Ruby Unscripted Read Online Free Page A

something different. Most of my friends wouldn’t ever guess—how something feels wrong at times, sometimes during the strangest moments like the middle of class or during a dance or while sitting around talking to everyone. Mom would say it’s because I have a sense of purpose and calling for my life. Uh-huh. Aunt Jenna would say no one feels like they fit in during high school.
    All I know is the essence of my dreams, and this awkward “nonfitting” feeling. I want to do things and see places that I can’t quite put into words.
    KATE: LOL No, you don't really want to be here. You've
stared out the windows tor too many years my friend.
    ME: What?
    How does she know about this?
    KATE: Don't you remember in seventh grade?
    ME: What in seventh grade?
    KATE: Mr. Quigley called you a zoner cause you were always staring out the windows. I asked why you didn't concentrate better. We were at the picnic tables at lunch. I remember perfectly.
    ME: Remember what?
    KATE: You said you were imagining the day when you escaped our little town. I said that I liked our little town. We got in a big tight about it We didn't talk till the not day.
    ME: We didn't?
    KATE: I can't believe you don't remember.
    ME: I don't.
    KATE : You said don't take it wrong. You had nothing against our little cow town. Which of course made me mad again. I said what was wrong with a cow town?
    ME: I remember. We laughed that you called it a cow town too, but didn't like ME saying it.
    KATE: Yesl The fight was over. But you said you wanted to explore the world, do something exciting.
    ME: l was like that back then?
    KATE: Oh, even earlier! In kindergarten you told Mrs K you were going to be Van Gogh. So see? You're doing what you've dreamed.
    ME: I guess so
    KATE: Don't let it get messed up.
    Uncle Jimmy is back to snoring. I lie there for a long time, wishing one of my friends would pop in to say hello. Uncle Jimmy snorts a loud one, and I hear a snicker across the room, then Mac’s whisper: “Is anyone else awake?”
    â€œYes,” I whisper back.
    â€œYes,” say my mom, Aunt Jenna, and Austin in unison.
    For some reason, this makes Mom and Aunt Jenna start laughing. It infects us all, and soon we laugh so hard that Uncle Jimmy wakes in panic.
    â€œWhat’s going on? What’s happening?”
    Which makes us laugh harder, of course.

    It’s four o’clock, and we all get up. Mom digs through boxes for paper plates, the griddle, and pancake mix and starts mixing waffles while Austin makes coffee.
    â€œOh my gosh,” Aunt Jenna says, jumping up like the house is on fire. “Tomorrow is Thursday? I mean, today is Thursday the twenty-first. Oh, I can’t believe it. With all the details of the move, I totally forgot, and we are definitely not ready.”
    We’re all asking, “What, what?”
    â€œIt’s Premiere Night tomorrow. I mean today.”
    â€œOh no,” Mom says.
    â€œDidn’t Terri go on that health-spa vacation?” Uncle Jimmy asks, he too seeing this as a grave situation, and I want to interrupt and ask what Premiere Night is.
    â€œYes.” Aunt Jenna rubs her neck, a worried expression on her face.
    She owns a coffeehouse/cinema called the Underground. I’m supposed to start working there next week.
    â€œI could start tomorrow,” I say. “Or today, that is.”
    At first Aunt Jenna protests, but she needs me. And so I’ll be starting work at eleven.
    â€œOh, it looks like your brother left a message last night. Your dad said he was having trouble with the truck,” Mom says as she punches in numbers on her cell phone.
    Again? I thought he’d be here already. It’s like my wings are clipped with him gone. It’s Thursday, and since Mom isn’t making us start school till Monday, I’m thinking we could explore half of Marin County.
    â€œRuby, will you take over the waffles?”
    Mom walks out of the kitchen