Ruby Rising

by Leah Cook

  I stood in the empty classroom with my mouth open, not sure what to think. Who the hell was he or Mikayla to tell me who I could and couldn’t talk to? Entering the hallway I stared after him and shook off my astonishment and left for my next class, late once again.

  The rest of the day was uneventful. I went to the library during lunch to organise my study plan and get some books for a psychology assignment.

  As soon as the last bell rang, I walked home around the lake, keeping an eye out for Krystal along the way, despite already knowing that she wouldn’t be there. I was looking forward to spending some time with Phoenix before I got ready for youth group. That’s if Mikayla even showed up to take me. No way was I walking into a room full of people I didn’t know on my own. I just don’t have that much confidence.

  The house was empty when I got there, a note from my mother letting me know that she was off getting some gardening supplies and my father would be at work late. She would be back to cook dinner so I didn’t need to start anything.

  Scooping Phoenix up in my arms, he lovingly licked my face. I grabbed one of his toys and we headed out to play.

  My mother was uncharacteristically quiet over dinner. Normally she was quite chatty, asking me about my day or what I was doing on the weekend. She seemed to be squirming in her seat a little.

  After ten minutes of very uncomfortable silence I put my fork down and sighed.

  “Okay Mum, enough, out with it already. You’re driving me insane.”

  “Ruby…” Her voice was weary, she sounded so tired. “About the youth group thing tonight…”

  “So I can’t go now? That’s so typical of him! He’s never here and he still has more say on what I do than you!” I picked up my plate and stomped over to the bench turning the tap on to rinse my plate. I must have turned it too far as water went started gushing everywhere, all over the bench and onto the floor, covering my face and shirt.

  “Ruby!” She stood up and came over to me and turned the tap off, her hands shaking slightly. “I didn’t tell him.”

  I stared at her, my mouth open. She ran everything by my father, especially things about me.

  “I wanted you to have a chance with those kids you bought by the other day.” She put her hand against my cheek. “I know this move has cost you a lot, especially in the friendship area. Just be home by ten. I know you’re father seemed okay with the idea of the youth group, we’ll just give it a bit more time before we tell him.”

  I stared into her eyes, confused by her sudden ability to betray my father. “Mum, this means so much to me. I know how you feel about going against what he says. I understand how hard this is for you.” I hugged her tightly and whispered in her ear how much I loved her. I grabbed the mop and quickly dried the water I’d spilt and left her in the kitchen to get ready for youth group.

  Mikayla sent a text to let me know she’d be there in twenty minutes. I stood in front of my wardrobe listening to Phoenix snore on my pillow.

  I picked out my tall boots, a knee length black skirt and a short sleeve black t-shirt. I put some powder on my face and lined my eyes with thick layers black liner, some metallic grey shadow and a bit of mascara. After not being able to pick a lipstick colour, I swiped clear gloss over my lips and was done.

  I grabbed a small purse, packed in my mobile and went downstairs. I heard Mikayla’s voice mixed with my mother’s then a more masculine one, I was suddenly nervous when I realised it was Scott.

  “Ruby, you look…”my mother paused trying to find the right words. “Gorgeous as always honey. You don’t need makeup to look good honey.”

  “No, she doesn’t, does she?” Scott smiled at my mother who was quite smitten with him herself.

  “On that note I think it’s time to go.” I was grateful for Mikayla’s not so subtle exit strategy.

  I hugged my mother and whispered my love and thanks in her ear. She simply lent into me and said nothing.

  Out the front sat a black Monaro, well looked after and clearly very well restored. I had no idea of the year but it was most likely an older classic.

  “This is our ride for the night, but be nice to her or she won’t get us there!” Scott opened the passenger door and flicked the seat forward. As I climbed in, I had the distinct impression he was checking out my backside. Before I had even clicked in my seatbelt, I felt the usual blush creeping up my face. Mikayla climbed in front and Scott drove off.

