Ruby Red

2

STARS

The car was booming with music but everyone sat, annoyed with the information that had came out.

Valerie was disappointed in her sister, and didn't even care to talk to her at the moment. Theo on the other hand, took full advantage of the situation at hand, making lots of jokes and flirting with Valerie in-front of Skylar.

Of course, the younger girl thought nothing of it, other than Theo being annoying. Yet, to Valerie, she knew the meaning behind the words he was stating.

Her heart pounded with pressure under every word her directed at her, she was reminded of the other night.

Valerie had been heading home from her boyfriends house - Logan's house. It was a cold rainy day in her small town, and she was great full that she had remembered to bring her umbrella.

The sky changed from a subtle grey to a deep blue with light splotches of cloud, and oh were the clouds weeping today. She wondered what  havoc was lying in wait.

A few skips fell from her feet as she found her way to the back alleyway, that led to her house. The few gated yards, made her sigh at knowing her night was over. The rubble under her feet, puddled with muck and rain water soaked her shoes. Most of the back lights were off, since the sun had set moments ago. The rain was the prefect white noise to Valerie.

Valerie found her way to her back gate and attempted to unlock it. She sighed heavily, shifting her umbrella to the crease in her neck rather than her hand, "God dammit," She cursed as she realized there was a small key lock hanging where she would lift the latch.

She sucked at her teeth and rolled her shoulders, preparing for the cold water to drown her. Quickly, she tossed her umbrella over the fence and hooked her right foot into the loop of the fence chain. She grabbed the top of the fence with both of her hands and boosted herself from the ground. In one fluid motion, Valerie swung her dangling left leg over the top of the fence. Once she was secured, she pulled her right leg up and that's when she lost balance.

A small yelp came from Valerie as she tumbled forward, onto the wet grass. She laid there for a moment, cheek to the dirt, and back to the sky. The rain pelted her as she recovered from being momentarily stunned.

She groaned as she picked herself up from the grass and grabbed her umbrella, covering herself with it. There was no use, she was already soaked and freezing.

As she neared her back door, she fumbled in her wet pockets, that stuck to her thighs, for her house key. Upon struggling, Valerie grew annoyed and rushed down the alleyway between hers and Theo's house. Ducking under the sunroom, she closed her umbrella.

She shook her arms, trying to get all the extra water off of her. Then she began to ring out her hair, and extra clothing. Facing her front door, she was about to knock when she jumped nearly ten feet out of her skin.

The sound of a car door slamming made Valerie look out off her porch, especially over the sound of the loud rain. The girl squinted and could faintly make out the fleeting image of her friend Theo.

She swung the sunrooms door open, "Theo!" Valerie called, nearly screaming over the rain.  Upon hearing his name, the teen stopped and held a hand over his eyes, on his forehead, blocking the rain. Valerie waved from the shelter of her home, successfully gaining the boys attention.