Chapter 9

Ruth

Ruth was reading in the library when Lily rushed excitedly over to her. "Are you going on the field trip?" Lily asked.

Ruth put down her book and looked up at her friend who was practically beaming. "Um I'm not sure yet. I have a few things that I thought I'd do next weekend-"

"No please it will be so much fun! I won't go without you."

"I thought that you had something that weekend too." Ruth said racking her brain.

Lily stopped for a moment and thought. She shrugged. "Must not be very important because I can't remember it."

"No I know you do. It's...um...the SAT practice exam! I remember you scheduled to take yours a week before I scheduled to take mine."

"Oh…" Lily's face dropped. "You're right."

"You could always reschedule it." Ruth added hopefully.

"No it's passed the deadline to get a refund. I'd have to pay again."

"Well the practice test is the day before we leave. Couldn't you drive up the next day?"

"My parents probably won't let me borrow the car for that long. It's ok though. We can just plan to go just the two of us some other time."

"No Lily. I don't want you to be sad. I'm sorry I did not mean to ruin your mood." Ruth reached out and put a hand on Lily's shoulder.

Lily rached up and touched her hand and forced a smile on her face. "It's alright. This test is much more important in the long run. Speaking of, I should probably study some more before it jumps on me. Thanks for the reminder Ruth."

Lily stood up and grabbed her things. "I'll see you in History later."

Ruth waved as she walked away and turned back to her book. She felt bad for bringing Lily down like that. But she convinced herself that it is better than if she had not known and missed the test. She couldn't help but feel a little guilty though. Her nagging conscience and the loud talking coming from another table in the library buzzing in the back of her mind kept her from concentrating on anything. Her patience snapped and she turned to see who was ignoring the first rule of being in the library so flagrantly.

It was Eva. Luckily she didn't see Ruth turn to look at her. Ruth buried her nose in her book, but couldn't help overhear what Eva was talking about with Elam.

"I'm going and I think you should go too." Ruth heard Elam say.

"I'd love to hun, but I don't have the funds." Eva said.

"Ain't your parents got money?"

"Like they would spend it on something so useless as their daughter."

"Don't be like that."

"Either way I can't go"

"What if I helped you pay?"

"And owe you? No thanks."

"You wouldn't owe me I c-"

"I said no thanks. Anyways I got other plans that weekend."

"Yeah with who? Should I be jealous?"

"A girl can have her secrets. And you should always be worried when you see me smile." She said teasingly and flashing a wide grin.

Elam laughed and grabbed her arm as she got up to leave, pulling her into his lap. She laughed and kissed him. Ruth thought it was almost sweet despite herself. Eva laughed again and then looked up locking eyes with Ruth who had subtly turned to peak at the discretely. Eva's face fell and she got to her feet. Ruth turned back around and shoved her book in her bag.

"What did you think you were looking at church mouse?"

"I didn't...I was just…"

"You was just leaving." she said with as much venom as Ruth had ever heard in her voice.

Ruth got up and left the library as fast as she could without breaking into a sprint. I bet she'd enjoy going to the beach with the rest of the class though.