Chapter 13

The phone was sat on the bottom of the bed, screen still displayed brightly in the dim room. It was the only form of life in the otherwise dead room. Slowly dimming the object in question suddenly went black.

There had been no response.

The calls to Justin had left her unsatisfied and angry. He had purposely refused to answer her calls. He knew it was unfair to the girl who he called a friend but in all honesty he was scared. The unnamed boy from yesterday had seen to that.

He didn't know who he was or what he was doing in Ruby's house but the minute she left the room he was suddenly there. He was there and he was angry. From the way he was being looked at he was sure the boy was going to kill him.

He didn't understand at first why the stranger seemed to hold so much hatred for him. His eyes seemed black and glazed over with fury. He was grabbed by the back of his neck as the unknown arrivor growled dangerously into his ear.

He hadn't regestired at first what he was saying to him because there was a shooting pain going up his neck where the boys hand was and the fact that he was genuinely panicked. It wasn't until he got home did he finally realise what the boy had said to him.

But Ruby had never mentioned anything about a strange boy before.

He was warned against her. Why? She was his friend so why was this nut case threatening him? The boy was obviously deranged who had a dangerous obsession with his newest friend.

When he had failed to respond to the threat by agreeing to his terms his head was suddenly flung back and before he could defend himself a fist was being brought down onto his face. After one final threat the attacker seemed to vanish into thin air.

When Ruby had asked what happened he just knew he couldn't tell her. She clearly didn't know who that crazy boy was who was probably, most likely, stalking her. Plus Justin had a feeling that kid would go through with his threats not only if he disobeyed him but if he blabbed on him. Told her the truth.

So he kept his mouth shut.

Bringing a hand up to his nose he winced. He had to admit the stalker packed a punch. Grabbing an ice pack he delicately pressed it to his nose, sighing seeing the name that was, once again, flashing on his phone. He knew he had to answer at some point - but that wasn't now.

Groaning in annoyance Ruby flung her phone to the bottom of her bed before storming from her room. That was the sixth call Justin had ignored now. Why was he avoiding talking to her? Had she done something wrong?

Entering the kitchen she grabbed a water bottle and some grapes from the fridge. Placing some into a bowl she put the rest of the green fruit back. Storming back up the stairs, and past a father who gave her a funny look which she expertly ignored, she walked back into her bedroom then slammed the door shut behind her.

The first thing she noted when she got back was the curly blond boy sat comfortably on her bed. Seeing the smile he aimed at her made her feel a little better. Placing her things on the bedside table she crawled into the bed. All she wanted now was a hug. And Tate gave the best hugs.

If she could, Ruby would have been purring like a kitten at this moment in time. Her head was on his shoulder as Tate started to play with her hair causing her to relax even further. Watching her, Tate itched to ask her about the pathetic boy - see if he had done as he said.

Sitting there, conjuring ways to bring it up in his head, he found he didn't have to at all to which he was grateful. He didn't want to look suspicious. So he was silently cheering when his girl brought it up instead. He watched on amused as she started to rant over the fact he wasn't picking up the phone to her but finally, annoyance took over.

"Why do you care so much?" He spat. He hadn't meant to sound so harsh but he couldn't help the way he was feeling. She didn't seem to realise fully that she was his god dammit! She wasn't supposed to care about any other guy but him!

"Tate!" Ruby scolded, covering up the slight shock and fright she had gotten when he snapped at her. He was scary when he was angry. Worse when he started to scream. "He's my friend."

"So? I'm sure he wants more from you than that." There was a number of reasons why she reacted the way she did but when she did and she caught Tate's reaction to hers it only intensified. Sneering at the giggling girl Tate folded his arms over his broad chest. "Why are you laughing?" He demanded.

Ruby didn't reply straight away. She waited until the laughter had subsided to just a few giggles here and there. She sighed, amused, at the look her boyfriend was giving her.

"Okay first of all can you try wrap it around your brain that Justin and I ARE actually just friends." Tate scoffed causing her to glare at him. "What was that mumbler?" Putting his head down so his hair fell over his eyes he stayed silent. Narrowing her eyes she sprung up to her knees, moving fast so she ended up straddling him with a demand to tell her what he said.

"For fuck sake! You may say that right but that doesn't mean it's true. He's a guy! Of course he isn't just your friend. He wants more then that." Slowly lowering herself to where she was completely sat on his lap she frowned. Tate had clenched his hand that was on her hip into a fist.

