The story behind Ruby

Happy place

>>>AUSTIN'S POV<<<

Wednesday during 3rd period I got a text from Ruby
"Hey Austin, could you come over after school today?"
That was the first time she'd texted me since the whole tutoring thing.

Of coarse,I said yes. I remember back to that night when we sat in her bright red room and got to know each other better. She had told me that she didn't think she would need me to tutor her again, but she did say she wouldn't mind having me over again. Guess she followed up on that promise.

After school I found her in the hallway and we walked to where the buses pick us up together.
"Are you ready for today?" She said happily.
"Why wouldn't I be?" I asked with a laugh, a little confused.
"Depends, do you like hiking?"
She asks me.
Hiking? It's the end on November and almost cold enough to snow! But, I do enjoy hiking, and if it means I get to hang out with Ruby, I don't really care what we do.

"Of coarse," I say with a little hesitation, "but where would we hike to?"
I realized that was kind of a stupid question once I'd said it, judging by the fact that we lived in Utah valley and we were literally surrounded by mountains in every direction. And since both or houses were right next to the foot of the mountain, we could easily walk right up to any area and start hiking to no where. But why did she want to do that?

She thought for a little bit.
"My happy place."

*********************************

"It's a good thing you brought a coat," She said, referring to my blue windbreaker I had on. "Let me grab mine real quick."
She left me alone on the porch for only a few short seconds, than came back out with a fluffy white coat on.

"Follow me!"
We walked through the gate into her back yard, there was only yellow dry grass, and a dead looking tree only about 6 feet tall. The fence had no back, and it lead strait to a large yellow hill, with a narrow path twisting up it. We walked to the path and started up it.

"So, where exactly does this lead?" I ask

"You'll see." She says, climbing quickly to the top of the hill. After about 10 minutes of quickly hiking with a little small talk, we reach the top. I join her at the top and look down at a large rocky ditch.

"...This is your happy place?" I ask curiously.

"We aren't there yet," She says with a chuckle. "Come on, last stretch."

We slowly descend down the rocky ditch. the sun is still high in the sky, but I know that we don't have long before it sets now that winter is nearing.

I hit a loose patch of dirt , and slide on my feet right up to Ruby. I grab her arm so I don't ram into her.

"Woah, sorry." I say blushing a little.

"Haha it's fine, I wouldn't expect any better from a rookie like you"

"a rookie at what?" I ask.

"Ditch sliding of coarse!" She says. Right after she finishes that sentence, her foot gets caught on a large rock, making her stumble almost to the ground. But she quickly grabs my hand and I grab her waist, and help her back up.

"Who's the rookie now?" I ask jokingly.

"That doesn't count you where distracting me!" She says in defense.

"Your fault for letting me distract you!" I say back with a laugh.

She gives me a stink eye, but I'm not very intimated because she's not very good at hiding a smile.

"Touché." She says.

We still haven't dropped hands, and we don't until we are completely out of the rocky ditch. We are now pretty far from our houses, and we start walking down one more hill, our houses are now completely out of sight.

Then I see it. A house. A very very small house built into the hill. It looks extremely old, it's made of red brick, with a layer of light blue paint peeling off in the light wind.

"Here we are!" Says Ruby, beckoning me into the door-less doorway of the old house.

With a bit of hesitation, I follow her.
This place is amazing. It's the only house in sight, and it has a beautiful view of the sun that's about to set behind the purple mountains, and pine trees galore.

We walk into a room that looks like would be a family room, if a family still lived here. A wooden chair is already placed right by the window, looking out towards the sun. She sits down, and I grab another wooden chair from the back of the room and bring it towards hers.

"Wow this place is incredible! Do you come her a lot?" I ask.

"I used to come here all the time when I was a little bit younger, but now I don't come as often." She says.

"Why not?" I ask her.

"Well, I used to come here to be alone, but now it seems I'm almost never not alone, so," she says trailing off at the end "but now I have you and so I thought I'd show you my happy place."

I blushed and smiled at her. "You don't have to feel alone Ruby." I say after mustering up every ounce of courage in my body.

She looked up at me with those killer green eyes and beautiful smile, then it washed away into a sad frown.

"I do. For everyone's sake."

"No you don't, what do you mean?" I ask her.

"Never mind. It's hard to explain." She says quietly.

"What ever it is, you can tell me, I'm here for you Ruby." I say sympathetically, taking her hand.

"Maybe another time." She says, smiling faintly.

"Right on cue!" She says, changing the subject, looking toward the now setting sun, "it's beautiful isn't it?"

"Absolutely. Just like you." I say looking down at her. I feel like I'm just reliving last weekend when she came over. She giggles a little bit and continues to watch the sun set intently.

She everts her eyes from the sky to me. And I look her in eye as well.

"Thank you Austin." She says after what felt like hours of silence.

"For what?"

"Everything."

And with that, I decided I should take my chance. I lean forward and close my eyes.
To my surprise, She does the same. I don't exactly know what came over me, but whatever it is i'm thankful that it did. Our lips part after only about five second, and she takes my hand and stands up.

"We should be on our way." She says, leading me towards the door. I nod and follow behind her.