CHAPTER 4

"Everything your father and I did was for you. To give you the best life possible, to keep you away from danger and keep you safe. Everything we have ever done is for you Ruby. You shouldn't listen to rumours, there's always two sides to every story." Mum says firmly, her brown eyes fixed on mine.
"Sorry Mum, sorry Dad." I mumble under my breath, pulling my knees up to my chest. Another awkward silence falls upon us inside the car and I simply stare out of the window for the remaining part of the journey.
*****
"Yooo, what's up T-Dog?" I grin, slamming my shoulder into Tori. She giggles loudly, stepping back as she waves goodbye to her parents. They drive off, leaving me standing with her outside the cabin. She turns back towards me and grips me into a deathly hug, crushing my body against hers.
"Ruby, don't speak like that," Dad scolds me, his eyebrow raised high as he pulls the suitcases out of the boot. I shrug my shoulders, walking a few feet away from him and dragging Tori with me as I go.
"I broke up with Austin," I reveal to her in a hushed whisper. Her large green eyes widen and she lets out a small gasp —
"No way! Aw, poor Austin. He'll be heart broken. How did he take it?" Tori asks me, flipping her bright red hair over her shoulder. It's long and always curled at the ends. The teachers at school don't allow brightly coloured hair but Tori swears it's all natural. . . It's not.
I've known her since she was five. Five year old Tori has mousy brown hair, not fiery red. But I like the red so I agree with her. Plus, she's my best friend. I swing my arm around her shoulders and waltz towards the cabin door, a wide grin on my face.
"He wants to give it another go but I don't feel the spark anymore. Is that normal?" I ask her, frowning. I really did like Austin to begin with but now. . . I'm not so sure. I want to feel excitement when I catch a glimpse of him in the crowd, I want to feel alive when I'm with him.
"It's normal Ruby. It just means you haven't found someone you're crazy about. Plus, Austin is kind of a douche. That's a major turn off."
I nod my head, agreeing with her.
"Will I ever find anyone that I'm crazy about?" I ask her, playing around with the curls at the bottom of her hair. She hates it when I uncurl them but I can't help it, I have to have something to constantly fidget with. I can't sit still for longer than 3.5 seconds, trust me when I say my parents have tried.
"Yes you will, hopefully. In the meantime, work on getting your kissing technique down for Mr Perfect," Tori grins, waggling her tongue at me. I snort and slap my hand over my mouth, giggling behind it.
"I'm already a great kisser," I state, giving her a teasing glare.
"Please, I've seen you kiss multiple boys. It's like a leech with a tongue, gross." She pretends to gag and I laugh loudly, shoving her softly.
"Excuse me, when was the last time you had a girlfriend?" I tease her. A sparkle flashes through her eyes for a brief second before she masks it over however the smirk plays on her lips. I let out a gasp, bouncing up and down as I stop her from walking any further.
"I know that look! Tell me! Tell me everything!" I scream, my excitement getting the better of me. I'm a very hyper active child, I blame my father. Tori grips my arm tightly, hissing under her breath.
"Shut up Ruby! I don't want the whole world finding out!"
I raise my brow and glance around at the multiple trees surrounding us.
"Erm, hello? We're in the middle of the woods right now. It couldn't be more private if we tried."
"Oh yeah, my bad." Tori apologises, glancing around. She leans towards my ear, her cheeks flushed a little pink as she begins to fill me in.
"Please leave out any over PG details. I'm still a minor," I warn her and she scoffs, looking exactly like me as she does it. It's why I love her, we're so similar.
"A minor? Puh-lease. If only Daddy and Mummy knew how corrupt their little cupcake actually is." Tori teases me, pinching my cheeks. I swat her hands away, a wide grin on my face.
"Bitch."
"Double bitch, I still love you though."