She

by Franceska Krence

  She pulled into the hospital parking lot. Hanna turned to me, placing an escaped curl behind my ear: "You know I'd do anything for you, Ruby."

  She let go of my hand:"now time to go before you friendzone me for the millionth time."

  I sighed looking at the hospital in front of us. There was no way in hell I would spend the rest of my life stuck in there, I promised myself.

  ✽✽✽

  "Make sure to call me. Love you," Hanna kissed my cheek before I got out of the car.

  I smiled at Henry, who was probably already trying to figure out ways to get out of the basketball game as I neared him.

  "Get ready, Hen," I slapped his butt.

  "I need to wait for 5 until the replacement gets here, miss Gold."

  I nodded, opening the door and seeing no one else than Eden herself in front of me, her arms crossed. Someone looked angry.

  "You left me in your bed alone to go out with another girl?" she raised her brow.

  I smiled, taking steps towards her: "no way! Is my girlfriend jealous?"

  She looked to the right, clenching her jaw: "stop. I want answers."

  I opened the door, telling Henry we need to cancel the game, to which he replied with a very happy nod if there ever was such a thing.

  "Yes, you're right, but you make it sound way worse than it is," I said, turning back to her.

  She looked at me, reading my face.

  "Do you trust me?" I asked, choosing to be blunt - just like she'd taught me to be.

  "Ruby.." she warned, her voice low.

  "Answer," I said.

  She sighed: "yes, I do."

  "That's great," I gave her a peck, smiling, "I know this amazing italian place.."

  She bit her lip, smiling: "say no more."

  "I'll be back in a few hours!" I shouted to mom and dad.

  "Alright. Love you, princess!" dad shouted back.

  "So where are we going this time?" Eden questioned, putting on my helmet as we reached the garage.

  I thought about it: "somewhere peaceful with frozen yogurt."

  "Alright, hold tight," she got on the bike and off we went.

  ✽✽✽

  Eden handed me my frozen yogurt with fruits and berries on the sides of it, while hers was with oreos and nuttella.

  I hadn't even told her what I wanted, yet she still managed to figure it out. It couldn't have been that hard as my diet consisted of fruit, M&M's and ice cream.

  The place she took me to was just like I'd wished it would be - peaceful with frozen yogurt. It was quiet, jazz playing on the stereos, park right next to the place. Instead of regular chairs, there were bean bags, comfy rocking chairs and sofas, as well as many pillows and blankets.

  We sat on one of the sofas, cuddled together underneath one of the blankets. No talking was done, just silence, frozen yogurt and us.

  "Where were you with the girl?" Eden asked, breaking the silence.

  ✽✽✽

  I lied down on the table.

  "Ready, preciosa?" Hanna's voice asked from another room.

  "Yes," I replied, my voice seemingly weaker than I intended it to be.

  The table slid into a tunnel opening, tube rotating around me, making me feel slightly paranoid. I listened to various clicking and buzzing noises - it was absolutely terrifying.

  "You're doing great, hold on just a second longer," Hanna's soothing voice ringed from the stereos.

  I inhaled and exhaled. And repeated. Then one more time. The table started moving again, bringing me back in the room. Sighing, I ran a hand across my face. In a few minutes, I changed back into my clothes, waiting for Hanna to come.

  If she was taking longer than needed, then the results were clear. Unfortunately, she certainly was.

  The door handle moved, I watched it as if my life depended on it, making me smile in irony as it truly did. When I saw Hannas puffy, red eyes, it was all clear.

  "Ru.." her voice broke.

  "I guess I'm really never wrong, huh," I joked.

  It was stupid of me, but I still had hope. I always did, and as it turned out yet again, I shouldn't of had any, making me promise myself at this moment - I wouldn't hope, if my intuition knew the truth.

  I didn't realize I was crying until Hanna's fingers started wiping the tears off my cheeks. She hugged me tightly, moving her arm up and down my back, calming me whilst I sobbed quietly.

  "It'll be alright, Ru. We'll figure this out," she promised.

  But why would she give promise she wouldn't be able to keep.

