Audiobook, Romantic, Softspoken, Teen, Young Adult, Flirty, Loving
Description
Vocal Characteristics
Language
EnglishVoice Age
Teen (13-17)Accents
North American (US General American - GenAM)Transcript
Note: Transcripts are generated using speech recognition software and may contain errors.
It's always been ruby. That's the first line of this assigned love letter and it's all it takes to get the juices flowing and put me in the zone. From the first time I saw her 11 years ago at the local garden center freeing some ladybugs from their netted prison there. She was six years old. A mere 15 ft from me ripping open the small nets. She had this fierce expression on her face, lips pressed together, dark eyes blazing with determination and just like that I was sucked into her orbit. Even at the ripe old age of seven, I knew she was uncommon. I still remember how my heart lurched, screaming at me to go over and help her to be her partner in crime. Take a risk, but I'm not built that way. Never have been risks, lead to injury and injury leads to pain and pain leads to misery. See the problem besides I was seven and the thought of landing in ****'s guarding jail sounded like the worst kind of misery. So I hung back with my eyes glued to her like she was some story and I needed to see how it ended. Some of the ladybugs were smart enough to take flight. Others crawled over the netting and the rest they landed on Ruby's arms and hands. She just stood there smiling, observing them with this kind of awe that I wished everyone in their life could experience. Even once most people would have fled the scene of the crime but not Ruby. See, Ruby's a study and daredevilry. She didn't care if she got caught. All that mattered to her was setting those damn ladybugs free. A wedge of sunlight spilled onto Ruby's golden brown tangled hair. She looked up, her eyes met mine. My face burned with the heat of someone doing something wrong. Are you a good liar? She asked. I quickly spun away, knocking a tiny pot of mint off the shelf. I shrugged, feeling lost in my own skin. Uh Not really. She marched over with so much purpose. I thought maybe I should run but she was already standing right in front of me. The ladybug's still clinging to her. Well, you have to be. She insisted as she picked up the mint pot and put it back in its place. If anyone asks, I wasn't here. You don't know me but I don't know you just then her mom called to her. I got to go. Robby said with a smile that showed off a missing front tooth. Don't forget she mimed something with her hands that I took to mean you never saw me and then she was gone and I was left standing next to some wilting basil wondering what had just happened. As I walked back to meet my dad near the Mexican palms. I felt a tickle on the back of my hand. I looked down one of Ruby's lady bugs skittered across my skin bright red with four black dots, its wings opening and closing, closing and opening and then it took flight. Yeah. So, like I said, it's always been Ruby. Now I look down at the legal pad on my bed, worried as **** that the words won't be good enough. There's tons more slashing I've got to do, but at least it's a start for our time capsule that Ruby insists we make for memory's sake. The sound of a car engine and an electrical drill filled the space. Me and my dad live above his auto shop. Jorge's, his specialty is the restoration of classic cars. I used to hate it. The noise, the grease the late nights, but now I see it as his art form. It's calming to head down there and watch him work on an old firebird or Porsche. I glance at the clock. ****. We're supposed to be at Martin's party in 15 and I haven't changed into my swim trunks or my bedroom door swings open. It's Ruby quickly. I shoved the essay under a pillow, nearly knocking my guitar off the bed and decided it's best to head her off at the pass. Give me 10 and I'll be ready. You're going to be late to your own funeral. Ruby says still standing in the doorway like she isn't sure if she's going to come in. She's got her dark suns streaked hair tied back and her ray bands are perched on top of her head getting stretched out because her head is way big. She's wearing a pair of jean shorts and a t-shirt then hangs off one shoulder revealing a red bikini top. I was working on the letter for our time capsule thing. I guess I lost track of time. You're a songwriter. This should be easy for you. She takes a few steps into my minimalistic room, glancing around like she half hopes to find a discarded sock. What kind of a monster doesn't use the hamper knowing Ruby, her letter will be five words long. She can't even write a proper birthday message in a card. So I don't know why she would torture herself like this. Even if this was her idea, she falls back onto my bed simultaneously smacking my chest. Her sunglasses fly off her head and onto the floor. Hey, you. Ok. I lie on my side, resting on my elbow. Looking down at her wondering how after all this time she has this unraveling effect on me whenever she's this close. I just want to feel her skin against mine to breathe her in. Well, I think I've got to be the luckiest guy alive because she chose me. She hesitates. There's a long silence and I'm not sure if she's formulating a joke or a killer comeback. She's capable of both. But she doesn't either. I guess I can't believe five months is the only thing between us and senior year and everything is happening too fast. And I wrap her hand in mine. Hey, I'm the warrior. Remember? And you're totally encroaching on my territory. She doesn't lean into the levity. I just feel like, I don't know. She squeezes my hand looking out the window to the sunny skies beyond. Here's the thing about Ruby. She never worries about anything. Ever sneak off. Campus rules are meant to be broken. Leap from a sea cliff, keep your eyes open, flat tire on a back road. Let's get lost in the woods. And this is why we are supposed to be making killer memories. Like tonight the party she teases knowing full well. I meant the surprise I have for her later that I've been planning for months and when she sees it, she's going to flip.