Rue's Mad World

Chapter 7

I smoothed out my shirt methodically making sure each little wave was calmed. I was trying to make an effort. Every little gesture counted towards apologies right? After returning home from my date (but not a date) with Ash I had noticed that the cupcake was gone from Pax's steps. I took it as a sign that she was probably ready to forgive me now. That or some pesky neighbourhood boy had stolen it. With my cheek still flushed from what Ash had said before we parted I found myself once again ringing a doorbell to which my fate was unknown.

"Do you mind if I can maybe have your number, just so you know I can call you and let you know whats up for the concert?"he had said cooly.  

I had given it to him without argument. I was lost for excuses and it seemed harmless enough. Besides now that Pax and I were separated the only person who had texted me since was my mom asking if i knew what the capital of Kyrgyzstan was.

"Rue." the door had been pushed open gently and there to greet me was a tired and soft spoken Pax. Her hair was as unkempt as ever despite the extreme makeover moment she had that memorable day at the Eye. I noticed a bit of pink frosting smudged on Pax's face once again proving that cupcakes where undoubtedly the solution to everything.

"PAX IM SORRY" I blurted before she had the chance to say anything else. " What I said about you and Edward was tactless and insensitive. I don't know if I'll ever be able to fully understand what Edward meant to you but I do understand that I'm your best friend and that means I will always be your shoulder to cry on, whether it's for tears of joy from getting into the university of choice or tears of heartbreak -- I swear I will always be there."

 Water brimmed Pax's eyes. She walked over to my slowly and engulfed me and a big hug. As she pulled away I found proof of Pax's forgiveness in the form of tear stains on my shoulder.

"I missed you... a lot" she sniffled. " the last couple days have kinda more than sucked. I've resorted to throwing darts at a pic of Edward from 6th year." 

"You mean when he went through his cringey Adidas track suit phase?" 

 Pax laughed as she wiped away her last tears. " Oh gosh yes. Remember that one time I bought him a pair of jeans from Topshop and he used them as work clothes when he painted his bedroom?" This time Pax couldn't stop laughing. I smile instantly spread on my face. I had missed my best friend.

"Of course. Low and behold his precious track suits couldn't get ruined. I still take those paint covered jeans over those awful track suits any day."

"Agreed." We stared at each other in silence for a brief moment . "Billy Jeans Tea tomorrow morning? I can pick you up" I offered. 

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We arrived at Billy Jean's Tea house at an early 9am considering that it was a good two hour drive through the country to get to. Billy Jean's is where Pax and I would go any time something significant happened in our lives that called for a celebration. We would wake up at the crack of dawn and drag ourselves out of bed knowing that in a short couple of hours our faces would be stuffed with hot biscuits and Tea. We had discovered Billie Jeans a couple months after we had first met  while biking near Pax's aunt Maisie's house. We were both drawn in by the place's effortless charm.  The vintage decor made you feel as if you were living in a Jane Austen novel. The tea house's romance was the perfect setting for any of our celebratory needs. We'd gone there to celebrate the end of school terms, quiet birthdays, and even the day the Giants won the superbowl (Pax had watched it with me because everyone else in England had ran away from me when I mentioned it.) 

"Save us a spot and I'll order" Pax said. The tea house was busy that morning. "The usual?" she asked. I gave her a nod and she hurried to join the growing line.