Ruby was sitting in the diner, in Xavier's arms, opposite Jai and Nicole. "What's wrong with you Rubz?" Nicole butted into their conversation. "I'm living with bonkers!" Nicole rolled her eyes "That's grown ups for you!" God if only they knew! I'm living with my sister who is "apparently a lesbian" I caught VJ snooping through my things earlier this morning, I have now officially slept with Xavier, even after THE TALK from Charlie, and I am dropping behind in school, all these worries have resulted in me washing my hair twice, SO NOW I'M RUNNING OUT OF SHAMPOO! "Hey listen I'll be back in a minute, there's someone over there I want a quick word with." She bounced up and headed towards the brunette across the other side. "Anyone know that girl?" Xavier pointed, eager to know what Ruby wanted with her. "Um yeah, she hit on me once before, ages ago though." Xavier and Jai peeled their eyes at Nicole. "What?.....I was …….almost inclined to say yes, if things hadn't been so messy with Geoff." Their jaws dropped, she just smiled, tucked a piece of hair behind her ear and finished her smoothie.
"So you and my sister huh?" Joey looked up from her book. "Something tells me you're not completely ok with it." She ventured. "Don't get me wrong I like you, but I'm still getting used to the visual I have permanently scared in my eyes." Joey blushed. "I'm really very sorry about that." "So are you two, like a thing…now?" "To be honest Ruby, I don't know, it's early days, but I really do like you sister." Ruby searched through her deep brown eyes, for the reasons behind her insecurities. "She told me, that ah….you think I'm wonder woman….or something…" Ruby dove head first into the table. Joey giggled, relieved she had eased the tension. "I am soooo going to kill her! I can not believe she told you that" mmph "Now I can't tease her about it!" "That's funny the first thing I heard Charlie say, when I met her." "What?" Ruby looked up with her cheeks still burning. "I'm going to kill her!" She quoted. "I take it she was talking about you." "Most likely yeah." Ruby smiled, that was them.
Charlie walked in with Martha. She caught Joey's attention in an instant, Ruby followed Joey's gaze with a cheeky grin.
"I know it's um soon, but I wanted to tell you rather then you finding out. I just feel bad about it, being a friend." Martha said. Ruby and Joey stayed in tune. "Hugo was in rather a mess for a while, and we sat and talked about things, I guess. Things just developed. I know the split wasn't easy for either of you." She reached for Charlie's arm, as they ordered. "Yeah, it um was pretty painful, but I'm surviving." She didn't want to make it aware to Ruby and Joey, that she knew they were listening. "Look I have friends coming down at the weekend, why don't I hook you up with one of them?" Charlie gasped, trying to reply. Ruby snorted into her hands. Try and get outa this one Charlz, hehe. "Em I dunno, I'm currently interested in someone, I'm seeing where it's heading." She didn't want to lie to Martha, but she didn't want to tell her the actual truth either. MMMPH! What do I say….think Charlie, Ruby and Joey are watching you every move. Joey's probably laughing at you! Martha turned to her "Oh my god! Who is he?" Ruby couldn't contain herself anymore. Giggling reached their ears, they both turned round to Ruby who was actually crying tears. Joey raised her hands, trying not to get involved.
"Hey listen can I catch up with you later?" "Yeah sure!" Martha looked fazed but left Charlie too it and started chating to Leah who was serving. Charlie headed towards the pair of them.
"Quick hide, maybe see hasn't seen us!" Ruby covered her eyes. "That's wishful thinking Rubz, here she comes." Joey smiled. "You are determined to make my life a misery aren't you Rubz." "mhum." She nodded. If it hadn't been for the fact that Joey was there, she would have given a good piece of her mind. But because she was there, her mind had turned a state of goo. …JOEY JOEY JOEY! "Just don't make out in public, it's embarrassing enough that all the guys at school are madly in love with out, I don't want to think about what they'd say if they knew you were…" She shut down, realising where she was finishing, and left them gazing at each other.
"I guess that means I have competition then." Joey circled the rim of her cup. "I seriously doubt it!" Charlie shook her head, and leant a little closer. "I was wondering if you're free tomorrow night, I thought we could do something, I'm not sure what yet." Joey looked up and beamed. "You mean to say I haven't totally freaked you out yet?" "I'm a cop, I've been in plenty of awkward situations." Joey moved bit closer "but that doesn't stop you from stuttering when we're together…" she suggested. Charlie looked away feeling her cheeks heat up. "Joey I've never done this kinda thing before, it's all knew to me. Can we just take it slow?" She was fiddling with her fingers. "That would be wonderful." Joey smiled and sat back.
"Hey Rubz?" "Yeah?" "Who's that with your sister?" Jai asked. Xavier sat peering for a closer look. "Em….a cousin." Fuck why did I say that…friend…you should have said friend. "Why?" "Well eh….I think their flirting." She turned round to check them, "Nah….their just close." Oh my god you retard! "Yeah, REALLY close!" Xavier looked at her, and she returned the glare smiling. Nicole planted a smile of her own. She knew exactly what was going on.
-
[Later on that day]
"Ruby?" "Wait a minute I'm…ah trying to get rid of the shaving cream." What in god's name was she doing with shaving cream? Charlie thought. "Rubz" she knocked at the bathroom door "Can I come in?" "Hold on a tick." A moment later Ruby sprung out with a towel around her head. "Do I even want to know about the shaving cream?" "Fight…..awesome……everywhere.." where the only words she made out, as Ruby dashed to the bedroom for a hair-band.
"Ruby, can I ask you something?" She finally got Rubz in one spot, long enough to ask her this. "Sure, shoot!" Ruby seemed perked up. She seemed happier, different, a definite glow. Charlie bit her tongue and then lashed out "Did you sleep with Xavier?" Ruby's face dropped. Oh crap! Whadoa I, WHADOA I? Her heart started beating faster. Charlie was really going to have it in for her. "Ruby did you sleep with him? It's a simple yes or no!" Charlie grew impatient. "Ruby?" "Charlie…don't shout at me!" She stood up and yelled. The longer Charlie studied her face, the more certain she grew to believe it was true. "Ruby you're under age, Xavier will have to face the consequences." Ruby was walking around with her hands over her ears. "I know!....it was once…ok!" "That's beside the point Ruby, how am I suppose to protect you, when you won't even acknowledge the law?" Charlie was devastated. She now stood up and faced her. "You don't have to protect me Charlie! I'm not your problem. You are not my mother!" She lashed out, trying to hide the tears that were forming. They stood there crumbling to pieces, looking for some sense of truth from each other. "You're all I have." Charlie whimpered, rivers flowing down both cheeks. "How long were you honestly going to pretend Charlie?" The words stung, and bashed against her heart. They pierced her ears and wore a hold among her precious memories.