𝗨𝗚𝗟𝗬 // 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝘃𝗲 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗼𝗻

002

"Robin is looking for a job at the moment."
I speak nonchalantly, not sure how to fill the silence.

"I see, does that interrupt your plans?" Miss Cook always knows what I'm thinking, but i find it sort of humorous how I can't hide anything from her.

"I guess so.. but Robin's family struggle with money.. it would be selfish to complain so.." I shrug, knowing that all Robin wants is that trip to Europe she's always going on about, learnt Russian for it and everything.. despite her wanting to go to France?

"I'm here for you to complain to you know?"

"It's just- what if she doesn't have time for me and I'm left alone in my house listening to my Walkman for eternity." I rambled on like I always do, worry suffocating me.

"Are you sure that's why you're sad? This doesn't have anything to do with your bucket list?"

"Barbs bucket list." I swiftly correct, "And no."
I shifted in my chair for a moment, "ok I guess a tiny bit.. but it's dumb of me to be upset so I'll just deal with it." I'd had this mentality my whole life, i felt I was selfish for feeling upset or down, something my therapist scolded me for.

"Ruby you know that if you keep thinking like that you won't get better." It was always the same old response and partly, I agreed, she was right I wouldn't get better, but sometimes I wondered if I even wanted to.

***

"I got the job!"
Robin had ran into my house, bursting the door open to our small bungalow on the outskirts of town close to the woods.
My mom had rolled her eyes and laughed as Robin waltzed in, being used to it by now and went back to her newspaper crossword, one she could never really understand that well.
I smiled brightly at my best friend bouncing down my couch to make room for her, "that's amazing! Which one?"

"Scoops ahoy," she sang as she sat beside me, my smile growing bigger, "that's perfect!" I squealed as I held her hand and jumped up and down in my seat on the couch with her, "now we can get ice cream everyday!"

The worry I had from today therapy session was whisked away as I realised that now Robin could have her job and we could complete our bucket list at the same time.
Two birds as they say.

"Of course, hey you should come see me tomorrow on my break, it's usually at 1.00pm and tomorrow is my first official day.. not training you know?"
She was smiling so bright and I couldn't help but say yes, I was super excited for our summer plans to come to life.

***

1.00pm exactly I waltzed into the mall and up the escalators to visit my best friend. I wore my favourite bright yellow tights for the occasion and paired them with my baby blue and yellow striped cardigan which hung off me as it was a few sizes too big, but I liked it this way.
Unique clothing always made me feel safe and happy, plus seeing the smiles on cheerful old womens faces as I walked by helped.

"Miss Buckley!" I spoke poshly as I walked up to the counter where she was working, ready for a scoop of double strawberry and vanilla swirl.
"Miss White.." she greeted happily giving me a smirk as she began to take off her apron and move towards the break room door, "I've just gotta get my things then I'll be out okay?"

I gave her a lively nod as she exited through the back door. Waiting for a bit, I started picking my skin like always, just a response to being in a busy place standing awkwardly alone I thought, until I heard the door swing again and I was ready to come face to face with my friend, but someone else was there.

"Welcome to scoops ahoy! What can I get ya?"

Him.
Steve the hair Harrington in all his popular glory was standing in front of me in a cheesy sailors hat and uniform just like Robin had been wearing.
And I fumbled.

"Ste-Steve Harrington." I breathed out, immediately feeling like a fool and covering my body slightly on instinct and insecurity.
"Yup, that's me," he chuckled awkwardly and gestured towards the menu signs behind him, "you gonna order?"

"I.. um- uh- uhhh.." I couldn't speak, I just stood there like a fumbling idiot as everything flew back to me, moments I'm sure the man in front of me didn't even remember.
I wanted to feel resentment towards him, but I just couldn't? I couldn't do anything.. feel anything. I just felt.. insecure all of a sudden.

"Ruby, you ready to go?" Robin had swung the door back open again and walked towards me, Steve nodding in acknowledgment, "ohh, you were waiting for Robin."

"Yeh sorry Stevie boy but, I'm on my break." She teased the popular boy in front of me and I grew more and more confused as he laughed along. Was Robin.. getting along with Steve Harrington? Were they friends?

"How will I ever do this alone!" He sarcastically let out, clutching his chest dramatically, "whatever Buckley, have a good break."
Robin flipped him the finger and laughed, gesturing me out of the scoops ahoy as Steve shouted from behind the counter, "nice to meet you robins friend!"

M-meet me?
I smiled politely back at him, somehow feeling like my smile was stuttering as well and awkwardly walked backwards before I turned my head, which ended in me bashing me knee into a table.
Robin laughed very very hard.