THE STORM

Fiona lied down on her bed facing the ceiling with her arms beneath her head. 'Everything about today sucks. How on earth am I going to cope in Kansas? How are the people there going to be; friendly, cruel or harsh?',she thought. 'I would also be schooling there which means..."Great!" she said out loud as the realization hits her that she'd probably be late to classes as she always did.

"And what's so great about now?" a familiar uninvited vice echoed into her thoughts.

She looked towards the door and found Ruby standing there with her arms folded, lips pouted and there was still a hue of red on her face. She'd probably cried. It was as if she was hesitant about entering the room she usually wasn't welcomed in her sister's room and as much as Fiona wanted to send her out, she resisted knowing Ruby couldn't be of much trouble in her sober mood.

"How long have you been standing there?" Fiona asked ignoring the question.

"As long as I've wanted to. Now back to the question", Ruby said releasing her arms as she strolled towards the bed to sit with her back facing her sister. She must have noticed Fuona wasn't ready to chase her out either.

"Well, I actually didn't mean it that way", Fiona started explaining, "I just realized that moving to another environment means attending another school and attending another school means more people gets to know about my late-to-class habit. Can you imagine that? It would be so embarrassing", she sighed.

"I understand the situation now. Mummy has explained it all to me and I'm sure she did to you too", she said then faced Fiona, "about your habit, how hard can it be for you to wake up early. I mean if you are really concerned, you could put an end to it. Your choice anyway", Ruby concluded shrugging.

"Wow! That's so wise of you to say, Ruby", Fiona said mock surprise written allover her face. "It makes me cringe to think of you in any other way apart from your 'I don't give a damn' attitude ", she paused to show Ruby the skin on her arms, "can you see that, I'm having goosebumps", she teased her.

"Forget it. I won't ever come here again", Ruby stood up to leave obviously annoyed at Fiona.

"You said what?" Fiona asked pretending not to have heard her. "Oh, I get it. You're welcome here anytime".

"Save the invitation to yourself", she slammed the door angrily leaving Fiona laughing.