End Journeys
T is for Trauma
Lauren pinched Ruby's arm because the lecturer noticed those who had been chatting since earlier.
"We'll talk later" Lauren replied.
Class is over, Ruby eats in the cafeteria with her new friends. Lauren approached Ruby.
"I'll explain later about what I said," Lauren said as she passed.
Ruby is confused, she wonders why Lauren found out about her and Sam.
***
It was late afternoon, Ruby was getting ready to go to Kylie's house. He drives his car at high speed because it's almost too late to pick up Kylie. About 15 minutes, Ruby reached Kylie's house. Kylie was waiting at the gate.
"You're asleep again?" ask Kylie.
"Actually I was thinking about something while doing a task. But suddenly I fell asleep at the table" replied Ruby.
They went to the cafe, where Kylie filled the event with singing.
Kylie took the stage after finishing the preparations. He started singing. I'll Always Love You is the song she chose to sing that day.
"Beautiful song," Ruby said to herself with a long sigh.
"It's even more beautiful when sung by a special person, right?" ask someone behind Ruby.
Ruby was surprised and a little nervous. Then he smiled.
"I didn't think we'd meet here" Thomas said.
"Ah, uh. Who are you coming with?"
"alone. I'm alone" replied Thomas.
"Oh, that. Alright." Ruby turned her face away.
Thomas just smiled at Ruby's attitude.
"Hey,ruby. Can I sit next to you?" ask Thomas.
"Hm. I have to go" Ruby got up and rushed away.
The night was getting late, Kylie had already finished her performance on stage.
"How did I look?"
"Good, of course. Your voice is so beautiful" praised Ruby.
"You didn't watch my whole performance. What's up?"
"So I met Thomas" replied Ruby.
"Then?"
"He wants to sit next to me?"
"Is there a problem?" ask Kylie.
"Why do I get nervous every time I face a guy. I'm scared" replied Ruby.
"What are you afraid of?"
"I'm afraid of such a stupid incident as it used to be repeated," Ruby sighed.
"Calm yourself. You just have to learn from yesterday's mistakes. Don't be in a hurry" Kylie suggested.
Ruby then drove Kylie home.
***
Ruby has lived a week as a student. He was very excited to follow every lecture and do the task. He also has many new friends and is getting more familiar with the students in his class.
"Ruby, come home from college let's eat together," Ava asked.
"alright. Take other friends as well" replied Ruby.
They ate together in the cafeteria. There's Ava, Lauren, Dapnhe, Penelope and Rosa. They are getting more and more familiar.
"Hi, can I join you?" asked Albert who suddenly came without them noticing.
"Of course" replied Lauren.
Albert ordered the food and sat down with them.
"How's your relationship with Ruby?" asked Penelope with a big smile.
"What relationship?" ask Ruby in a high tone.
"Why do you look so surprised?" ask Lauren.
Dapnhe, Ava and Albert just chuckled.
"We're best friends as you can see" Albert said.
"I doubt you're just friends. It seems like more than that, as soon as the class finishes, you must have approached Ruby and ignored the other friends" Rosa said.
Ruby and Albert stared at each other and fell silent.
"Let's eat your food" Ruby said.
They looked at each other and smiled then finished their food.
"All right, let's go home first, you guys just keep going on the date" Ava said.
"Who's dating? I'm waiting for an invitation" replied Ruby.
They then went home, except Ava.
"Why don't you go home with them?" ask Ruby.
"I will accompany you until your invitation comes" replied Ava.
"no need. I'm the one who accompanied Ruby" said Albert who came with his motorbike.
Ruby and Ava looked at each other and Ava laughed.
"It's true that the rumors are circulating" said Ava who could not stop her laughter.
"What rumors?" ask Albert.
"Rumors say you're dating."
"What date, we go together never," said Ruby.
"You sure?" Ava then smiled.
Albert sits between Ruby and Ava.
"Hey, shut up."
"Shut your mouth for what?" ask Ava.
"Don't spread rumors" Albert replied.
"I'm not spreading rumors. But that's how it goes in class" Ava argued.
"Running around in class? The kids in the class believe these baseless rumors?" ask Ruby.
"Yes, that's. From the beginning you seemed close" replied Ava.
Ava leaves Ruby and Albert at the security guard post.
"I'm sorry that this rumor makes you uncomfortable. I hope this doesn't affect our relationship" Albert said.
"What did you say? I'm not affected by rumors like this so just relax. The fact is we're just good friends, right" Ruby said.
"It seems like in class someone really likes you" Albert said.
"Eitherway. Right now I'm not interested in love affairs" Ruby replied.
"Ruby. I want to say something. After this you can hate me" said Albert.
"What's up, Albert?
"When I went to the place where you and Sam were, I took my friend. I can't reveal his identity to you but he's the source of the rumors" Albert said.
"you mean? Rumors between me and Sam?"
