Pen Mates(Chapter 1-4)

PART 1

1

The electricity had gone out again. Ru didn’t have to check the lights to know, though the sun pooled in through the windows, the darkness would always come in the night. She opened the bedroom door labelled keep out and stood at the foot of a king-sized mattress. Empty wine bottles, food cartons, dirty clothes, stubbed cigarettes, prescription medicines the list was endless. But the mess was evident. And the cause was lying in bed.

“Mom,” she called, her voice piercing through silence.

There was a shift under the duvet. A small movement. Then nothing.

Ru stepped closer, careful and cautious watching the figure under the covers. There was an arm flopped against the woman’s face, as if shielding herself from Ru’s presence would make her disappear.

Ru tapped the woman gently, causing her arm to roll of her face lazily and reveal her eyes. Ru swallowed. “Mom, the electricity has gone off.”

Eyes hardened, the woman exhaled sharply. Then flatly— “It’s Naomi, remember?”

Right. How could she have forgotten? It wasn’t Mom anymore. And it hadn’t been for a while.

Ru tried again.

“There’s no electricity.”

Naomi rolled over unresponsively, burying herself deeper into the sheets as if Ru wasn’t there.

Ru stood there for a minute, then sighed in resolve. She'd figure it out. She always did. Closing the bedroom door, Ru stood in the hallway, the apartment was silent except for the faint sound of a metal spoon clinking against ceramic.

Remy.

She found him hunched over the table, nose buried deep in yet another book, absentmindedly chewing his cornflakes. The cornflakes were probably soggy by now, but he didn’t seem to care.

“You should hurry up,” Ru said, looking through the cabinets for something decent to eat. “You’ve got school.”

Remy didn’t look up.

“So do you.”

Ru rummaged through the cabinets looking for something decent to eat. “Yeah, well you’ve got a better future than all of us.” When she finally found something suitable, she tried turning the microwave on to warm up the leftovers. No response.

A faint crease appeared in between Remy’s eyebrows.

“Just don’t forget me when you’re famous.” Ru added quickly, ruffling his hair.

The frown disappeared instantly snapping Remy out of his reverie. “You wouldn’t let me,” he laughed, pushing Ru off.

Ru put the leftovers back in the fridge and moved to the cupboards her back to Remy. Then suddenly, Remy spoke,

“Why do you have a fake ID card?” he asked in a tone that told Ru he already knew the answer. “It’s illegal.”Ru, shocked, patted her school trousers—slightly impressed(though she would never admit)—she exclaimed “Remy, you have got to stop pickpocketing.” Her eyes landed on the stolenID card on the table partially hidden by his bowl of cereal. Ru strode towards the counter and snatched the ID card into her hands.

“You make it too easy,” Remy replied in a serious tone. “And if I can find it somebody else can too.” He resolved staring at her.

“I’m being careful.” Ru retorted quietly stepping aside to let Remy pass to go the sink. Though five years younger than Ru, Remy was tall for his age, always had been, and he was almost an inch taller than Ru who was 5’4.

It made her feel smaller.

Remy shot her a weary look over his shoulder, drying his hands.

“I’m being careful.” Ru repeated, louder this time.

Ru grabbed both of their school bags from the floor, tossing Remy’s bag at him.

“Come on, kid.” She said slinging her bag over shoulder, heading for the front door.

“You’re still a kid too.” Remy whispered.

Ru pretended not to hear.

2

“So, you’re going to the party, right?”

There are somethings that Ru doesn’t need at 8am in the morning. One of those things are Jade Whitmore. Age 16.Addicted to 3 things, talking, vaping and boys.

“Nope.” Ru replied once again, biting into a buttered bagel that she’d gotten from the canteen.One thing about Jade, is that she never knew when to stop. Jade glanced at her mischievously, what was this girl up to now?

“What if I told you, it involves money?” Jade suggested.Ru dropped her bagel, “I’m listening.”

Jade laughed.

