Chapter 15: Thursday: Helping Hand
April 20, 2026 at 7:40 AM
*Cubbie and RUBY walk through the hallway, preparing to talk to Petunia and Lizzy about their study session. *
RUBY: Hey, Cubbie?
*Cubbie looks at RUBY. *
RUBY: I'm gonna be skipping the study session today. Do it at your house instead.
*Cubbie tries to take out a piece of paper but RUBY walks away before he can start writing anything. It's fine, he's gotta find Kevin anyway. He's been gone for a little to long.*
*RUBY walks through the halls. "It's my fault." She thinks. "I should've tried talking to him more. " She thinks. *
*"She wasn't there for him." She thinks."
*Riley is getting her things out of her locker. RUBY walks up to her. *
RUBY: Riley.
Riley: What?
RUBY: Would you like to study some more. We didn't study at the library so maybe we could make up for that.
Riley: No. Why would I want to do that?
RUBY: Your grades are getting better. If we study a little more, then maybe ... Oliver/Katie will like you.
Riley: What do you mean?
RUBY: Well, you did say that you liked Oliver/Katie for being smart. Maybe they'll like you MORE if you were just as smart.
Riley: Y-yeah. y- you're ... *Riley's expression sours. * right.
RUBY: Well then, let's go to my gar- let's just ... sit outside.
*RUBY and Riley walk outside of the school and sit on the side of the road. Riley changes her screen to various World History questions. Riley gets most of them wrong. As usual. *
RUBY: Riley. Can we just ... talk.
Riley: I'm only here because I wan -
RUBY: to study?
RUBY: Riley ... why ... I just want to make you feel less lonely. I just want to make sure you're okay. I'm not - look, can we make a deal.
Riley: ...
RUBY: I won't criticize how you feel about Oliver/Katie. No more comments. So long as you don't try to k*ll or h*rt anyone, I won't get in your way.
Riley: And what do you want from me?
RUBY: I just want you to let me help you. Let me make sure that ... you can make it through this year alive.
Riley: Deal.
RUBY: Thank you.
