Ruby Rising (3 page)

CHAPTER 4

The next day was similar to the first. I did notice that Mikayla always sat next to me in classes and everyone else pretty much stayed away. I had an English double, a maths double and then psychology and art in the afternoon. Scott flirted shamelessly whenever he had the time, making me smile and blush usually at the same time. He laughed whenever I had blushed telling me my name definitely suited me. My stomach flip flopped whenever his green eyes met mine. I couldn’t help myself. He certainly made maths more interesting anyway.

Lunch was spent with Mikayla and Scott where I also met a few of their other friends as well. They all seemed to idolise both Mikayla and Scott. I wasn’t sure why, but I figured I’d find out eventually. They hung on every word they said and didn’t put much into the conversation. The whole group had Mikayla’s Gothic clothing style; pale faces from makeup and the girls all wore black lipstick. At least my skin fit in well with this group. I noticed that none of them wore the school uniform. I was still to pick one up but I couldn’t imagine that these guys had the same excuse as I did.

“Why don’t you guys have to wear the uniform?” I asked Mikayla.

“This is my uniform,” she answered with a small smile on her face and one eye brow raised as if to dare me to argue the point. When I said nothing she had simply gone back on with another conversation.

At the end of the day Mikayla suggested she and Scott walk me home. Without a valid reason to say no, I agreed. I liked walking home alone but I didn’t want to get them offside either, plus I liked spending the extra time with Scott. As we rounded the lake I saw Krystal waiting at the same spot she had been the previous afternoon. Shaking her head, she walked off in the opposite direction when she realised I wasn’t alone, I wondered why she was so desperate to speak to me. She was in my English class but so was Mikayla and I noticed she didn’t even look in our direction.

Once home, I invited them in rather than try and get through an awkward goodbye. When we got into the back yard Phoenix starting growling at Mikayla, but instantly warmed to Scott.

“She certainly has a thing for annoying dogs doesn’t she?” he said to his sister with obvious affection.

“You don’t seem to have too much trouble though,” I laughed as Phoenix licked him right on the nose. “You guys want a drink?” Both of them agreed and we headed inside to the kitchen. I was surprised to find my mother home, I thought she had an appointment this afternoon.

“Oh, hi Mum.” I introduced both Mikayla and Scott, desperately trying not to blush and failing miserably when I said his name.

She didn’t seem to notice and excused herself to go out into the garden after the cursory introductions were over.

“Your Mum seems nice Ruby,” Mikayla said as she sipped her Coke.

“Most of the time, she’s pretty good,” I admitted. “I’m pretty lucky actually.”

We sat awkwardly in the kitchen for a few minutes before Scott excused himself and went outside to play with Phoenix. I took the opportunity to talk to Mikayla about Krystal.

“What’s the go with you and Krystal?” I put the Coke back in the fridge and turned to face her. Her eyes were staring right back at me, her face impassive giving nothing away. She took a deep breath before she said anything.

“She likes to spread rumours. She used to be part of the youth group but wanted to run it by herself. In the end we put it to a vote, me versus her, I guess you know who won. The youth group belongs to all of us. I just facilitate it and give the parents someone to go to if they’ve got questions. It’s not a control thing. Krystal made some trouble and spread some nasty rumours, but mostly she had a bit of a thing for Scott that he didn’t return.” Mikayla leant on the bench in a relaxed motion and stared at me. I guess she was trying to gauge my reaction to what she had said. My stomach gave a little flutter at the thought of Scott and Krystal together but I dismissed it. After all I had no right to be jealous after only knowing him for two days.

“She doesn’t really seem the bitchy type, but I don’t know her either.” I heard my mother laughing from outside and I had the distinct impression that Mikayla wasn’t going to tell me anymore. “Let’s go see what’s going on out there.”

We headed outside and I saw my mother and Scott digging around in the garden, she was smiling and laughing. I’d never seen her that relaxed with any of my girlfriends let alone, a boy I had only just met.

She stood as we approached and beamed at me. “You’ve met some lovely friends, Ruby. Scott offered to help me with digging the veggie patch while you girls were inside. He’s been making me laugh the entire time!”

