Ruby Sparks (Fox Searchlight Pictures, 2012)

3

CHAPTER 3

I hurried upstairs to get back to writing.

"This thing is dripping everywhere." I commented as I held up an enormous burger as a dinner. Ruby was sitting beside me at the backyard by the pool, sipping a soda.

I took a big bite and when I realized Ruby was staring at me, I asked "what?"

She just shook her head and smiled, "you're so not my type."

"What do you mean I'm not your type?"

"I usually go for guys who are more than assertive?"

"I'm assertive." I said with conviction.

She just chuckled, "no. You're stubborn, it's different. I had this one boyfriend who told me I wasn't funny but I had a good sense of humor 'cause I laugh at his jokes."

"Why did you date a guy like that?"

"I was young. You must have things you regret."

"Not really." I disagreed and smiled. "Everything's been perfect so far. So, that's what you're looking for in a guy? Doucheness?"

"I don't know. I guess I was looking for you." She looked at me with genuineness. "It just took me a while to find you." She added.

I was about to kiss her when she stood up and ran to the pool.

"Ruby!"

"Jump!" she exclaimed as she dived cannonball to the pool. I jumped too, of course.

"What did you think the first time you saw me?"

"I thought you were the most beautiful girl I ever saw."

"Were you disappointed when you got to know me?"

"How can you ask that?"

"I'm such a mess."

"I love your mess." I told her.

"The first time I saw you, I thought, look at that boy, I'm going to love him. Forever and ever and ever." Ruby said.

"What if you get sick of me?"

"I won't." she replied. "I promise."

I was smiling as I typed the last two words. It was Ruby's pledge of forever. I can't help but to feel ecstatic about what I just wrote. It's 7 in the morning now and as I felt my eyes sinking, lured by tiredness and sleep, the phone rang frantically, making me jump in the process.

"Hello?" I haven't hung up yet when it started ringing again.

"Oh, shit." I muttered. Of course, it was not my landline. I scanned my bedroom, looking for the phone as it rang to life. I ran to the other spare rooms I got and still no sign of my phone. It continued to ring until I found it lying on the floor.

I immediately picked it up and answered the call. "Hello?" When no one spoke, I realized I missed the call. "Dammit!"

I dialled the number and turned on the loudspeaker while I change my clothes. I was completely running late for my appointment today! "Hello?" Someone with a thick Indian accent answered.

"Cyrus!" Yea. My great publicist.

"Where the fuck are you, buddy?"

"Sorry. I was writing and I fell asleep on my desk. I'll be right there!"

"Look, if you wanna play to get me talk about this, then fine, I'll just—"

"No!" I interrupted him. "No, no. I want to show you what I have. I think you're going to be really excited." I ran to my bedroom and retrieved my manuscript. He was blabbering about cancelling my meeting with him but I wasn't listening.