Ruby Rising Read Free Page B

minute to get used to me. Mind if I have a seat?” She sat down before I had answered.
    “You’re the De Grey’s girl aren’t you? Ruby isn’t it?” She looked at me with her head cocked to the side slightly, her gaze was intense and a few seconds to remember what she’d asked me.
    “Um, yeah I am. How did you know?”
    “Well, I’ve lived here a few years and we don’t have that many new people in town. My uncle is your dad’s new boss, so he told me to keep an eye out for you. You know make sure you don’t get hassled at school and stuff. We’re in the same year at school and we’ll probably have a few classes together too.”
    I tore my eyes away from hers a few seconds too late to not be considered rude. The way she had said ‘uncle’ was a little odd. My guess is she didn’t really like her uncle much. I took in her pale skin, black lipstick and black hair she was absolutely gorgeous in a gothic kind of way.
    “Oh, he mentioned his boss had a niece, nice to meet you….” I really didn’t know what to say. I was never a very good conversationalist when I first met people. I usually took a while to warm up to them. I liked to try and figure people out a little before becoming friends. It’s why I only ever had a select few friends.
    “Mikayla.” she said and suddenly stood up, making Phoenix start growling again. “I’m one of the organisers of the Primfield’s youth group if you’re interested. We go camping at term break, but mostly just hang out. It’s on this Friday night. I could swing by and get you if you like? Aren’t you living in the Cannon’s old house on Piper Street?”
    I didn’t even know the address myself, but there was still the issue of my father’s over protective streak to deal with. “Look, I probably won’t be allowed out anyway. My dad can be… let’s say a bit on the over protective side. But I can ask.” I stood up as well, not really liking having to look up at her.
    “Leave it to me. I’ll get my uncle to talk him into it. I’ll see you at school tomorrow and I’ll pick you up on Friday.” She smiled but it didn’t quite reach her eyes that I felt were looking into me rather than at me. It felt almost intimate.
    “Well, um…okay then no worries, nice to meet you too”. I pulled gently on Phoenix’s lead, trying to stop the low growl he’d started again. “I’ll see you around Mikayla.” I figured I’d meet up with her at school and spend the rest of the year trying to convince my father to let me go to the youth group. Although it had been him that mentioned the youth group this morning, mentally I crossed my fingers, hoping it was a good sign.
    Halfway back towards my street I turned back towards the lake. Mikayla was still standing where I left her, looking straight at me, she didn’t wave or move and as I rounded the corner I was relieved to be out of her sight.
    I continued on and turned down my street without looking back again. Sure enough the street sign said Piper Street. I was curious as to how Mikayla had known so much about me when we’d only arrived the day before and why had she bothered to introduce herself to me today instead of waiting for school tomorrow?
     

CHAPTER 3
     
    My father was still at work when my mother and I sat down for dinner later that night. Phoenix had been fed and was happily playing outside with a new chew toy Mum had bought him while she was out shopping. I knew she secretly loved animals, despite my father’s attitude towards them, all kinds, she had nurtured that same love in me in so many ways. We had gone to the zoo a lot together when I was little and the park was almost a daily outing. Often we spent more time lying on the ground watching the bugs and ants carrying their cargo than actually playing.  My father never went with us on trips to the zoo, he was normally at work or at a work related function. At least they were the usual excuses.
    “How did you go on your walk today? Did you see