“But first you have to listen to me to get some backstory.”Jade delved into a full-blown story about how on the weekend she went to stay with her family in Bosley, and she met this ‘super-hot’ guy on the beach called Logan. They exchanged numbers, kissed blah blah blah he invited her to this party that was happening in a few weeks.His friend is looking for a girlfriend, something about a double date. In all honesty, Ru wasn’t really listening.

Then Jade finally started talking about the job. Finally.

“Do you still have that fake ID card I gave you?” Jade asked, examining her press on French tip nails.

Ru nodded, though she left it at home after her conversation with Remy.

“You’ll need it as you’re going to be a bartender and doing retail type of stuff.” Jade trailed off. Her mind would always switch off when she was talking about technical stuff, or things of actual substance.

“So how much am I getting paid?” Ru asked.

“Oh yeah, about £20 pounds an hour.”

The pay isn’t bad I guess so I’ll stay there a few hours. I’ll have to check what Remy’s doing first.

Jade continued talking, gushing over Logan who apparently was in the year above us. Jade took a long drag of her vape, exhaling smoke around her.

Ru was irritated, opening the window. “Hey, cut that out, plus, form is starting soon.”

Jade just shrugged. “I don’t care.”

“Fine, get caught, but stop blowing it in my face.”

Jade puffed out in the other direction, hitting another girl with a nose ring and short hair in the face.

“Do you mind?”

Jade glared at the girl in disgust. “No, I don’t.”

“Stop vaping in my face or I’ll make you stop.” The girl retorted angrily.

“What are you going to do about it, goth girl?”

The girl grabbed Jade’s vape and threw it out of the open window.

Jade was calm. Deadly calm.

“You’re going to regret this.” Jade seethed.

Just then the bell rang, and Mr Carlo rushed in.

“Sorry I’m late class.”he puffed. His belly bulged out from his creased shirt, one of thebuttons looked like they had given up.

He went through the register and told them the announcements.

Jade turned to Ru.

“Get your ID card for the job today, they are going to get you up to check on what you are supposed to do. I’ll text you the address.”

Ru nodded.

“Thanks.”

Jade just smiled.

“So, you’re going to the party, right?”

3

Ru knew something was wrong, the day that she and Naomi went to Remy’s football match. It was dark out, though it was early evening, the sky was cloudless, and nothing was disturbed up above. But it was definitely not silent.

“That’s my boy!” One of the mom’s shouted, red in the face.

The crowd roared as the opposing team almost scored a goal. Ru sat on the bleachers, hands on the seat in front of her, craning her neck to see Remy. He effortlessly made his way through defenders, tackling the lead striker then scoring a goal. Ru screamed so loudly that people turned around to look at her. She sat back sheepishly in her chair and glanced at Naomi who wasn’t even paying attention to the match. Naomi had dressed up for the game. Her usual wild curls were tamed and bouncy, she had on false lashes and lip gloss. Topping it all off, was her dress that was so tight Ru wondered if she could breathe—though she slightly hoped Naomicouldn’t—.

Naomi looked nothing like her drug addicted self, if you didn’t count the cigarette, she was taking long puffs from. Ru wasn’t the only onewho’d noticed her scandalous appearance. Some of the other moms cast dirty glances in Naomi’s direction whispering to themselves ‘What a disgrace’ and ‘Does she have no shame’

Even Ru was irritated. “Did you have to wear this to Remy’s match?” Naomi cast a side glance to Ru. “Yes.”

Ru fumed, her temper rising. “It’s a kids match Naomi, have some respect.”

Naomi exhaled, the smoke curling up into the air rising higher and higher away from them. “Respect? You don’t know how much I respect my son. How much I love him.”

Ru scoffed.

“You love and respect him so much, yeah?That’s why you don’t have a job and laze around all day. That’s why you take drugs like it’s a sport, and act like the local nitty. And let me not start on how you provide for absolutely no one, not me, not him, not yourself, not anyone. You sit there like the world owes you something and I’m supposed to pick up all the pieces. Yes, your husband is gone, but our father is gone too. Face it, Naomi, —you’re just running. Running from it all and calling it love.I’m just waiting on the day you’llactually leave us. Just. Like. Dad.”

