Leaving Part 2 - Gary

The next morning, Gary was standing at the entrance to the school waiting for his dad to pick him up. He sighed clutching his suitcase handle slightly harder. He didn't want to go back home but he didn't have a choice.

Then he heard the door open behind him. Ruby stepped out looking like she hadn't slept last night. Her hair was slightly messy and she had dark purple bags under her eyes. "Hi," She started softly. Gary ignored her. He didn't want to talk to her anymore. What was the point?

"Come to gloat?" He asked, a bitter harshness underlying his words. He heard her sigh and close the door behind her. She stepped over to his side silently.

"I came... to apologise." Ruby answered with a little hesitation. Gary scoffed. "J-Just hear me out, okay? Then you can go back to hating my guts afterwards." She persuaded.

"Fine." Was the simple sighed response of Gary. He didn't want to deal with her right now. He wanted to punch her and shout at her, deep down for her betrayal. But he didn't. He had never been the type of guy to act on instincts and he definitely wouldn't start now.

Ruby's feet shifted uncomfortably in the silence. "I'm sorry that I hurt you, Gary. I wish I could take it all back but I can't. The truth is... me and Dave we're getting paid, a lot of money, from an outside source. My parents know the source very well and they didn't want me to ruin their friendship. If it makes you feel any better you can have my share of the money..." She explained, holding out a wad of paper pound notes all tied together by a paper strip wrapping around it.

"I don't want your pity money." Gary responded almost monotone. Ruby frowned but slipped the money onto his suitcase anyway. Then she quietly left, knowing he didn't want her to stay any longer than she had to.