Chapter Nine
Sunday
Ruby:
It’s been two days since the whole swan drama, and I haven’t stopped thinking about it.
I’m just drifting to sleep when my phone buzzes against the mattress beside me, and when Josh’s name appears across the screen, a tiny swoop of butterflies attacking my stomach before I’ve even opened the message.
Sorry to let you down makes it sound like I’ve been waiting all weekend to run around a muddy field with a broom between my legs and I haven’t. I mean, I was slightly more enthusiastic about going when I thought he was coming, but I’m hardly going to be heartbroken over it.
RUBY (22:16): Oh! No worries :) xx I actually realised they meet on Mondays and Wednesdays, and I can’t do Wednesdays. Bummer for us both!! Xx
JOSH (22:16): Really? Did you sign up for a different Soc on Wednesday? X
RUBY (22:17): Uh, yeah. Have to be there 6pm sharp, so can’t do anything else! Xx
JOSH (22:20): Cool. Which society is it? X
RUBY (22:21): Oh… it’s the uni newspaper? X
JOSH (22:30): That’s well cool. Have they assigned you a category? Do you have any idea what you’ll write about?
RUBY (22:35): Don’t know yet. Guess I’ll find out in the next few days! Xx
JOSH (22:35): Fingers crossed it’s something you’d want! X
RUBY (22:35): Yeah! I hope it’s something really cool! X
JOSH (22:40): Just to be certain… do you swear I won’t come back to a puddle of your pee through my letter box tomoz? I wasn’t trying to let you down, I just can’t because of football xx
RUBY (22:45): Haha! That was a joke (mostly). You’re safe! xXx
I put my phone down and stare at the ceiling. The problem with lying is it’s never one lie. You have to keep lying, over and over and over again.
When another buzz comes through I grab it quickly, but it isn’t Josh. It’s Oscar.
OSCAR (23:00): You doing okay?
He has asked me that twice already today. Once in the morning because I didn’t answer mums call and again after lunch. I know why he is always asking and I feel shitty for being irritated, but sometimes I wish he would stop.
RUBY (23:05): Yeah, all good. You? X
OSCAR (23:30) I’m all good. X
I’m wide awake now, thinking about everything, unable to sleep.
JOSH (00:00): Night, Ruby x
RUBY (00:00) Night, Josh x
What does it say about me if every text from Josh makes me smile?