Ruby Redfort: try not to scream

Chapter 7- No words for you

Ruby woke the next morning very tired. She hadn't slept very well because her mind was restless with thoughts of things that had happened the previous day. Ruby got ready for the day and sauntered down the stairs. She threw two pieces of bread into the toaster and poured herself a glass of banana milk. When the toast popped out there was a message written on one slice. It was of course from the house manager/ Hitch.
Come straight to HQ after school. Have a good day kid xx
Ruby was slightly worried. Hitch only ever added kisses onto the end of messages when something was about to happen that Ruby wouldn't like. She rolled her eyes and glugged her milk and finished her toast. Grabbing her bag and keys, she left the house. It was still very early so the Redfort's housekeeper, Mrs Digby, was not yet awake.

Hopping onto her bike, Ruby rode down the streets and pulled in at Ray Penny's penny book store before school. She wanted to pick up a new horror novel. It would give her an excuse to avoid everyone at lunchtime. She picked up a second hand copy of a book called After The Spectre. The front cover was a bloody hand print on a steamed up window. It looked like a good enough read to keep Ruby's mind off things she didn't want to address at that moment in time. The kiss with Clancy in particular.

Ruby was of course late as she often was and Mrs Drisco jumped at the opportunity to give her a detention. She didn't bother arguing so she just slumped down into her seat which was inconveniently next to Clancy. She didn't look at him because quite frankly she had no idea how to. Ruby Redfort was not one for giving false hope to anyone but in some areas of her mind, she wanted to be with Clancy, she just didn't know how.

"Rube?" The tone in Clancy's voice was one of concern. Ruby didn't answer him. She just couldn't find the words to talk to him. It was just too much for her to handle.
"Look, if I crossed a line I am sorry and I will never do anything like that again," his voice was shaking with nerves. He wanted nothing more than to be with Ruby but if she didn't want him, he couldn't lose her as a friend as well.
"Please just talk to me, Rube. Tell me what you want," he whispered. He needed to get her to look at him and there was only one way he knew how. He stroked her cheek with his fingers and tilted her head gently so she had to face him. Ruby gasped, nervously.
"I... I just... Clance, you have to understand that I have so much going on right now and, well, I..." she was cut off by the deafening shriek of Mrs Drisco.
"Ruby Redfort and Clancy Crew, would you care to tell the entire class what you are discussing? Because, if it is more important than your physics work then I'm sure we'd all love to know what it is," The teacher was now hovering over the desk the two kids were sitting behind, like a vulture.
"It's not that important," said Ruby. "It's nothing really. Sorry Mrs Drisco," As soon as she said it she realised the fact that she called it 'nothing' had hurt Clancy because his head hung low for the rest of the day.

When the bell rang, Ruby gathered up her things and rushed for the door. Clancy followed her down the road to try and talk to her.

"Ruby," he called after her. "Ruby, just listen to me please. We need to talk,"
"Yes I know Clance but not now, ok? I have to go."
"Why do you have to go right now? Why can't you just hold on a second?" he asked, running in front of her this time, obstructing her path. "Rube, please,"
"I'm sorry Clance. I wish I could stay but I can't. Spectrum needs me,"
She barged past him and ran as fast as she could so that he couldn't catch her.

When she reached Spectrum she was told to wait in the auditorium until LB was ready for her. She had no idea why she was here, only that she wasn't going to like what was going on.
Ten minutes later Ruby was pushing open the doors to the White Room, the office of LB. Once again, all her friends were there but this time there was someone else as well. He was a boy of about Ruby's age. He was tall, muscular and with shiny blonde hair and dark brown eyes. The boy from the dream. The one who was standing with everyone else outside that building.

"Redfort," said LB. "This is Danial Zayn,"

Hope you liked this chapter! More coming soon xxx (I got the idea of the character of Dan from WARNINGwhovian although I am not using any of her writing during this story. It was just the character idea)