  “Um, if you’re only seventeen how have you got your licence?” I didn’t mean to make it sound as parental as it did.

  “I turned eighteen in December and got my licence straight away. Being kept down certainly has its advantages. Plus I needed better grades than what I was getting, especially in English. It’s really not my strong point.” He looked at me through the rear vision mirror a few times while he spoke, flashing that evil smile that made my entire body blush.

  “Fair enough, I guess you’ll be popular among your friends then.” I suddenly realised how rude I was sounding. “Not that you aren’t already, I mean, just that…well you know how it is when you’re the one that can buy the alcohol and drive everyone around.”

  “Seriously Ruby, you really need to learn how to relax. We’re not going to stop hanging out with you because you don’t think before you speak.” Blushing yet again, I felt like I’d just been told off by the principal rather than Mikayla.

  The next few minutes passed without anyone talking, the stereo quietly playing an instrumental piece that I found strangely calming, yet it didn’t mesh with the image of Scott or his masculine car.

  We pulled up outside what looked like it used to be an old Scout or Girl Guide hall.

  “Well this is it, home of Primfield’s youth group”. Scott pulled over whilst Mikayla sat in her seat, waiting for him to open her door. He flicked the seat down again and offered his hand to help me out. On contact my skin seemed to tingle and warm. It was an amazing sensation, like pins and needles but without the pain.

  As I stood, I expected him to release my hand, when he didn’t I smiled at him and squeezed gently. We walked around to Mikayla’s door and Scott opened it for her. A little odd, I thought, that he would open her door for her. But then there was a lot of things I found odd about Mikayla and Scott.

  A few people sat around outside, chatting amongst themselves. Mikayla told them to come inside in five minutes so things could get started. Inside candles were burning everywhere and what smelt like an odd kind of incense that I couldn’t quite place.

  Everyone was dressed in black, so I had at least managed the dress code. I couldn’t remember if Mikayla had told me to wear a particular colour. I couldn’t remember her telling me, so I had probably just managed to get the feel from Scott and Mikayla.

  As we passed a few smaller groups of people, they all nodded at us as we walked by, their eyes glued on Mikayla. I wondered why she was so special here, they seemed to almost revere her. I knew she was one of the main organisers, but maybe there was more to it. Little groups were all over the floor, each with candles, a mat and some scattered cushions or bean bags. Scott held my hand until we reached the front of the room where it was raised a foot higher than the main floor. There were pillows and blankets and candles waiting for us and a little surge of happiness spread through me at the thought of Scott sitting so close to me.

  Mikayla waited for Scott and I to take our seats before sitting down cross legged in front of a large black candle. Holding her hand above the candle, I stared as the wick was suddenly ablaze. The rest of the candles in the room, my own included, flared doubling their size for a few seconds. I gasped and brought my hand to my mouth. Scott took it in his and kissed it before letting it go again.

  Mikayla sat cross legged facing the room, everyone watching her reverently waiting for her to speak. She let silence fill the room and sat staring into the crowd before her.

  I desperately craved Scott’s touch and I wanted him to hold my hand again. I longed to feel the same sensation t
hat I had felt when we got out of his car earlier. I inched my hand closer to his, stopping when my hand touched his leg. The same responsiveness of my senses was instantly there, but without the same intensity I’d felt with the direct skin to skin contact. I felt myself staring at his lips wondering if we would kiss. I thought about what that kiss would be like, with electricity shooting between our touches. I could only imagine what our first kiss would feel like. Blushing at my own thoughts I realised that the room had fallen silent.

  “Let us begin with a silent prayer.” Mikayla still sat with her arms bent and raised, her head bowed in her own reflection.

  A prayer? That was definitely not what I was expecting. I bowed my head, I wasn’t one for religion not having been to church since I was five. Not wanting to offend anyone I followed suit and bowed my head slightly. Nobody had mentioned that the group was religious, even the website had left little important detail out.

