It's you I'm thinking of > Patrick Feely

Ruby
April 21st 2004

The wind blew in my hair as I walked in the gates of school. BCS was a nightmare, but it was the only public school in town. I was a third year which meant my junior cert was soon, I hoped to do well and I was pretty sure I would. I was a good student for the most part and I got good grades. School right now was just study, study, study. And I hated it. I swear if one more teacher asked how long I studied for last night I was going to cry.

When I made my way to the third year lockers, I spotted Mia waiting for me. She was standing by the window with her books in her arms and a cigarette between her lips. I met Mia in first year, we both came from different schools and didn't know anybody else. But I can't really remember when Mia had become my best friend, it was kind of like she had always been there.

"Hey Mia," I smiled, as I arrived in front of her before retrieving my locker key from my pocket. Mia didn't say anything, she just took another drag from her cigarette and blew it out the window. I grimaced as I watched her ruin her body.

"What's wrong?" I asked, as I studied the annoyed look on her face. Mia wasn't very good at hiding her emotions, I guess that's why I could read her like a book.

"It's my sister again. I swear I could kill her sometimes, Ruby." She spat, "you're so lucky to have Rian as a brother, he's so good to you."

I watched as she stalked down the hall and no one dared to stand in her way.

But what she was saying was true, I was lucky.

~ ~ ~

My head throbbed as I counted down the minutes until business was over, Ms Crowley was by far the most boring woman on earth. I had already taken down 2 pages of notes and we were only 35 minutes into an hour class. My hand was cramping like crazy but I didn't have time to think about that when I was distracted by a knock on the door.

"Hi Miss. I'm here for Ruby O'Reilly." Mr. Brown, the principal, said. He searched the classroom for a second before landing on me, "you can bring your stuff, Ruby." He then stepped back into the hallway.

I tried to think of any reason I would be getting pulled out of class but all I could think of was the sad look Mr. Brown had in his eyes.

When I walked out into the hallway, Mr. Brown gestured for me to follow him, so I did. He guided me to the office where my year head and the vice principal waited with red eyes and a sorrowful look. I knew something was wrong.

"Ruby," Mr. Brown cleared his throat "please have a seat" I did as I was told and sat down opposite him.

"Your parents rang about a half hour ago... from the hospital". I felt like I could get sick right then. "Your brother was in a car accident." He began.

"He was killed."