  ✽✽✽

  "Ru?" Eden repeated, her eyes analyzing my face.

  "Nowhere special, just went to visit mama Jules," I smiled, lying.

  If I had to fight this, then I would do it, but I would do it alone. I wouldn't let my family and Eden see me at my weakest. This was my problem, I wouldn't make it anyone elses.

  TWENTY ONE

  you became my friend and I became yours

  hidden behind the masks of silicone

  ✽✽✽

  We spent the last 2 hours talking and getting one frozen yogurt after another.

  "I'll grab a hot chocolate for exchange. Want something?" Ruby wiggled her way out of my arms.

  "Peppermint tea just might get you a few kisses from me," I grinned.

  She smirked, leaning in: "anywhere?" she whispered.

  I'm pretty sure I looked like a ripe tomato at the moment. Jeez, I never used to blush, and then she appears in my life.

  She left to the counter, as I took my time checking her out. While she waited for the drinks, her head turned as she smiled at me, her dimples appearing. I winked at her, smiling, wondering how the hell I got this lucky.

  Soft hands wrapped around my head, covering my eyes.

  "Guess who, belle?" a playful guys voice asked.

  I grinned, recognizing the voice: "Is this the guy who twerks to Sam Smith?"

  He groaned behind me, letting go of my head as he sat next to me: "damn, you're good."

  Andre sat on the other side, smiling: "nice to see you again, half baked."

  "Hey," I grinned back.

  Blake sat on a bean bag, in front of us, giving me a nod. Angel stood next to Eden, turning her head to wink at me.

  Seems like they have just handed themselves to me. I didn't even need a master plan to spend a day with The Quietus. Not that I'd be able to do much considering the information I found out today anyways.

  "Let's do shots later on," Luke suggested, "I need to show you my other booty skills."

  "Man, you really need to stop to stop drinking on workdays," Andre said.

  "Everyday's a holiday, Brownie," Lukes grin didn't falter.

  I raised a brow, laughing: "Brownie? Really?"

  Blake shrugged: "this idiot has nicknames for everyone."

  "You don't like it just 'cause yours is Wifey," Luke stuck out his tongue, turning his attention back to me, "so what do you say about the shots, belle?"

  I thought about a reason that would sound realistic. But then again, what is more, realistic than the truth?

  "Leave her alone, Miley," Angel said, walking towards us before I could even open my mouth.

  She sat in Blake's lap and Eden followed after her, placing a cup of tea and hot chocolate on the table in front of us.

  Eden raised an eyebrow at Luke, expecting him to let her sit next to me, but in response, he grinned, putting his head on my shoulder.

  Eden rolled her eyes: "get up in 3 unless you want me to kick your ass."

  "3.." she said, crossing her arms, but Luke ignored her.

  "2.." she rolled up her sleeves, and Luke raised a brow.

  "1.." she took a threatening step towards us, Luke quickly got up, sitting on another bean bag.

  "Jeez, you were actually serious," he stole her cup of hot chocolate, sipping on it.

  Eden sat next to me, intertwining out fingers, as she gave me a peck.

  "Keep the PDA level on zero, would you?" Blake groaned.
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  Luke grinned "please don't, belle."

  Andre laughed at us, Angel remaining weirdly silent.

  I grabbed my cup of tea, enjoying it. There's nothing better than a good cup of tea on a bad day.

  "Do you want to find that amazing Italian place?" Eden whispered in my ear.

  I shivered slightly and smiled at the thought that she'd be willing to run away with me if I'd only mention it.

  "Maybe want to search for it in my bed?" I whispered back in her ear, still smiling.

  "I'm begging you.." Blake whined again, making both of us laugh.

  Blake's phone rang, as he excused himself, leaving the shop. Everyone's gaze followed him, suddenly the mood growing serious.

  Luke cleared his throat, gaining everyone's attention: "once again.. shots, belle?"

  "Luke, respect the lady, it's clear she doesn't want to," Andre smiled, his eyes looking between the two of us.

  "Shush, Brownie, she has a mouth for a reason," Luke smiled sarcastically.

