“Because I don’t want you walking around alone. And I like being with you.”
“Really? Even when I’m a firecracker?” I couldn’t resist throwing his words back at him.
“There’s a time and a place for being feisty. That just wasn’t one of them,” he said, with a hint of flirtation. “I didn’t mean to upset you, Neve, but I think it’s important for friends to be honest with each other, even if that means saying something you know might be hard to hear.” His words made me feel less annoyed with him and the way he had handled the situation. I couldn’t fault the idea of honesty between friends, could I? “Actually, I have a favour to ask. Are you doing anything tomorrow morning?”
“No, I don’t have classes until three. What do you want?”
“It’s my mother’s birthday and I need to shop for a gift for her. Would you be willing to come along and offer a female perspective?”
“Of course. What time?” Who wouldn’t be quick to take up the offer of shopping?
“I’ll pick you up at eleven.”
“Eleven’s fine but I can get the bus into town. It’s silly you driving here to pick me up, only to drive back again.”
“Neve, how many times do I have to tell you? Let me be a gentleman. It’s the way I’ve been brought up to be.”
“Okay. Eleven will be lovely. Thank you, Mister Adams.” I dropped a quick curtsey and ran into the house before he could reply.
Something stopped me before I unlocked the door to my room and I crossed the corridor to Ruby’s room. I felt bad that I hadn’t spoken to her or Kema since that day. Even though I hadn’t seen them, I hadn’t sought them out, either.
My knock on the door was answered with a cheerful “Come in, it’s open!” Knowing Ruby was probably expecting someone other than me, I opened the door but didn’t cross the threshold.
“Hi there. It’s Neve, from across the hall,” I wittered, not wanting to alarm Ruby, who, let’s be honest, had never even met me.
“Hi,” was the mumbled response from a toothbrush-armed Ruby, her mouth filled with toothpastey bubbles which dripped onto her pyjamas as she spoke. With something that sounded like “Shit”, she ran to the bathroom and I could hear the swill of water as she rinsed. “Come on in,” she repeated, drying her face as she opened the door wide.
Ruby’s room was about as different to mine as you could get. The girl had clearly raided every ethnic goods shop in the student part of town, and there were nightlights glowing from any spare bit of space on the jumbled shelves and windowsill. It was chaotic, yes, but felt like an exciting place to be, filled with interesting bits and pieces which each told a tale.
“God, you’re not one of those Japanese minimalists, are you?” she asked as she watched me survey her room. “If so, you’re in the wrong place!” Even her laugh was unusual, all up and down notes.
“No, it’s fantastic. You’ve made it seem like home.” Maybe I needed to do more to personalise my room than dot a few photos around. Oh, and stack some pebbles in the corner.
“Well, it is home now, isn’t it? And this is great; I’ve never had a room to myself before!” Her fingers wove random curls in her red bob as she spoke; she was at least as interesting to look at as her room.
“Really?”
“Yeah. Two sisters and one brother means the girls always have to share and he gets a room to himself. But we’re not bitter about it!” Amazed at how open she was, I found myself grinning at her as she talked, drawn into everything about her. “So, how are you doing now? Got over whatever-his-name-was?”
“Getting there. I just wanted to say thank you for sending Kema over.”
“Ha! Part of it was me wanting a few minutes’ space from her. She’s kind of intense!”
“Intense? Scary more like! I didn’t dare to disobey!”
“Her bark is worse than her bite. Funnily enough, she asked me yesterday if I had seen you. She’ll be glad to know you’re all right.”
“Say thank you to her. I really appreciate what she did, even if I was a bit stroppy at the time,” I admitted.
“I will. Do you want to stay for a drink?” Not wanting to outstay my welcome, I declined and went back to my room.
At least I had one friend now.
And Garrett.
I was waiting outside the housing block when Garrett sped into the driveway at one minute before eleven. Well, when a sleek, black Audi sped in and came to a halt in front of me. Before the engine had even died, Garrett was out of the car and round at the passenger side, holding the door open for me.
“Nice car,” I muttered as I lowered myself into the leather seat.
“Thanks, it’s just a rental. You know, a hire car?” he translated for me.