Naomi didn’t blink, like she’dheard it all before. “You’re spot on about one thing. I will leave you, when my child is gone.” She looked at her phone. “And by the way, it’s not Naomi anymore, it’s Mara for God has made my life bitter.”And with that she stood up and walked away. There were a few wolf whistles in the crowd contrasted with dirty looks from the moms. Ru stood up as well to see where she was going and to stop her. Naomi—Mara— strutted out towards a tall man wearing a cap leaning against a dark car. She leaned up to kiss him, got into the car and it sped away.

Disgusting.

The half time whistle blew, and Ru ran down with a bottle of water for Remy. He took it gratefully and gulped it down.

“Slow down, champ.” Ru laughed.

Remy wiped sweat from his forehead. “Not yet, we’re neck on neck with the other team.”

Ru opened her mouth to reply but she was cut off by a shout.

“That your girlfriend, Remster?”

Followed by streams of laughter. Remy looked back rolling his eyes and Ru raised an eyebrow. “Those your friends?”

Remy shook his head no and was about to reply when a group of tall boys walked up to them.

“Wagwan, Remsterwho’s your pretty lady friend?” One of the guys said. He was wearing a red bib, the opposing teams colour.

“None of your business,Zayd.” Remy retorted. Ru felt something was off here. She stepped forward in front of Remy.

“I’m his sister. How old are you guys?” Ru had noticed that although Remy was tall, these guys were taller, and they did not look like the U13 players.

Zayd grinned. “That’s right darling, your little brother is talentedbut he’s still young.He’s playing against my little bro. But I’m18 tomorrow so I’mlegal if that’swhat you’reasking. Do you want my snap?” Zayd looked her up and down. Ru shuddered, how disgusting.

Remy stepped forward and put his hand on Ru’s arm. “Let’s go the break is nearly over.”

One of the other guys said to Zayd, “Nah bro, he’s disrespecting you.”

“Yo, kid,” Zayd quipped, pushing Remy’s hand off Ru. “Respect your elders, when adults are talking you keep quiet.”

Ru didn’t correct him that she was certainly not an adult and definitely not legal because her temper was rising. “Don’t touch him.”

Zayd didn’t get to reply because, yet another voice interrupted them.

“Ay, Remy.” A familiar voice called out.

Remy grinned turning around to a group of boys, some which Ru recognised. Remy gave the boy who called out, Rayhan, a quick fist bump. Rayhan and Remy had been best friends for as long as Ru could remember, he was loyal, even Ru could see that. Amongst the group of boys was Rayhan’s older brother Ishaan, who was in the year above Ru. They met when Ru was in year 7, picking up Remy, and Ishaan was in year 8 picking up Rayhan.

“Hey,” Ishaan said to Ru. “What’s going on here?”

Remy had a serious look. “Nothing, we’re leaving.”

“Ay kid, why you getting rude for?” said one of Zayd’s friends.

Rayhan interjected, “Look I mean no disrespect, but Remy isn’t involved with this he was just defending me. What's going on is between me and Yusuf, that’s it.”

“What are you lot on about?” Ru asked, a quizzical look on her face. Just then a whistle blew, and someone shouted that the game was starting.

“Oy, what’s going on over there?” One of the security guards yelled. Two big groups of teenagers, it looked like something bad was bound to happen. Zayd cursed and started running away, then everyone scattered.

Remy's team won the U13 match 4-2. Ru, this time, didn’t scream foolishly as she was thoughtful and still a bit irritated from earlier. She was itching with questions to ask Remy which were quickly shut down when Remy asked to sleepover at Rayhan’s house.

“Fine, but you’re coming back on Sunday.”

“Aww come on,” groaned Remy and Rayhan.

“Yeah, allow it, just till Monday.” Ishaan pleaded hands clasped mirroring the two 11-year-olds.

Ru sighed. “Fine, Monday, I’ll pick you up at school.”

They all cheered.

Suspiciously, Remy already had his bag packed, which slightly annoyed Ru. He gave her a toothy grin.

They walked to the parking lot where Rayhan’s Mom was going to pick them up.

Remy looked behind Ru, then back up at her. “Where is she?”

