Page 162 of Save You

The week before the gala is one of the most stressful of my life.

I still have all the schoolwork that Lydia and I missed before Christmas to catch up on, and there’s so much to do for the event that I don’t know whether I’m coming or going.Ruby and Camille decide on Monday to swap the lightbulbs in Boyd Hall for ones with a softer, more atmospheric light, so I have to buy the bulbs.On Tuesday, the pianist suddenly announces that he wants to be paid way more for hardly any music, so Kieran and I have to go to see him and bring him round.As we drive over there, Kieran talks me into coming to listen to the school choir rehearsal on Wednesday and checking their song list because Ruby’s too busy and Lin doesn’t appreciate the finer points of classical music (his words).But the absolute highlight comes on Thursday when the entire team is called in to polish the silver cutlery (not my favorite job) and to fold napkins into miters (sheerhell).I always thought I was reasonably good with my fingers, but apparently I’m incapable of following simple instructions on napkin-folding.

The lads give me funny looks when I turn up at lacrosse training already knackered, or have to skip it altogether, but they don’t ask questions.I wouldn’t even know how to explain what’s up with me.

It feels like I’m clinging on to a straw, refusing to let go.On our way back to school, Ruby made it very clear that she still isn’t ready to hear what I have to say.And I respect that.But that moment in the photo booth—when we were so close, Ruby’s lips less than an inch from my jaw, when I could feel her ragged breath on my skin…At that moment I realized that I’m not fighting in vain.

And I’m not giving up as long as there’s even a single glimmer of hope for us.I’ve never been a particularly patient person, but when it comes to Ruby, I have all the time in the world—or I’ll make it.Ruby is worth it.

Even so, I breathe deeply as I pull on my jersey on Friday and finally get to run out onto the field.The coach has us doing brutal circuit training, but the physical exertion is doing me good and taking my mind off things.Right now, we have to give each other piggyback rides across the playing fields.Alistair is pretty strong, but after ten minutes, he gives way beneath my weight and we both crash to the ground.

“Fuck,” I growl, rolling onto my back.It’s February now, so spring is within touching distance, but it’s still bloody cold out here, and the ground is fucking hard.I’m pretty sure I’ve just scuffed up both my knees.

“Don’t stop!”Mr.Freeman roars, blowing hard on his whistle.

“Up you get,” says Alistair, clapping his hands.

He crouches down in front of me again as Kesh runs past, Wren on his back.

“No, it’s my turn,” I retort, patting myself on the back.Alistair rolls his eyes but does as I say and jumps onto my shoulders.The next moment, I sprint away, past my teammates, as fast as I can, until every muscle in my body is burning and the gap to Kesh and Wren is shortening.

When we’re level with them, Wren groans.“Not again!”He slaps Kesh on the side to spur him on.“Get moving, bro.”

Kesh picks up speed, his face grim, and I follow suit as Alistair yells.I’m already missing a session every week, so I’m under scrutiny.Not just from my mates, but from the coach too.I can’t let myself down now, even though my chest burns like fire with every breath.

In the end, Kesh and I finish almost neck and neck.I’m so out of breath that it’s a major effort not to drop onto all fours.Kesh holds out his fist and I bump it with mine, while Wren gives me a shove.“You’re a beast.How the hell did you catch up that fast, Beaufort?”

“Good work today, lads!”shouts Freeman, clapping his hands.His gaze roams over each of us in turn, then a smile spreads over his lips.“You’ve definitely earned a reward.It’s my round.”

We cheer.Yes, the circuit training is brutal, but it’s only twice a term, and he generally then takes us down to the pub near the school and treats us to burgers and chips—after which we always forget how he made us suffer in the previous few hours.

“What’s Lexie doing here?”Cyril asks suddenly, his eyes on the edge of the field.

The whole team turns to look.I don’t think I’ve ever seen the head teacher down here on the training grounds before.

“Have you guys been fucking around again?”I hear someone ask behind me as the coach heads toward Lexington and has a brief conversation with him.He means me and the boys, obviously, but none of us answers.My mind is racing.Something must have happened for Lexie to be here right now.But I have no idea what.

A moment later, Freeman jogs back toward us and claps his hands.“Change of plan, boys!You’re needed in Boyd Hall.The events committee need your help setting up for the gala tomorrow evening.”

I freeze.It’s six o’clock.The décor firm should have finished ages ago.

Everyone grumbles, and the coach’s face darkens.“Didn’t I make myself clear?Boyd Hall.Now.”

18

Ruby

I don’t think Lin or I have ever been as close to a nervous breakdown as we were today.We arrived at Boyd Hall at four, like we’d discussed with James and the others, to help the décor company get everything ready for tomorrow evening.But the only person we found there was Mr.Jones, the caretaker, who was swearing loudly and colorfully into his phone, before subsequently informing us that the firm had accidentally double-booked themselves and decided to honor the more lucrative contract.

I just stood there in shock for a couple of minutes, then turned to Lin.The moment I looked into her eyes, I could tell that she was already mentally running through every option still open to us.

Mr.Jones added that after a bit of back and forth, the company had eventually agreed that they would at least drop off all the stuff we’d ordered from them at some point in the next hour.Even so, there weren’t enough of us to get everything set up and looking good in the time available.

To top it all off, Mr.Lexington suddenly turned up out of the blue and looked around the bare, undecorated hall in disbelief, atwhich point I wished the ground would just open up and swallow me.I explained contritely what had happened, expecting him to shake his head in disappointment and start looking for a new chair for the events team.But to my surprise, he just gave me a firm look and announced that he was going to find people to help.

Not long after that, the doors to Boyd Hall opened and the entire lacrosse team trooped into the room.Without even glancing in our direction, James marched directly over to Jonesy, his expression grim, and then, as I looked on in amazement, Mr.Lexington got the attention of the rest of the team, pointed to Lin and me, and announced that all further instructions would come from us.

I then switched to autopilot, trying to dish out the jobs to be done among the boys in as organized a way as possible.That was an hour and a half ago now, and since then, I’ve pulled back from the brink of a breakdown, the same as Lin.