A Good Friend

Chapter 5 - The Appointment

The teacher slammed me into the plastic chair next to the principals office and stomped down the hall murmuring to herself. Me and Ruby waited anxiously. No words needed to be spoken. It was pretty obvious how we both felt. Ruby put her tail around me as an attempt at comfort. It was a nice gesture but it looked like she needed just as much comfort as I did.

I expected the principal to be mad with me but instead I got the sinking feeling he was instead disappointed, which of course felt a million times worse. I had been bullied a million times so I knew the best thing to do was to keep my head down and stay quiet until it was over. I hoped Ruby wouldnt try to do anything as we didnt need this any worse than it was but considering how fearful she looked I doubt she would have actually have tried anything cheeky. She certainly wasnt in the kind of mood for that now.

It went the best I could have hoped. He didnt get angry and instead told me about how disappointed he was and didnt question how quiet I was. I didnt even look at him the whole time but he didnt say anything about that either. Although, I did find of the things he said rather...odd.

For example, he mentioned bullying, stress and pressure a lot. From all the things he was saying it sounded like he was worried about my mental health rather than the fight I had been in. If this was what was going around it was no wonder the teachers and students were treating me weird. Who the hell said I was mental?! Great, just, great! Now there is nasty rumour going round that I am crazy and with Ruby around it wont be easy to shake off if I even could to begin with.

I didnt have any friends to lose and people mainly ignored me like I was invisible. That may have not been preferable but at least its better than this type of attention! Thats pretty much my entire school life ruined I bet, even more than it already was, which I didnt even consider to be possible. Oh what a hell of a week its been I thought to myself by the end of it all.

A few days of social torture later, trying to avoid the glaring gaze of the creeped out stares of students around every corner, I woke up to find out I had slept in. I rushed to get ready and yelled to mum asking why she didnt wake me sooner, only to get a quiet response to come downstairs. I did as I was told, confused as to what was going on.

When I saw mum, she seemed stressed and worried about something. We both had the nervous habit of rubbing our left arm when we were nervous so it was easy to tell.

Honey. Youre not going to school today she said

What? I was dreadfully confused now. What could have possibly happened? Was I suspended? Surely the principal would have told me when he had the chance if that was the case.

We...have an important appointment to go to she continued

Double what? I was getting more and more confused by the second but considering how seriously worried mum seemed to be I thought the worst. Was I sick? How did that happen? I feel fine! Nevertheless, I didnt want to bring out of mum because she obviously didnt need it right now. Ruby didnt seem to be around this morning either although it took me a while to notice that with all this going on. I didnt much care though. I was too worried about the future.

It seemed not a moment had passed before the time came for the appointment. It was a pretty long drive. I didnt dare look at the signs on the way in but it seemed we were somewhere medical that was for sure. At least the waiting room was comfortable. Me and mum didnt end up speaking at all in the waiting room. Ruby appeared beside me and I was glad to see her. I felt like I needed her for this.

Then we went into a small room with a clever looking man on the end of a short table in a large chair. Me and mum also had chairs to sit in but these werent as big and grand as his and no doubt less comfortable. This wasnt a doctors office. Where on earth were we? I saw a bookshelf covered in complex looking books on one side of the room and a box of various kids toys on the other.

So...you are Mrs Windon I presume? the man asked

yes mum said like a robot to its master

and this must be Lily he said as he turned to me

does...she know why she is here today Mrs Windon? he asked as he turned to my mum.

no she said she hung her head in shame. The man turned to me and I eagerly awaited the explanation I hoped for a long time now.

How have you been feeling recently Lily? Have you been doing well?

This question had a strange purpose I was sure so I answered as plainly as possible.

Im OK I guess I answered

and how is Ruby?

W-what? I couldnt believe what I was hearing.

What the fuck is this; some sort of joke?! Well it isnt fucking funny! Ruby yelled.

No please. Ruby, not now. I tried to sooth her. Now was certainly not the time for this sort of reaction. I looked up at the man nervously but he didnt seem shocked or surprised. Instead he just sat back in his chair in a sort of way I felt was a little smug, like he had somehow been proven right of something. I wondered. What on earth is this about?