Ru shook her head.

He looked into her eyes. “Will you be, ok? You could always come with us you know, it would be like old times.”

Ru shook her head again.

“I’ve got stuff to do kid, but I’ll be ok.” She tapped his nose.

Remy smiled and ran to the car.

“She’s not coming?” Ru heard Ishaan ask. Remy shook his head, and Ishaan’s face had a look of disappointment on it.

As Remy got into the car, he poked his head out of the window.

“Don’t stay out too late!”

4

The house was dark when Ru came back. She doubted that Mara would be back tonight.

Ping!

Underground Entrance, 200 Park Lane, Mayfair London, remember to bring your ID card and make-up. The club is called VAULT 88 only the most VIP and exclusiveGood luck! – Jxx

What did she mean bring make up, why would she need that?

Ru pulled of her sweaty top changing into the BLACKØUT band tee and joggers. Under the bed, in her drawers, deep in her coat pockets. These were only a few of the places she checked for thelost ID card.

She suddenly got the thought that it might not be in her room, though Ru didn’t remember taking it out in any other room in their flat.She rifled the kitchen, rummaged through the living room and even quickly skimmed Remy’s room. Where was it?

This was how she found herself in front of her mother’s room. The messy scrawl on the door that read keep out was a constant reminder of Mara’s drug addicted episodes. Ru pushed open the door, which swung with a creak. It was an unwelcoming sight and Ru just wanted to look for the ID card and get out of the room. Plus, she couldn’t be late for her job. She rushed quickly towards the drawer and tripped over something causing her to fall face down.Ouch she thought, what was that?

Ru picked up the culprit and saw that it was a book. A thick black leather-bound book. She turned it around reading the title, “Santa Biblia/Holy Biblewith English and Spanish translations.”

Fond memories flooded Ru’s mind as she remembered a 5-year-old Ru and a baby Remy. Her mum wasn’t Mara, or Naomi, or even Mom, she was Mamá. Her Dad—her papa—used to read her verses out of the bible. Her Mamá would kiss her wounds, and whenever Ru would cry her Mamá would say ‘Qué te pasa mija?’

That was when Ru believed that God was real. That God loved her.

Out of the corner of her eye Ru saw the white flash of a card under the carpet. There it is! She must’ve dropped it the earlier that morning. Dashing out of Mara’s room, Ru got her black bomber jacket and left the house.

Ru thought Jade was kidding when she said there was an underground entrance. She thought wrong.There she stood in an abandoned train station. The GPS said that she was in the right place, that it was right in front of her.

Looking to the right and to the left, Ru saw nothing but railways, and dimly lit tunnels.

Ru sent a quick text to Jade.

GPS says I’m here, but I can’t see the entrance.

Ru got one reply.

Look for the button.

Button, Ru wondered what is this place?

True to her words, there was a button, though she had to lift a flap to get to it. She pressed it. There was a loud beep. A pause. Then an automated voice spoke. “Please state your name and your business here.”

“Um my name is Ru Sanchez, and I’ve uhm come for the… job checkup... thing” Ru replied awkwardly, scratching the back of her head.

“Access Granted.” The voice replied.

There was, what sounded like, a whirring and clang of metal. Then the wall, or what Ru thought was a wall creaked open.

“Welcome to Vault 88, where you can party like there’s no tomorrow. Lose yourself in the rhythm of the music, mingle with mates, and savour every moment. Please enjoy your stay!”

The automated voice droned as Ru stepped through the door. The first thing Ru noticed was the noise. God, how could you not? Calling the music loud was a huge understatement. Ru didn’t know how she didn’t hear any music when she was outside, because right now? She was pretty sure her ears were about to burst.The second thing Ru noticed was the colour. Purple. Different shades of purple everywhere. Purple lights, purple floors, even purple drinks the list went on.

“Miss Sanchez?” A smooth voice called from in front of her. Ru turned to see a young woman with short brown hair in a uniform with a name tag that read Rivers.

Ru nodded. “That’s me.”

