“About as much fun as you can have while studying,” I drawl.
“But you hang out apart from studying.”
“Yeah, to watch movies and TV shows. We’ve watched quite a lot in the past few weeks — it’s insane.”
“How many?” Ruby sounds bored.
I tell her.
“That’s a lot.”
“Yeah.” At her expression, I add, “nothing is happening between us, though. Don’t worry.”
“I’m not worried,” Ruby says.
Before I can respond, the line surges forward and we enter the canteen. Ruby purchases yoghurt and granola, and once outside, we walk to our oak tree.
“You want to go to the party, right?” I ask as we sit down. “Declan said I can bring friends, and I think it’ll be fun.”
“Sure. Of course!” Ruby’s enthusiastic expression fades a second later.
“Then what’s wrong? Is it Noah and me?”
Ruby shakes her head.
“Because we’re not dating,” I say.
“Who’s not dating?”
I jump before whipping my head around. Oliver walks around me and takes a seat between Ruby and me.
“Jesus, you frightened me,” I say, heart racing.
“Noah and Eve,” Ruby says, picking at her food with a plastic spoon.
“What?” I ask.
“In response to your question,” she says to Oliver. “Noah and Eve. They’re not dating. Or so she claims.”
“It’s not a claim, it’s the truth,” I answer, watching their expressions. Oliver’s brows have jumped up while Ruby looks like she couldn’t care less. “I’m telling the truth!”
Oliver clears his throat. “Okay.”
I stare at Ruby.
“Yes, Eve.” Realising she sounds rude, she smiles. “Sorry. I believe you.”
“Okay. Good.” I eat my food because I don’t know what else to say.
Ruby starts the conversation, and I can’t tell whether she’s happy or if she’s faking it. “Eve and I are going to Declan’s brother’s party.”
“Craig’s?”
“You’re going too?” I ask.
He nods, and I force myself not to smile. We chat about the party and I finish my recess. When I don’t talk, I watch Ruby’s face. Sometimes she laughs at a delicious piece of gossip, but sometimes she stares at the grass, eyes unfocused.
I replay our conversation in my head. Why is she upset?
