2 "Ruthie - Friends Only"

Dyrroth took the tray I was holding, and then we entered his room. I sat comfortably on his king-sized bed as he placed the tray on the round table and sat down to eat.

His room is spacious. It has its own bathroom, living room, and dining area. It is no wonder he always hangs out here and rarely gets out. Everything he needs is here. He has an extensive collection of books that he reads to pass the time. He also has a laptop and an eighty-five inches television. I used to hang out here, too, until my Mom bought me a cellphone. I find browsing social media more entertaining nowadays.

"Thank you for staying. I don't have much of an appetite if I eat by myself."

I smirked. "Of course! I am the best friend you can ever have. And I hate to eat alone too."

He was stunned for a second by what I said. He was smiling, but why did his eyes look sad?

"Right... friends..." he mumbled.

"Did I say something wrong?"

"No."

Now his smile looks forced. I do not get him sometimes. Did I say something wrong?

"You look prettier than usual," he said, changing the subject.

"Oh..."

I was slightly surprised by what he said. I leaned over and then giggled. I thought he would not notice, but I am happy he did. I put on a little make-up today.

"Is it too obvious?"

"A little. Did something happen?"

I proudly smiled. I raised my forehead like a child bragging.

"Well, a classmate of mine invited me to go to the Fair later."

I can not remember the last time someone dared to make friends with me. It has been so long. I used to have tons of friends before, but they are gone now. If not dead, they were reported missing until now. Because of that, the rumor was born that I was cursed. They said that anyone who came close to me would meet an unfortunate end. Everybody in town avoided me because of it.

I do not believe in curses and superstitions, but my life was very much affected by them. My world had become so small that it almost only revolved around this mansion.

"You have a friend at school? I thought they hated you."

I shrugged. "I thought so too. I'm not sure. Maybe that person doesn't know the rumors about me."

"Maybe you're being pranked."

"Impossible! Carlos is not like that."

He froze for a moment. His smile was gone, and then he looked at me with a grim expression.

"Carlos? You're meeting with a guy?"

I slightly scratched my right cheek. Even with the bragging in my tone, it is still a bit embarrassing to admit.

After a long time, someone became interested in me. I am not sure how I should react. Maybe it would have been better if Dyrroth was a girl. That way, I would be more comfortable telling him this kind of thing.

"I'm nervous because it will be just the two of us later," I said shyly. "I don't want to assume, but do you think he wants to be more than friends with me?"

Aside from his dark expression, I could see his jaw moving. Is he angry?

"You shouldn't trust him so easily. He's just tripping."

"I don't think so. We are not that close, but Carlos has been my schoolmate since elementary. He's famous at school because he championed chess tournaments multiple times. He is also a gentleman, and he is cute!"

I saw his jaw clenching again. He suddenly stopped eating. He lowered the spoon and fork and then focused his attention on me. His arms were crossed while his whole body faced me from where he was sitting. He looked irritated.

"If that's true, why would he ask you out?"

My head tilted as I tried to comprehend his words.

"What? What do you mean?"

"He got no reason to befriend you."

"What? Wait, what are you trying to say?"

"If what you say is true and he is as you describe, why would a campus crush ask the notorious cursed woman out on a date?"

My lips parted in shock at what he said.

"Hey! Aren't you too harsh?! I know he is not that kind of person! Besides, I am quite pretty! So why won't he? Before those rumors about me started, a lot of people liked me!"

"I know," he growled.

He gritted his teeth. He looked even more annoyed. I know he is not angry and he is just worried about me. I know he does not want to see me get hurt again like last time. But I am different now. I am old enough to take care of myself.

I let out an exasperated sigh.

"Don't worry, Dy. I can take care of myself. If I find out he is fooling me, I will erase his proud baby face! You know how long it has been since someone approached me like this, right? It will be my chance to make new friends again and dispel those rumors about me."

There was a moment of silence before he answered.

"Am I not enough?"

"W-What?"

"Are you tired of me?"

I was speechless for several seconds. That is not what I meant at all!

I suddenly remembered Dyrroth's weird and jealous personality. Although we are very close friends, he and I are a lot different from each other. I love to socialize with people, while he prefers to be alone. I am a social butterfly, while he is a hermit.

During my several years at the Hales mansion, I never once saw him go out for a whole day or even take a long walk in the garden or at the nearby park. He was home-schooled from elementary to high school, so he was always here in the mansion. That is just the way he is. I have no problem with that, but I am worried about him. We are both missing out on a lot of things in this little wonderland of ours.

Dyrroth is childish sometimes. He is a few months older than me, but I feel like I have a younger brother. And I think he is one of those people who does not accept changes easily. Those kinds of people always have a plan to follow. But that won't work because there are things you can't avoid. Change is the only permanent thing in this world.

My shoulders lowered then I looked sincerely at his face.

"Dy, don't think like that. Even if I gain a hundred new friends, you're still the most important. You're my only best friend. You are the only one who stayed when everyone turned their backs on me because of those stupid rumors. So don't get upset, okay? If you want, I'll introduce you so that you can have new friends too."

His forehead furrowed. "I hate people. And I don't need anyone. I only need you. You are more than enough for me."

His face looked overly serious. If I were someone else, I would have given a different meaning to his way of talking to me. He sounded like my boyfriend a lot of times, but I understood him. He had no one else but me. Maybe he was afraid that if I had other friends outside, I would forget about him. What a silly guy.

"Dyrroth, listen to me. The world is big, and life is short. We have to enjoy our youth! Let's meet a lot of new people!"

"So, I'm no fun?"

My eyebrows rose. "What?!"

"Are you saying you're so bored with me that you need someone else? So, I'm not enough?"

I almost facepalmed.

Oh, dear lord... Please help me!

How does he end up with that kind of conclusion? It is not the Dyrroth I knew at all. He is usually more discerning than this.

"You misunderstood me again," I rebutted. "I am only saying that it is more fun to have new friends. Why are you so against it? Is there something wrong with that? Is it a crime now to make friends with a lot of people? Try to go outside, and you will understand what I mean. You live like a prisoner here. You have a lot of money. You can go to a lot of fun places, but you are locking yourself here. What a shame."

He did not answer. He quietly finished the food and handed me the tray. I left his room, but he still did not say any words to me. He is like this when we fight or quarrel. He gives me cold shoulders.

Dyrroth was usually a sweet and cheerful person. He was always smiling and calm whenever we were together. But sometimes, the expression he gives when he hears something he dislikes is frightening.

His way of thinking is strange. We have known each other and have been together for a long time, but I can not say that I have memorized his whole character or personality.