Not Another Broken Doll

Chapter 11

“Ruth! Wake up! It’s coffee time on a Monday morning!” Ingrid’s voice was ridiculously positive in the mornings. Ruth could not really explain how anyone could be so cheerful first thing in the morning. Her cousin had to be a force of nature, she was certain.

She hadn’t left the house over the weekend upon Alaistar’s insistence. She wasn’t a fan of that but she understood his point, and she could get all her marking done. At least that gave her time to go through her wardrobe and decide what she would wear for the concert the following Saturday. Ingrid did not approve of any of her tops, so she was now on a mission to find something that would go well with her leather jacket, but wouldn’t leave her too exposed to the cold winds of Hafen city.

She was also expecting a great deal of gossip. Hannah had been very secretive with her texting, almost in code. Ruth understood something was up with Marco and she was wondering whether Hannah had finally confronted him with her feelings. Hannah had nothing to worry about, she was a beautiful blonde with a great personality. Marco, on the contrary, was too much of a lad. She worried Hannah would be more disappointed than him.

She texted Hannah on her way to work, and they met outside the office. Hannah looked a mess, but she had done a good job at hiding it.

“What on Earth has happened to you?” Ruth asked, worried.

“Boys. Suck” Hannah said.

“Oh, I know that. Want to talk?”

“No, here he comes” Hannah pointed at Marco coming up the corridor. He looked pretty rosy for a Monday morning.

“Buongiornio! Ready for the day?” He cheerfully asked. Hannah pretended to smile, and Ruth played along for a while.

“What’s with the good mood on a Monday?” She asked.

“It’s love, Miss Marquez, good old love” he said, as he danced away and into the office.

Ruth looked at Hannah and squeezed her hand. Hannah looked defeated but still put on a brave face and walked into the office too. She hated to see Hannah like that, but at the same time she was handling the situation as best as she could. Hannah, the queen.

When it was break time, Ruth sought out Hannah and took her to the café. Looking up from the coffee machine, Chris saw them walk in and he was surprised to see Ruth that early in the day.

“Moin girls!” He greeted from behind the bar.

“Chris, we need chocolate. A lot of it. Tell me you have some of that cake, please” Ruth said, pointing at Hannah’s evident state.

“Coming right up” Chris said, and he got himself busy as he realised this was a friend emergency. He tried to keep his cool, but he was worried about Ruth even if he had pep talked himself into not being worried. She could definitely handle it. She could handle anything. Still, he found himself eavesdropping.

“So he went up to that Hiruka girl and asked her out, just like that!” Hannah complained. “And I had to hide the two bottles of beer I was bringing into the balcony and leave the room, so I didn’t have to look at them making out in the spot I was standing not two minutes before that!” She was visibly upset

“He’s an i***t and he’s not worth feeling like this over” Ruth tried to console her friend. Chris brought the cake and coffee to their table and Ruth threw a thankful smile at him “besides, he’s the one losing here” She continued.

Back behind the counter, Chris observed the conversation while serving other costumers coming in and out for their coffee break. He was trying to figure out how someone who was so loyal to their friends and such a kindred spirit could have got herself into so much trouble.

Hannah looked better as soon as she finished her slice of cake. There’s nothing a good old slice of chocolate cake can’t patch up. Ruth went to the counter and paid for the drinks and cake.

“Is she alright?” Chris asked

“She is thanks to your miracle cake” Ruth smiled. He liked that. “Will I see you later? Shall I come over?”

“Yes. I’ll take you somewhere new. I’ll wait for you”

Ruth smiled again and left the café with her much restored friend. All of a sudden, Chris decided he didn’t have enough with five more lunches and a concert. And he didn’t care how bad of an idea that sounded right then.