Ruby 

"Are you feeling better?" Elizabeth hands me a cup of water. "I am feeling better." I say, as I look at Elite. She's standing in the corner, watching everything with almost puff eyes. She must have cried a lot back in that bathroom. I feel so bad for her. Our eyes meet. I look away, with embarrassment. "You just passed out into the street." Penny says, patting my shoulder. I take a sip from my water. "Does this usually happen?" Elizabeth asks. "No, I just. I was having a panic attack." I say. They started to happen when I moved to New York. Right after, Tobias told me to stay away. The pain inside of me seemed too hard to control. I ended up having panic attacks every now and then, when my mind becomes too small for my thoughts. I never tried to see a therapist. I never told my parents. I didn't want to sound selfish. "No, I am okay." I say, giving a small smile. "We should get some spa time." Dianna says. "I agree." Emily says with a nod. "I could use some of that." Penny, agrees as well. "I need some massage." Elizabeth says with a smile. "Let's go then." Dianna says with a smile.

I let out a sight as I rest my back. "That's what I am talking about." Penny says from beside me. I let outa chuckle. "Henry must be draining all your energy." I say. "I would say Albert does." Penny says with a laugh. "I can't believe that dork has a son." I say, laughing along. "I can't believe, I married that dork." She says. We laugh for a couple more minutes. "That Alexander dude seems into you." She says. "What? No, Alex is my boss." I say. "Come on. You should find someone, it seems like Tobias already did." Penny says. I don't know. Did he thought? Last night must have meant something. "I don't know, Penny. I don't think I am ready, yet." I say, as I feel the mask on my face harden. "It's okay to feel this way. You've been through a lot." She looks at me saying. I smile as my cheeks tighten up. "You look good." She says with a chuckle. I chuckle along as I get up.

"You smell good." Albert says as he kisses his wife's cheek. "I always do." She says, holding up her baby. "Had fun?" Alex's voice comes from behind me. "Yeah." I say as I turn to face him. "Ash said we're going on a trip to the beach tomorrow." He says. "In California?" I ask, raising an eyebrow. "Yeah." He says. "I haven't been there in a while. "He didn't tell me." I say. "He said it would be great since you guys are all together now. He also wants Elizabeth to see his hometown." He says. "Yeah, why not." I say.

I turn in my new sheets. His smell disappeared. I sit up in bed. I grab my phone. I hit Louisa's number. Two rings pass and her voice fills my ears. "Hey." She says. "Hey." I say. "You okay?" She asks. "Are you home?" I ask. "Yeah, for Christmas break." She says. "I am coming tomorrow." I say. "That's new. Are you with Ash?" She asks. "Yeah, the wedding is in two days." I says. "That's only a day before Christmas." She says. "Yeah, I might be home for Christmas morning." I say. "Mom would be happy." She says. "You know why I don't come usually." I say. "Yeah, yeah. It reminds you of your last Christmas here." She says. "Tobias is coming tomorrow, too." I say. "Are you serious? He's gonna be at the wedding?" She asks. "Yeah." I say. "Fuck, man. I might kick that boy in the balls if I see him." She says. "Ash invited him." I say. "How are you?" She asks. "I am okay." I say, looking at my newly cleaned nails. "I know that you're not. It's okay." She says. "He has a girlfriend." I say. "Seriously?" She asks. "Yeah." I mumble. "That dick." She says. "Please be nice for mom's sake." I say. "Planning on bringing him home tomorrow?" She asks. "No way. I just told you he has a girlfriend. I mean, at the wedding." I say. She sights heavily. "Fine. Just for mom's sake and yours." She says. "Thanks, Lou. I owe you." I say. "You don't owe me anything, Rub." She says. I smile. "I will call you tomorrow." I say. "Okay. Take care." She says. "Love you." I say as we hang up. Louisa has always been there since Peter's death. It took me a while to get over the fact that she slept with my last boyfriend. But, I didn't have anyone else. She was the only one there. Peter was gone and my parents were never the same. As for Tobias, he left me all alone.

"I can't believe you're brought us to California." I whisper to Ash as we walk out the bus, he rented to get us here. "It's a beach day, relax Ruby." He says. I sight as he walks and holds hands with his future wife. "I gotta run to my parents house real quick." I say as they set things on the beach. "Alone?" Alex asks. "It's just a quick visit." I say with a shrug. "Alright, take care." Alexander says. I thank god a million times that he didn't offer to come. My eyes meet with Tobias's before I leave.

"My little baby." Mom's arms holds me tightly. I hold her back. I missed her. I really hate not visiting her. Not visiting this house. "You decided to visit at last?" Dad's arms are crossed. "Don't give her a hard time, Shawn." She says, pulling me to the kitchen. My father doesn't like me not visiting. He doesn't get why I do it. Nobody does really, except Louisa. "Hey, Rub." Louisa wraps her arms around me, with an embrace. "Let's have breakfast now, as one happy family." Mom says. I knew from Louisa that mom went through therapy after I left the house by a year. She got worse by the day. Peter's death didn't have a good impact on her mental health. I really do feel bad for her. My own mother losing it.