Short Stories (without happy end)

Ruby part 4

Lunch was punctuated by discussions about anything and everything. It started to rain during dessert - which, by the way, was excellent - and Josh said it would be impossible to get where he wanted to take me if we were rained out.
"I hope it doesn't last. I want you to see this place so bad, it's important to me. I want to show you how much...."
Josh is interrupted by a female voice from below. We hear Merry trying to reason with a customer and I decide to go downstairs to help her.
"I mean, you can't just come in like that and-" she tries to explain. "Alright, and how do you think I should come? Dancing and singing on a flying carpet? Not on your life! Now tell me where Josh is!" she snarled. "I'm here, calm down and explain to me what you came here to do. I told you not to come back!" intervened Josh. "Face it, you've been waiting for me to come back! You can't do without me!" she shouts in Josh's face. "Go away, Meredith. And don't ever come back." Josh threatens her. "Joshua Tom Walker, the person who will tell me what to do is not born yet!" she gets angry. "Then I'll wait until you decide to leave." "You know I'm going to stay!" "You have no reason to stay, you're kidding yourself, I've never felt anything for you. You need to get help! Stop living in denial, I don't love you and you don't love me either! The only one I love and have always loved is Ruby! And I know I couldn't love anyone else." he states. "All right, I'm going away. But don't expect to ever see me again." "Good!"

Meredith slams the door to the store, taking her hysteria with her. I'm trying to figure out what just happened but the only thing I can remember is Josh's words.
The only one I love and have always loved is Ruby.
I knew he had feelings for me but hearing him say those words makes it more real, more concrete.

"I'm genuinely sorry you had to witness that, I didn't think she would come back. At least now the problem is solved. Anyway, do you want me to take you home and meet you later?" he offers. "I think that would be best. The weather is not good at all, a storm is coming."

The short car ride passes in a masterful silence interrupted only by the voices of the radio announcers.

* * *

        I decide to have a hot chocolate to calm myself down. I follow exactly the recipe that Gabriel used to comfort me. I melt some dark chocolate in a saucepan, adding a little sugar that I caramelize. I pour in the milk and a touch of cream that melts quickly.
This has the desired effect as I relax and feel a gentle warmth spread along my body.

        I need to think. I decide to do what I do whenever I need to take stock. I run to my car and crawl in. I wait a long minute, watching the droplets roll down the windshield.
        I turn the ignition and start the car. I get out of this city that is much too big for me, this monster of steel and concrete, and head towards roads that lead to places that are unknown to me.
        I get to a smaller road and my radio starts to jam. I desperately look for a station playing music that I can pick up safely, but it's no use. I turn off the radio and slow down.
This silence is heavy.
Sometimes quiet is violent.
It makes me think of my parents. Of their death more than of their life. How did they feel when they lost control of their car? Were they afraid? Did they think of me? About Gabriel? Did they just not realize? I will never know.

* * *

As I pulled into the driveway beside my house, I noticed that a car was parked there.
I turn off the ignition and run to the porch to avoid the now heavy rain. Outside the door, I slip and am caught by Josh. "What are you doing here?" I ask, gasping. "I was too eager to see you again. I couldn't wait."
Water trickles down his body, showing off his sculpted muscles. I hurry to open the door so I won't be in the same state as him. We rush inside and stand in the hallway amidst awkward silence. "Why didn't you wait in your car?" I only get a shrug as an answer. "You can use the bathroom. I have some of my brother's clothes, I'll bring them to you."

Once I'm alone, I go into the kitchen.
I'm exhausted.
Josh's sudden shyness makes me doubt myself.
The storm erupts outside, lightning zaps the sky, it is now full of brilliant mottles. I am suddenly nostalgic, thinking back to my childhood, when my brother and I would snuggle on the carpet, under the hut we had made with blankets. He would tell me stories to reassure me, but I wasn't afraid. Our parents would come over with a bag of marshmallows and we would spend the afternoon laughing.
"Um, I put my clothes on the dryer." "Thanks. Do you want anything?" ''No, I don't. Thanks. Can I... do something to help you, like cook? I can make a cake or just some vegetables.'' he says.''If you want. If not, I also have ramen. It's... quick to cook and you can make a broth, I have beef in the fridge.'' I suggested. It's a good idea, that way you can have a good rest. He laughed, "That way you'll forgive me for coming to your place without telling you.
     Seeing him laugh reassures me, I decide to let him do it. I will take a long shower to erase all the tensions of the day. I enter the shower cabin and close the door. I grab the shower palm and let the water run over my body. I choose a shower gel with a floral scent and start to rub my skin. The sensation is extremely soft and the smell invades the whole cabin. I turn the tap to increase the temperature. The water is now hot. The drops hurt, like the salty tears that tear at my heart, leaving deep marks.
I turn off the water and start drying myself. I put on a robe and go to the mirror. It is full of mist. I clean it with the sleeve of my bathrobe and stare at my glass double. My face is blurred and surprisingly pale, my green eyes seem to pierce me.
I leave the room and find my room. Everything is perfectly tidy, there is no trace of life as if I had never really lived there. I hurriedly put on a pair of black shorts and a grey tank top.
Josh didn't see me arrive. I stand there for a few moments, watching him stealthily. I don't look away when he turns around. His complexion is very pale and transparent pearls flow from his eyes. I try to perceive the changes that have taken place but I can't. I walk towards him and take him in my arms. ''Ruby'' his voice breaks but he still manages to resume. Why? We could have... I don't know, just... lived!" he continues. I don't understand, isn't that what we're doing?" I ask. "No, you have... it will never be possible again.
A noise resounds in the distance. The sound of police sirens. It gets closer and closer until it becomes deafening. Several people enter and start searching the house. Look for something that looks like a letter, a notebook and take his computer,'' says one man.
No one seems to pay any attention to us, or even notice us.
Ruby, why? I could have helped you. And you know I couldn't have lived without you. I know it wasn't an accident, you sent me a message apologizing, for your parents, for me, your brother. Then why? Why did you run into that fucking tree? At that speed too? How did you feel? Did you think about me? What it would do to me? Did you know I was going to do the same stupid thing when I saw you? Because I did and I don't even know if I regret it. Probably not, because I need you near me.''
As the words come out of his mouth, I understand. He becomes more and more blurred through my tears. I see him as I see myself: very pale, more and more blurred, almost transparent. I place my arms around his neck and kiss him with the softest kiss I can offer.

Everything is black. Around me, in my head too. I close my eyes and sink.

-----------------------------The End-------------------------
It was my first short story.
I hope it was great.
Tell me if you have something to say about it 🤗.