In the moonlight.

Is this it?

"Put me down Albert!"
"Not unless you decide you're coming, I think it's a fair enough deal." He shrugged, with me still over his shoulder.
Albert and I had been going back and forth like this for at least an hour, him trying to convince me to go to some shitty New Years party at some shitty bar that I didn't want to go to.
"Fine."
"Fine?" He questioned, placing me firmly back on the ground.
"Fine."
"Finally!" He let out a tired huff and collapsed onto the couch behind. I rolled my eyes at the sight and crossed my arms.
"On one condition."
He craned his neck to look at me with pleading eyes.
"What more could you want?" Albert groaned.
"I want a percentage of your weed stash." I stated, knowing fully well that Albert was fully stocked at all times. That boy was such a hippy. 
"Can't you just get your own?"
My face grows red from embarrassment "What? Why would that even - "
"Come on, Ruby it's so obvious you have the hots for him."
"Unnecessary." I mutter back, heading to my room.
"The condition is, I want to bring your weed stash!" I call behind me giggling at Niko's gasp as I quickly slip into my room.

****
I look at myself in the mirror, starting to panic about tonight. Jess is going to be here soon and then we'll head off and I look like this. Tears start to brim my eyes at the frustration of not ever being able to be satisfied about the way I look. I rip the black slip dress over my head and toss it onto the floor.

"Why can't I just be fucking normal!?" I scream, falling back onto my bed. I need to find something, I promised Niko I'd be there - he's starting to get worried at my lack of human interactions lately.
I stand up, once again looking at myself in mirror and wipe my eyes, careful not to smudge my already smudged make-up even more.

I guess it's time to just opt for the usual. Oversized tee, baggy sweater and baggy jeans with my trusty black converse.
A few deep breaths later I swing open my bedroom door. "I'm ready Niko!" I shout, wandering into the kitchen looking for a pre-drink. I find a bottle of dusty rum at the back of the cupboard. I wonder how long that's been there for... I think, shrug and take a swig.

There's a knock at the door interrupting me mid-sip and I shout to Jess that I'm coming to the door. Just as I'm heading down the hallway, Niko comes barrelling into me with a bong and a shit eating grin on his face.
"Take a hit, this shit is dank!"
I roll my eyes and take the bong from him, following his orders. I exhale, letting out a huge cloud of smoke, coughing at the same time,
"Jesus, Niko where have you been hiding this stuff?" I say, opening the door.
"Hey Jess, want a hit? This stuff is-" I pause, staring at the figure towering over me, smiling a drunken smile.
"Okay Ruby, I know we're stoned but that's definitely not Jess." Niko giggles.
I can't say anything, frozen to the spot.
"Are you gonna let me in?" He smirks "Ruth, right?"
He slips past me, swiping the bong from my hands.
"It's Ruby, actually." I mutter.
"Right, right." He brushes me off, lighting up.
I scoff. Why do I always crush on the assholes?
"Hi Niko, how are you Niko?" Niko mocks, rolling his eyes and leaving the hallway to follow Julian to the couch.
There's another knock at the door, this time I'm glad to be met by Jess' mischievous grin.
"Kill me." I mouth to her, making a finger gun to my forehead.
She reaches around the doorway to set eyes on Julian, sitting in the couch still ripping the same bong.
"He called me Ruth?!? How is that even close, Jess?" I whisper aggressively.
Jess puts her hand on my shoulder.
"Look Ruby. It's New Year's Eve! Forget about the guys, lets get high and go have fun!" She gushes, pulling a joint out from her pocket. What would I do without this girl. I smile at her and agree. Just forget about him, he can't even remember your name.

****
"Jess I am so high, I don't know if I can do this." I stammer, clutching my fake ID.
Niko twists around in the passenger seat of the taxi to look at me. "Look Ruby, all of us guys are of age, they probably won't even check yours properly."
"Exactly." Ruby agrees.
"I guess.." I gulp, looking out of the window.
I'm squeezed in between Jess and Julian in the back, I already feel uncomfortable down to the face I'm on another dimension right now and my head feels hot, but Julians knee keeps brushing mine. Not that he'd even notice. I'll just keep my head down and pray for this journey to be over.

"Hey, Ruth, you got a lighter?" I don't even bother correcting him and toss him a lighter.

"Remember what we said." Jess whispers in my ear.

****
I know this is a short one! I haven't written in a while and I've had ideas for this one for a long time but I'm testing the waters , pls let me know if you'd like me to carry on!!! Thank u!!!!