"If that's the case are you saying I can't trust you?" Ruby asked lowly. Tate seemed to stop moving all together before venomously denying her allegation. "Then how does it make sense? If all guys are the same-"

"I'm different." Tate cut in, raising his hand to tug at the end of her hair.

"Maybe so is Justin." Tate groaned in frustration. This wasn't going well at all. Grabbing the girl by the waist he turned them so it was her on her back, smirking at the yelp that left her mouth.

"No, just me." Kissing her lips softly he pulled the covers over them when he noticed she was shivering slightly.

"Listen I get it, you're jealous-" she started to say, giggling at the ridiculous look on Tate's face as he denied what was staring him right in the face. "If you're not jealous then I guess it will be ok for me to sleep at Justin's tonight right? Why am I even asking for your permission?"

Tate had suddenly got very still. Ruby swore he wasn't breathing. A sudden fear spiked within her which she tried to squash.

"You are not staying there." He growled darkly. He suddenly dropped lower so he was practically laid on top of her. She had no room to move. "Do I make myself clear?" I think him like this was scarier then him shouting.

"Can you just admit you're jealous?" What was wrong with her? Maybe she had a death wish. Tate's eye twitched. Closing his eyes, battling with his emotions he eventually felt enough control take back a hold of him - but he didn't know how long for.

"Fine." He ground out. "Maybe I am a little jealous but that doesn't change the situation."

"Yes it does. And the fact you don't know one important little fact."

"Oh? And what might that be?"

"Justin likes Violet."

Tate had seemed to freeze up causing Ruby to frown. She didn't want to interrupt him as she could clearly see the cogs of his brain whirring into life but she was cold! She wanted the blankets properly!

Why hadn't he thought of that possibility? Oh, you know why a little voice in the back of his head breathed softly. And he did. It wasn't the fact of it being Justin who was her friend - a boy - but that did make the matters worse. He knew it was selfish but he didn't want her having friends full stop.

He had been on his own for too long, no one to talk to, no one who cared. And then along came Ruby. She was pretty, smart, funny, caring and most of all genuinely seemed to care for him. Be damned if he was going to let anything take her away from him.

But that aside, he wanted to look out for her. Care for her back. He wanted her to want him, to need him. He wanted her to come to him first if she ever needed something. When ever she needed to talk he wanted to be the one she confided in. How was he supposed to have all this if she had other people in her life? He needed her to depend on him. He had lived too long in the dark. She came and brought him the light. He wasn't going back to the shadows.

"He likes-" Tate didn't finish his sentence. Even if what she said was true it made little difference.

"Yes, so there is really no need to get so jealous." Ruby spoke softly, brushing his hair out his eyes. Not that it worked very well with him hovering over her. "And even if he did like me it wouldn't matter. I like you so much more." With those words placating him for now he bent down so he could press his lips against hers.

The rest of the day passed rather quickly in Ruby's opinion but that was probably because she spent most of the day with Tate. What was the saying again? Time flies when you're having fun.

Waking up and processing that it was Monday she let out a groan. She hated Monday's. But then again, who liked them?

Reaching the gates she spotted Justin getting out of his mom's car. Quickly running over to him she noticed how uncomfortable he looked with her presence. "Hey, why didn't you answer my calls?" Justin ignored her, carrying on with walking into school. He was not counting on how stubborn the girl would be.

Grabbing his arm she pulled him to a stop before stomping in front of him with a harsh glare. "What the fuck? Really? You're just gunna ignore me and act like I have done something wrong?"

Running a hand through his hair Justin let out a sigh. Coming to a decision of not letting this freak of a boy get to him he finally looked into her eyes. "I'm really sorry. You haven't done anything wrong, I just had a lot on my mind and I guess I took it out on you."

Ruby didn't reply straight away. She just looked at him. "So you're not mad at me anymore?" She asked eventually.

"I was never mad at you to begin with." He elaborated. "How can I make it up to you?"

"Buy me a hot chocolate at lunch." They shared a laugh and a hug before making their way to class. She was just happy it was sorted. She hated falling out with people.

Stepping out of the building at the end of the day she spotted her sister with Leah who seemed to be in a screaming match with each other. Frowning she quickly rushed forward. This rivalry between the two girls was getting worse with each passing day. Finally reaching her sister she grabbed her arm and dragged her away. Ignoring how Violet was trying to tug her arm free or the fact Leah was screaming insults at the both of them as they walked away.