  I heard people murmuring until Mikayla reminded them that it was to be a silent prayer. Nobody spoke after that. It was so quiet you could hear the crackle of flames as the candles burned.

  Finally Mikayla spoke. “As most of you are aware, Ruby De Grey is here tonight, let’s not let her down by treating her to a boring night, after all we want her to actually come back”. A few people laughed and giggled.

  “Just a note that the group camping trip is on the first weekend of the holidays, make sure you’ve got your parent permission forms and let me know if you’re having trouble getting your parents to sign. We have a couple of special dates to be mindful of so please make sure you check your emails to see if you are needed at any of the private events happening. Remember not everyone can join these events, but you will be notified if you are one of the lucky few.” said Mikayla.

  I felt like she was talking around in circles a little, almost for my benefit. She wasn’t saying outright what events she was talking about nor was she dodging them completely. Scott grabbed hold of my hand and I looked up into his smiling face, the candlelight bouncing of his eyes, mesmerising me. I didn’t hear a word of what Mikayla said for the next ten minutes.

  I snapped out of my daze when someone turned some music on and a few people started to dance. Looking around I realised that all the candles had been blown out and most of the mats had been removed. A few of the scatter cushions remained around the edge of the room giving people a place to sit, or in some cases, kiss. I blushed as a couple were making out quite intensely nearby and I secretly wished it was Scott and I on that cushion.

  “Hey, what are you thinking about?” Scott was impeccable at reading my flushed skin. I was more embarrassed that the thoughts were also about him as well.

  “Um, nothing?” It came out as a question rather than an answer but Scott ignored it, a small smile playing at the edge of his mouth.

  “I’m going to talk to a few people, I’ll see you kids later.” Mikayla walked off into the small crowd and was soon lost in a sea of black bodies dancing.

  I immediately felt like I wanted to run, there was so much tension flying between Scott and I that I literally wanted to run it off. But there was something else too, something inside me just wanted me to move and now! I stood up abruptly, startling Scott and headed through the sea of people towards the exit. People I didn’t know called out to me, wanting my attention, wanting me to dance with them and some even reached out for my arm. I pulled away from all of them, ignoring their questions, focused solely on the door. I couldn’t breathe, I needed air. The door flew open before I even put my hand on it and I ran into Mikayla having a heated discussion with a young girl who looked terrified. I didn’t stop, I simply headed around the corner of the hall and fell at the foot of a tree. Panting, I burst into tears, not sure why I was feeling this way or how to stop it. I heaved in air, trying to calm myself down. A few seconds later I felt Scott’s hand on my back, gently rubbing. He spoke quietly, soothingly and repeatedly told me to calm down and breathe.

  After a few minutes my breathing returned to normal and my tears subsided.

  I was confused and shaking mildly, my hands felt like they were going to explode and my chest felt heavy. I had never experienced anything as strong as the urge to run from the room at that moment. I heard a commotion coming from in the hall, the music stopped and people started yelling.

  “Are you okay to stand?” Scott held out his hand, I took it gratefully. “Have you ever had a panic attack before tonight?”

  “Panic attack?” My voice sounded distant. “I’ve never had one. I just needed to get out for some air.”

  “It’s sure looked like…” he started to say.

  “Scott, you need to come with me for a moment.” Mikayla interrupted him and led us both inside, as Scott refused to let go of my hand.

  Walking into the hall, I felt clearer in the head again, regaining my voice and my balance.

  “Holy shit!” Scott exclaimed. “Ruby…if you didn’t run out when you did tonight may have ended very differently for you.”

  Looking over to where Scott was looking, I realised that where we had been sitting was now covered with a very large speaker and a heap of debris. Looking up, the support beam that the speaker had been on was snapped in two.

  “Take her home Scott now, I’ll sort this out and find out what happened.” Mikayla went to a group of older students, who were from our year and began doling out instructions.

