"Ruby, maybe Mr. Ghost wasn't trying to help Xyone, but trying to warn me from, by having you...."
"I know. It's ok, Darius."
"But Ruby. The more people that...He's pulling you apart. What about the School? What if...what if you are replaced and….."
"Then I have faith you and the others will lead on. Darius, I am not going to be here forever. If humans were to live forever then I never would have died in the first place."
"Starting to feel like you need to remind people of that part."
"Hug for the road? Gotta head back and make sure that while I am here, so are they."
"Love you."
"I love you too, and don't you ever forget it. Days may be busy, but I will always…..always…..always remember who it was that brought me back. None of this would have been possible if it weren't for you reaching out your hand and letting me grab on."
"Ruby, please stop the water works or else you'll start making me water work."
*Sniff*
"But these are joyous tears, Darius. No harm in letting them be shown. Water that no cloud can ever produce, and no lake can ever spawn."
"Where will you be?"
"We have seven days to get everything ready. Gotta make sure all the Teachers are in line."
"Teachers? Why can't you just…."
*Vroom*
".....' Life.....is like a Kite. Strolling in the wind, until one day, you are tossed amidst the tormenting currents; but remember'…."
*Tiii…tiii..tic….tic…tick…tick*
"Not now, Ruby. Cora will see you. Cora will…"
"Is everything alright, Theo?"
"Peachy."
"Good.
As I was saying. 'Life may feel like you are a fragile spec but their is always someone on the other end holding the string. Best friends..slow friends..fast friend….long distant friends…..You feel like no one cares about you flailing in the wind. Trust me…they care…they see you, and they are also trying their best to steer you away; no matter how much line they need pull out. They're not backing away, just letting you know that it is maybe time you need to…..from the situation."
*DINGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGDALADALAINGADINGADINGADINNNGGG*
"Five minute break while I take this time to.....destress before we begin final announcements."
"Psst, over here."
"Ruby, what are you…."
"Can you open the window so I can come inside?"
"Open it."
"Thanks….
Aaaahhhh…fresh air?"
"Ruby, the fresh air is outside not inside."
"I know.
Haaaaaa"
"Gross. Your breath stinks like daisies."
"Sorry. Thought you liked them. Was going to give you a whiff of what your lives will soon be."
"Hopefully.
We still have fourty eight hours and then....."
*Sniffffffff*
"Yeah, you're right Ruby. I can smell it now. Can you guys?"
"Other than the bad Cologne you call is 'shower in a can', I call death in a bottle, so no."
"Maybe you guys aren't trying hard enough. Guys…think about it. Tomorrow you will be free. Free at last to start over. Don't any of you want that? Why aren't any of you jumping out of your seats, or banging your fists gleefully on the…."
"Mrs. Cora told us we shouldn't act out of character in a public place."
"Besides. You say 'Joy.' We say 'Sadness.' We may be free tomorrow 'IF....we pass, but everybody else will also have to give up everything just like us."
"No communication."
"No contact."
"Our names are erased from their pictures."
"And our names were taken off the 'Father' documents."
"Oh. I...Theo didn't tell me she went to that extreme."
"I....you looked busy so I decided not to…"
"Too busy? Theo, I am busy; but that doesn't stop me from worrying about all of you. You guys are more than just numbers on a monitor; waiting to be called."
"Huh?"
"What I mean is A second chance doesn't mean a longer life. Just a new one. This one too shall pass like your other, but this time; you will know not to make the same mistakes twice. Work hard to be different, act different, and help as many people as possible. Because you never know what could happen. The unpredicatbilites of…."
"Is everything ok, Ruby? You don't seem yourself."
"I'm fine. Now, more then ever you need to be selfish yourself for one last day. Act like all of you are competing against each to win the 'A'."
"But…."
"Cause if you all give it one hundred ten percent, then you'll realize you're all still on the same level; and Rosa will see that each and every one of you wants it badly.
"But what about our…"
"If you won't do it for me, and you won't do it for yourselves; then do it for the ones you loved….love...."
"Ruby?"
".....Cause they'll be in the audience tomorrow..…cheering you on with me."
*creakk…..creakkk…creeeakk…creakkk….creeeakkk*
"Ruby, hurry. Make yourself scarce. She's coming back."
"And she does not like…."
"I know. Disruption of peace. Theo, come see me tomorrow after you pass; cause I got a uniform for you."
"What for?"