A thoughtless and rude jerk.
Even though I was just teasing Ripley…
My comment was cruel and unnecessary.
I toss and turn all night…
Feeling like the worst person in the world.
But I’m prepared to make it up to him.
I trek the mile to his modest, one-level house…
And wait for him on the street.
When he sees me, he frowns.
Ripley
What are you doing here?
Ruby
I know you usually walk to school.
Ruby
I was hoping you’d want some company.
I know he probably wants to ask “why” again…
So I do my best to distract him.
Ruby
Oh! I got you something.
I whip the gift out from behind my back.
Ripley
Is that ice cream?!
I take two spoons from my purse, holding one out to him.
Ruby
It’s a little melted…
Ruby
And I wasn’t sure which kind you like, so I got a bit of everything.
He’s definitely going to tell me to get lost.
To leave him alone once and for all.
Ruby
Never mind. This was dumb—
He tentatively takes the spoon from my hand…
I watch as his lips wrap around the spoon…
And it’s surprisingly sexy.
Another surprise? Ripley has great lips.
A little bit of ice cream drips onto his beard…
I guess now is as good a time as any to apologize.
Ruby
Look, I’m sorry about last night.
Ruby
What I said about your beard…it was mean and—
Ripley
I kind of overreacted.
Ruby
Sooo, does that mean you forgive me?
He blows out a breath and smiles.
Ripley
Yeah. I guess I’m just a little sensitive about the beard.
Ruby
I’m pretty anal about my hair, too.
Ruby
Yup. I even get up an extra hour early every morning to make sure it’s perfect.
Ripley
You really are a princess, huh?
We both laugh and start walking…
Passing the ice cream back and forth.
Ripley
So Ruby Rossdale eats ice cream for breakfast?
Ripley
Never would have thought.
I shrug, taking another large bite.
Ruby
Told you. Full of surprises.
Usually, I have fruit or yogurt for breakfast…
My mom would kill me if she knew I was doing this…
But that just makes it that much sweeter.
We make small talk on the way to school…
And when we arrive, a few people stare curiously in our direction.
I can tell it makes Ripley uncomfortable…
Ruby
So, see you at lunch?
I give him my best smile…
And head to my first class.
Trish and Jolene meet me at the door.
Trish
How’s it going with the freak?
Trish
Did you find out what’s living in his beard yet?
I know she expects me to laugh…
But for some reason, I’m unable to.
Ruby
Things are going okay, I guess.
Ruby
At least he’s talking to me now.
Ruby
We’re going to eat lunch together.
Jolene
Maybe I’ll sit with you guys.
Trish
Gross. No way I’m sitting at the loser table.
Trish
You’re on your own with that one.
Her insult hits my gut like a swift punch…
And I have the sudden urge to defend Ripley.
But in the end, I just follow her into class.
I sit with Ripley during lunch every day that week…
And we walk to school together every morning.
We chat about anything and everything…
And I can’t believe there was ever a time we had nothing to say to each other.
In a dark, sarcastic sort of way.
He likes music and gardening…
And he plans to study teaching when we graduate.
Also, he was raised by two moms…
They’re incredibly sweet…
And as we watch them pull out of the driveway…
Ripley
They’re really happy here.
I remember Ripley telling me they'd recently moved from a small town.
Ruby
And…are you happy here?
He sighs and thinks for a moment.
Ripley
Yes, because people are way more accepting of the two moms thing.
Ripley
But no, because if you’re not rich or connected…
Ripley
You’re still judged, but in a different way.
Wondering if that’s why he keeps to himself.
Ruby
You just have to find the right people.
Ruby
Not everyone is out to get you.
Ripley
I think I’m starting to realize that.
But I get a sick feeling in my stomach.
I start walking, unable to look him in the eye.
Ruby
But you’re right, appearances are everything around here.
Ruby
I’d know that better than anyone.
Ruby
You know that phrase, “keeping up with the Joneses?”
Ruby
Me and my family? We ARE the Joneses.
Ripley
Seems like a lot of pressure.
Ruby
God forbid I ever make a mistake or embarrass them in some way.
Ripley
How could they ever be embarrassed of you?
He doesn’t finish his sentence…
And eventually, I let him off the hook.
Ruby
Perfect? I have to be.
Ruby
Have to make sure I follow all their rules.
Ruby
Flawless appearance.
Ruby
And their number one rule?