“Come with me.” Rivers lead her through the moving crowd—mob—, where she felt sweaty bodies that were swaying to the music, smelt different fumes of smoke, alcohol and what she hoped was a really strong perfume, tasted the thick air, and saw flashy clothes, screaming women and girls in short skirts. One of those girls was—

“You made it!”

Jade said, sorry, screamed because of the loud music.

“Yeah. What are you doing here? I thought the party wasn’t until a few weeks?”

Ru shouted back, trying hard to keep up with Rivers who was swiftly moving past people.

Jade followed her at the same pace.

“It isn’t, but I came hoping I’d see him, he usually comes here at this time, but I haven’t seen him yet.” She frowned.

Ru furrowed her eyebrows.

“Him? Who’s him?”

“Logan!”

“Oh yeah, my bad.”

Jade searched Ru’s face, frowning. “You’re not wearing any make-up? I told you this place is exclusive, VIP. You could’ve at least worn something nicer.”

Ru looked down at her clothes, she knew that Jade’s idea of ‘nicer’ was very different to hers. Someone shouted Jade’s name.

“Text me if you see him. Gotta go, bye.”

“I don’t even know…” Ru trailed off because Jade had gone back to the group of girls, which she noticed did not look over 18 though their make-upand clothes could beg to differ. I don’t even know what this guy looked like. Ru thought.I can barely remember his name.

From what Ru had remembered from what Jade had told her, the guy—Logan—was obsessed with her. Head over heels, from the first time they met in Bosley. Bosley was the place with “the best breed of boys” Jade’s words not Ru’s, but Ru strongly disagreed. All of Jade’s relationships or ‘flings’ as Jade would say when they would break it off, were really morons playing as boyfriends. They would always cheat, but Jade would keep going after them, convinced that they were obsessed with her.Ru’s words not Jade’s. From Luke, to Adam, to Jaheim, to Amir and more. All the wrong choices. All vaping jerks that used delusional girls like Jade. Ru had warned Jade time and time again, but Jade wouldn’t have it. Sometimes she even accused Ruof liking her boyfriends. Ru then just observed and concluded, Jade had bad taste in boyfriends, something her and Ru’s mom had in common.

Ru was surprised that she got the job. Rivers who was apparently the boss, glanced at her and said, “Yeah you look over 18,” and barely looked at the ID card. She was pretty sure that if she didn’t bring the card she still would’ve gotten the job. Ru had rules to learn at Vault 88, and apparently, they were a lot. Firstly, surnames were the only names allowed in the Vault, and you weren’t to call or be called by anything else. Ru experienced this already with the constant drone of ‘Sanchez get this man some beer’ or ‘Sanchez clean this mess up’.Ru got the hang of stocking and restocking. She hadn’t fully mastered the art of bartending, but it was a start. Even Rivers nodded in approvement. There were other people there as well. Roberts, Corbyn, Cooper. There were more but, Ru had forgotten their names. Ru was slightly proud of herself for even remembering that much.

2 hours had passed, and Ru really needed to use the bathroom.

“Knock yourself out. You’ve done a good job today, go have a 30-minute break.” Rivers had said.

Ru had realised that she didn’t know where the bathroom was, but she had already swept away with the crowd. It was really hot in Vault 88. Though it was late, it seemed as ifmore and more people kept on coming as it became later and later. It was hot, so hot. And Ru needed—she needed— to breathe. Pushing on a door that said, ‘way out’,a cold refreshing slap of wind, hit Ru in the face. Ru breathed in deeply, hands on her knees. In and out. She reminded herself.

It was dark out and the icy air gnawed at her skin; she rubbed at her arms feeling goosebumps. Ru knew that she should’ve returned but she wasn’t ready to go back inside. Plus, she still needed the bathroom. Ru decided to see if anyone who was just chilling outside knew where the bathroom was. The first thing she heard were voices. Sounded like there were some people in an argument. Ru turned the corner and saw a dark-haired, good-lookingboy and a girl arguing. Scrap that, the girl was shouting at the boy looking very angry, but the boy looked laid back, taking puffs from his vape. The dark-haired boy said something, that shut up the angry girl up quickly. Her face flushed, she stole an embarrassed glance at Ru and stalked off. The boy turned and walked towards her. ‘Hey.’ He spoke.

