CHAPTER 7

"Baby, there ain't no mountain high enough!" I sing at the top of my lungs, leaning back and kicking my legs up like a rockstar. Tori is recording me on her phone beside me, struggling to contain her laughter. I turn to her camera, blowing a kiss to it before mimicking playing a guitar.
"Ain't no valley low enough! Ain't no river wide enough. . . to keep me from getting to you babe!" 
I throw my head forward and my dark hair flies around messily in front of my face. Beside me, Tori ends the video and laughs loudly, clutching her stomach.
"You almost head butted the seat in front of you," she giggles, wiping tears from the corner of her eye. I grin widely at her and take a glance at my parents in the front who look mortified. Dad has a permanent frown on his face and Mum is wearing black sunglasses that cover her entire face.
"Dear God, what have we created?" Dad mutters, running a hand over his tired face. His other hand is clutching the steering wheel as he drives us back home.
"A monster, we've created a monster." Mum responds, her voice low. I gasp and poke my head between the both of them —
"I heard that! I'm just trying to have some fun guys. You're both hungover. How much wine did you have to drink last night Mum?" I ask her, a knowing smile on my face. Mum can't handle her wine, it's a fact.
"Too much wine," she responds, turning to run her hand over my hair. She's been doing it ever since I can remember. It always comforts me.
"Sorry for calling you a monster. Your father and I are very hungover Ruby."
"When can I join you?" I joke around, turning to look at both of them. Neither of them reply and Dad simply turns to look at me, his eyebrow raised high. I slowly retreat back to my seat, wincing.
"When I'm eighteen. The legal age, got it." I reply to my own question. Mum murmurs an agreement and Dad looks satisfied as a silence falls upon us in the car.
"Ruby, can you sing another song?" Tori asks me, holding up her phone. I open my mouth to belt out a Michael Jackson track when Mum and Dad both spin around at the exact same time.
"No more singing!" They yell in unison. I hold my hands up in surrender, lowering myself back down in my seat.
"You got it guys," I respond, chuckling under my breath.
*****
"Ruby Melvin!" Mrs Hartwood yells at me, her pink face now turning purple. I stop salsa dancing with Tori in the middle of the classroom and pause, turning to face her.
"Yes Miss?"
"Stop that racket right now and get back to your work. Don't make me give you another detention Ruby!"
"I have detention for the next six weeks. It won't make any difference to me," I shrug but sit down anyway. The class groan as their entertainment has been disturbed and I shoot them all an apologetic look.
"Sorry guys, shows over." I grin, picking my pen back up. Another groan fills the classroom.
"Let them carry on Miss!"
"Yeah, it’s two hot chicks dancing, let them carry on!"
Me and Tori both turn towards each other before laughing loudly. Tori winks at me and I wink back, loving that my best friend is on the same page as me.