Losing Her Wings

Chapter 13

But Ruby just looked confused so she let out a sigh and went on to explain it in more detail. “Don’t admit it was all your fault, he was Ryan’s best friend he should have asked Ryan if he was okay with it, even if you were just friends. Let him admit it was partly his doing and only then ask if he can forgive you enough to take you back. If you let him blame it all on you there’ll be no taking it back, he’ll always remember it.” It seemed logical to say that once Waldo got it in his head that it was Ruby’s sole fault for their break up then he would never trust her again, particularly when he had an excuse to be jealous. It could never end badly if he didn’t take partial responsibility for it.

“So what? You want me to make out like part of it was his fault just because if I don’t he’ll make sure I never live it down? He’s not vindictive like that…he’s not like Ryan.” Skylar could see that she didn’t quite understand what she was really saying and so she couldn’t help but explain it a little slower and simpler for her, admitting that she didn’t put it past Ryan to weasel in at some point and ruin it for them again. And if he did, there was no reason Waldo should believe that she was innocent in it all. “So if he ever suspected me of cheating again when it’s not true I’d have no defence whereas if I let him admit that it was partly his fault then he wouldn’t say anything? I guess that’s a good idea.” Ruby was slowly coming round to the idea and figured it was a pretty good solution and it made a lot of sense when Skylar agreed that it would give her some security if he ever got jealous for no reason. She really couldn’t wait to see him again but as Skylar had said, it was up to him whether or not he forgave her and took her back. She just hoped he would.

Pepper wasn’t in the least surprised to see that Eliza felt bad after her initial presumption about Skylar’s blackout. She actually felt guilty when she told her how bad it was and how upset they had both been on seeing her reaction to it. As usual she promised to make it up to them both and offered to help with planning the party, which was good enough as far as she was concerned. She had spotted Skylar talking with Ruby and had asked if they could have a personal chat, which she had happily agreed to, so Pepper took Ruby’s place while she went off in search of Waldo, who she was surprised to hear had been on campus. When she found out that Skylar had been talking to him about Ryan and Ruby, hoping to get him back with her, she couldn’t have been happier. The poor girl had been given a hard deal when Ryan suddenly started going round telling everyone she was a slut and a cheat, it hadn’t been fair but whatever Devin tried to do only seemed to backfire so he wasn’t going to bother anymore. “I just want you to keep an eye on her, that’s all. Just when no-one else is around. She’s very fragile just now.” Pepper pleaded with her sister to help her take care of Skylar until she was capable of fending off Niles and Ryan’s flirtations and knew herself a little better. Her previous break up had obviously made her a little vulnerable and she didn’t want anyone taking advantage of that when it was fresh enough to only cause more hurt. Eliza said that she would help in any way she could and so she couldn’t help but thank her for trusting her. “Thank you. Niles and the boys are only interested in dating her, it’s not fair to let them gang up on her when she’s in such a vulnerable position.”

Eliza could see that her sister was hyped up about the entire situation so she felt a little realistic guidance was in order to show her that not everyone was as innocent or as fragile as she thought they were. In Skylar’s case she could understand her wanting her to be innocent and fragile, just so that they would have something in common to talk about. “Okay, I just don’t see what you’re so worried about. From the rumours I heard about her kiss with Ryan, she’s a feisty little thing that can handle herself. I don’t know what happened right after he walked out but when she came out of that chapel she was cool as a cucumber.” She thought it was about time that she faced facts that some people were perfectly capable of looking after themselves without needing anyone else to protect her. It just wasn’t fair to assume that she was useless and couldn’t handle a stupid frat boy’s flirtations. “Maybe she did cover it up but maybe she just isn’t willing to put up with his drama and is perfectly capable of standing up for herself?”