perfect storm

Chapter Four | Do You Smoke?

February 4th, 2022, 7:00 AM

i was in my geometry class again, only happy to be there because of Eddie. i had my headphones in, listening to music, waiting for him to arrive. i was subtly tapping my foot on the floor along with the music when he came in five minutes late. "Eddie, you're late again." the teacher scolded. "sorry, i had car trouble." now we know damn well Eddie doesn't have a car, but she let it go. he slid into his seat next to me. 

"hey, Ruby!" he said, in a voice more chipper than usual. "what's up, Eddie? how was your morning?" i asked, narrowing my eyes, so he would know i didn't believe him about his so called 'car trouble'. "uh, well, you know, i was late because of.." he leaned in closer. "bike trouble." he whispered. my face presented my very real confusion. "what?" "yeah, uh, someone from the trailer park stole it, so i had to run here and i was still late." god, i fucking hate people. "i'm so sorry Eddie, i hope someone leaves it somewhere so you can take it back. what does it look like?" i asked. 

"it's all black with a headlight and a grey stripe down the middle." i felt so bad for him. "i'll look for it on my way home." i said, with a sympathetic smile. "thanks, but you don't have to do tha-" he started to say, when our teacher interrupted us. "quiet, class! today we're reviewing the Pythagorean Theorem to prepare for Monday's quiz." the whole class protested with groans and sighs. "please take out your notebooks!" 

we were about 10 minutes into the review when i felt a tap on my arm. i turned to see Eddie looking at me. "what are you listening to?" he whispered. i looked up to see if the teacher was looking, but she was busy writing a formula on the board. i took a second to remember the name of the song that was currently playing. the metalhead really chose this time to ask when i was listening to fucking SZA? i hesitated before answering. "you wouldn't know who it is, and you probably wouldn't like it." i whispered back. he looked baffled. "what do you mean? we have, like, the same taste." i laughed a little. "surprise, but, i am very feminine while also being alternative." "i don't care. let me see." before i could say no again, he grabbed my phone off the desk and turned on the screen.

 "oh, you weren't lying. i have no idea who that is. but if you like it, i'll give it a listen." he gently turned it off and placed it back on the desk. i scoffed. "there's no way you'll like it." "look, i may like Motörhead and Black Sabbath but i'm always open to other types of music. especially if you like it." my heart skipped a beat. i can't believe he cares about what i like so much that he'll go so far away from his own favorites to listen to mine. i tried to act like my heart didn't just fucking stop in its tracks.

 "well, that's very sweet of you, but i really don't think you'll like it much." he shrugged. "a first time for everything, right?" i looked down at my notebook to hide my smile. this boy really knows how to flirt and he probably doesn't even realize it. a few minutes passed, and he tapped me again. i turned to look at him again. "do you.. smoke?" he mouthed, pinching his pointer and thumb together and raising it to his mouth a few times. i turned to see if the teacher was looking again, because all we need is to get in trouble for this. 

i nodded my head. "yeah, why?" i whispered. he looked surprised, but moved his head closer to me to speak again. "do you like Backwoods?" he whispered back, quieter than i thought was humanly possible. "yeah, i just have to get someone to buy them for me." "don't worry, i have some. meet me in the east wing at lunchtime." my heart fluttered, feeling like a butterfly crashing against my ribs, trying to get out. what are we gonna do? i was honestly too excited for something that was probably going to be nothing special. i need to push these damn feelings down before they come out. i turned to him once more. i smiled. "also, you can call me Rue."