Chapter 8 - Clarity

Avery’s POV

“Thank God this torture is over”.

“Seriously, I don’t know why we have to take this class”, I respond to Chance as we head out of class, “It’s pointless”.

“Did you see that kid in the corner? Fast asleep”, Chance laughs.

“Isn’t he always?”

“I envy him”.

“Wanna get coffee? ”, I ask Chance knowing he’s going to say yes.

“Do you have to ask? ”

We head out of the building and cross the street to the local coffee place on campus. Milly’s.

Everyone went to Milly’s. It was the spot to have coffee, do homework, or just catch up with friends.

We grab a table when we get to Milly’s. It was unusually empty today. Weird.

We both get the usual ‘The original frozen coffee’. Nothing like a brain freeze filled with caffeine.

As we wait for our order we talk at the table.

“So what was that about on Saturday”, Chance asks randomly.

“What was what?”, I ask trying to play off his question knowing very well that he wouldn’t back off.

“Don’t play dumb with me Avery. Clearly, there is something between you and Ruby. What is it?”

“Nothing is going on between us. At least there isn’t anything now. We used to be childhood friends”.

“Used to be? What happened?”, Chance inquires curiously.

“I’d rather we not talk about it”.

“Oh, I understand. I didn’t mean to pry.”, Chance nods his head, “I wanted to make sure you guys didn’t have a romantic relationship going on. To be honest, I’m relieved.”

“You are?”, I ask surprised.

“Well, Yeah. You see, I am starting to like Ruby and I want to get to know her”.

Oh no! This is bad. I want her out of my life but this is just too much for me. She’s stealing my best friend.

“Oh, I see”, that is all I say.

“I hope you don’t mind”.

“Oh, no. Why would I?”, I smile at him.

“Order Number 25! 2 Original Frozen Coffees.”, the barrister calls out our order.

“That’s us”, I say as we head over to grab our order and leave.

*******************************

Ruby’s POV

I don’t know what happened Saturday or how I got home but what I know is that the hangover I had on Sunday was a bitch.

I don’t even remember drinking. I have been so drinking so much water to calm my headache.

I need to be able to focus on my research. I’ve started to experience random blackouts and blank spots in my memory.

This is a terrible sign because I don’t know what I do when I blackout.

My mom has grown more silent now that she has come to peace with her new living condition. Good for her.

The formula that I attempt to make is never perfect. I have everything right, I just need the last ingredient which of course Mrs. Walker knows. I need to find a way to contact her.

I hate to say this but I need to ask Avery.

“Give up Ruby”, my om says from the cell. “It’s a lost cause. You are a lost cause.”

“Shut up!”, I yell with my back facing her.

“You were, from the beginning. I don’t even know why I kept trying to fix you.”

“Fix me?”, I ask as I turn to face her.

“You’re broken, Ruby. I hate to say it but you are”, she continues.

I am fed up and can’t hear any more of this so I head out of the basement. Sometimes I wonder if she is my mom.

As soon as I get to my room, I receive a text from an unknown number.

Unknown: Do you like Avery?

Me: Who is this?

Unknown: Does it matter? Just answer the question

How rude.

Me: I’m not going to answer until I know who I’m talking to.

Unknown: It’s Maya, you happy? Now answer, do you like Avery?

Me: No, I don’t

Maya: Good. Did you guys ever go out? Like date?

Me: No. Are you done with the interrogation?

Maya: Almost. Swear to me that nothing is going on between you guys.

Me: Apart from a feud, nope. Why do you care though?

Maya: After Saturday night, I had to clear some doubts and be sure.

Me: Saturday??? What happened on Saturday?

Maya: Don’t play dumb with me. Besides, I don’t want to talk about it.

Me: Wait, but how did you get my number?

Maya: Chance

Me: I see. If that’ll be all, bye.

Maya: Whatever

That was random. What could have happened on Saturday? Maya seemed very jealous of Avery and me.

I thought we already established the fact that we were not on friendly terms. Everything just seems confusing and exhausting.

I lay on my bed and immediately start drifting to sleep. I need this break.

I didn’t even get to complete the thought when a knock at the front door rudely interrupts me.

I feel reluctant to go answer the door because, first of all, No one knows we live here except the scientists and the delivery guy, and they would’ve called before coming over.

There was no knock after that. Strange.

I head down the stairs and head for the front door. Before I open it, I look outside the window to see if someone was there but no one was.

I slowly open the door and peek out before opening it wide. I step outside and look left and right but nothing.

“Is someone there?”, I call out but there is no response.

This is creepy. I walk to the alley beside my house to look down it to see if there is someone there, maybe some kids playing pranks and fooling around.

As soon as my eyes get used to the darkness of the alley I see nothing but a pair of green eyes flash at me then disappear.

For some reason, this sent shivers down my spine. This happened so fast that I begin to wonder if I imagined it.

There is something creepy about the alley tonight and I don’t want to stick around to find out. I ran back towards the house but before I enter I notice a piece of paper stuck on the door.

I look around one more time before taking it off and heading inside. I lock the door behind me and head straight to my room.

As soon as I get there I look at the paper in my hand and reluctantly open it. Surprisingly there is nothing in it, except for a phone number.

I stare at the paper in disbelief. A phone number? Why?

I push those thoughts away and put the paper in the top compartment of my bedside drawer. This can wait. I need my sleep.

Rest. Peace.

I lay on my bed and stare at the ceiling till I slowly drift to sleep.