Life is Hard

Chapter 9

Rue's POV

"But..." Laura says. Then her face lights up. "I have an idea." I raise my eyebrows. This can't be good, I think to myself. "We should take Maggs, a ton of food, water, supplies, and live out here. Run away."

"Oh," that's all I can say.

"What's wrong? You look worried. Do you not like my idea?" Laura says to me.

"Um no I think your idea is okay. But not for me. Maybe for you and Maggs but I couldn't go through with it," I say.

"Why? Isn't your life horrible? Don't your parents treat you unfairly?" Laura says looking a little disappointed and angry.

"Well not really. No. I don't have a reason to run away."

"Well...! I don't feel like I know you anymore. You always acted like you were mistreated like Maggs and I. Why didn't you tell us?" She looks exasperated.

"I'm sorry. I didn't want you guys to think I couldn't help you with your problems. I don't know, I should have told you." I'm starting to cry now and I'm choking on my words.

"Oh my gosh. It's okay Rue. Please don't cry." Slowly tears are dripping down her face, too.

"Okay, okay. I'm sorry," I say wiping my tears and sniffing. "I'm good." I try to smile and puts my arms around Laura.

When she's done crying, which wasn't very long afterwards, I say, "I probably won't run away with you," she gives me a look of disappointment, "but I will help you. I'll bring supplies and fresh food and water." On the inside I'm really thinking why do you even want to leave? That's so dumb you could get really hurt! But I say nothing.

"Okay. Thanks Rue, that will help."

"Well I don't want you guys to die even if I will barely see you when you run away." I put the emphasis and die, I will barely see you, and run away trying to convince her not to go in the most subtle way possible.

Laura looks at me, smirking. "I know what your doing and it's not going to work." I stick my tongue out at her.

I state up at the stars and ask, "Do you want to go to Maggs' hill and look at the stars for a bit? I don't have to be home till 8:30 and it's 8 O' clock now."

"Oh, it's 8 already? Shoot I'm supposed to be home like now. Oh well I'll get yelled at so what. Yeah sure let's go."

We go to Maggs' hill and plop down next to each other. Lying on our backs we look at the stars.

"That looks like some random guy walking around," I say point aimlessly to the sky.

"Sure," Laura says. "That looks like a minecraft person."

"Yeah, in your dreams. But that looks like a bow and done arrows."

"Um no. That looks like a turtle."

"Hey it does." My phone beeps. It's a text from my mom.

Mom: Almost time to come home.

Me: I know.

Mom: Okay.

My phone beeps again. This time it's Jason. I almost die.

Jason: Hey Ruella.

Me: Jason! Don't call me that!

J: Sorry.

Me: It's ok. I forgive you.

J: Okay good.

I pause. Turning to Laura I ask, "Should I tell Jason I like him?"

"Oh my gosh he texted you?"

"Yes! Should I tell him or not?"

"Yes! Do it, do it, do it."

"Okay, okay, I am. Calm down."

"Sorry."

I answer Jason's text.

Me: I've been meaning to tell you something.

J: What?

Me: I like you.

J: Really? I like you, too! I've never been able to tell you because I never had the nerve.

I silently scream.

"He likes me!" I say to Laura.

"Yay! What time is it?"

"Oh crap 8:29. We got to go." We get up and we each run home.