C H A P T E R S I X

Words : 2350

Date : March 8th

The school day seemed to drag by, but a buzz of excitement floated through the school. The news of Fletchers' party spread like aids, from the freshmen to the seniors, everyone knew.

Connell's 'drama' was old news by lunch, replaced with news of a freshman who flashed some boys in English. Odd.

Just to show how fast high school drama changes in the blink of an eye. It always seemed to be changing, going from one weird thing to another. It will be different tomorrow, as always.

I drove home right after school ended, waving goodbye to Sara and Maddie. They promised to come and pick me up at 4. My parents weren't going to be home until 5:30, so it was perfect for them not to know. I would just tell them later that Maddie wanted to study, and I had already made a promise to her.

My house was empty and cold, causing me to crinkle my nose. It always seemed so big when everyone was gone. I ran to my room, nearly falling over Juju, my dog, who has decided to waddle his little corgi butt right in front of my feet.

I turned on my heater when I got into my room, and pulled out my piles of makeup. Most of it were gifts from Maddie, who was the only one who knew how to do makeup out of all of us. I was mediocre, and Sara didn't even bother.

Foundation, eyeshadow, some glittery stuff later, and I was ready to go. I tied my hair into a ponytail, trying to flatten my fluffy hair as much as possible. It didn't work.

I checked the time, tapping my feet anxiously as I watched it tick past 4. Of course they were late, it wasn't unexpected. However, it didn't help the twists of my stomach.

Luckily, not long after, I heard the doorbell ring, and I sprung up. Running downstairs, I grabbed my phone and my wallet. Maddie and Sara were both at the door. Maddie was speaking angrily to Sara, who seemed to be staring off absently into space.

Maddie couldn't scare Sara even if she tried.

When Maddie saw me walk out, she shut up, letting her arms fall from their crossed position. She gave me a small smile, looking me up and down.

"Wow, you actually tried," Maddie said, motioning to my short black dress. It was loose, like a nightgown, but much... sexier.

I winked at her, and we both started giggling. Sara even cracked a smile, coming back to earth.

Maddie didn't say what she and Sara were talking about, but I could only assume that Sara said something she shouldn't have, and Maddie got mad at her. One thing about Sara, is that she can't hold her tongue. The only way she does is by not talking at all.

"So what are you going to tell your mom?" Maddie asked as we walked to her car. Sara let out a soft laugh, knowing my answer already. I happened to share my idea with her when I was in art class with her, something which Maddie was not in.

"I told her I was studying with you," I said simply, and Maddie rolled her eyes. My mother would never, ever believe it. Maddie doesn't study, nor does she do her homework, or care about her grades. She had her career already lined up; she was going to take over what her parents did. And that didn't require an A+ in Trig, something which she's on her 2nd try of.

"You're mama's gonna kill you," Maddie laughed, and we all started laughing. I probably shouldn't, knowing she really wasn't wrong. Still, I've survived 18 years, I can survive another night, right?

As we walk to the car, I notice a certain figure coming out of their house. Dog lease in hand, and a grey husky by his side, he started down his driveway towards the sidewalk.

Before I could draw their attention away from him, they spotted him. A short gasp left Maddie's mouth, and she completely stopped walking. When Sara noticed him, even she let out a sound, though it was unidentifiable.

Connell hadn't seen us, opening the gate to his fence.

Maddie's brown eyes flashed to me, confusion now settled on her face. A strange look most likely crossed my face, but I couldn't really pay attention, my mind racing to find an excuse. Not necessarily because he was now living next door, but because I hadn't told them.

"He moved in next door," I said quickly before they could ask any questions. There was a soft breeze, making us all cross are arms. Still, our eyes didn't leave from our anchored spot on Connell. He had stopped, his dog sniffing grass. He didn't seemed pleased.

"Why didn't you tell us?" Maddie asked, her eyes shifting from him. She wasn't angry, just curious.

"It just slipped my mind," I told her, rocking lightly on my feet. Another cold breeze passed, making the leaves ruffle on the ground, and making us all shiver in our boots.

"Okay, we can continue this conversation in the car," Sara's gentle voice pitched in, and she was soon walking towards the car. Once we got to the car, Maddie got in the front seat, and Sara took the passenger.

I was about to get in the back seat, when I felt eyes on me. Connell was staring straight at me, his eyes drifting downwards once, before going back to my face. He had a neutral look on his face, but I could tell he was affected.

Good, I thought, flipping my ponytail over my shoulder.

"What's wrong Ruby, come on!" Maddie rolled down the window slightly, not bothering to look out past me. Sara shushed her, looking out of her own window to see what was happening.

Before I could get into the car, I heard the sound of my dad's truck rumble down the street. It was an obnoxious sound, and was a natural alarm for most of my neighbors.

I flipped around, looking at my dad's car. He hadn't seen me yet, but he would soon.

Looking back at Connell, I could tell he knew what was happening. I motioned to him not to say anything, and opened the car door, climbing inside.

"Drive, drive, drive!" I shouted, barely shutting the car door before we started moving. Like a maniac, Maddie pulled out of the driveway, trying to get away before my dad saw.

Luckily for us, my dad was still far down the road, which was covered by large oak trees, too many to see past.

Unluckily, Connell had witnessed my distressed jump in the car, quick drive out, and was now walking towards my house, a plan in mind.

