unsolved disappearances » otis and ruby

Part 23

Otis POV

The end of the school week came and I couldn't wait to spend the weekend relaxing in my bedroom. It had been stressful at school due to the upcoming mock exams and my mother pressuring me to help out more around the house. On top of having a part-time job, I finally secured myself to have a weekend off.

I had invited Eric around to hang out, while we enjoy a movie marathon and even some video games. Although that would have to wait until Sunday afternoon due to Eric having commitments to go on a date.

He didn't tell me the name of the guy, I assumed it was his ex-boyfriend Rahim. 

When I decided to come downstairs to eat some cereal my mother is standing there, her facial expressions were stressed b Joy who had thrown her food on the floor. "Morning darling." She greets me, her voice monotone. "We've run out of milk."

"I see," I comment. "Makes a nice addition on the floor."

"Both you children were fussy, this one just doesn't seem to enjoy anything but sweets." My mother explains, "Otis would you be able to go down to the shop and pick up some more milk?"

I had had my drivers licence for just a few months, although I had only driven with my mother present in the car. She didn't trust me to drive alone. "Sure." I offer, take the opportunity to enjoy some independent driving time.

"Thank you, darling, there is some cash in the glovebox." My mother explains while picking up the fallen food from the ground.

I happily take the car keys which were sitting on a hook before walking outside. Throwing my striped jacket on as I make my way towards the car.

Sitting inside I adjust the seat, as my mother was a lot shorter than me before adjusting the mirror and starting the engine. With the automatic transmission, I was able to reverse out of the driveway easily and shift into drive without issue.

Driving through the village there weren't many cars on the road. Most people preferred to walk since the space wasn't that big. Although being an adult who wanted their independence I wanted to show off my driving skills without my mother present in the car.

I park in the supermarket car park, noticing the familiar purple Volkswagon parked not far from the entrance of the store. I suppose Ruby's mother was purchasing goods from the store.

Grabbing the cash from the glove box I make my way into the store, grabbing a basket and walking towards the diary section. As I round the corner, I bump into Anwar who was standing beside Eric. They both had shocked looks on their faces. "Hey, Otis," Eric says awkwardly, scratching the back of his head. "Didn't expect to see you here."

Anwar rolls his eyes at Eric's excuse. "Eric is just too ashamed for me to finally agree to go on a date with him. Makes me want to retreat agreeing to it." Anwar explains, sarcasm laced in his words, making Eric have an awkward laugh.

"Congratulations." I simply utter. "I'll be glad to hear about it tomorrow."

I go to walk off towards the chilled fridges, but the strong arm belonging to Anwar stops me. "Don't, unless you want to see a dead girl risen." His comments made me confused.

"What are you talking about?" I ask.

"It's Ruby, true in her form. Purchasing cheese with the exotic man that rejected me." Eric explains, making Anwar roll his eyes. "But I am lucky to have the company of you."

"Sure," Anwar says bored, looking back in the direction of the dairy section. "She's pregnant and I suppose the rumours are true, it belongs to you."

Wanting to look for me, I turn the corner to look in the next row, only to see the back of Ruby who was talking to the taller tanned man I recognised from the Instagram Eric had shown me. "So she's alive," I say. "That's why they concluded the investigation."

"I doubt she'd want to see her baby daddy since he is dating Maeve." Anwar comments. "Last time Ruby saw you, you were locking lips with her."

"Maeve and I aren't dating," I admit. "We're just friends like we have always been."

"And what about what happened at the last party Aimee hosted?" Eric says with a smirk on his face. He was referring to the memory of Maeve and I making out at the heat of the moment. Hormones mixed with alcohol meant my tongue was being shoved down her throat.

There is silence between the three of us until a voice makes me want to shit myself. "You know if you're gossiping about a dead girl, you might want to be more secretive about it."