And so the birthday planning began.
I knew we (as in my dad and I) would have to have it in that large room that Eli lives in and it couldn't be a surprise considering there was nowhere to take him before what would be a surprise party. But we can't do that.
As Eli sits on the couch flickering through movies on the TV, I stand and scan the entire room, creating ideas in my imagination for whatever I could possibly do for a party consisting of only three people.
As planning goes on, the outdoor area starts giving less and less light, making the room darker as time passes.
I decide to conclude the expanse of my imagination for now, and go watch the movie that's on.
I walk over to the couch and slide underneath the blanket Eli is currently using, and he immediately slides an arm around my waist as I lean my head on his shoulder.
I yawn and curl up into his side, too tired to do anything else. I close my eyes and drift off into what I hoped would be a comforting sleep. But it wasn't.
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"You're at fault for everything!" Kick. "Especially your boyfriend's depression!" Punch. "Why can't you see it!" Slap. "Why else would he be depressed!" Shove. "It's your fault!" Punch. "You should die!" Kick. "Selfish brat!" Shove.
My mother glares into my glossy eyes and finally stomps out of the room. Everything hurts so I lay on the floor and cry. I know Eli's depressed, but I've been helping him through it, and he's been doing therapy for a while. Why would she say it's my fault? He's my best friend.
I groan and sit up. Feeling my forehead, I look at my fingers to see droplets of blood, and limp to the bathroom to clean myself up. I end up wrapping my head in a towel, making it looks like I just took a shower, and go up to my room to change into clean, unbloody clothes.
I decide on a gigantic sweatshirt, and baggy sweatpants, to cover up any bruises on my arms, legs, or torso. This was a daily thing, except this time my mother gave me a little more of her anger, rather than the smaller pieces she'd usually give me.
I figured I should just hang out in my room and avoid my dad for awhile considering he would definitely question my injuries. I'm not the greatest of liars.
So I lock the door so no one can get into my room. Then I climb onto my bed and fall into a deep sleep.
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I jolt awake, panicking, with sweat on my forehead, and look around quickly to see Eli stroking the side of my face with the tips of his fingers. He has his other arm around my waist, trying to comfort me after a reoccurring nightmare. It would happen every now and then.
"It's okay," Eli whispers, and starts rubbing circles onto my back, which I am currently enjoying.
"I know," I say lightly, leaning farther into his side. "Because you're with me." I say cheekily, looking up into his bright blue eyes.
"Alright then, Ms. Cheese." He says with a light laugh. "You have school today. You might wanna get ready." He says and I groan.
"I don't wanna go to school." I say, groaning more.
"You have to, now get ready before you're late."
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Speed walking around crowds of people, I peer over my shoulder, seeing the group of boys still chasing me, anger evident in their eyes. What did I ever do to them?
I turn back around only to trip over my own feet and a strangled cry comes out of my mouth before I fall to the floor, my books scattering around me.
I look back to where the boys are to see them gaining on me. But being on the floor, I had nowhere to go.
They make their way over to me as I move myself into a corner, afraid of what's to come. Until I hear a voice from behind the boys, then the three of them are pushed to the side. "Leave the poor girl alone! Get lost!" A girl says, emerging from behind the boys, and they scramble off.
I see her walking towards me with a kind smile and immediately recognize her. But from where, I can't figure out.
"Hi, I'm Victoria." Victoria says, and I grab her outstretched hand and she pulls me onto my feet. "And you are- oh wait! I know you!" She says enthusiastically and I become confused. "You're, uh. Wait you're Ruby Mannhatten! I saw you at the police station when you came for the court dates. Yes, that's it!" She says, and I can tell we could be good friends in the future.
"Uh, yeah." I say, laughing at her enthusiasm.
"Do you wanna sit with my friends and I at lunch? You don't have to, but I would appreciate it." She says, her blue-green eyes showing how much she'd really like it.
"Uh, sure!" I say, happy someone is making an effort to get to know me.
"So, do you have a boyfriend?" Victoria asks casually. No comment.