‘Hi,’ Ru replied shuffling and rubbing her arms. The boy frowned, ‘You look cold.’ Then he whipped off his hoodie and put it around her. Warmth invaded her body, and Ru couldn’t deny that it was a nice feeling. “Thank you so much.”

“No problem.” The boy grinned.

“By the way, do you know where the bathroom is?”

“I’ll show you.”

5 minutes later, Ru had finished with the bathroom, which was nice and cleanfor a public bathroom. Not that she’d ever been to other VIP nightclubs. The boy was still there leaning against the wall.

“Oh, my bad.” Ru started to take off his hoodie put he stopped her. “Keep it, it looks better on you.” He winked.

“Oh,”

“Has anyone ever told you that you are really good looking?”

Ru sighed inwardly. “Yeah, I get that a lot.”This guy was kind and all helping her and giving her his hoodie, but shereallyhoped that he wasn’t hitting on her.

The dark-haired boy laughed, “You’re the first girl that’s said that before. Confident, I like it.” Ru frowned, “Say that to a lot of girls, do you?” The boy faltered realising his mistake, as if shocked that she even noticed. His shocked look instantly faded, and his easy grin returned. “Perceptive and pretty, me like. I’m Logan.”

Ru took off his hoodie and pushed it into his arms. “And I’m not interested.” Ru walked away slightly annoyed. However, she felt like she’d heard his name before. If so, her mind wasn’t cooperating. Logan followed her with his long legs easily. He reached out to touch her hair, “Your hair is really nice and curly.” Maybe if she ignored him,he’d leave her alone.

Nope.

Ru rounded a corner where the music was quieter and leaned against a wall. “Lucas, what do you want?”

“It’s Logan.”

“Whatever.”

“And I want you.”

“Who was that girl you were arguing with then? Your girlfriend?”

“Hell no, my crazy ex. I broke up with her months ago and she still believes we are together.”

“Sucks for you. But Liam, I’m not interested in you.”

“It’s Logan.”

“Stop correcting me and stop following me.”

“I didn’t get your name by the way.”

“Yeah, my name is—”

“RU,” A loud voice interrupted.

That was definitely not what she was going to say. Ru was going to hit him with a ‘my name is none of your business’ but now thanks to Jade now this guy is going to be annoying her even more. “Jade thank God you're here this guy—”

“Logan, you found him.” Jade pulled herself towards him and pecked him on the cheek. The fog in Ru’s head cleared.

“You’reLogan?”

“Yeah, I’ve been telling you that.” He replied, but he didn’t look like he was annoyed. In fact, he looked like he was... impressed?

“So,you’re the famous Ru. You do not look how Jade described you?”

Ru gave a quizzical look to Jade. Just what had she been saying about her to her ‘boyfriend’? Jade flushed under her heavy make-up. It wasn’t very noticeable, but her neck was as red as a tomato. Ru wanted to tell Jade that this guy was a jerk and was hitting on her when he had a girlfriend, plus the girl he was arguing with, it was adding up to an ugly picture. But by the time Ru had figured out what she was going to say Jade pulled him away mumbling something about needing to speak in private to him. Logan gave Ru a helpless look as if saying ‘what can I do’, which made Ru want to slap him. Logan turned to Ru and smirked at her.

“See you around,” He paused, smiling slowly. “Ru.”

Jade looked between them, a crease in between her brows as if she couldn’tquite figure out what was going on.

Ru went back to her workstation, which was much calmer. She was grabbing her apron when Rivers appeared in front of her. “Ah, Sanchez, you are just in time!”

A boy was next to Rivers and Ru wanted to groan in disbelief. Not because he had that rich boy look and seemed to look like he'd been told that he was good looking all his life. Not because he seemed the same age as her, not the fake age 18.

“This is Monroe, and he will be your new colleague!”

But because this guy was glaring at her like she’d stepped on his puppy.

Ru sighed inwardly wondering what Remy was doing. It was better for him to think that she was out here partying than working. He was probably having more fun than she was.