Social Stones

The Social Stones

By A. Sylvur

Word Count: 1285

The Christmas season was back again and the Blue Waterfall Mall was once again crowded with procrastinators. Decorations crowded the spaces overhead as much as people crowded the walkways. With only a week till Christmas, everyone rushed to find that one special gift. However, in a small alcove within the mall, two teens sat together wary of being overheard as they discussed secret club matters.

Out of the blue, the brunette whispered in a rush, “Crystal, I need to tell you something.” Her hopeful eyes waited for the enchanted gossipy gleam.

The blonde girl’s stomach growled, tempted by the bakery’s sweets across from them. Thankful everyone else in the mall was caught up in the holiday season not to notice her audible hunger. Ever so slowly, she registered the sudden change of subject. “What?”

“I have a secret to share with you.” She scooted a little closer till their heads touched.

“No, Ruby.” Her voice was unsteady as she said, “Now?” Fear lit her eyes. “Me? You want to tell me?”

“You don’t have to be brave to be told a secret, Crys. But I’m pressed for time, so why not you?”

Crystal touched her heart and sucked in a breath before she asked, “Wait? You’re leaving? I thought that was just a rumor.” After several deep breaths, she added, “For how long? It’s not forever, is it? I mean you’ll be coming back with your mom occasionally. Right?”

Ruby shook her head. “I’m not sure about anything right now except that turning eighteen seems so far away.”

“Yeah. So true.” She closed her eyes briefly to process the information. “I hate being sixteen. So close and yet so far.”

Her friend’s sad expression made her heart ache more. “You’ll be fine. I know you will, because you’ll have Amber, Coral and Sapphire.” Her gaze fell to the floor. “I’ll be alone.”

“It won’t be the same without you. And we’ll be down to four members.” Troubled, she knew that at any moment Ruby would try to tell her that secret and she tried to stall. “I thought a club was supposed to increase.”

For what seemed like the hundredth time, they hugged each other, but this time it was as though this moment may be their last.

“I’ll miss you and the girls.”

Exasperated, Crystal groaned as she jumped in the path of the holiday crowd. “Why are your parents doing this to us? They’re breaking up The Social Stones. Don’t they know we’re in the most fragile state any human being can be in? I mean, we’re teenagers!”

“Shhh, Crys. You don’t have to raise your voice. I can hear you.” Ruby pulled her friend into a nearby cluster of fake trees. “No worries. It’ll be alright. I have a plan, but for now, we’ll have to have meetings by cell.”

“Texting long conversations are not practical, Rue.”

A soft chuckle escaped Ruby’s lips. “We can talk on the cell phones.” She touched her forehead. “Please, stay with me.”

“Oh.” A light blush touched her cheeks. “That makes sense.”

“I know.” Ruby smiled at her friend with tears starting to fill her eyes. “OMG, I’m going to miss you and your ditsy ways.”

With a lifted brow, Crystal glared as she looped a slender finger with a perfectly pedicured nail through her long hair. “I have my moments.” Though the menace didn’t reach her heart, she was still somewhat offended by the comment. “But you used to hate me. So . . . why me?”

“I though we were over that? Things improved for both of us.” She shrugged as she added softly, “After we both got over that boy. Well, I thought it did.”

Quickly she changed the touchy subject and leaned forward. “Is the secret important?”

“Yes.”

Her shoulders dropped as she shook her head. “Then you should tell Corral or Sapph.”

“No.” Ruby suddenly brought up an odd thought, “Why is it that we shortened everyone else’s names, but lengthened Coral’s to the equivalent of a horse’s pen?”

Momentarily stunned by the revelation, Crys giggled. “That’s odd. Does she know?”

“I’m certain she does, but I’m sure she didn’t say anything to be polite.”

“Polite? She’s the one being named after a horse’s dirty pen.”

Ruby pressed her lips together, a bubble of laughter nearly escaped, but she held it down. “I meant she was being polite at our ignorance of the name we’d given to her. I looked it up recently.”

“Ouch. I think we owe her an apology and a new nick name.”

“I would agree with that. But I really need to tell you the secret.”

Crystal shook her head. “No. Please, choose someone else.”

“But I’ve already chosen you.”

“Why me? I’m not good with secrets. I can barely remember my own name.”

Ruby smiled. “You answer well enough when we call you.”

“Maybe I should be the horse’s pen.”

At that, Ruby did laugh. “You’re being too hard on yourself. It’ll only take a second and that may be all the time I have.”

“I know. Text it to Sapph or.” She tried to think of a new nickname for Coral, but nothing came to mind. “Or . . . don’t.”

“Couldn’t think of a new nickname?”

Crys shook her head. “No, ’fraid not. You?”

“No. I couldn’t come up with anything either.” She put her hands together in a plea. “But please, please let me tell you.”

“Ready?”

Both girls jumped at the sound of the superior fatherly voice.

Ruby’s eyes registered the familiar face. “Dad! When did you get here? Did you see mom yet?” She hoped to buy herself more time.

“I saw her and she told me where to look for you. Are you ready to go?”

Glancing back at the horror in her friend’s expression at having wasted the precious moments, she turned back to her father. “Could we have a few more minutes? Please?”

“Sorry, Ruby, no can do.” He glanced at his watch to make a point. “I have a meeting I need to get to and I don’t want to be late. You girls have cell phones. I’m sure you’ll stay in touch.”

“But some things can’t be said or texted over the phone, Dad.” Defiantly, Ruby crossed her arms.

With a touch of bravery, Crystal stepped closer to her friend’s father. “Please Mr. Hardin, just a few more minutes?”

He glanced around the busy mall then at his watch again and knew in that moment he would forever be labeled the bad guy in his daughter’s eyes if he said no, but if he didn’t he’d be late for work and that would be worse. “Sorry, Ruby. Your mother said you girls had been here for hours. So, say good bye, and let’s go.”

Crystal and Ruby hugged, but just as they pulled away, Ruby reached into her purse, pulled out a small white box and placed it in her friend’s hand.

“Nothing to fear.”

Crystal opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. The box felt heavy in her hand. She feared the secret was in the box. Small gold letters spelled their club name with only four of the five member’s names written in silver beneath it.

“We have to leave.” Ruby’s father demanded as he took his daughter’s hand and dragged her with him.

Looking up to see her friend trying to delay the inevitable, Crystal released her tears as she held the little white box over her heart.

With one last comment, meant to encourage, Ruby shouted, “No fear!”