My mind then wanders back to when Eli asked me to be his girlfriend. But then I remember the night a few days later. The rope dangling from the ceiling. The body bag laying on the grass outside.
I'm brought back to reality by a hand waving in my face. "Hello? Ruby? You okay in there?" Victoria asks, staring into my green eyes with concern.
"Oh, yeah, sorry." I say, my mind still bringing me back to one of the darkest nights of my life. Apparently she doesn't know what happened to Eli. "I do, well did. He just isn't here anymore." I say gloomily, wishing he could walk me to class and drive me home after school.
"What do you mean by that?" She asks, curiosity evident in her features.
"He committed suicide a few weeks ago." I say, and her face shows understanding.
"I know how hard it is to lose someone you love." She says, pain showing on her face. "My little brother was killed in a shooting at a mall where I used to live. But he's in a better place now. I just sometimes wish it was me and not him. He had so much life ahead of him."
"That's really sad. I hope you don't mind me asking, and you don't have to answer this, but were you in the mall when the shooting was happening?" I say, looking over at her as we reach the cafeteria.
She nods. "I was. We were walking by this fountain in the center of the mall when gun shots rang out. My parents were waiting in the car as we were just grabbing lunch. I just grabbed him then and we hid behind a bush but he started running somewhere. I was quick to run after him, but then heard shots from behind me. I kept running after him, but as more rang out, one missed me but the other bullet went straight into my brother's lung and he was dead almost instantly." She says with a pained expression. She sure is a strong girl.
"Wow." I say and mentally facepalm myself. I can say anything to comfort her and I say 'wow'. My stupid self.
"We're here." She says and I look to see we've arrived at a table that has a girl and two guys sitting at it, there's a blond guy with blue eyes, a red-haired guy with hazel eyes, and the girl has light brown hair with blue eyes. Their eyes roam over their friend before landing on me.
"Who's this?" The girl asks. I didn't expect any of them to know my name anyways.
"Guys this is Ruby. Ruby Mannhatten. She's going to be sitting with us today. Be nice." She says, looking at the two guys in particular.
I start getting uncomfortable with all the eyes on me until the blond guy speaks up. "She sure looks hot with that sweatshirt on." He says and I blush and look away. I'm really not good with compliments. "Does she speak?" He speaks again. I'm starting to wish I could tape his mouth shut.
"Yes, I do." I snap at him, not used to my own attitude.
"Feisty. I like feisty." He says and I get ready to slap him before Victoria speaks up.
"Shut up." She says, glaring daggers into the blond one's soul. "Well, Ruby, this annoying one here," she says, pointing to the blonde one. "Is Max, then there's Parker, and finally, Novalie." She says.
"Hi." I say to them, feeling awkward.
"Hi." Novalie says, her hand outstretched for me to shake. We shake hands and her light smile grows wider. "You can sit right here." She says, patting the seat next to her, leaving a seat on the other side for Victoria to sit at.
"Thanks." I say, smiling at her and sit down, taking out my notebook. I just doodle small pictures as everyone else eats.
After a few minutes, I look up to see everyone's eyes on me. "Aren't you gonna eat?" Parker finally speaks up. It's the first time I've heard him speak.
"No." I say. I never eat in the cafeteria.
"Why?" Parker asks.
"Because whenever I'd eat here, there'd always be someone to make fun of my weight or do something to embarrass me." I say, rolling my eyes, as if it wasn't obvious.
"No one's going to do that. Especially not here." Novalie says.
"I guess so. But I'm still not eating." I say.
"Whatever." I hear Max mutter.
"Whatever." I mock him, rolling my eyes.
"Shut up." He says and I decide to annoy him more.
"Shut up." I mock him again.
"You are so annoying." He says.
"You are so annoying." I say, and Victoria interrupts our bickering.
"Enough you two!" She says loudly, surely having too much of our arguing.
"Fine." I huff. Then the bell rings, signaling the end of lunch. "See you all later." I say, slinging my bag over my shoulder, and walking out of the cafeteria happily. I haven't had any friends other than Eli since middle school.
I then sign joyfully, realizing I've just made some pretty cool friends.