Page 39 of Almost Ours

October 12th 2015

By half eight the next morning, Oscar has already asked me to lunch.

OSCAR (08:34): Morning, Rubes! I know you’ve got your first day of lectures today but thought we could grab lunch together? Reckon you’ll be free? X

I’m sitting cross-legged on my bed with one eye done and the other completely bare, trying to decide whether attempting winged eyeliner on the first day of lectures is ambitious or stupid, and I feel another little stab of guilt when I realise I’d already agreed to eat with everyone else.

RUBY (08:40): No, sorry! I’m getting lunch with Brooke, Abi, Ewan and Josh. Y’know, making friends and being cool and whatnot. I’ve got a mid-morning break at 11 tho, so we could do coffee then? X

OSCAR (08:41): Yeah, sure! I’ll meet you outside Eng dept x

RUBY (08:41): Okay :) x

There. Best of both worlds. I’m seeing Oscar and forging a life for myself. We get coffee, he mostly checks up on me, then he insists on walking me to my first lecture so I don’t get lost.

The morning passes in a blur and it comes with an awful realisation that choosing English because I like reading was roughly the academic equivalent of liking dogs and deciding to become a vet.

The reading list is as long as my arm, and it’s a relief to rush to lunch. I meet Abi and Brooke first, before we sit with Ewan and Josh.

OSCAR (13:00): How is your day going?

RUBY (13:30): Yeah, all good. I’m just at lunch. How is yours? X

He doesn’t reply and I roll my eyes, knowing he needs the message from me but doesn’t give much back. I slide my phone into my pocket and concentrate on what Josh is saying about Bernardo. When lunch is over I impulsively offer to walk Josh to his lecture, which makes me late for mine.

JOSH (14:30): Thanks for walking me to my lecture. Don’t know what I would have done without you to shield me from that beast. X

I snort, causing everyone in the lecture hall to turn towards me. My cheeks flaming red, I quickly shove my phone into my pocket and bow my head down, reminding myself to text him later.

RUBY (16:00): I can’t believe you hid in a bush from a BIRD. I am SO judging you right now. X

JOSH (18:30): Don’t be cheeky. I was in the bush because YOU dragged me there! X

RUBY (18:30): I have no recollection of that happening. You’re making things up ;). Hope training is fun! Xx

JOSH (18:31): Cheers :). I’ll text when I’m out xx

He’ll text when he’s out.

He wants to speak to me.

So he will text me when he’s out.

I squeal into my pillow and kick my legs.

Chapter Ten

Monday

October 12th 2015

Joshua:

Training finished and I’ve been stood in the changing room with one boot off, listening to Cam wind Oscar up, whilst I stare at my phone and wonder how quick is too quick to text her. I said I would. I just don’t want to come off as overly eager or desperate or whatever.

Eventually I shove my phone into my kit bag and pull the other boot off, peeling my socks down before grabbing my towel and heading for the showers. By the time I’m dressed again in jeans, a T-shirt and my hoodie, Cam is talking absolute bollocks somewhere behind me while Oscar mostly ignores him, and I’ve checked my phone twice more despite telling myself I wouldn’t.

Ewan is waiting outside when I finally emerge. “Good session?”