Chapter 14
CHAPTER 14
Presley
“ W hat happened, Ruby? Please talk to me.”
She finally looks up, and my heart breaks when I see how swollen her eyes are.
“We were talking, and Chase was showing me the books in the library. But then Bridgette, Sarah and Mindy came in with some of the other football players. They said they were going to play spin the bottle. I wasn’t going to play. I was going to leave. But Mindy called me a scaredy cat and dared me to stay.”
She’s shaking her head, and the embarrassment is written all over her face. And now Mindy is on my shitlist. Her name listed right below Cassie’s. It sounds like a setup, and gathering by how upset Ruby is, I’m guessing it was another bully attack.
“Chase grabbed my hand and pulled me into the circle, telling me that I didn’t need to be so afraid, and that if I didn’t want to kiss someone, I didn’t have to.”
And now Chase might be right below Mindy. He saw how upset she was earlier, and he knows how shy Ruby is. He should’ve told them no thanks. As soon as we’re done, I’m calling Kyler. He needs to have a heart-to-heart with his friend. It was so not cool for Chase to put her in that situation.
“So, what happened?” I ask.
“I spun the bottle.” She swallows hard. “I spun it, and it landed on Chase.” Her cheeks are growing as red as a rose right now. “He told me I didn’t have to kiss him. But…” She’s practically shaking. “I wanted to. I’ve had a crush on him since elementary school. So, I leaned forward, and I pressed my lips to his. I’m not sure what happened, but something came over me. There was this intense rush. These feelings that were all-consuming. The next thing I know, I’m straddling his lap, chasing down the feelings. The kiss was out of control, and then… I… um…”
She drops her head into her hands, shaking it back and forth like she’s so ashamed of what happened next.
“I was so wrapped up; I wasn’t even thinking.” I think I know exactly what happened. And I can understand the feeling. I would’ve fucked Kyler in the middle of the gymnasium the other day. “The world faded away, and I forgot where we were. And then… they all burst out laughing.”
I’m going to destroy those girls. “What did Chase do, Ruby?”
“He just sat there, looking completely shocked by what I’d done. I was so horrified, I ran out. I can never look at him again.”
At least he didn’t join in the laughter and make fun of her. But I’m still not happy about him putting her in that situation to begin with.
“I’m so done with high school.” Her head falls back on the chair. “I’m done with it all. They’re all cruel. I just want to be free. I don’t want to be the loser anymore.”
God, it hurts my heart to hear those words.
“I’m so sorry, Ruby.” The tears slip down my cheeks. I hate that anyone would ever have to endure what she’s gone through. That anyone would ever be made to feel like a loser. It pains me. But what pains me even more is that it took me this long to realize I was always siding with the enemy, when I should’ve been begging the “losers” to be my friends.
“You’re amazing, Ruby. I’ve never met anyone as nice as you.” I reach out and squeeze her hand. Her eyes open, and she turns her head. “Thank you for being my friend. I’m sorry I left you tonight. I promised you I wouldn’t, and I did.” The tears are slipping down faster, the pain ripping out my insides. I feel like I’m back at my old school, and I fed another innocent girl to the sharks. “I’m so sorry. And I can understand if you don’t want to be my friend anymore.”
She shifts to face me. “No, Presley. This is not your fault. No one has ever been nice to me before. You’re the only one who has ever stuck up for me. I’m not upset with you. I’m so thankful for your friendship. And when we graduate, I hope you’ll still want to be friends with me.”
“Always.” I wipe my face, and smile. “You’re my best friend, Ruby. And when I get married, I’ll want you to be my maid of honor.”
Her smile is radiant, and the pain I’ve been harboring begins to unlock its tight grip. I may not have made the right choices in my past, but I won’t make that mistake again.
“Hey! Do you want to spend the night at my house tonight? My dad’s out of town. We can stop by the store and buy junk food, and then have a movie marathon.”
Her face beams with excitement, and another shred of the pain retreats. “I’ve never had a sleepover before. Yes! I’d love to.”
I start my car and pull out of the spot, finally feeling like my life is on the right track. Though, I still have a long way to go on this road of redemption.