Ripley
And you just go along with all that?
Ripley
Must be exhausting.
I shrug, feeling a little depressed.
Ruby
Like I said, you have no idea.
At lunch, I’m giving Ripley my best version of puppy dog eyes…
Ruby
It’s going to be fun!
He takes a bite of his cheeseburger, shaking his head.
Ripley
I’m not going to a party at Trish Mayfield’s.
Ripley
Hanging with you is one thing, but that’s where I draw the line.
I want him to go to this party.
But because I genuinely want him there.
Besides, he needs to put himself out there more.
How do I make him do that without forcing him?
Suddenly, I remember that I have an ace up my sleeve!
Ruby
But it’s my birthday! You’re seriously going to ditch me?
Ripley
Wait…it’s your birthday?
Ruby
Yes! So you can’t say no!
Ruby
Come on, just for a couple hours. For me?
Ripley
I think it’d be weird.
Ripley
I’m never invited to things like this.
Ruby
I’m inviting you! Please?
He looks up, his eyes roaming my face.
When his gaze suddenly lands on my lips…
My heart skips a beat in my chest.
Surprised at the feeling, I suck in a breath…
Heat charges the air between us.
He blinks rapidly, and then looks down at his plate.
But now, there’s a small smile on his face.
Ripley
But only because it’s your birthday.
I cheer loudly, grabbing everyone’s attention…
Ruby
You won’t regret this!
Ruby
Trish’s pool is amazing and—
Ripley
Whoa, whoa. It’s a pool party?!
Ruby
It’s a Saturday in May.
Ruby
Of course it’s a pool party.
He smiles, leaning back in his chair.
Ripley
I don’t have a suit.
Ruby
You live in California and you don’t have a bathing suit?
Ruby
Oh no mister, you’re not getting off that easy.
Ruby
We’re going shopping.
Later that day, I stand next to Ripley in the mall.
Ruby
But pink is in style!
Ripley eyes the board shorts in my hand with disdain.
Ripley
It’s not the pink that’s the problem.
Ripley
It’s the stupid little animals all over it.
Ripley
Why do rich people think that’s a good look?
I hang the designer shorts back up…
Then grab Ripley’s hand to drag him further down the aisle.
I hold up a stylish pair of navy trunks.
They’re simple, with two white lines running up the side.
They’re also the most expensive in the store…
But I’m not going to tell him that.
He tilts his head to the side…
Then reaches out to touch the material.
Ripley
…Those seem alright.
Before he can check the price tag…
I throw them over my arm.
Ripley
I have tons of shirts.
I toss him a look over my shoulder…
Eyeing his faded black tee.
His broad chest fills it out nicely…
But it has definitely seen better days.
Ruby
Ripley, I mean this in the nicest way possible…
Ruby
But when was the last time you updated your wardrobe?
Ripley
What does that matter?
Because there’s no way he can show up to this party…
In the stuff I’ve seen him in so far.
I give him a pleading look.
Ruby
Come on, let me have my fun.
Ruby
You need something to match these shorts anyway.
He rolls his eyes, but smiles indulgently…
And I know he’s given in.
I lead him over to the shirt section…
And my eyes land on a tank that is…perfect.
It’s white, and on the front in elegant but messy script are the words:
“I don’t want to be here.”
It’s trendy, from the designer brand of a rap mogul…
But more importantly, it’s spot-on for Ripley.
Most people would wear it ironically.
But Ripley is going to wear it because it’s true…
And everyone will know it.
It’s cool, and will give him just the edge he needs.
I snatch it off the rack, and hold it up so he can see.
He throws his head back and laughs.
Ripley
I actually kind of love it.
I squeal with delight, clapping my hands together.
Ruby
See isn’t this fun?!
Ruby
Okay next stop — sneakers!
Ripley exaggerates a sigh.
Ripley
How many stops are there going to be?!
Ruby
Well let’s see. You need sneakers, sunglasses…
Ruby
And maybe a pair of flip flops—
Out of nowhere, he slips his hand into mine.
Ripley
— Alright, alright.
Ripley
Let’s just get this over with.
I freeze for a second, staring down at our clasped palms.
I know it’s just a friendly gesture on his part…
But it sends heat shooting up my arm all the same.
I peer up at him, trying to gauge his reaction…
But he’s thumbing through the shirts on the rack with his other hand…
A part of me wants to pull away…
But that’s not the part that wins out.