  “Come on Ruby, I’ll take you home. You’re probably coming down with something.” Scott guided me back to the door and to the passenger side of his car.

  “Yeah, maybe it’s a good idea.” I agreed as Scott climbed in his side.

  “You really aren’t feeling well are you?” He rested his hand over mine and I instantly relaxed, the instrumental music again helping me to calm.

  We drove in silence to my house, Scott pulled up opposite the driveway and turned the car off. Turning to me he looked right into my eyes. Even in the darkness I could see the shine of his beautiful green eyes. I felt like they were boring into the part of my soul that no one had ever reached before. A second later he kissed me.

  A fire tore through me from my toes, inching its way up my entire body as his gentle kiss lingered on my lips. As the fire reached my mouth I groaned quietly, unable to stop the soft noise from escaping.

  “You feel it too, don’t you?” he asked, almost whispering when he finally pulled away leaning his forehead against my own.

  “I feel…like when we touch you awaken my skin,” I replied.

  He held my face in his hands and smiled. “It’s not your skin that’s awakening Ruby”.

  He got out of the car and opened my door like he had done for Mikayla, again offering his hand for me to take. I stood before him, unsure of what to say next.

  “I’ll see you on Monday.” He said simply, kissing my cheek, before getting back into the driver’s seat. He drove away before I realised I’d even been standing in the street for ten full minutes.

  Blinking, I shook myself before I went in to the house. I didn’t want either of my parents to think that I’d being doing anything but chatting at a youth group. As it was earlier then I had told my mother I’d be back, the lights were still on in the lounge.

  “Hi Honey, did you have a good study session with Mikayla?” My mother greeted me with a warm smile as she sipped a glass of wine. My father was pretending to be watching the television.

  “Yeah, she needed some help with an English assignment that I’ve already done before. We thought we’d get on top of it before classes start to get more hectic with exams. I’m beat now though, it’s been a long week. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  “Night honey.” She called as I took off up the stairs. My father still hadn’t acknowledged me or even looked my way. I wondered if he’d had a few more wines than mum.

  I went to the bathroom to wash my makeup off and brush my teeth. Looking in the mirror I expected there to be mascara lines down my face from crying. Instead there was nothing. No si
gn of any makeup. I looked like I had just got out of the shower.

  Looking down I stared at my shirt and jeans. Hadn’t I worn a skirt and boots? Going back into my room my skirt was laying on the bed, beside it sat my tall boots. Obviously I’d changed my mind. So why didn’t I remember it then?

  I climbed into bed still dressed and Phoenix crawled up into my arms, we snuggled under the doona and he cried a little. Eventually I fell asleep, confused at the depth of the feelings I had felt for Scott, both physically and emotionally.

  CHAPTER 6

  The next week at school went by quickly. Things with Scott were weird and he spent the week either avoiding me or trying to avoid being caught looking at me. By Wednesday I figured he thought the kiss was a mistake and didn’t know how to tell me. I busied myself with school, organising my diary and study time. I spent time training Phoenix and got a good start on my assignments. My father was home three nights in a row for dinner which made for a weird feeling at the table. By the end of it, it felt nice. He asked about school, and my friends, which he’d never taken an interest in before. On Thursday night he told us he needed to go away for four days for business, but he would be back on Monday night at some point. I smiled at him when he told us and he had even apologised for having to go so soon after the move. I knew then that things were going to change, he really was different here. He had never apologised for having to go away for work, it was always just a matter of telling us. Most of the time he would simply ring from the car or a plane and let mum know. She’d then pass it on to me, that’s if I even realised that he was gone.

  On the walk home from school on Friday I finally saw a chance to finally catch up with Krystal at the lake. She had been successfully avoiding me all week. I noticed her sitting at the edge of the lake staring out into the water.

  “Hi Krystal,” I sat down next to her before she had a chance to realise who it was. When she looked at me her eyes were red from crying. “Hey I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to intrude. I’ll go.” I stood up and grabbed my bag.