Ruby Redfort: try not to scream

Chapter 42- The Greatest

Ruby had slipped away from her mother's party; she had never really liked them. She knew no one would miss her. It was just all of Sabina Redfort's friends and a handful of Ruby's. If only Blacker and LB were there. At least then there would be some interesting conversation. Ruby's school friends had all gone home by then; it was almost eight o'clock. She wished Dan was still there so she could run up to his room and watch Crazy Cops with him. While he was living there, it almost felt like she had a brother. She had never had a sibling. Clancy had spent most of the day with her, but had been needed at home for, what his mother described as, an 'Olive emergency', so Ruby felt quite lonely. She ran up the stairs and into her room, locking the door behind her. She slipped out of the blue dress and into Hitch's hoodie and a pair of jeans. She opened the hatch in the ceiling and climbed onto the roof. Sitting on the bean bag, looking at his watch, was Hitch.
"You escaped too, huh?" she said when he looked up.
"Let's just say your mom's party isn't exactly my idea of a fun time," he smiled.
"Trust me, it's not mine either," Ruby rolled her eyes. She slumped down next to him and, for a while, they just stared at the night's sky. Ruby sighed and hid her hands in the sleeves of the sweater. Hitch smiled.
"You're seventeen now. I'm gonna have to stop calling you kid soon,"
"Nah," Ruby shook her head. "I'll always be thirteen at heart,"
"Four years has flown by," Hitch sighed.
"Yeah, I remember the day I first met you. I thought you were a huge bozo,"
"I'm offended," laughed Hitch, sarcastically.
"I bet you thought I was a total duh, right?" she grinned.
"I was curious about you at first but when you noticed my arm I realised what all the fuss was about. Blacker had been going on and on about this code you made and that you were some kind of miracle kid,"
Ruby laughed and punched him lightly on the arm.
"So, tell me if I'm wrong but, it seems to me that we didn't really like each other much when we first met,"
Hitch smirked.
"It would seem so. But now look at us,"
"Yeah, now you're my sidekick," grinned Ruby.
"Sidekick?" Hitch scowled sarcastically.
"Yeah. You're Watson, I'm Sherlock. I'm the peanut butter, you're the jelly," Ruby grinned. She rested her head on his shoulder and sighed.
"I wonder where we'll be in four more years," whispered Hitch.
"Dead?" Ruby giggled. Hitch laughed and shoved her gently.
"Someone had to say it," she grinned.

Flashback:

Hitch: You are inside out.
Ruby: Huh?
Hitch: Let me guess. The so called authority figures didn't like your silent demands
Ruby: Oh yeah. Something like that.
...
Ruby: I don't like people messing with my hair buster.
Hitch: You tell 'em kid
...
Hitch: Nice to see you kid
Ruby: About time you showed up. Thought you were busy stuffing yourself with canapes
Hitch: Canapes? Nah, they give me indigestion. You ok, Ruby?
Ruby: Never felt better
...
Nine lives: Well, well well. If it isn't the secret agent extraordinaire and his little pet
...
Nine lives: Any last words?
Hitch: Let me think. I'm sure I can come up with something.
Nine lives: Too bad I'm gonna mess up that nice suit of yours. Well I guess it's time to say adios. Look into my eyes. They'll be the last you see.
Ruby: Not quite!

Ruby grinned. Her friendship with Hitch had been a rocky one but it was one of the greatest friendships ever to have been. Yes, they annoyed the living daylights out of each other and yes, they butted heads a lot but Ruby adored Hitch. She would never admit it but anyone who knew Ruby could plainly see that the kid loved her friend. Hitch respected Ruby more than anyone else. She was one cool kid, funny too. There was something about her way of speaking that made her completely fascinating to everyone around her. Even after all this time, Hitch still hadn't figured Ruby out.

"You wanna get outta here, kid?" asked Hitch, standing up. He extended his hand to help her up. She pulled herself off the floor and stood up.
"Where are we going?" she asked, looking up at him. He smiled his handsome smile.
"Leave that to me kid,"

Hitch and Ruby walked to his car, sneaking away from Sabina's party. Ruby slipped into the passenger seat and grinned. It was good to be doing something remotely normal for once.
"Can you give me a hint?" she asked.
"About what?" said Hitch, starting the car.
"Where we're going,"
"It's gonna be fun. You'll love it, kid," he smiled.