I sighed, rubbing my face wearily. This was my own doing, I suppose. I not only made him mad earlier, (though I retain that it was all his fault to begin with), but I had basically waved an opportunity to get back at me.

I made my bed, I suppose I'll just have to lay in it.

Maddie continued the conversation when we were out of the neighborhood.

"So, did you take the picture?" She asked, a smirk on her face. She already knew the answer, but I gave her the pleasure in saying yes, anyways.

When I told her this, she let out a laugh, shaking her head. "My, my, Ruby, you sure like keeping secrets."

My breath caught, and I looked up at her. She didn't seem to think anything of what she was saying, it was just something she says on occasion. Yet to me, it made me wonder if she knew more than she was letting on.

Had Zach told her, even after I asked him not to?

My eyes caught Sara's in the mirror, and she lingered, before looking away. Sara was always good at cluing in to things.

I knew she wasn't quite sure what happened, but she could deduct. Maddie had to be told when anything happened, because her head was always in the clouds.

Maddie turned on the radio, stopping on a 80's station, causing us to scream-sing A-ha's "take on me". It seemed to calm the mood, and all tension was gone quickly.

Today's party location was on Washington Lake. That's Virginia for you. Named after, you guessed it, George Washington. It was an overgrown lake, that was normally not travelled. Making it the perfect location for parties.

The lake was pretty small, with sandy beaches on all sides. The water was a muddy brown, like most Virginia water.

Cars were already pulled up on the outer band of the beach. Drinks were most definitely already handed out, considering the amount of people already trudging into the water.

Kind of early, don't you think?  Dottie asked me, and I rolled my eyes. Dottie was innocent, but she had seen me over the years. I couldn't exactly handle my alcohol, but I tried.

Yes, Dottie, but has that ever stopped anyone, I answered back, and Dottie gave me a light growl. She was such a mother sometimes.

"Ruby! Quit talking to Dottie and come on!" Maddie took me out of my trance, and I nodded, opening my car door. Maddie was well aware of Dottie, as she had an inner wolf as well. We don't share what they say, but other wolves are aware they are there. Sort of like an inner conscience.

As soon as our feet it the sand, we took off our shoes. No need for those, they would only get in a way. We took our time getting into the party, and then we all split up.

Sara went one way, leaving to go and be by herself. She actually didn't care about parties, but she was interested in the scene. She would probably sketch it if she could, but instead she just sat and observed.

Maddie rocked her way straight to the alcohol, taking a cup from someone else, and downing it within a few seconds. People cheered, and her, thriving on attention, took another.

I went towards the lounging group of football players and cheerleaders. I wasn't particularly popular, but I was well known in most social groups. Fletcher, being the quarterback, was nestled in the middle, slowly drinking a beer. He was never one to get wasted, he mainly just had fun watching other people get wasted.

There was a boy on his arm, Sam Crowley. Sam's father was the sheriff, and Sam himself was a good boy. Never drank, never broke any rules. Well, save this whole excursion. Fletcher had a major thing for Sam, and always seemed to be doting on him.

When Fletcher noticed me, he let out a whistle, moving away from Sam to stand up.

"Is that who I think it is?" He made a point to look me up and down, then around, as though he was going to find some kind of secret, "Ruby Delson, in the flesh?" I rolled my eyes. He was so dramatic.

I let Fletcher plant a kiss on my cheek, but rubbed it off instantly. Fletcher was a big oaf, but I loved him anyways.

"You look good Ruby, a real stunner," He continued, winking at me. I stopped myself from rolling my eyes, again, and just smiled, taking the compliment.

"Thank you Fletcher. Now, I think someone is missing you," I looked back to Sam, who looked longingly after Fletcher, "And I have a few cups of mystery liquid to down."

Fletcher let me go, and moved back to his place next to Sam. I grabbed a red solo cup from someone who was handing them out, and let the liquid easily flow down my throat.

I've always tried to hold my alcohol well, but I'm just not good at it. I get drunk quick. Maddie takes a while, but normally she's drunk quick as well. That's why we always have Sara to fall back on.

I walked around for a while, talking with people, when I noticed a boy looking at me. And by looking, I mean staring.

I made eye contact with him, and instead of looking away, I just tilted my head and gave him a coy smile. He took a sip of his drink, before walking my way.

I must preface this by saying I am a flirt. No way to go around that, I've always been one, and I'm not ashamed of it. Before Connell, I had fun because I could. I knew when I had a mate I wasn't going to be able to ever again (and I was sure I wouldn't want to).

Now, it's more to fill my loneliness than anything else. I wanted to feel like myself again.

"Sorry I was staring, I'm just attracted to beautiful things," The boy said as soon as he reached me. Smooth.

He had dark hair, blonde from what I could tell. Not like Fletchers light blond hair. It was thick, and went to his shoulders. I wasn't normally into long hair, but his was likeable.

I smiled, "Good one. So, what's your name?"

"Jon- boring, I know," He shrugged, his eyes looking me up and down.

"I hope you aren't boring," The words came out of my mouth before I could stop them, but I just let them settle. The came out in a flirty way, and he reacted, taking a step forward.

"I can promise I'm not."

Ugh this was so much fun to write! I love this chapter, but I super duper love the next. I don't know, I just can feel the progress (even though it might feel like it's going backwards). I'm having a good time writing, which means the work will be better quality then if I dislike writing it. Are you guys liking it? Don't forget to comment questions for my Q&A that will be coming out soon!

Love,

Elle Kay