"Yes. For that I apologize to you. I told him to stop spreading those baseless rumors and he apologized as well. But he didn't dare to meet you in person."
"Well! After accusing me of doing something that I never did now she doesn't dare to meet me? What's the matter with me?" Ruby looked emotional.
"I'm sorry, Ruby. I'm really sorry" Albert replied.
"Albert, I'm not angry. It's not your fault so stop blaming yourself" replied Ruby.
"I'll try to convince him to apologize directly to you."
"alright. I want to meet him. I'm not gonna act like shit. I just wanted to know what he wanted so he spread the rumors that tarnished my name. What kind of woman am I, taking a man to sleep together."
"I'm sorry."
"Albert, stop apologizing!"
"Well, where's your invitation?"
"Eitherway. It might get stuck" replied Ruby.
"Come, I'll drive you home, '" Albert hurried to get his bike.
"But,helms..."
Albert smiled and took out a helmet that belonged to no one.
"I'll borrow this, I'll give it back."
Albert drove Ruby home on a motorcycle and a helmet that belonged to no one. Actually Ruby could have gone home on foot, but because her cousin's sister who is none other than the mother of Amy offers an invitation, then Ruby still waits. Before returning home with Albert, Ruby contacted his older cousin first.
***
"Sir, there will be guests" Amy said.
"Guests? What guests?"
"Guest my mother, they will come here" Amy replied.
Ruby is an anti-social child. He is not very sociable and very shy. He was most unwilling to receive guests from his family, except for his own guests.
"I have to run away" Ruby told herself.
Ruby rushed to the bath and prepared to leave aimlessly. Most importantly for him, he went out of the house and did not meet with the guests of his cousin's sister.
"Amy I have to go. There's a very urgent matter" Ruby told Amy. He took his helmet and walked towards the highway. It's just pacing back and forth on the side of the road.
"Ah. Why did I forget Albert?"
Ruby called Albert and took him to the bookstore. Albert would be happy to accompany Ruby.
Tin.. Tin...
Albert came to Ruby who was crouching on the side of the road.
"Ruby.. Jesus Ruby," Albert laughed out loud.
Ruby got on Albert's motorcycle and they went to the bookstore together.
"What's wrong? Tumben you're taking me away together" asked Albert.
"Actually in my house there are guests and I'm lazy to serve so I choose to run away."
"If there's no guests you won't take me away?"
"Of course we're going. There's actually a place I want to go with you" Ruby replied.
"Can we go to that place now?"
"Later after coming from the bookstore only," said Ruby.
They finally arrived at the bookstore. Mystery books first caught Ruby's attention. He is a fan of mystery from film to novel.
"Well, Agatha Christie. My favorite writer" Ruby told Albert.
"You really like mysteries, huh?"
"Haha yes. Mystery genres in both novels and movies make me think hard to solve the puzzles in them," replied Ruby.
Ruby bought one of the two books she wanted so badly.
"You'll buy me next month, if I can, now I don't have any more pocket money" Ruby said, speaking to one of the novels she wanted. Albert just laughed at Ruby's behavior and they left.
"We'd better eat first" asked Albert.
"alright. I'll deal with it," replied Ruby.
"No. I'll deal with it."
"But I'm the one who took you away. So I'm the deal."
"But I'm the one who's taking you out, so I'm the one who's buying, '" Albert smiled and ordered a meal at one of the outlets close to the bookstore.
"Ruby, wait here. I'm gonna go to the ATM for a second" Albert passed by leaving Ruby.
About 15 minutes waiting, the food finally came but Albert did not come. Ruby would not eat without Albert.
"Ruby, why don't you eat?" Albert came in with breaths.
"What's wrong? Why so long?"
"I went straight to the toilet. Let's eat," Albert took his food. Then they eat together.
"What places would you like to visit with me?" ask Albert.
"Let's go to the beach" Ruby asked.
"Beach? Sure thing!"
Albert drove his bike at high speed. Ruby was frightened and hugged Albert's waist.
"Albert don't speed!!" ruby exclaimed while laughing.
But Albert kept speeding until he reached their destination. They got down and started walking on the beachfront trail. On the edge of the monitor many cafes with different styles.
"Do you like the beach?" ask Albert.
"Like it" Ruby replied with a smile.
"Let's sit there," asked Albert while holding Ruby to the beach.
They sat there, telling each other about the hardships they were going through. The longer they get familiar even like people who have known for a long time.
"Ruby, this is for you" Albert said, giving Ruby something wrapped in a blue paper bag.
"What'sthis? Thank you, yeah."
Ruby opened the parcel. It was the novel he wanted so much, but he hadn't bought it yet.
"Albert, here. It's priced well. Albert, thank you."
Ruby was speechless because she was so happy.
"Ruby, I like you..."
The shadow reappeared in Ruby's mind. The trauma.
"Albert, don't.."