*The Chronicles of F.R.E.E. Atania's Knight - Raquel Festow* Part 1

Chapter 16 - Best of Friends

*Ruth Watson POV*

My breath hitched and I froze, my heart clenching at the message Chris had given, feeling weighted down by remorse, guilt and loneliness. All the others were still. No one spoke, or even dared to breathe. I could feel all eyes on my back, waiting for me to move first or speak. But I couldn't do any of those things. I just stared at the frozen screen of Chris' face that had faded with a play button in the middle.
"Ruth?" Rebecca's voice sounded far away to me, I could barely focus on it. "Ruth, are you ok?"
"Watson?" Green said quietly.
My eyes started to well up with tears, as my lungs screamed for air after holding my breath for so long. I turned, grabbed my bag and ran out of the cafe, into the kitchen and out of the back door. I stopped for a moment in the courtyard, breathing heavily. I needed a drink, and I needed one now.
I played with the dials of my watch and pressed the sides together but of course, nothing happened. I cried out from frustration and headed off for a walk to try and clear my head.
Had Chris actually meant what he said? Did he really love me? Or rather, did he actually love me back then? I tried to figure out what my life would have been like it I had stayed on Earth rather than going to Astrovia. Would Chris have ended up being what Darren is to me now? I had never liked him that way, but then again, I hadn't thought of Darren that way until I had left Ozryn for Narthwich. I sighed and pulled out my box of cigarettes from my bag, but didn't have a lighter. I groaned and headed to a near by corner shop I could see that was still open. After buying a couple of lighters, I started walking again in a random direction, not really paying attention to where I was going.
How had my mum reacted to my disappearance? Did she still miss me after all these years like I did her? I wondered if Rebecca would allow me to just see her, find out how she's doing... not speak to her, even though that's what I really wanted to do. I wanted nothing more than to hug my mum, and to tell her how much I loved her, my stepdad and my sister. I wondered how she would react if I told her how exciting my life now was, that, even though it was dangerous, I was extremely happy.
My phone ringing made me nearly jump out of my skin and I pulled my bag off me to dig it out.
It was Rebecca. I answered the call. "I'm really not in the mood to talk right now, Beccs."
"Where are you?" She asked, sternly.
"Back where I belong." I answered, cryptically.
"Ruth, where are you? You can't just go running off like that!" She snapped.
"I told you back to where I belong!" I snapped back.
I heard her sigh. "Well, we're going to be heading to a nearby Tavern-"
"It's called a hotel, Rebecca." I heard Darren's voice in the background.
"Yes, sorry. A hotel. We're going to a nearby hotel soon, and ideally you need to be here with us."
"I will soon, I want to be alone for a while."
I heard movement, meaning she was walking around before hearing the fire escape door open. She was going somewhere more private to talk to me.
"Are you upset by what that boy said?"
It was my turn to sigh. "No. I don't think I am. I'm more wondering what could have happened if I hadn't gone to Astrovia. What my life could have been like, you know?"
"You know you can talk to me right? I'm meant to be there for you just as much as you are for me." She told me quietly.
I nodded. "I know that, Beccs and I appreciate it, really. Give me an hour or two and I'll be right back."
"Ok. If you say so. You need to tell me where you're going before you run off like that."
I rolled my eyes. "Yes, thank you mum! I haven't rebelled and gone on the piss. I can't get into the fucking pubs here, remember? I'm still fifteen here."
"What are you doing then?"
"Walking around and smoking myself stupid. The only thing I can do. I'm not far though, about fifteen minute walk from the high street."
"As long as I know where you are."
I turned back and started heading back to the Cafe. My phone pinged with an email. I read it as I walked.

Hi Ruthie!
Listen, if you're not up to anything tomorrow, how'd you like to meet up for a drink? It'd be great to catch up. Don't forget to bring along your eye candy of a fiance, but leave the psycho bitch twin at home.
Hope you're ok. I'm so glad I'm back in contact with you after all this time. I've missed you like mad.
See you soon?
Liz xx