Chapter 11: Roth

My hands were clasped tightly in my lap, helping me prevent them from shaking furiously as my anxiety prickled each and every one of my nerves. My eyes flicked around at every movement around me. Ryder was beside me, occasionally giving me a reassuring pat on the back. I usually gave him a weak smile, but this time, I barely noticed based on the intense pounding in my chest.

"Ruby! Hello? Earth to Ruby!" I jerked back to the present day and came face-to-face with Brandy. She waved her hands in my face and smiled through her fingers.

"What is it?" I asked, voice solemn.

"Cheer up, chap," Brandy said, clapping my shoulder and talking in a terrible British accent.

I couldn't help a small smile that tickled the corners of my mouth, "Shut up, weirdo."

"Rude!" Brandy gasped, flinging herself into the seat next to me and giving Ryder a worried look. She opened her mouth and then thought better of it, sealing her lips shut, "what're you so scared about?"

"Scared?" I asked incredulously, "I'm