Reaching the house Violet stormed upstairs, slamming her bedroom door shut sending vibrations through the house at the sheer force. Ruby sighed. She didn't mean to make Violet look weak by dragging her away but she didn't want it to get physical.

She would just have to wait for her sister to calm down before trying to explain herself. Plopping herself down on the couch she slipped off her shoes, looking up as her mother entered.

"Dinner is going to be ready in fifteen sweetie."

"Thanks mom."

"Are you alright?"

"I'm fine. Why?"

"You just seem tired." And she did. She didn't like the way her daughter looked. She looked a little pale but not anything to worry about, just paler then she used to be. She looked exhausted. "Why don't you try have a nap after dinner?"

"I won't be able to sleep tonight if I do." Ruby replied.

"Well at least try going to bed earlier tonight." After she got her daughter to agree she gave her a quick kiss on the forehead before heading back to the kitchen. Ruby stayed where she was until dinner was ready before heading to her room.

About an hour later there came a quiet knock on her door. Frowning, she shouted enter. It was her sister. Violet had a blank look on her face but her eyes seemed shocked. Sitting on the end of her sister's bed she needed to find a way to say what she had seen.

Sensing her sisters inner turmoil, Ruby grabbed one of her hands giving it a comforting squeeze. "What's wrong?" She asked softly.

"I-" Watching her sister struggle to even talk set her on edge. What had happened? "I saw something."

"What? What did you see?" She implored, leaning forwards.

"Dad."

Ruby frowned. What was she talking about? "I don't understand."

"I was walking past his office and I thought I heard something." Violet started to explain. "There door was cracked open so, I went to have a look. He was sat on the couch and-" If Ruby didn't know any better she would say her sister was starting to look sick. "Moira was there too. She was on the couch with him but they weren't just sitting. She was practically on top of him."

Ruby's eye widened. She had caught on to her sisters meaning but was she really trying to tell her that their father was getting it on with the maid? Getting her sister to explain everything little thing she saw and heard Ruby sat back in disbelief before rage started to take over.

They had moved here for a fresh start and it was her father's own fucking idea! And then he goes and does this!

Watching her older sister pace about the room angrily Violet debated with herself whether she should have told her sister or not. She knew her sister was starting to like living here. She was doing well at school, she had made friends, she had a boyfriend and she was getting on better with their mother again. She didn't want to ruin hat for her but she also didn't want to keep her in the dark either.

Listening to her sister rant about their unfaithful father she gave a great sigh before standing. Walking over to Ruby she grabbed her arms to stop her. "I think we should keep this from mom."

Gaping at her little sister Ruby just stood there before she finally managed to speak. "You what! She deserves to know her husband is a good for nothing bastard!" She growled.

"Dad saw me okay? I won't let him do it again. But promise me you won't say anything. She doesn't need it." Realising her sister was right she sighed, her body sagging as she pulled her sister into a hug. Violet left a little after that and Ruby made her way downstairs.

Seeing her mom on the couch watching TV completely oblivious as to what had transpired. She decided to go sit with her. "Mom, you know what I just realised?" Her mother hummed, telling her to go on. "We never went out last Saturday."

"Oh." Vivien breathed. That was right, she was meant to spend the day with her daughter and she completely forgot. Guilt washed over her in buckets.

"Don't worry mom. I forgot too. Both as bad as each other." Ruby said with a small smile.

"Why don't we got out after school on Friday? We can ask Violet to come too." Her mother suggested eagerly. Ruby nodded her head in agreement. She spent the rest of the night with her mother and completely blanked her father who turned up some time during the night.

The next day at school was very eventful. Ruby had found Violet during lunch - fighting with Leah. Running over to them just as Violet grabbed a cigarette off the floor she watched as her sister jabbed it onto Leah's hand who jumped back howling.

"Oh, she friggin' burnt me!" Noticing Violet was slightly distracted by Leah's friends she did something she never thought she would ever do - she jumped in. Leah was just about to bring her fist down - which would have hit her sister in the face - and she couldn't let that happen.

Gasping in pain as the girls fist hit her nose, Violet swung her head round to see what happened. It was then Justin came running over and somehow managed to end the fight and drag the two sisters away to safety. Justin came out of the toilets with wet toilet paper and pressed it softly to Ruby's nose.

"Makes two of us now." She joked causing the boy to roll his eyes.

"Just shut up and let me clean away the blood will you." He stated, glancing at Violet to see if she was okay. All Ruby was thinking was how Tate was going to react when he saw.