Page 35 of Save Me

She thinks a moment or two before she answers. “I want to prove that I’m a good team leader. That I’m up to the job. I had to fight to be taken seriously on the team, and then I had to fight not to let Elaine get me down.” She glances apologetically at me. “I know you’re her friend, but she wasn’t a great leader. I don’t want all the work and effort that I’ve put into the committee and everything I’m still doing to have been for nothing.”

I mumble thoughtfully, and she looks inquiringly at me.

“I’m just wondering if I’m that passionate about anything.”

“Lacrosse?” she asks.

I give a vague shrug. “Maybe.”

We walk through the library, down the stairs, and outside, and for the first time, I really understand that the events that seem so pointless and annoying to me are an important part of other people’s lives.

“What’s the time, anyway?” Ruby asks suddenly.

I look at my watch. “Nearly four.”

She swears and starts running. “I’ll miss my bus!”

Her green backpack bobs on her back, and her brown hair whirls up as she sprints for the bus stop.

I walk over to the chauffeur waiting for me by our Rolls in the car park. All at once, asking my parents doesn’t seem like so much of a big deal.

Ruby

My phone buzzes as my parents, Ember, and I are sitting by the TV watchingThe Voice Kids. I fish it out of my pocket. The button to unlock it has been sticking for a while, and it feels like I have to press it a bit harder every day. Once it’s finally unlocked, I’m stunned.

An unknown number has texted me.

Scored the costumes for the poster. We can pick them up in London tomorrow. J.

“I can’t believe that girl’s only eight.” I hear Mum’s amazed voice in my ear.

“Why can’t you two sing?” Dad asks. “Then I could have sent you on a show like this.”

“Our talents lie elsewhere, Dad,” Ember replies.

“Oh, really? What can you do then?” A muffled sound makes me look up. Ember just threw a sofa cushion at Dad. He rumbles with laughter.

“My blog has over five hundred followers, Dad. I can sew, and I can show people that a person with a body like mine can wear whatever they want—that’s not nothing, is it?”

“You’ve topped five hundred?” I ask in surprise.

She nods curtly. We haven’t been speaking much since the argument. Ember’s still angry with me for refusing to take her to the next Maxton Hall party, and so I totally missed her passing that major milestone.

“That’s amazing. Well done,” I say. I don’t know why it sounds so forced, because it’s from the heart. Ember’s been working on her blog,Bellbird, for over a year. She puts so much work and love into it that she deserves to be successful.

“Thanks.” Ember turns her attention to the remote and starts fiddling with it.

“D’you reckon Ember could turn up with her sewing machine and audition?” Dad asks. “Or she could give a talk. It would be amazing if you told people the things you’ve explained to us—that ‘fat’ is just a descriptive word, with no value judgment, and that’s why people should use it!”

Ember snorts with laughter. “I don’t think that would work, Dad. It’s a singing show.”

“Oh. Right. Good point. How aboutBritain’s Got Talent? If what you do isn’t talented, I don’t know what is. If necessary, wecould invite your five hundred followers and sneak them into the audience. And then we can all cheer you on.”

“Totally!” I agree. “Go and audition with your designs. I’ll make banners and hand them out to all five hundred of them.”

Ember pulls a face. I stick my tongue out at her. Her eyes begin to sparkle, and a cautious grin spreads over her face. At that moment, I feel like everything’s OK again. We’ve made up without words, same as always. I feel my shoulders slump with relief.

Dad says something else, but at that moment, I’m distracted by the message on my screen. I start to reply but delete it right away. I don’t know how to respond. The idea of going up to London with James and spending a day with him outside the boundaries of Maxton Hall feels weird. Weird but…exciting, the more I think about it. I type a few more words.

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