I looked at Scott and instantly wished I hadn’t. A small film of sweat lined his upper lip and across his forehead. On his cheek was a smudge of dirt that was just begging to be rubbed off with my thumb. He smiled at me and I felt dazed, Mikayla nudged me and I hit reality with a thud.

“I’m sure he doesn’t want to dig your garden mum, he was just being polite,” I said quickly.

“Oh, no really I love gardening. Don’t I Mikayla?” The way he said it was almost a challenge to her.

Her face remained impeccably calm and she replied. “He does actually, he even has a nice little garden growing at our place. I’ve never really understood it, growing things for fun.” she said her face completely devoid of expression. “Well master gardener we’d better get home and get dinner sorted.”

“Thanks for your help Scott, I’m sure we’ll be seeing a bit more of you,” she smiled at him and winked. My mother actually
winked
at him, I wanted the ground to open up and swallow me whole. “I could always use the help in the garden Ruby’s never really cared for it.”

Mikayla looked at me and what looked like surprise crossed her face for a second before her mask came down again.

“Oh, we might have to change that I think,” Scott said looking at me and gave me one of his killer smiles that made me blush from my toes up to my hair while he leant on the end of the shovel. “Thanks for the chat Mrs De Grey, I really enjoyed it.” He said as he handed back her shovel and smiled again at me. I swear if he did that one more time in the next five minutes I was going to kiss him. “Ruby, see you at school tomorrow. Oh, while I’ve got you Mrs De Grey, can we take Ruby out to the youth group tomorrow night?” He gently touched my mother on the hand which sat on top of the shovel he had given back to her. “It would be a good chance for her to meet a few more people outside of school, you know help her settle in.”

My mother seemed to go still for a moment as she stared at him. It was only a second but she seemed to be frozen. She blinked and smiled back at him almost as entranced with him as I was.

“I think that sounds wonderful Scott and I think Ruby would like that too,” she answered as Scott removed his hand and went on with her gardening. I was surprised with her answer, she rarely said yes to me doing anything without my father’s direct permission, I wondered how he was going to take it.

I walked them both out the front and watched them walk together down the road, Mikayla never looked back although I’m sure she could feel my eyes on her. Just as I was about to look way, Scott turned to me and gave me a knee wobbling smile, although something about his face looked wrong. Like it didn’t quite look right, I just couldn’t quite put my finger on it. It was probably just the afternoon light. I wondered if Mikayla actually liked me or was putting up with me for Scott’s benefit. I was probably just reading too much into it as usual, I had the tendency to do that especially when it came to new female friends. Claire had been my only constant female friend right through most of my primary and high school years. Others had come and gone but mostly it was just Claire and I.

That night I dreamt of a sea of black smoke appearing before me as I walked naked in a beautiful forest. I wasn’t ashamed of my body and my hair flowed freely down my shoulders. I was surrounded by flowers and wildlife and I felt happy and free, until the black smoke started engulfing everything in its path, trees and animals alike. Every insect, every crushed leaf, fractured twig and broken bird. I
felt
all their pain. I was connected to everything somehow, my body tingled with it.

I ran towards the darkness, yelling, screaming for it to stop. As I moved closer to the black cloud I could hear loud moans, groans and people crying out. Although it didn’t sound like they were in pain, it actually sounded like they were quite enjoying themselves. As I tumbled into the sea of darkness I was enveloped by arms. I realised that it was not smoke after all, but people twisting their bodies together, kissing each other anywhere they could reach on another body. It was impossible to tell who was who, where the next body started and finished. I felt arms grabbing me, pulling me into their desires and physical pleasures. I woke up sweating and screaming to be let go. I also felt strangely turned on. I blushed in the dark, grateful that I was alone and slightly ashamed at my erotic dream. Listening to Phoenix sleep soundly next to me, I cuddled into his soft fur, and soon fell back into a steady, dreamless sleep.

When I got up in the morning, I dressed in the uniform that my mother had managed to pick up yesterday. The school dress made me feel like I was a child again. I had liked being able to wear my own clothes. I looked in the mirror and decided to wear my combat boots, giving the basic dress a bit of an edgier look. I quickly made some breakfast, fed Phoenix, threw some lunch into my bag and left. I didn’t run into either my father or mother, which was pretty unusual for a weekday. My mother must be enjoying her newfound morning freedom with not having to get up to drive me across the city to school.

