while he was listening to Ruby and Claude’s conversat

oday?” Chris did not recognize the v

I am well and how ar

I see you,” Zureicka commented w

usually never paid attention to him. “And why would you b

common,” Zureicka whispered to Chris. He did not have enough emotional strength to fight with her, because he felt depleted

l, behind the curtains. He wondered what pe

th slight irritation in his voice. He had al

ent,” she said with her

want,” she said with a

. What have you heard? There must be a misu

laude. I can help Ruby to notice you and you c

aude are individuals who can make up their own minds about wh

the Prom together. Don’t be a wimp! Fight for what you want!” Zureicka said firmly, with a

er one of us happy,” he pleaded, h

ts might befall your beloved Ruby,” Zureicka stated with a sneering grin on her face. She was really mal

ening,” Chris said with a finger across his lips. “We have to talk somewhere e

But, no funny tricks,” Zureick

around cautiously and then quickly wa

seemed like a disaster in the making. He decided to take a walk

re. How was it possible that she was not also drawn to him? He asked himself. Could he possibly find a

ard Ruby's voice. She and Cla

e?" Claude sa

and you?" Ch

s gonna send me something from France," Claude said. "Why don't you gi

she would make me something. She's quite go

t much trouble. Isn't it better to have

or you," Claude said with an exaggerated pat on Chris'

ot pay attention to his injured pride right at that moment. He decided that now

you need to know about," Chris told th

hat?" Ruby as

g your plans for the Prom," Chris said very quickly. He had to get

e Prom for me and Claude only?" Ruby

'. And just how is she goin

this together tomorrow afternoon,

that I can tell my uncle? Maybe he can tel

her side. I doubt if he will

ugh after he had to fetch her from my home because of threatenin

oose you as her acco

uld be the one who was most likely to try and prevent that. I'm the o

ling us, Chris. We will be watc

to my chores now,

to counter-effect whatever she's planning," Ruby sugges

"Chris, you left your phone at home. Where were you? A girl c

? I don't usually talk

ng Claude up on his offer. A suit made in France

hris felt a whole lot better

om window. He rose slowly and checked o

glass. It wasn’t a bird. At the bottom below, on the ground st