  "I'd love to join you, pretty boy. But I can't, I had this terrible virus, and I need to take medicine for it, can't mix it with alcohol," I finished the tea, lying smoothly.

  Eden squinted her eyes at me, didn't look like she was buying it.

  So I placed my hand on her cheek, kissing her, as her analyzing gaze slowly faded away. Meanwhile, Andre and Angel didn't seem to quite buy it, I knew Andre would drop it and let it be, I wasn't too sure about Angel.

  Blake came back, looking at all of us. He raised an eyebrow: "did I miss something?"

  "Luke's just being a douche like always," Eden shrugged.

  "Well that sounds about right," Blake smiled at me, "sorry, he hasn't had enough to drink today."

  "He really didn't do anything," I shrugged.

  "Thanks, belle, at least someone is on my side," Luke winked at me.

  "Enough with the bullshit, we need to go," Blake stated and everyone, apart from Eden got up.

  Blake raised a brow at her, expecting her to get up. Eden looked at me, instead of him: "I'll stay today."

  He furrowed his brows at her: "I hope I didn't hear it correctly. It wasn't a question, Eden."

  Eden drew circles on my hand, ignoring him.

  "Eden.," Blake growled, taking a step further, but Andre stopped him.

  "How about Ruby comes with us?" Angel asked, picking on her nails as if our company was the most boring thing that existed.

  Everyone stared at her, as if she had grown another head.

  "Blake has to stay at our crib anyway, he might as well stay with Ruby while Eden is gone," she suggested.

  Eden looked at me, concerned: "I'm not too sure.."

  "Do you mind, Ruby?" Blake asked, clearly just wanting to get going already.

  I looked at Eden whose eyes said it's the last thing I should be doing, making the decision far too obvious.

  Smiling, I turned back to Blake: "let's go."

  ✽✽✽

  "Once again, just say it and I'm not leaving, okay?" Eden hugged me.

  They had to go, in fact, I was pretty sure they were late because she had been saying the same thing for the past 10 minutes.

  I rolled my eyes: "seriously, just go."

  "But-" she said, as Luke put her on his shoulder, already carrying her out of the door.

  Angel slapped Eden's butt, and they all walked out of the huge gang house, leaving me and Blake alone.

  I looked around the house, wondering how I even ended up here.

  "Make yourself at home," Blake said, walking to a couch and opening his laptop.

  "How come Eden doesn't live here?" I questioned, genuinely curious. It didn't make sense, the whole gang was here, yet she wasn't. Something clearly did not add up.

  He didn't avert his gaze from the laptop as I walked to the kitchen: "she wanted to live with mom for some time. All of us are convinced it was because she got bored of cooking for us.

  Clearly, he was lying, yet I couldn't seem to understand the reason why. I looked around the kitchen, deciding to make something.

  "What are you doing?" he asked as I searched through the drawers.

  "Brownies," I smiled, remembering Andres nickname.

  "Sounds like you two have something in common," he laughed.

  I made the dough, putting it into the oven, and sneaking over to the freezer, finding half baked in there. Grinning, I walked over to the couch, and opened the tub.

  Blake stole a glance or two at me, licking his lips. I laughed: "want some?"

  He raised his brow, smiling: "in this house no one shares."

  I smiled, putting a spoon full of ice cream in his mouth. While doing so, I sneaked a glance at his laptop and sure enough, he quickly covered his hacking with a video game.

  He laughed after eating the ice cream: "I guess I'm starting to like you."

  I laughed: "you should've told me sooner it only took a spoonful of ice cream to get to you."

  "Well you should've told me sooner you weren't a stuck up rich girl," he joked, but then his eyes widened, "crap, I'm sorry. That was rude."

  "It's alright, I get that a lot," I gave him another spoonful.

  After he had swallowed the ice cream, he looked at me, smiling: "you're pretty great, Gold."

  I smiled back: "you're not too bad yourself, Harper."

  If only you weren't the one standing between me and my girlfriend..

