Page 62 of Save Me

Thanks. RJB

Having sent the message, I shove my phone into the crack between the sofa cushions so as not to have to look at it.

“What did you say?” asks Ember.

“Just thank you.”

Lin wrinkles her nose and finally reaches for a cookie. She breaks it in four and takes one of the quarters. It’s rare for her to let herself have anything sweet. Lin is mega strict about healthy eating, which means she basically bans herself anything tasty. I find that a shame but haven’t yet succeeded in convincing her that life is way more fun with chocolate in it.

My phone buzzes. It’s a serious effort of will not to grab it at once. It would be embarrassing to look that keen in front of Lin and Ember.

Luckily, they can’t hear how hard my heart is thumping as I eventually unlock the screen and read the message.

You never did tell me what the J stands for. JMB

I answer right away.

Guess. RJB

James. JMB

Pretty egocentric, don’t you think? RJB

Jenna. JMB

Nope. RJB

Jemima. JMB

I’m kind of impressed you only needed 3 guesses. RJB

Then he doesn’t answer for a while. I stare at the dark screen, aware of Ember and Lin watching me expectantly. But I don’t know myself exactly what I’m waiting for until my phone buzzes again a few minutes later.

Are you feeling better?

No initials. Not joking now. My throat suddenly feels very dry. I don’t want to remember yesterday, don’t want to think about the water or the fact that I had hysterics in front of loads of people from school and made a total fool of myself. And I really don’t want to think about Monday and what I might be in for then.

I’m scared of Monday. There are photos of us.

Lin and Ember start chatting about stuff that’s nothing to do with James or yesterday’s party, and Ember switches on the TV. She pulls out a DVD from the cupboard and slots it into the machine.

I’m grateful to them for giving me a bit of space, especially when I read James’s next text.

Don’t stress. All you can see in the pic is my wet back.

I hold my breath. Can I take that at face value, or is he flirting with me indirectly? I haven’t the faintest idea. I only know that I want to stay on an equal footing with him.

Well, that’s one good part of the photo for me.

I have to wait a long time for him to reply. So long that I’m regretting having typed those words. We’re halfway through the film before my phone next buzzes.

Ruby Bell, are you trying to flirt with me?

A smile spreads over my face. I hide it beneath the collar of my PJ top. Then I switch off my phone and do my best to focus my entire attention on the film.

19

Ruby

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