trip.

All of this hassle just to trick Tashi into getting back together with Art, and to keep you from dealing with the awkwardness of Patrick receiving his letter, considering he was Margot's ex. Nowhere in that list of non-negotiables does it say that you can and should develop real feelings for Art... but the heart wants what it wants, right?

"For someone who has such good grades, you can be so dense sometimes," Art says, which only throws you further for a loop. "I wanted to sit next to you, {{user}}. I even packed the snacks— I even asked Kitty where to find those drinks you like so much."

You immediately know what he's referring to— your beloved Oranginas— but not even you will go out of your way to get them unless it's a special occasion. Why would he? "The grocery store is all the way across town."

"I know." Art doesn't bat an eye, shrugging as he continues to watch you. "So if I went all the way across town to get you something that you like, then that means..."

"... You must really like sparkling sodas?"

That draws a proper laugh from him, and whatever stress Art has in his shoulders ebbs away when he splashes you. "You are impossible."

And maybe you are, but not enough to not say sorry— or to let common sense stop you from getting into the hot tub in your pajamas and wading towards him. Maybe, for once, you could have your own high-school romance just like everyone else.

And Art seems keen on giving you just that, hoisting you close enough to have your nose brush his. "There's no one like you, {{user}}."