  TWENTY TWO

  I swallow it all - all your silver lies

  it's smooth, I would know

  it's the best thing you know how to do

  ✽✽✽

  "Sorry to say but your taste in movies sucks," I stated.

  "What's wrong with horror movies?" he raised his brow.

  We had spent the past 5 hours watching movies and eating, but the reality was he spent the whole time on his laptop, meanwhile, I was feeding him and whining at the ridiculous lack of intelligence all horror movies held.

  "Apart from the complete lack of intelligence in them? It's totally against what you would actually do in these kinds of situations. Makes me feel like a headless chicken watching this," I rolled my eyes.

  "Just put on another movie," he laughed.

  "Blake! I've been doing just that for the past 4 hours!" I said, frustration clear in my voice.

  "There's more M&M's in the cupboard, the other side of the fridge," he smiled, knowing well it would help shut me up, just like it had for the past few hours.

  I quickly got up, rushing to the cupboard, taking out the package.

  "Thanks, Blakey," I grinned, sitting down on the couch,popping a few in his mouth.

  "How's the game going?" I asked, frowning at the number of disgusting things appearing in the movie.

  "It can't be bad when the player is good," he smirked.

  That was true in more ways than he could ever imagine.

  "Gimme more," he said, opening his mouth.

  I popped a few more M&M's in his mouth, making him choke on one of them.

  "We'll have to go shopping for at least 5 good movie DVD's, or stream them online, at least. It just might change your life."

  "Come on, you need to stop-,"

  "Blake! Get here!" Luke's loud voice rang through the house.

  I immediately sprung up, walking to the entrance.

  My eyes widened at the sight before me. I couldn't move, seeing Luke and Andre carry bleeding Eden in, while Angel's hand was on her wound, putting pressure on her waist.

  I was in pure shock, not used to these kinds of situations, so even though all I wanted was going to her, I couldn't do so. I watched Blake rush there, guys putting her on the kitchen table. They were all silent, only a few orders from Blake coming through. Eden was still conscious.

  "Ruby, I'm alright," she said in a weak voice and suddenly everyone's, except Blake's head, snapped to me, realizing I was there.

  "Bella, I'll take you home," Luke said, stepping towards me.

  "No, she'll stay," Blake left no room for arg
uments.

  I snapped out of it, going to the table, taking Eden's hand in mine.

  The urge to ask what the hell happened was way too strong, yet I knew that wasn't the priority because I had a good idea of what had happened and they wouldn't tell me the truth anyway.

  Blake tore open Eden's shirt, revealing the bloody wound. She wasn't shot, it was a stab wound and it wasn't hard to tell that it was deep one at that too.

  "We should-" Angel started.

  "Luke, take Ruby upstairs and turn on a good song," Blake ordered.

  Knowing they were about to do something made me extremely anxious. It would be something related to sound. That sound would have something to do with Eden, which means it would probably be her screams.

  "Just take her to the hospital," I clenched my jaw, not wanting her to be in such pain.

  "Luke," Blake growled, wanting to get me away.

  "Sorry, bella," Luke smiled apologetically, picking me up.

  "Luke, put me down," I shouted, "now."

  "Can't, bella. Wifey gave orders," he turned around, ready to go.

  "Eden, baby, I'm going to be right back, after I kick his nice ass back to where he came from," I promised, seeing a smile spread on her lips.

  Luke carried me upstairs, to a huge room, locking the door behind us. He put me down on a bed, taking his phone and turning on music that filled the whole room through wireless stereos.

  He walked towards a shelf, taking tequila together with 2 shot glasses from it. I supported my head with my hands.

  "I'm not going to drink with you right now," I sighed, "besides the medicine, remember?"

  "Belle, I see how you look at her. You love that girl, don't you?" he poured the first shot.

  I didn't answer. Did I?

  "I only have one thing to say about you two - I hope you both make the right choices and if one doesn't, don't let the bitch drag you down," he laughed, taking the shot, "it sounds like a bit of shitty advice and it probably is. But at this point, you have 3 choices. A - be miserable, B- drink tequila with me or C- drink tequila with me. And from my experience, belle, it's just easier to take B or C."