Dear Aaron

RubyMars: I figured. You okay?

AHall80: Tired and the days are too long

RubyMars: Just think, in four weeks you’ll be touring Scotland and it’s going to be great. In five weeks, you’ll be lying out on a beach somewhere.

AHall80: That’s why my days are seeming longer I bet

AHall80: I’m ready to get the hell out of here. I keep thinking about that. I try not to because you never know what’ll happen in an hour, but it’s the only thing getting me through the days.

RubyMars: I get it.

RubyMars: Want a distraction?

AHall80: Yes

RubyMars: I got asked out on a date.

AHall80: With the 21-year-old?

RubyMars: No, with my brother’s friend.

AHall80: ….

AHall80: The one who led you on?

RubyMars: No. Not that one. My marine brother’s friend. My brother suggested it.

AHall80: Your brother was okay with it?

RubyMars: Yeah. I’ve known that guy for a while. They were roommates before he moved in with his boyfriend. He’s nice.

AHall80: You said the other guy was nice

RubyMars: I think you’re nice, too.

AHall80: You know what I mean

RubyMars: I do. But this guy really is nice. Like you. He was always pretty sweet to me but never said or did anything about it. I was over at my brother’s place for his boyfriend’s birthday and that guy asked me out.

RubyMars: He’s really hot and that makes me nervous, but if I wait around to meet someone who doesn’t make me feel awkward, I’m going to be in adult diapers.

RubyMars: I don’t know why I told you he’s hot. I’m sorry. Like you care or want to hear that.

AHall80: You can tell me whatever AHall80: Where’s he taking you?

RubyMars: I don’t know. He said he’d call me on Thursday so we can go out Friday.

AHall80: Why is he waiting to call you all week?

RubyMars: ….

RubyMars: He’s going on dates with other people, isn’t he?

AHall80: I don’t know, but…

RubyMars: It’s fine. I don’t have any expectations. It’s not like I’m in love with him or anything. I’m just trying to get out there and get some experience.

AHall80: I shouldn’t have said that, Ruby. I’m sorry. Maybe he’s busy.

RubyMars: Maybe.

AHall80: Look, I got to go, but I’m sorry for saying that.

RubyMars: You didn’t do anything. It’s okay. Be safe.





April 18, 2009

AHall80: Hey

RubyMars: Hey stalker.

AHall80: How was your date?

RubyMars: Awful.

AHall80: Awful how?

AHall80: Did he do something?

RubyMars: No. He brought up the other guy.

AHall80: The one who led you on?

RubyMars: Yes. We were in the middle of eating at this place that was way too fancy and made me uncomfortable when he said, “I was waiting to ask you out.” No biggie, right? I said, “Really?” He goes, “Yes. I wanted to give you some time to get over Hunter.”

RubyMars: I wanted to throw up, Aaron. I lost my appetite, and I don’t ever lose my appetite unless I’m dying from pneumonia.

AHall80: Hunter is the guy?

RubyMars: Yes.

AHall80: Shit

RubyMars: Yeah. My thoughts exactly.

RubyMars: Everyone knew! Everyone!

RubyMars: It was one thing to know my family was aware of it, but for my brother’s friends to know too… I’m such an idiot. I could tell he knew I wanted to throw up because he immediately started backpedaling. I told him it was fine, but I wasn’t fine. I was mad at myself.

RubyMars: I’m so stupid.

AHall80: You didn’t do anything wrong.

RubyMars: I did. I could’ve handled that different. I could’ve gotten over him years ago and moved on with my life, but no… not me.

RubyMars: I’m an idiot.

AHall80: You’re not an idiot AHall80: Everyone has liked someone who didn’t like them back at some point, Ruby.

AHall80: You know that. Everybody.

RubyMars: But not for years like a complete moron.

RubyMars: I…

RubyMars: UGH

RubyMars: Here was this guy who liked me and I had no idea because I’d been goo goo gaa gaa for someone who wasn’t interested in me for half my life like a jackass.

AHall80: You’re not a jackass.

