CHAPTER 26

She couldn’t help herself but smile at that. She received the basket and it was filled with chocolates. She was really going to have a feast.
“Thank you, you may all return,” she said and looked at Alex who was busy reading Jack’s card.
“This young guy is so sweet and romantic. How did he get the idea of doing this? I’m starting to like him,” Alex sad as he returned the card into the bouquet of flowers.
“You can that they are friends. How can they do the exact thing?” Nancy asked unable to withhold herself from laughing.
“It’s sweet, I like it,” Jack said smelling the flowers.
“I can tell. How about we go back to class and see these guys later?” Nancy said and they all agreed.
Ruby holds her flowers while Nancy was hold the chocolate basket. She couldn’t help herself but smile at the very gesture that Harvey had just shown her. It was beautiful and she found her heart pounding over and over again. She just hoped she won’t end up hurt in the end.
***
It was during lunchtime and Ruby was stuffing herself with pizza she got delivered to her office earlier. She couldn’t join her friends for lunch since she had an important speech to write. She was supposed to leave the country that weekend, something that just came up earlier that day.
She was so tired and this position was driving her crazy. She still had a full semester left and a month before she finishes her studies and gets rid of this position to someone else.
There was a slight knock on her door before the door opened and she wasn’t surprised to see her guest. He smiled at her and she found herself reciprocating. She couldn’t stay mad at him forever, it’s not like it was his fault.
“What are you doing here?” she asked him.
“I couldn’t find you in the cafeteria so I came here with some food,” Harvey said waving a lunch to her.
“What did you bring?” she asked as he sat opposite her.
“Open and have a look,” he said putting down the lunch.
She took it and opened it. She smiled as she noticed the pie slice perfectly packed in the lunch.
“I have been craving this for the whole day, thanks,” she said and dug in with her fork.
“I’m glad that you do. So, what’s keeping you here instead of joining others?” he asked her.
“I am supposed to deliver a speech on Saturday and I am left with just a day so I need it to be perfect,” she told him.
“Are you going somewhere?” he asked her, his voice full of concern.
“Yes, I am. I have been invited to attend the annual youth leadership summit,” she said with a smile.
“Wow, I didn’t know. That is one huge event every youth wants to go. Congratulations, big sis,” Harvey said with a smile.
“Thank you, the invitation arrived earlier in the morning. It came a surprise but at a good time. I need a break,” she said.
“We need to talk about yesterday,” Harvey said and she put down her fork.
“I’m full,” she said and drank her juice.
“You are not going to avoid this at all Ruby,” Harvey said and she looked at him.
“This is not the right time. I need to finish writing that speech without any interference. We will talk about it at home I promise,” she said looking at him.
“If you say so then I’m cool with it. What time will you be coming home?”
“Around seven, I will be home for dinner,” she replied.
“You still have something else to do?”
“Yes, I do have. Have you forgotten that I am a senior?” she asked furiously and saw his face changing.
“I’m sorry; it’s just that I’m anxious. I will wait for you at home then,” he said standing up.
Her heart was aching but right now she couldn’t deal with all this. She just wanted to be left alone. He walked to the side where she was and he leaned in and gave her a peck on the cheek.
“I love you,” he said.
“I love you too.”
Ruby watched as Harvey left and it felt as if her heart was being torn apart from her body. She wanted him to embrace her but she has to wait. She closed her pizza box and returned to her desk where she began to continue typing her speech.
She had many references and examples to put into her speech. She wasn’t going to make a fool of herself internationally. She didn’t want to let the school down or her parents who had so much faith and love for her.
Harvey was in his room reading his book and trying to forget that Ruby had been distant after the announcement the previous day. She was still not yet back home and he missed her. He checked his watch again and the clock ticked seven.