Battle Scars
Chapter 7
Ruby’s P.O.V.

Our first autograph! And to a cutesy-cute little girl too!
“Sure thing honey.” I say, and give my siginature.
Alaska gives hers too.
“Thankies.” She says.
“You’re very welcome sweetie.” Replies Alaska, and then the little girl skips back, full of glee, to who looked like her older sister, and shows her the autograph.
It’s a good feeling bringing that much joy to somebody.
So we keep a-walking. I purchase a kingfisher blue evening dress, one that stops slightly above the knee, gives me an even bigger backside than the one I already have, shows some cleavage, and has NO straps for 75 dollars. That’s the most extravagant thing I’ve bought since we moved here, to Linden Grange. We spent most of our money on flights and then we had to go to a motel for a while until we found a house to buy. That’s why I have had no pocket money since I came here, hence the lack of extravagance. Then Alaska spots a brilliant dress. It’s white, stops at the knee, and it is sparkly!  Her dress is exactly 80 dollars. And then I go and buy some stilletos of the same colour as my dress for 25, and Alaska bought some big black boots for twenty dollars. Walking out the store, we’re approached by two mall staff. One looks like an assistant, while the other appears to be their boss.
“Alaska Merino and Ruby Croft, I presume?”
“Yes.” We say at the same time.
“Teresa Pall.” The boss one says. “I was wondering if you’d like to play an impromptu gig for us?”
Laska and I look at eachother, then simuletaneously say
“Sure!”
“Well that’s great! Umm, you can see the stage from here, and there’s dressing rooms if you’d like to change into the new clothing you’ve just bought?”
“Okay!”
“Thank you so very much. This is my employee, Paige.”
“Nice to meet you!” she says, doing a wee little dance on the spot.
So we head towards the stage, until we find the exact LAST people I want to see.
Demi, Megan, and Terra.
The rest of Laska’s clique.
And they don’t look happy.