I popped on my iPod that I had managed to find stuffed into another packing box and shuffled through until I found something half decent to listen to and started the walk to school. I had purposely left early to see if I could catch Krystal on her way and see if I could get her to talk to me. I had also planned it knowing that Mikayla and Scott took a different, more direct, way to school in the mornings.

I sat on the same rock that she had tried to talk to me at earlier in the week and waited. I stared at the water feeling calm and faded off into thought.

Eventually I realised that I was now late for school and that I had either missed Krystal or she had gone another way. I took off at a run and arrived a little breathless only to find that our maths teacher had called in sick and we now had a free double period as they had been unable to find a substitute.

Scott and I ended up going outside and sitting under the same tree we had sat under at lunch the day before. He eyed my uniform with a smirk on his face and when I asked him what he was smiling at he simply replied that he’d always secretly loved a girl in uniform.

As usual I had reddened which only encouraged him further. He put a hand on the bare skin of my crossed knee. I didn’t ask him to move it, too spellbound by the electricity I felt flowing into my skin from the contact with his hand.

CHAPTER 5

I spent the rest of Thursday in a daze brought on by Scott’s hand on my knee during our free period together. I had laughed at his jokes, not because I wanted to impress him, but because they were actually funny. Mikayla had been away so the rest of my classes I spent day dreaming over having Scott’s lips on mine.

When I got home I headed out for a run with my iPod strapped on to my arm pumping out my running playlist for nearly an hour. By the time I returned home I was hungry, exhausted and dived straight in the shower.

Friday morning I managed to sleep in, something that I rarely did unless it was the weekend, and flew up out of bed in a panic. I threw on my uniform, happy I didn’t have to decide on something to wear. I shoved books into my backpack and ran downstairs quickly feeding Phoenix before running out the door. As I flew past I gave my perplexed mother a kiss on the cheek.

Other than being organised, my parents also insisted on me being solely responsible for getting myself up and organised in the mornings. If I slept in I had to suffer the consequences and explain it to my teachers.

I arrived at school not long after the bell had gone with several groups of students still milling around outside. I took a few moments to catch my breath and grab a quick drink before heading into my first class, English, one of the classes I shared with Mikayla. Her seat was empty, I’d figured she would already be there because I had been running late. Once the rest of the class filled their seats the teacher entered, closing the door behind her. I didn’t know Mikayla well enough to know if being absent two days in a row was unusual or not. I figured since nobody was giving me weird looks or checking to see if she was there, that it wasn’t that much of an oddity. I would have thought a student being away multiple days in a small school would raise a couple of questions at least. Maybe Scott had told them why she wasn’t there already.

The double went slowly, discussing a new book that I had studied at my previous school. At least I could reuse my essay after all I had managed an A on it the first time around.

I looked at the students in the class, having never really paid much attention before, and noticed Krystal sitting at the side of the class in the front row. She was sitting at the furthest point she could from where I was. I frowned and wondered why they seemed to hate each other so much. I didn’t completely believe Mikayla’s version of events, and wanted to hear Krystal’s side. As soon as the bell went, I quickly packed up my things and went over to where Krystal was putting her own things away.

Looking up her smile quickly faded and for an instant I saw fear cross her face, although it may have been anger.

“What do you want, Ruby?” She finished packing and stood almost defiantly before me, although the defiance didn’t quite reach her eyes. There was something odd about them, but she looked over my shoulder before I could figure out what it was.

“I’m sorry I didn’t talk to you the other day after you made such an effort to track me down. I think what you have to say is important and I’d really like to hear it.” I was still trying to re-establish eye contact with her.

“It doesn’t matter anymore, Ruby. It’s too late.” Her eyes narrowed as she stared over my shoulder, she paused then bent down to fix her shoe. Whispering she said “they aren’t what they seem, be careful. I can’t talk to you again.”

I stared after her as she pushed past a tall dark haired boy I had seen sitting with Mikayla on the first day of school. He sneered at Krystal before turning to me.

“Mikayla doesn’t want you talking to Krystal,” he simply stated and walked off down the hall.