And you say she has never acted this way at home before? The man asked as he turned his chair to face mum while still leaning back.

No. Not at all mum said sounding very shocked, concerned and upset

I looked at Ruby and Ruby stared back. We were both just as confused as each other here but staring at each other wasnt giving us any answers.

Sir, why am I here? I asked the ultimate question on my mind. The man looked at my mum as if to get consent to speak to me and then turned to me again before answering.

You have been in a lot of trouble at school recently, correct? he asked me. I hung my head. I couldnt deny that one and I wasnt very happy about it.

Well the school and your mother have both noticed you have been acting strangely of late and so they decided to contact me to see you

Well I know I have been behaving badly and I am very sorry about that but...t-there isnt anything wrong with me I swear! I feel fine!

Well what about your friend?

huh?

Doesnt Ruby want to talk about this? How does she feel?

Why the fuck do you keep asking about me?! Besides, its none of your fucking business how I have been! Ruby said, turning away from the man in disgust

Ruby! I yelled in disgust at her rude behaviour

When you did these things you got in trouble for at school, was Ruby there? the man asked

yes I replied. Wondering what the implication of all this was

Its as I thought The man said turning to my mum

she is showing clear signs of having a split personality disorder

WHAT?! Is what I thought but it seemed I must have screamed it out loud at the same time but considering the shock of the reveal it was no surprise I would do that.

Oh you have to be fucking KIDDING ME! This is BULLSHIT! Come on Lily, lets get the fuck outta here now! Ruby yelled

But it was too late. My whole world seemed to spin as I thought about everything that had happened over these last few months. Surely, it wasnt true! Ruby was a true friend! But...come to think of it. It all made no sense. The way she just appeared in my bedroom, the way I warmed to her so quickly, the way we were so close, the way she looked, the way people didnt react to her...

You see Mrs Winson. This Ruby character is a fiction of Lilys imagination in order to help her cope with her stressful high school life. There were too many new things, too many pressures so she created a friend who could never let her down and would always be there when she needed it, like an imaginary friend but its more than that. This friend has become so real to her it has gone beyond just imagination but she actually believes this Ruby is real because she needs her and she cant bear the thought of being without her

No I said

Sweetheart mum tried to comfort me

No I said moving away from her. I couldnt trust her. I couldnt trust anyone!

NO! I screamed and ran out the room

LILY! Mum yelled after me but it was too late. I was already long gone. I ran as fast as my legs could carry me. I didnt know where I was going. Anywhere but here would be fine. So many thoughts rushing through my head. I didnt know what to believe anymore. The only thing I could think of doing was to cry and cry and I ran away.
I dont know how long I ran for but eventually I got tired and I had to sit down on the pavement. I breathed so heavily I almost panicked as I couldnt breathe. But Ruby was there to help as she reminded me to breathe in and out slowly as I had been taught in the past. But then something occurred to me.

Wait...How could you know about that?! I didnt tell you about that! I screamed

I thought it was common knowledge! Come on Lily, dont do this to me! Ruby begged

Do you really believe that bullshit that man spewed to you?! Ruby yelled

I-Im sorry Ruby. I-I didnt mean it. I just...

Listen. Its OK Ruby said soothingly as she held me tight

You know what? I dont care even if it is true! I dont want you to go!

and I dont have to! Who cares what that jerk says?

There was a pause as I calmed down a little again until Ruby broke the peace

Lets run away

What? I said in disbelief

I know it sounds scary but what other choice do we have? You know they are only going to force you to get rid of me and you need me. I know you do. This is all just a trick to make you think its OK for them to control you and your life! Well no more! Lets go Lily! Lets go!

My heart was racing. It was such a rash and dangerous idea, like nothing I had ever done before. Would I even be able to? Before long me and Ruby heard the sound of police car sirens nearby.

There isnt much time! You have to decide now! Ruby said in earnest as she tightly gripped both my shoulders. 
I closed my eyes and nodded as Ruby pulled me away from the blaring noises of the sirens. Here we go.

THE END