Chapter 45: Dancing with a Stranger

River

Something was definitely wrong with Ellie. Never before had there been an awkward silence when he was with her. Every other time they’d talked, it had been easy. The conversation flowed freely on both sides. Now, she seemed so uncomfortable in his arms, it was like she didn’t even want him to touch her. He felt like she didn’t want to speak to him at all.

He couldn’t think of a darn thing to say, either. They’d talked about his wound and the blood. They’d talked about how nice they both looked. Now what?

“How, uh, how was your seat? During the contest?” he asked, knowing it sounded ridiculous. What a stupid question. What did he expect her to say? Comfortable?

“It was good,” she said. “I could see and everything.” Ellie’s head rocked back and forth several times, probably too many times.

“That’s good,” River said.

“Yeah.”