I stood in the empty classroom with my mouth open, not sure what to think. Who the hell was he or Mikayla to tell me who I could and couldn’t talk to? Entering the hallway I stared after him and shook off my astonishment and left for my next class, late once again.

The rest of the day was uneventful. I went to the library during lunch to organise my study plan and get some books for a psychology assignment.

As soon as the last bell rang, I walked home around the lake, keeping an eye out for Krystal along the way, despite already knowing that she wouldn’t be there. I was looking forward to spending some time with Phoenix before I got ready for youth group. That’s if Mikayla even showed up to take me. No way was I walking into a room full of people I didn’t know on my own. I just don’t have that much confidence.

The house was empty when I got there, a note from my mother letting me know that she was off getting some gardening supplies and my father would be at work late. She would be back to cook dinner so I didn’t need to start anything.

Scooping Phoenix up in my arms, he lovingly licked my face. I grabbed one of his toys and we headed out to play.

My mother was uncharacteristically quiet over dinner. Normally she was quite chatty, asking me about my day or what I was doing on the weekend. She seemed to be squirming in her seat a little.

After ten minutes of very uncomfortable silence I put my fork down and sighed.

“Okay Mum, enough, out with it already. You’re driving me insane.”

“Ruby…” Her voice was weary, she sounded so tired. “About the youth group thing tonight…”

“So I can’t go now? That’s so typical of him! He’s
never
here and he
still
has more say on what I do than you!” I picked up my plate and stomped over to the bench turning the tap on to rinse my plate. I must have turned it too far as water went started gushing everywhere, all over the bench and onto the floor, covering my face and shirt.

“Ruby!” She stood up and came over to me and turned the tap off, her hands shaking slightly. “I didn’t tell him.”

I stared at her, my mouth open. She ran
everything
by my father,
especially
things about me.

“I wanted you to have a chance with those kids you bought by the other day.” She put her hand against my cheek. “I know this move has cost you a lot, especially in the friendship area. Just be home by ten. I know you’re father seemed okay with the idea of the youth group, we’ll just give it a bit more time before we tell him.”

I stared into her eyes, confused by her sudden ability to betray my father. “Mum, this means so much to me. I know how you feel about going against what he says. I understand how hard this is for you.”  I hugged her tightly and whispered in her ear how much I loved her. I grabbed the mop and quickly dried the water I’d spilt and left her in the kitchen to get ready for youth group.

Mikayla sent a text to let me know she’d be there in twenty minutes. I stood in front of my wardrobe listening to Phoenix snore on my pillow.

I picked out my tall boots, a knee length black skirt and a short sleeve black t-shirt. I put some powder on my face and lined my eyes with thick layers black liner, some metallic grey shadow and a bit of mascara. After not being able to pick a lipstick colour, I swiped clear gloss over my lips and was done.

I grabbed a small purse, packed in my mobile and went downstairs. I heard Mikayla’s voice mixed with my mother’s then a more masculine one, I was suddenly nervous when I realised it was Scott.

“Ruby, you look…”my mother paused trying to find the right words. “Gorgeous as always honey. You don’t need makeup to look good honey.”

“No, she doesn’t, does she?” Scott smiled at my mother who was quite smitten with him herself.

“On that note I think it’s time to go.” I was grateful for Mikayla’s not so subtle exit strategy.

I hugged my mother and whispered my love and thanks in her ear. She simply lent into me and said nothing.

Out the front sat a black Monaro, well looked after and clearly very well restored. I had no idea of the year but it was most likely an older classic.

“This is our ride for the night, but be nice to her or she won’t get us there!” Scott opened the passenger door and flicked the seat forward. As I climbed in, I had the distinct impression he was checking out my backside. Before I had even clicked in my seatbelt, I felt the usual blush creeping up my face. Mikayla climbed in front and Scott drove off.

“Um, if you’re only seventeen how have you got your licence?” I didn’t mean to make it sound as parental as it did.

“I turned eighteen in December and got my licence straight away. Being kept down certainly has its advantages. Plus I needed better grades than what I was getting, especially in English. It’s really not my strong point.” He looked at me through the rear vision mirror a few times while he spoke, flashing that evil smile that made my entire body blush.

