I shoot a brief glance at her: she looks perfectly content, just standing there and forcing me to answer her questions.

“It’s more complicated than that, but yeah.”

How doesn’t she have anything better to do? She could walk up to any guy and get a dance, guaranteed. I have to say it.

“Don’t let me hold you back, okay?”

Glacia’s eyes widen, and she shakes her head quickly as if she thinks she offended me.

“You’re not! Promise.”

Geez. This girl can’t take a hint.

I look back at the city and do my best to ignore her. Maybe she’ll get bored. Isn’t it obvious that she’s bothering me? I slide my hands in my pockets. Stretch my back. Yawn.

“Arman, is something wr—”

“Nope. I’m good.”

“If you need to talk about—”

“Seriously.” I manage to hold eye contact this time. “I’m fine.”

I’m also this close to walking out. Then she’ll be forced to entertain herself.

“Smile.”

Her request catches me off guard. Smile? Of all the dumb things she could’ve said, she chose that?

“Smile,” Glacia repeats. “Just once. Do it.”

I lift one corner of my mouth, but she’s watching my reflection and sees that I’m completely faking it.

“Smile like you’re with Ladia,” she says. “Pretend you’re happy.”

That’s it. I’m leaving. She can’t stand here and order me to smile. I’m not her puppet.

Then she attacks my face.

The moment I turn to leave, Glacia jabs two fingers into my cheeks. I grunt and push away. She, however, seems all too pleased with her antics and giggles as if she didn’t almost break my teeth.

“Your mouth is glowing,” she says.

“Thanks for noticing,” I mutter back.

I fix my eyes on the floor and walk past her. My face is burning and now my jaw is sore. I’ve had more than enough torment for one night.

“Arman—stop.”

Her voice is suddenly serious, her giggles gone. I stop and drop my shoulders, but don’t turn around.

“Tell me something,” she says. “Do you really think Ladia will want to be with you if you’re just going to be a jerk?”