CHAPTER 2

"Hi beautiful," he drawls out in his Bad Boy Come-Get-Me voice.
It worked four weeks ago, not anymore.
"Hey Austin. I think we need to talk," I tell him, twirling a piece of my hair around my fingers as I head towards my room. I can't risk Dad hearing Austin's protests when I tell him I'm not feeling it anymore. I step inside my room and close the door over with my foot.
"Sure, what's up?" Austin says, sounding wary.
Without hesitation, I respond, already having spoken the words several times before.
"I don't think we're working out," I say apologetically, hoping he doesn't take the news too badly.
"Seriously Ruby, you're breaking up with me?"
"Yeah, sorry. You haven't done anything wrong . . . I just don't think it's working out, I need a break from relationships."
I roll my eyes automatically when Austin responds —
"You need a break from relationships? You're with someone new every few weeks Ruby!" He argues back, his voice becoming increasingly angrier. I roll my eyes again and take a seat on the edge of my bed. I've dated plenty of boys but none of them have truly shared a connection with me. I can never be myself around them and I don't want to live my life uncomfortably or in a lie.
"Exactly which is why I'm taking a break." I argue back, falling backwards on my bed.
"You're making a mistake Ruby." Austin snaps back at me, his tone holding resentment.
"Whatever Austin, I've got to go. Bye," I mumble, ending the call. As soon as I hang up, a text message alert springs from my phone from him.
"Wow, you're persistent," I grumble, turning my phone on silent. I shove it deep inside my jean pockets and stand up, gripping onto the handle of my suitcase I packed this morning. It's nice to get away from high school drama sometimes, I'm not a child who hates spending time with their parents.
My parents are pretty cool.
I mean, where do they think I get it from?
"Hey Dad, can we go hunting again when we get to the cabin?" I yell down the stairs, pulling the suitcase along. I can hear his heavy footsteps before he pauses, thinking hard.
"As long as you promise not to try and shoot me again. You almost killed me Ruby," Dad scolds me, his eyebrow raised high. I can't help but giggle behind my hand, finding the situation funny.
"It was my first time with a gun Dad and I apologised over and over again."
Dad shakes his head, climbing up the stairs to take my suitcase from me. He lifts it effortlessly with one hand and I silently wish I had his strength. Mentally and physically.
"Do you want to get changed before we go cupcake?" Dad asks me, glancing down at his watch. I look down at my outfit, shaking my head. I'm wearing my grey hoodie, black skinny jeans and doc martins.
"I'm comfortable like this," I tell him, walking downstairs and ignoring the constant vibrations coming from my phone inside my pocket. Dad places an arm around me, kissing the top of my head again.
"Lets go trouble."
"Right behind you Daddy," I smile.