Page 50 of Save Us
“Thank you for your honesty. This can’t have been easy for you.”
I just nod and hold my hand out to him.
“All the best to you, Miss Beaufort,” Lexington says as he shakes it briefly.
Then I turn on my heel and cross the foyer. Once I’m outside, I take a deep breath and close my eyes for a moment. The sun is tickling my nose, and I’m filled by immeasurable euphoria.
I go back across the car park to the others. Ruby, James, andGraham have gotten out of the car. Graham is leaning against it, hands in his pockets; Ruby is standing nestled up to James, who is whispering in her ear. She freezes when she catches sight of me, eyes questioning.
I give her a triumphant smile.
The next moment, Ruby pulls away from my brother and hurries over to me.
“I’m the best!” I call out, throwing my arms up in the air.
She looks incredulously at me. I run the last few steps. I grab Ruby by the shoulders and beam at her.
“As of right now, you are no longer suspended,” I say.
“No!” Ruby squeals.
I nod. “Yes.”
“No!” The next moment, she flings her arms around me. She hugs me so tight that I can hardly breathe.
“Thank you,” she sobs. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
I squeeze her back. For a moment, I shut my eyes and enjoy the sensation. I’ve finally spoken aloud the thing I’ve been keeping secret for so long. For the first time, I’ve been open about my pregnancy—and unashamed. And I’ve helped my friend. I can’t imagine that I’ll ever feel better than I do at this moment.
“Love you, Ruby,” I say quietly.
“Love you too. So much,” she replies.
I open my eyes but don’t let go of Ruby as I look at James. I can tell from his wry smile that he’s just as emotional as the two of us right now.
Then I glance over to Graham. I can see the promises of the last few nights in his eyes. For the first time, I feel as though everything really is going to be all right. However long it takes to get there.
14
Ruby
As I get on the bus to school on Monday morning, it feels as though I only imagined the chaos of last week. My bullet journal lies in my lap as I take a black pen and go over the lines of a new heading:Monday. I pay careful attention not to go over the lines I already filled in with pencil at home. When I’m done, I study the page and a smile spreads over my face. The colors are back in my life.
Today, I have turquoise, pink, purple, and a mint green that I’ve never used before in which to add the following points:
First day back after getting suspended!
Ask Lin to bring me up-to-date on the plans for the bonfire (+tell her loads how much I’ve missed her)
