Safe

Raining Gumballs

"So? Whatcha got?" I couldn't even put my backpack down before my brother was in my face. 

"What?"

"What's your plan?"

"About what Al?"

"About my problem, Sky! The one you're supposed to think about and let me know?" I totally forgot about this. Between Calum and Ruby I couldn't even remember what homework I had. 

"Why don't you ask someone else?"

"Because you're my sister and I need help!"

"Yeah, your little sister. The one you should be protecting. No having her scheme on how to get you out of a drug war!"

"Hey! Dad isn't deaf yet! Stop yelling!"

I pushed past my brother and bolted up the stairs. I really do not want to do this today. I had enough going on in my own head and with my own friends to be bothered about my brother's problems.

"Sorry Al!" I yelled before I slammed my door and shut out my family. This weeks been a disaster and it's only Tuesday! 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ruby:  Hey! You haven't told anyone right?

Me:  No, Ruby. And I don't plan on it.

Ruby:  Do you want to hang out tomorrow after school?

Me:   What? You want me to hang out with you? Really?

Ruby:  Yeah. You'll have to come over. I can't drive you here but, sure!

Me:   Whatever. Fine. I'll be there at 3:30?

Ruby:  Awesome!

My life is getting weirder and weirder. Next thing, it will start raining gum balls or something.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I walked to Ruby's house after school. I had done my math to please my dad. He was just as surprised as me that someone wanted to hang out. I didn't tell him it's Ruby. I thought I'd wait.
I walked up the front steps to the their porch. I began to knock on the door when Ruby opened it and put her finger up to my mouth telling me to be quiet. 

"What are you doing?" Ruby's eyes widened meaning that I really have to be quiet. She motioned to her ear. I guessed she wanted me to listen.

I could hear people talking in the house, just barely.

"This is not my fault!"

"You're the one who's never home! You really think she doesn't know that you're cheating on me?"

"Are you kidding me, Dianne? Your going to blame me for your parenting mistakes?"

"MY mistakes? MINE? Well. Let's just ask her? RUBY! COME DOWN HERE PLEASE!"

I looked at Ruby with the 'what's going on' look.

She pulled me out to the sidewalk. She looked at me like she was about to cry and then I noticed her hair. Her long blonde hair wasn't long anymore. 

"You cut your hair?"

"Yeah. But I also told my folks that I wanted to buy some pants and less skirts and so we went into this whole conversation about what I feel inside and how everyday I feel less and less like a stereotypical girl. My parents of course wanted me to stop and get through this phase. I don't feel like this is a phase, though."

What do I say to that? 'Good job? Hope you parents don't disown you?'

I'm happy that she's figuring out who she is. I hope that it all works out.

"I'm glad you're figuring out who you are. And I hope it all works out."

"Can we go for a walk?"

"Sure Ruby."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After walking in silence for what seemed like ages Ruby stopped, turned to me and began to talk, but stopped before an entire word left her mouth.

She tried again.

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"Listening, mostly. Your a better friend than all the ones I actually hang out with."

She wasn't wrong. But I'm not sure I can continue to be her secret friend that never gets to actually see her.

"Are you going to fix your hair?"

"What? Oh." Her hand found her hair and she inspected the choppy hair cut.

"Come on." I took her hand and dragged her to my house. I made sure no one was around then I took her to the bathroom. I pulled in a chair for her to sit in.

"My dad and brother make me check the back of their heads after they cut their hair. I've gotten pretty good with this thing." I plugged in the trimmers and asked her what she wanted. Ruby pulled up a picture of a boy with brown hair. 

"I can try."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"It's okay, I guess."

I take off the cape and brush all the extra hair off her back and neck. She stands up and looks in the mirror above the sink. Her hands go to touch the hair above her ears and her mouth falls open.

"Wow."

"You said you wanted it brown. We could go to the store and get some die if you want." 

"Yeah!"