Chapter 86 Join me
CHAPTER 86
Join me.
The house felt different that evening. Not entirely lighter but no longer weighed down by the same suffocating silence that had lingered for days. Something had shifted, even if it was small. Something had loosened inside Ruby.
She sat by the large window in Leo’s living room, her legs tucked slightly beneath her as she watched the fading light stretch across the sky. The soft glow of the setting sun reflected faintly in her eyes, and for once, her expression wasn’t empty.
It was calm, alive in a quiet, gentle way.
Behind her, Leo stood near the table, his phone in his hand as he read through a message that had just come in. His brows pulled together slightly. His dad just messaged him that they need to meet up urgently.
Leo exhaled slowly, lowering the phone for a moment as his gaze shifted toward Ruby. She hadn’t noticed him yet or maybe she had, and she was simply enjoying the silence.
Either way, he watched her for a few seconds longer, taking in the difference.
She looked better, or completely healed but no longer lost.
And that alone mattered more than anything.
“Ruby,” he called softly.
She turned her head slightly, her eyes meeting his.
“Yeah?” she replied.
Her voice was still soft but it wasn’t as fragile as before.
Leo walked closer, stopping just a few steps away from her. “I have to step out,” he said.
Her expression didn’t change much, but she listened.
“My dad wants to see me,” he added.
Ruby nodded slowly. “Is everything okay?” she asked.
Leo shrugged slightly. “It’s nothing I can’t handle.”
She watched him for a moment before speaking again.
“Do you want to come with me?” he asked.
There was a pause, but enough to show she considered it. Then she shook her head gently. “No,” she said. “I think… I’d rather stay.”
Leo studied her carefully. “You sure?” he asked.
She gave a small nod. “I just want something quiet tonight,” she explained. “Maybe watch a movie or something.”
Leo’s gaze softened slightly.
That sounded normal, and exactly what she needed, to distract her mind.
“Alright,” he said. “I won’t be long.”
Ruby gave a faint smile. “I’ll be fine.”
Leo stepped closer, his hand reaching out to brush lightly against her arm.
“I know,” he said quietly.
There was a brief moment where neither of them spoke.
“I’ll call if anything changes,” he added.
Ruby nodded. “Okay.”
Leo hesitated for just a second longer, then turned and walked toward the door. He walked towards the garage and informed Carl to keep an eye on the house and Ruby and Carl promised to guide to the house.
Leo walked to his car and drove off speedily, he wondered what had happened that made his dad request for him immediately.
The house fell into a quiet stillness again.
Ruby remained where she was for a few seconds, staring out the window before slowly standing up. She exhaled lightly, stretching her shoulders as if shaking off the last bit of heaviness clinging to her.
Then she turned. Her eyes moved around the living room.
She walked toward the hallway, her steps slow but steady. The house was quiet but she could hear distant noises from outside.
“Nora?” she called.
A moment later, Nora appeared, wiping her hands lightly on a cloth.
“Yes, miss?”
Ruby hesitated for just a second before speaking. “Do you want to watch a movie with me?” she asked.
Nora blinked, clearly surprised. "Me?" she repeated.
Ruby nodded. “Yes. And… maybe Carl and Alex too.”
Nora looked slightly unsure.
“Are you… certain?” she asked carefully.
Ruby noticed the hesitation immediately.
“They’re allowed to sit down, you know,” she said gently. “I’m not asking you to work.”
Nora gave a small, nervous smile. “It’s not that,” she said. “We just don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”
Ruby shook her head. “You won’t,” she said. “Actually… I think I’d like the company.”
Nora nodded. “Alright,” she said softly. “I’ll call them.”
A few minutes later, the living room looked different.
Carl and Alex stood near the entrance at first, both of them looking slightly out of place, unsure if they should really sit.
Ruby noticed immediately. “Relax,” she said, a small smile forming on her lips. “You’re not in trouble.”
That earned a faint chuckle from Alex. “We just don’t want to overstep,” Carl added.
“You’re not,” Ruby assured them. “Sit.”
After a brief hesitation, they did. Nora took a seat as well, though still a bit cautiously.
Ruby grabbed the remote and turned on the television, scrolling briefly before selecting a movie. The screen lit up, filling the room with soft sound and color.
At first, the atmosphere was a bit stiff. No one really spoke. Everyone focused on the screen, though their attention drifted slightly as they adjusted to the unusual setting.
But slowly it changed, a small comment here and a quiet laugh there and before long, the tension eased.
Ruby found herself leaning back slightly, her arms resting comfortably as her eyes followed the movie.
Nora glanced at her briefly, studying her expression.
“Are you doing alright?” she asked.
Ruby turned her head slightly. “Yes,” she said. And she meant it.
Nora’s expression softened. “You seem better,” she added.
Ruby gave a small nod. “I think I am,” she said quietly. “Not completely… but I’m getting there.”
Nora smiled gently. “That’s good,” she said.
Ruby looked back at the screen, her gaze thoughtful.
“I don’t think it ever really goes away,” she admitted. “But… I don’t feel like I’m drowning anymore.”
Carl and Alex exchanged a quick glance but said nothing. They just listened.
Ruby exhaled softly. “I’m healing,” she added.
The words settled in the room.
Nora nodded again.
“That’s what matters.”
Ruby smiled faintly, her attention returning fully to the movie. And as the scenes played out, the quiet laughter and soft conversations filled the room.
Ruby looked at everyone around her, the way they laughed and made comments about the movie made her heart flutter, she had never had friends while growing up and seeing them like this made her so happy.