Page 22 of Class Clown

One side of his mouth tugged up a bit and he gestured with his head toward a plastic-wrapped bundle. “Cole says you can have his extra set.”

“So, each of us would have one set rather than two?” He nodded and I smirked. “Oh, Nico, as Cole’s best pal you should know that is a terrible idea. He’ll need his backup sooner than later. We aren’t known for keeping our clothing clean.” I picked up the bag of Cole’s extras and looked at the marked size. “I feel like I’m Goldilocks right now. That shirt was too small, but this size will be too big. Do you have anything that will be just right?”

“I’m afraid not. I’ll have to order you a new set.”

“Either I’m saggy or I’m trapped for life. It’s a tough choice.”

“I’m assuming you’d prefer not to be cut out of your clothing again?” he asked.

His expression didn’t waver, but his tone sounded the slightest bit normal, so I smiled at what I was assuming was a tease. “Too true, Mr. Crawford. Fine. For now, I’ll rock the sag.” I hugged the clothing up to my chest. “I’m going to go back to Cole’s office to steal Wi-Fi and call some people.”

“Your dragon lady friends?” he asked.

I nodded my head and laughed. “Cole told you about us, huh? Yes. I’m tempted to invite them up here to show this mountain how to party.” I tossed him a wink and spun on my heel. “If you like me as a roomie, you’d love them.”

Chapter 6

Ruby’s Truth: A t-shirt should never be able to double as a parachute.

Cole’s office was blissfully empty when I returned, and I was pretty pleased about missing another round of teasing from him. I put the uniform stack on one side of his desk and sat on the edge, pulling my phone out of my pocket in preparation to talk to one of my friends. But who to call first? Aryn because she’s sort of the most level-headed of the group, or Hailey because of her therapy skills and gentle touch, or Lizzie because she’s always good to giggle at my shenanigans, or Meredith because I could use a reminder of how to avoid weakness?

My gaze slide out the window as I debated. . . .wait,the window? I stood up and stepped closer, wondering how many people might have been able to see me tearing my shirt to pieces and exposing my skin to the world. Good grief. I couldn’t imagine anything stranger than innocently walking past the director’s office window only to glance inside and see his sister arching back and tearing her shirt off her body while her face contorted with the effort. They’d have thought something on my insides was trying to escape, and the image cracked me up.

His window, thankfully, overlooked the forest rather than the front of the lodge where the meadow was, but I was betting there was a family of deer out there who had gotten quite a show. In fact, I could swear I saw something looking back at me from the meadow grasses up against the tree line. I leaned forward and squinted, and sure enough, the critter moved slightly, revealing a rotund porcupine looking back in my direction.Charmed, I smiled and waved as though it could actually communicate with me.

I puffed out a breath and slumped back down onto the desk, shaking my head. Leave it to me to not look for a window before changing my clothing, and then waving to a forest creature like it was a friend I’d seen across the way.

This was exactly the kind of story I’d be telling my friends over Mexican food if I was still in town, and my smile slipped as I pictured them summering without me. I shook off the thought. I couldn’t see them in person, but thanks to technology I could still connect. Seeing as I couldn’t decide which of my friends to call first, I settled for a group text.

Me: I’m sneaking WiFi right now. Hi everyone. I miss you already.

Aryn: RUBY!!! That shirt - work it girl!

Meredith: Hey, lady. How’s the forest so far?

Me: I woke up frozen to my pillow the first morning, and I think I made friends with a porcupine.

Aryn: Ha ha ha. Of course you did.

Lizzie: I swear, any time your brother is involved things go downhill fast.

Me: That would explain why I just busted myself out of a t-shirt with a pair of dull scissors and brute strength.

Meredith: The picture is making more sense.

Me: Don’t worry, Cole and his friend Nico walked in on me.

Hailey: No. No. No.

Lizzie: I am literally dead right now imagining this.

Me: I may have also traumatized some people or animals, because there was a window next to me.

Aryn: A window. Ha ha ha.

Meredith: What did Cole do?

Me: Called me The Hulk.

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