AHall80: You like this guy?

RubyMars: I wouldn’t say I “like” him. I’ve never really thought about it much. He’s nice and he’s not hard to look at.

RubyMars: I tried not to act different the rest of the date, but I know he could tell I was pissed off and embarrassed.

AHall80: You didn’t do anything wrong, remember that.

RubyMars: I’ll try…

RubyMars: Still. Did everyone in the entire world know I was hung up on him? I wanted to crawl into a hole of pathetic and never come out.

AHall80: You aren’t pathetic.

AHall80: You’re over him now and you can move on, right?

RubyMars: Right.

AHall80: Chill.

RubyMars: Easier said than done. I never really thought I was this prideful, but I guess I am.

AHall80: You’re good. It’s one guy.

AHall80: Relax RubyMars: Fine.

AHall80: I thought your sister was the sore loser in the family?

RubyMars: Har har har

RubyMars: I don’t want to talk about it anymore.

RubyMars: Anyway, how are you?

AHall80: Fine

AHall80: I’m dropping it too

AHall80: The stress is high. Everyone’s itching to get out of here. Same old shit.

RubyMars: :) RubyMars: That’s better than crazy stuff happening, right?

AHall80: Yes and no.

AHall80: I don’t need to be complaining.

RubyMars: I’ll change the subject.

RubyMars: Have you heard anything else about your sister and that piece of crap?

AHall80: My dad e-mailed me and said Paige is fine and acting more like herself than she had been. He said he hadn’t noticed she’d been acting strange until now that she’s not.

AHall80: Knowing my dad, he feels like he failed her, but he won’t say anything about it.

RubyMars: I’m sorry, Aaron.

RubyMars: If there’s something I can do or say, tell me.

AHall80: I will.

AHall80: Tell me something AHall80: Anything RubyMars: That’s not broad. :) RubyMars: I gave my sister her dress.

AHall80: Send a picture.

AHall80: What’d she say or do?

RubyMars: I took it to her room when we were home alone and gave it to her. She stared at it for a long time, and I really thought she was going to cry, but then she hugged me and told me thank you.

RubyMars: Today I walked by her room and found her sitting on the edge of her bed, kind of staring off into space. Hopefully she’s thinking about going to skate, but who knows.

RubyMars: I’ll send you a picture right now. I think it’s my best one yet.

RubyMars: But…

RubyMars: I don’t know if she’ll actually fit into it if she tries putting it on. I used her measurements from when she was training regularly.

AHall80: Maybe it’ll motivate her to get back into it.

AHall80: Wow. I just opened the attachment. Did you do a rainbow pattern?

RubyMars: Yes :). I thought about doing more of a red theme, like a phoenix coming back from its ashes, but the rainbow just popped out at me. It’s not as depressing either. She lost, she didn’t die. I wanted it to look like she was rising up, or evolving. Like it’s more about living your life than death.

RubyMars: I don’t know if that makes sense, but… maybe I overthought it.

AHall80: I get it. A phoenix is more about the rebirth. You were thinking more of the life afterward.

RubyMars: Yes! Exactly!

AHall80: I can see the little wing-like things you did. Wow. Really, Ruby. Wow.

AHall80: If she doesn’t wear that, you should give it to someone who will. That doesn’t deserve to go into a closet.

RubyMars: Thank you.

AHall80: Have you heard from that guy?

RubyMars: Which one?

RubyMars: ^^ the first and only time I’ve ever sounded like a player.

AHall80: The younger one

RubyMars: He sent me a message a few weeks ago, but I’d already kind of snuck in that I didn’t want to waste his time anymore.

AHall80: Good girl

RubyMars: :) AHall80: I need to go. I’ll msg you soon.

RubyMars: Okay. Bye bye. Be safe.

AHall80: You too, RC.



April 21, 2009

AHall80: Tell me something good that happened to you.

RubyMars: Hello to you.

RubyMars: I quit my job today.

AHall80: ….

AHall80: For real?

RubyMars: For real.