cigarette butts ➸ michael clifford

09. Michael

I had no words for what Ruby and I were.

Of course we were friends, but there was something else that I wasn't really ready to give a label yet. All I know is that I need her. Just her being here keeps me afloat. We both had issues. They weren't problems that you could put bandaids on and forget about, because "hey, you tried your best and it's going to heal." It doesn't work like that and I know that now.

Standing in the staff parking lot, the sun high up in the sky, the five of us were waiting for Rita and the mini bus. When I say five of us, I mean me, Ruby, Ben and two other people I didn't particularly care about. Being able to leave the facility was such a good feeling, even if it was only for two hours.

"The first place I'm hitting up is Ann Summers," Ruby joked.

"The second place you'll be hitting up is me," Ben winked.

"Yeah, it will be."

She punched him straight in the gut making him create the ugliest sound known to man and fold like a cheap suit.

"Next time, don't tuck your thumb," I smiled. "Don't want to break it."

She laughed, the sound never going unappreciated, "Next time? Thanks, Brad Pitt. This tip will help me in Fight Club."

"You broke the first rule, ass wipe."

"What?" she smirked. "Don't talk about Fight Club?"

My eyes narrowed, "You're going to burn in hell for your sins."

"Now, Clifford - you better watch your religious mouth or you'll be getting a soaping."

I spun round and nearly bumped in to Rita. Her glasses sat on the end of her nose, a slight smile on her face. The keys dangled from her fingers and clinked together when she turned to walk away. My eyes must of been begging to fall out of my head, as Ruby threw an arm round me and Ben silently laughed at me from the floor.

"That sounds like something that'd happen whilst men shower in prison, eh, Rita?" Ben snorted, standing up.

"Yeah, sure," Rita nodded. "But you would know all about that."

It was my turn to laugh, the smile on Ben's face faltering. His mouth opened, quick to throw back an insult, but then it shut before he could.

"Wsssshh!" I flicked my wrist, my hand snapping in a quick slapping movement.

Ben spun round, his finger pointing in my face, "I am not fucking whipped, Clifford!"

"Fuckin' liar," I murmured, dodging Ben's punch and stepping on to the now open mini bus.

As soon as I had got on to the rusting bus, I headed for the back. There were three seats along the back and I picked the window seat on the left side. My eyes instantly searched for Ruby, wanting her to sit with me. Ben had chosen to sit shot gun with Rita, because he's a whipped little shit and Ruby sat at the back.

"I'm so excited," she grinned, bouncing in her seat.

I just watched her, not being able to help the smile appearing on my face. Shaking my head, I agree with her. The van started moving, Ben continuously looking over his shoulder.

"Clifford, you got your seatbelt on?"

I looked down at myself and then at the ratty seatbelt that I hadn't bothered to clip over me.

"Yeah."

In a split second, my face smashed in to the seat in front of me and bounced off, smacking the back of my head on the window.