“Fair enough, I guess you’ll be popular among your friends then.” I suddenly realised how rude I was sounding. “Not that you aren’t already, I mean, just that…well you know how it is when you’re the one that can buy the alcohol and drive everyone around.”

“Seriously Ruby, you really need to learn how to relax. We’re not going to stop hanging out with you because you don’t think before you speak.” Blushing yet again, I felt like I’d just been told off by the principal rather than Mikayla.

The next few minutes passed without anyone talking, the stereo quietly playing an instrumental piece that I found strangely calming, yet it didn’t mesh with the image of Scott or his masculine car. 

We pulled up outside what looked like it used to be an old Scout or Girl Guide hall.

“Well this is it, home of Primfield’s youth group”. Scott pulled over whilst Mikayla sat in her seat, waiting for him to open her door. He flicked the seat down again and offered his hand to help me out. On contact my skin seemed to tingle and warm. It was an amazing sensation, like pins and needles but without the pain.

As I stood, I expected him to release my hand, when he didn’t I smiled at him and squeezed gently. We walked around to Mikayla’s door and Scott opened it for her. A little odd, I thought, that he would open her door for her. But then there was a lot of things I found odd about Mikayla and Scott.

A few people sat around outside, chatting amongst themselves. Mikayla told them to come inside in five minutes so things could get started. Inside candles were burning everywhere and what smelt like an odd kind of incense that I couldn’t quite place. 

Everyone was dressed in black, so I had at least managed the dress code. I couldn’t remember if Mikayla had told me to wear a particular colour. I couldn’t remember her telling me, so I had probably just managed to get the feel from Scott and Mikayla.

As we passed a few smaller groups of people, they all nodded at us as we walked by, their eyes glued on Mikayla. I wondered why she was so special here, they seemed to almost
revere
her. I knew she was one of the main organisers, but maybe there was more to it. Little groups were all over the floor, each with candles, a mat and some scattered cushions or bean bags. Scott held my hand until we reached the front of the room where it was raised a foot higher than the main floor. There were pillows and blankets and candles waiting for us and a little surge of happiness spread through me at the thought of Scott sitting so close to me.

Mikayla waited for Scott and I to take our seats before sitting down cross legged in front of a large black candle. Holding her hand above the candle, I stared as the wick was suddenly ablaze. The rest of the candles in the room, my own included, flared doubling their size for a few seconds. I gasped and brought my hand to my mouth. Scott took it in his and kissed it before letting it go again.

Mikayla sat cross legged facing the room, everyone watching her reverently waiting for her to speak. She let silence fill the room and sat staring into the crowd before her.

I desperately craved Scott’s touch and I wanted him to hold my hand again. I longed to feel the same sensation that I had felt when we got out of his car earlier. I inched my hand closer to his, stopping when my hand touched his leg. The same responsiveness of my senses was instantly there, but without the same intensity I’d felt with the direct skin to skin contact. I felt myself staring at his lips wondering if we would kiss. I thought about what that kiss would be like, with electricity shooting between our touches. I could only imagine what our first kiss would feel like. Blushing at my own thoughts I realised that the room had fallen silent.

“Let us begin with a
silent
prayer.” Mikayla still sat with her arms bent and raised, her head bowed in her own reflection.

A
prayer
? That was definitely not what I was expecting. I bowed my head, I wasn’t one for religion not having been to church since I was five. Not wanting to offend anyone I followed suit and bowed my head slightly. Nobody had mentioned that the group was religious, even the website had left little important detail out. 

I heard people murmuring until Mikayla reminded them that it was to be a silent prayer. Nobody spoke after that. It was so quiet you could hear the crackle of flames as the candles burned.

Finally Mikayla spoke. “As most of you are aware, Ruby De Grey is here tonight, let’s not let her down by treating her to a boring night, after all we want her to actually come back”. A few people laughed and giggled.

“Just a note that the group camping trip is on the first weekend of the holidays, make sure you’ve got your parent permission forms and let me know if you’re having trouble getting your parents to sign. We have a couple of special dates to be mindful of so please make sure you check your emails to see if you are needed at any of the private events happening. Remember not everyone can join these events, but you will be notified if you are one of the lucky few.” said Mikayla.