Thirty

***Ruby***

"Uh..."
Her response surprised me, I can't lie. I was expecting her to say something like it was all a misunderstanding. Something in me wanted to hear that Bryan was being accused wrongly.

But then...

"Ruby I-"

I pulled her hand. "Let's go somewhere else. We can't discuss this here."
She nodded understandably, wiped off the wetness on her cheeks and followed my lead as I searched for an empty space where we could talk without chances of being eavesdropped on.

After a while, a fairly large space where cleaning supplies was being kept appealed to me to be a safe enough place and after peeping out of the door to make sure no one had their eyes in our direction, I closed the door.

"Okay Caitlin. Talk to me. What do you know?"
It is quite weird how I don't call her Celery anymore but I didn't mind. Caitlin is her name at the end of the day.

"Uh..." Making sure we weren't having eye contact, Caitlin began to dig her manicured fingers into the skin on her hand. Wincing a bit as I knew how painful it would be, I reached out and released her from the repetitive torture.
"Sorry, it is a habit."

"It's fine. Just gather yourself and let me know when you are ready. "

" It's fine. I am ready, it's just this scenario is not one I could have ever imagined."
She let out a small chuckle. " We are like oil and water. "

" I guess. But oil and water do try to mix sometimes so this is not so terrible," I said.

She smiled, licked her lower lip swiftly and said, " About Bryan... There is more to him."

"How do you mean?"

"He has my father on a leash. He basically controls my father right now. "
My eyes didn't fail to express how surprising that piece of information was but I didn't interrupt her. Soon, Caitlin was taking small paces.
"Bryan has his hand on some crazy secrets about my dad and he uses that to control him. He also uses it to help him cover his tracks. That's why he can never be apprehended no matter how gruesome the crime he commits. "

" That's sick. How are you living if you basically wake up in such terrible shackles? "

Her strides came to a pause and she let out a heavy breath. " I guess... "
Her arms crossed and she gave a small shrug as she bit into her lip.
"I guess I have gotten used to it."

"You shouldn't get used to such things Caitlin, they eat you up in crazy ways. "

" I know. " She laughed softly, but I could tell there was some sort of pain within.
I felt sorry for her. Carrying the burden of her father at a time when she should be discovering herself, making a path for a great future.
What I won't get is the need to act all high and mighty in school.
It just worsens things for her.

But everyone tries to escape reality through different ways, perhaps acting like a bitch was her own way of escaping.

"You must be wondering how I could be so... intimate with my father. " Caitlin suddenly dropped and I recalled the situation that led us to the point where we talk to each other... in a room filled with mops and whatnots.

"Actually, I try not to think about that moment. It was quite a scene. "

" Oh. I shouldn't delve into that then. "

I shook my head without hesitation. " Please don't."

"Well... Bryan isn't going to be easy to deal with. You should know that much and just let punishment come his way naturally. "

" And that will be when? When he dies? So what, he kills a few people, cut short their life, but he is allowed to live a nice life because punishment has to come his way naturally? "
Caitlin looked lost for words for a while.
" If that's how you see this situation, you are quite disappointing. There is no such thing as nature serving punishment to evil doers. That's bull shit. "

" There is no hope when it comes to this issue. Bryan he-"

" He is still a human with flaws. Stop making him sound like some space-lord that will continue to hold your life in his palms."
As I reached out and held both sides of her shoulders, she let out a shaky breath which made me feel even more sorry for her.

"Trust me, if you put your whole being to it, that punishment you speak of, Bryan can get it as soon as possible and you will get your life back. But-"

" It won't be easy."

" It won't be easy. But is anything ever easy in life?"

Her face indicated she was pondering on my last statement and seconds later, she wearing a look that lit up her face a little. "You sound so mature Ruby, I can't help but be jealous of that fact."

" Oh trust me, I am hardly mature. Anyway..." I took a step back and watched her as she took a look at something on her phone.
"We really should do something about Bryan. We need to find some kind of evidence against him. Do you think you can try to do that?"

She nodded. " He lives with us, it will be easy."

" Be careful though."

" Thank you Ruby," she said and I returned the appreciative smile in her eyes.

" We should leave, we are super late for first period."

Caitlin laughter followed as I made to open the door. " I am not so concerned about things like that. I need to go to the restroom and make sure I look more like myself."

My head slightly turning in her direction, I said, "Your look right now is a surprising look, but I think you look pretty anyway. Pretty and original."

" Oh." I nodded, turned my back fully and was soon opening the door but as I stepped outside, I met Clara right in front of the door, her head buried in the phone in her hand.

"Clara?" I wasn't certain what to make of her presence there. If what I know isn't wrong, she was meant to be in class except if she loves skipping classes like it were a game.

"Hi there." I heard Caitlin snicker behind me before she walked away, leaving Clara and I.
"Oh..." Her eyes which were following Caitlin's figure landed back in mine.
"Did I interrupt something?"

"Is that even a question?"

A confused smile landed on her lips. " Why do you sound pissed?"

"Do you care to explain why you are here?"

" Why? Is there something you are hiding?"
I scoffed as it occured to me that Abby was right. There is something off about Clara.
"It's fine Ruby," she continued, her hands doing some weird gesticulation.
"We all have secrets, it's part of the fun we get to have as living beings."

" Uh..." My eyes darted to the side.
" Okay? "

" I mean, it is okay to like girls. If that's what works for you, I won't judge."
My jaws dropped. That was what she was thinking?

