Page 42 of Almost Ours

Girls who don’t have to hide the worst parts of themselves behind fake university societies and long sleeves, who could let him fancy them without wondering how long it would take before they had to explain everything deep, dark secret.

In the grand scheme of things, I don’t stand much of a chance.

Doesn’t stop a tiny, hopeful part of me from thinking that maybe him waiting outside my lecture means I have one anyway.

RUBY (13:02): OMW x

I wait another few seconds so there’s no chance he’ll work out I was hiding around the corner staring at him, then walk out with what I hope is a normal expression on my face.

“Hey.” I grin up at him when I reach him, not stopping until I’m close enough to see the flecks of gold scattered through the green of his eyes.

“Hey.” His grin comes straight back, his phone disappearing into his back pocket while his eyes move over me, from my face down towards my clothes and back again, and every bit of skin they pass over seems to know he’s looking. “You hungry?”

For you? Unfortunately. “Yeah. You?”

“I’m always hungry.” He pushes himself away from the wall. “Want to go and get some lunch?”

“Yeah.” I fall into step beside him. “Sure.”

We make it halfway down the path before his shoulder knocks into mine. “I was thinking we could get Wing Sing and go back to my room to finish off that episode of Fargo?”

And there goes that tiny, hopeful part of me again, my lips curving upwards a little bit. “That sounds really great.”

The rest of the day disappears faster than it should, and at some point between lunch and me ending up back at his flat with everyone else, I abandon my jumper in his bedroom.

I don’t even realise until he texts me after I’m back in halls.

JOSH (17:00): You left your jumper in my room, want me to bring it back? X

RUBY (17:05): No that’s okay, I’ll get it at lunch tomorrow x

JOSH (17:12): You sure? I can drop it round later. X

RUBY (17:18): I think I can survive one night without it x

JOSH (17:25): Alright, alright. Just didn’t want you accusing me of stealing it tomorrow x

RUBY (17:31): I wasn’t going to, but now you’ve mentioned it I’m suspicious.

JOSH (17:39): Bit small for me unfortunately.

RUBY (17:42): Unfortunately? Been wanting a little blue cropped jumper, have you? X

JOSH (17:48): Would really bring out my eyes x

RUBY (17:52): I actually think it would. You should try it on and send me a picture x

JOSH (18:03): Nice try.

RUBY (18:05): Coward ;) x

JOSH (18:11): That’s twice you’ve called me that in the last few days. Even though it was YOU who dragged me into a bush to hide from Bernardo yesterday.

RUBY (18:16): I DID NOT drag you into that bush. I ran and you followed!

JOSH (18:24): Pretty sure you grabbed my hand and PULLED me, Ruby Hollis.

RUBY (18:28): Pretty sure you were grateful.