Chapter 24: Chapter 24

“Just shut up, you are just a coward pretending to be someone strong. I'm sure the girl who gave you love letters that make you jump like a monkey must have had an eye problem, or maybe she's gone crazy. There's no way someone can admire a boy like you. “ Said Natty.

Natty's words were sharp and made Drake run out of patience. Drake was eager to vent his anger, but he held it back an left. Natty always has a a plan to provoke his anger, as if they are two sides that repel each other and will never merge. Yes, they are like true enemies who will always be enemies.

Natty then swung to Helena with a caring look. She knew very well that Drake's words had hurt her friend's feelings. Helena has liked Alex for a long time, and she has done many things to get her attention, but Alex never saw her. But now Alex even twisted his attention to a girl who had just arrived out of nowhere.

Natty wanted to cheer up her friend, but she was not the type to easily put words of comfort together. She is also not a humorous person who can make jokes to make Helena laugh and forget her sadness. She could only sit there stroking Helena's head and feeding her some food to make her feel better.

***

Meanwhile, Alex with enthusiasm and a smile on his face was walking towards Ruby's ward. He can't wait to show the Portrait of Ruby he is portraying. He didn't have the chance to get the portrait and today he wants to show it. In his mind, he counted every step with a pounding heart.

But as soon as he opened Ruby's ward, no one was there. Alex is confused and knocks on the washroom, but there is no one in the toilet. He came out and asked the nurse who was passing by.

“Sorry, have you seen Ruby? She's not in her room ... “said Alex.

“Oh, she's in the park.” Replied the nurse.

“Thank you.” Said Alex, then left.

Alex sped up his pace. He couldn't wait to show Ruby his portrait. He also continued to smile while imagining Ruby's face when she looked at the painting. But it must shatter his imagination when he looked at Ruby engrossed in talking to a guy.

Ruby looked so close with the guy that she didn't hesitate to lean her head on his shoulder. She stared so happy and laughed, seeing that caused Alex felt something stir in his heart. Somehow he was very upset and wanted to make Ruby stop laughing when talking to the guy.

Alex then walked over to Ruby and glared at the guy sitting next to Ruby. Alex did not say a word and made the guy felt uncomfortable and instantly shifted away from Ruby. And as usual Ruby is not sensitive at all. She just smiled and greeted Alex.

“Alex, are you visiting me again? Did you skip school then? “ Asked Ruby.

“ Why? Do you not like me to visit you or have I been bothering you by coming here? “ Asked Alex while glancing at the man sitting beside Ruby.

“ What? Why are you talking like that? Are you in trouble? “ Asked Ruby, who was not sensitive at all

Meanwhile, the guy who sat beside Ruby could only be silent and seemed uncomfortable because he was trapped in an atmosphere where he felt as if he had entered a place that he could not enter. The guy could only sit in awkwardness. He felt uneasy because Alex kept staring hard at him.

“Then I'll leave first ...” replied the man as he stood up, but Ruby held him back so that Alex's eyes were wide open looking at him.

“Why are you leaving already? Stay with me a little longer ... “Ruby replied and the guy smiled then rubbed Ruby's head.

“I have to go, don't worry ... I'll see you often.” Replied the man while rubbing Ruby's head and Ruby nodded her head.

It was hard for Alex to believe what he was seeing. This was the first time he had seen Ruby spoiled someone else. Yes, he knows Ruby is a very cheerful person and sometimes acts like a child, but she never sees someone who is spoiled, instead, she looks independent and very understanding.

Not only being spoiled, but Alex could also get from the way Ruby was looking at the guy there was something different there. Alex wanted to get angry and separate them, but he couldn't do that. He could only look at them being cute to each other while holding back his anger until the guy left.

“ Who is he?” asked Alex, still with an annoyed face.

“He's Ricky, my childhood friend..” Said Ruby with a thin smile.

“Friends? Are you sure it's just a friend? You guys look so close almost like lovers. “ Replied Alex as he walked and sat beside Ruby.

“Seriously we are just friends, but we have known each other since we were very young that's why we are very close. But seriously, Alex, what's wrong with you today? Why do you keep getting annoyed like that? “ Said Ruby.

“not, nothing. At first, I wanted to show you my first sketch, but I don't think its necessary … ” said Alex while bending his face and lifting the scroll of his portrait.

Even though Alex said he didn't want to show his painting, the fact was he wanted Ruby to take the portrait, that's why he showed Ruby the scroll. Alex knows very well that Ruby is a person who is curious.

Ruby, who could not contain her curiosity, grabbed the painting from Alex's hand. She opened the scroll, and she saw a portrait of herself which was painted so perfectly by Alex. Ruby was so amazed that she couldn't stop looking at the portrait with awe. She was just so amazed that she complimented Alex.

“Wow, this is excellent. Did you really paint this? “ Said Ruby who was very impressed.