Well she did see Caitlin and I walk out of the room together. But really?

"Thanks for the word of advice Clara, I need to go to class now."
I flashed her a smile that was a hundred percent fake and soon rushed out of that area which was one of the secluded part of the school.

When I finally got to the familiar corridors where I was very likely to meet a teacher who would serve me some warning, I let out a sigh of relief.
Clara really creeped me out back there.

Deciding not to make something dramatic out of it, I shrugged off the feeling of being ripped of my privacy and began to make my way to my first class.

~

As I dropped my bag on the nearest couch, my eyes went back to staying glued on my phone. I was trying to call Jake who didn't show up at school at all.

It was very unusual of him and I had to worry. And he was helping me worry even more by not replying my messages or picking my calls.

"Ruby, you are back." I leaned forward to receive the incoming kiss from my mom who pulled me by the elbow towards where ever.

My focus on the phone didn't make me realize I was now sitting down until my father's voice dragged me out of my seriousness.

"We have to talk Ruby."

"Dad." The phone was instantly faced down on the island and my full attention was with both of them.
"What's up?"

Mom dropped a plate of chocolate cake in front of me, caressed my hair a bit before she went to sit beside my dad.
"We have two things to talk about."

"Oh, really?" Since I had no idea what the two topics could be, I postponed eating the cake till after the discussion is over.

"Yes." My dad cleared his throat.
"First, my friend Dave has been able to trace the person who uploaded those images of you."

" Really?" That information really lit something up within me.
If by chance it is Bryan's handiwork, perhaps it will be a way to keep him jailed for a while.

"Yes." He nodded and smiled gently as he observed my excitement.

"Who is it?"

"You'll find that out tomorrow."

"Ow, really?" He nodded and I couldn't help but frown a bit.

" Dave will arrive with some cops tomorrow to make the arrest so you will find out then."
Well, one thing is certain, the next day sounds like a drama filled day already.

Sighing as I gave in to the decision, I said, "That's fine. What's the second thing?"

They both shared a look and that roused my curiosity. "Ruby..."
This time mom did the talking.
"It is about your the state of your health."

"Am I finally getting a response to my many questions?" I asked and they both nodded.
" Well, it is about time. So what is it? It is nothing serious right?"

" Ruby..." The heaviness in my dad's voice made my chest bang hard.

" It is nothing serious right?" My voice was as careful as it could be as I hoped I wouldn't dread their response.

"Ruby, there's a small problem with your... heart." My eyes narrowed as my mom began to speak after my dad shifted his glance elsewhere.

"Well that explains the crazy clenching in my chest, but should that be news?"

"Your heart is growing weak Ruby and-"

" My heart is growing weak?" I felt so drained, that is really not the kind of news you would like to hear after a stressful day at school.

My mom reached out and grabbed my hand. "I know it sounds like a lot but once you start taking medications and getting check ups, you will be fine in no time."

" Is that all I have to do? Take a couple drugs? Will that ensure my quick recovery?"

" Yes, it will," my dad joined the conversation again. " Just- just trust us Ruby, this will soon be over."

"Okay. But why does it seem like you are hiding something from me?"

Mom chuckled. " What? No way. We were just worried you wouldn't take the whole health news well."

" Oh." I watched their expressions closely. There was something they were hiding but I didn't push it.
"In that case, as long as I'll be fine at the end of the day it is fine."

My phone chimed and I reached for it hoping it was a message from Jake.

It wasn't.

It was from a strange number which turned out to be Mr. Klaus's who, according to the message, was in front of our house waiting for me.

Wait a minute.

"Ruby? Are you okay?"

Did the message say he was waiting in front of the house?

"Ruby?" Mom called again.

"Uh... guys, I have to go meet Abby and talk about..." I got up, my eyes still staring at the message with disbelief.
"We have to talk about uh..."

"Sure, make sure you are back in time though," Mom foiled my attempt to lie and after a quick kiss in both their directions, I was outside and true to his words, he really was outside the house, hair all done, clothes looking very sleek even though it was just a tee shirt and sweatpants.

He really does make basic things look hot.

Like a thief, I closed the door gently and rushed towards the man, dragged his hand and pulled him to a region I was certain my parents eyes wouldn't reach.

"How on earth did you find out where I live?"

" Hello to you too." He released his hand from my hold and stood straight. " And to answer your question, I have my ways of finding things out and since I will be protecting you with all my might, knowing where you live is an advantage."

I frowned at him. " Whatever. What are you doing here then? And why do you look so..."
My eyes wandered his face again and it baffled me once more how he manages to look so good.

"Fine? Gorgeous?" He grinned.

" Oh please."
He let out a hearty chuckle as I rolled my eyes.

"I am here to take you out on a date."

My head snapped in his direction. " A date? Why a date?"

"Uh..." He brought his thumb onto his lower lip and rubbed it through the flesh slowly and I couldn't help but follow the motion.
"Because we are both dressed for it?" he said, more like asked at the end of his little tour over his lips.

"But-"

"No buts Ruby. Don't find excuses. " I opened my mouth to argue but he was already pulling my hand and his legs were already moving backwards.
"Excuses will just hinder you from experiencing something that will definitely feel good. So... "
A small yank and I was standing next to him and his eyes were boring into mine with a smile tucked within them.
"Let's go on a date and I repeat, no excuses."