I Hope You Dance (Artemi Panarin)

Exploration Theory

Artemi

Today my priority was to go out and get a phone that works in the states. I'm sure my grandparents are freaking out because I haven't answered them, and I know they've called, but I'm fine. It's only been two days so it shouldn't be too much of a problem. Key word there is shouldn't.

Andrew takes me to a phone store and I pick one out. I had no clue how to use it but I'll figure it out. There's a lot of things I'll have to get used to around here and this was just a small piece of the puzzle.

I get that all set up and my contacts transferred over. I get Yuila and Andrews number in and he assured there's never a bad time to call.

"What's Gabriella's Number" I ask and he raises his eyebrow. "She said I can get it" I defend.

"Really" he asks.

"Yes... why is that so hard to believe" I ask.

"She's a complicated person, she isn't one to reach out to someone. The only time she leaves her house is for work, to get something she desperately needs, or if Yuila tells her she can play with the kids" he explains.

"Okay, you keep saying these things about her but she seems perfectly normal" I insist.

"You haven't seen her on her bad days, and trust me, they're bad" he claims.

"Maybe I can help" I shrug.

"She doesn't accept help, she only gives it" he says. Interesting.

Eventually I wear him down and he gives me her number so I put in my phone. We look around town for a little before we had to go back. Andrew had to go to work and I had to call my grandparents so they won't freak out on me.

I talk to them for a while and catch them up on the past forty eight hours. There isn't much to hear really, I've been trying to shake this jet lag the past few days and I finally feel right. My grandpa just tells me to be careful on the ice and my grandma tells me to be careful in the real world.

At about noon I finally muster up the courage to call her. Frankly I don't care what Andrew says about her. I was infatuated to say the least.

It rings a few times before she picks up.

"Hello, this is Gabriella Watson. How may I help you" she asks.

"Hey Gabby, It's Artemi" I say and she giggles a little.

"Oh, that was probably weird then huh" she asks.

"I wasn't expecting that if that's what you mean" I laugh.

"Sorry, that's just how I answer unknown numbers" she admits.

"It's nothing to apologize for. I was wondering if you were free right now" I ask.

"Ummm yeah, I think I am" she replies.

"Awesome. Wanna grab lunch and walk around for a little" I ask.

"Yeah! That's sounds like fun. I can pick you up in twenty" she suggests.

"Perfect" I smile.

"See you then."

I hang up the phone and run into my room. I pick out a nice grey shirt that made my arm muscles look good and a pair of jeans. I spray on cologne and style my hair before running back out of my room.

"Woah there, what's got you going" Yuila asks.

"I'm about to go hang out with Gabriella" I explain.

"Really" she gasps and I roll my eyes.

"Seriously, why is that so hard to believe" I ask.