Ruby
"K-K-Kiss?" I stuttured.
And at the same moment, the man let me go. He took a step back while his eyes smirking a little.
Feeling suddenly hot and itchy, I reached for the side of my neck and began to scratch gently as my entire brain was still not sure what to make of his sudden statement.
It didn't seem that the man in front of me wished to say anything more. Or was he waiting for me to give his audacious statement a response?
I sighed dramatically in my head. What could I say? The English substitute teacher just told me he wants to kiss me.
"Uh..." I needed to find something to say regardless. "I-I don't think it is appropriate for you to say stuff like that."
"Why?" The way his brows twitched as he asked that simple question made his face look like it was smiling... and I am not going to lie, he looked a bit gorgeous. A little bit. A tiny little...
Okay, no, that's not the point. Facing him squarely after I finally got over my mini shock, I said, "You are my teacher and you'll be like ten years older than me and it will seem-"
"Ten years?" his voice croaked.
I gave a small shrug while inwardly wishing the entire moment could be over already.
"You are a full adult. So, by estimation you'll should be ten years older than me."
"You think I am old?"
"Uh... I don't..." His hand came to my face, shutting me up. After, he began to dig into his back pocket, brought out a wallet then pushed an identification card in my face. Leaning in with my eyes squinted, I said, "What am I...?"
"Look at the date of birth." The way his voice commanded made me throw him a warning glance. I hate people being unnecessarily bossy.
"You are about seven years older than me," I blurted soberly after I did the calculations. "But-"
"Don't go about saying things you have no idea of. Anyone passing would think I am some kind of pervert."
" Uh... Have you forgotten the part where you wondered how it will be to kiss me?"
He wore a grin. "That is not being a pervert, it is called stating my mind."
Shaking my head, I said, "You are my teacher regardless. It is not appropriate-"
"What is not appropriate is how I can't get your beautiful face out of my head." My jaw slightly dropped. Was I in some kind of weird show? Why was he so keen on dropping lines that make something inside me stir? "So... I have to ask..." His eyes became hazel from green as he took a step closer to me, his faint cologne hitting my sense of smell. "Who are you?"
His question changed the entire atmosphere.
My arms crossed and I returned the audacity of his gaze. "I am Ruby Powers."
He instantly wore a faint smile and said, "I know that already."
Of course. I almost rolled my eyes. My face is all over the tabloids. If I can spare a few curses for the person who is making money from exposing me, that would be nice."What I am asking is..." He took another step closer, my instincts having me do the same but backwards. "Who is Ruby Powers?" The pinkness of his lips became more visible to me and his gaze then began to affect me despite my decision to not be affected by how good looking he was. The air had become heavy with a kind of tension and it worsened when he reached for a lock of my hair and asked, "Who is this beautiful person in front of me?"
Beautiful.
The way the word fell out of his lips made me go crazy for a second. It became chaos inside me for seconds and I could not even focus on the question he asked.
Shaking my head immediately to get rid of the things his words made me feel, I assumed a serious pose before saying, "I don't wish to answer your question.""Then I'll just ask some other time. But for now..." His finger went under my chin and I felt myself shake a bit at the contact. With ease, he titled my head and he observed every feature of my face like I was his specimen for a science work. "... Ruby Powers, I want you to know I've got my eyes on you and I don't think I'll be looking away anytime soon."
"I..."
"Goodbye, Ruby," he gently said before sliding out of my sight and leaving me in complete confusion. I was about to grab a seat so that I could get myself together when someone called my name.
As I turned to face the owner of the voice, I noticed that Bryan and the girl he was were no longer there. I almost scoffed. So much for trying to stalk the mysterious dude.
But I swiftly looked away and greeted the girl in front of me. "Hi, Clara right?"
The girl wore a quick smile which caused her cheeks to puff up in the cutest way. "Yes it is. Are you busy?"
"Uh... No. Why?"
"Well, your mother is here to see you. She has been waiting for you outside the school for an hour now."
"My mother?" If Mom was around, I am certain she would have called my phone. And that left me with the other option.
Diane.
Tiredly, I sighed. What did the woman want again?My willingness to be her daughter?
She'll have to try harder or give up trying. And I intended to convey that information to her as soon as possible.
"Clara? Thanks for your help. Bye."
"Wait, Ruby," her shrill voice instantly drew me back. "I want to ask you something." She looked so shy, I had to wonder what her question could be.
"Sure. Ask away."
"Can I have lunch with you?" My brows quirked and she began to ramble. "You don't have to say yes. I was just hoping I can get to have lunch with someone after a while and you seem nice and confident about yourself and I love that. I mean, I like you." Her eyes narrowed and she shook her head. " Not in that way. But I admire you."
Okay?
"Clara?" I threw a smile at the person in front of me whose red curls were flying here and there in a very adorable way. "You can definitely join me for lunch. My friends would love to have you around too."
"Really?" You'd think she won a lottery. "That makes me so happy." Hurriedly, she reached for my hands and said, "Thank you, Ruby."
"It's okay, Clara."
"No. I mean, yes it is okay. But you are the first person to ever remember my name without having to be dramatic about being forgetful."
I gave a little laugh. "I know you from three classes we have together. Besides, it is not hard to notice one of your competitions in academics."
She chuckled, her head doing this thing where it ducks several times and then she thanked me again enthusiastically before walking away.
Deciding not to be too bothered by her words, I was soon walking towards the reception where I suspected Diane would be waiting.
And there she was, exposed by the excess lights that raided the small room which faced the parking lot. Her head hung over her phone, she was totally oblivious to my presence as I slowly approached her.
"What are you doing here?" I sternly asked when I stopped my steps in front of her seated figure. I looked down at her iand I deduced that I would be able to spit fire on her head if I wanted to.
"Ruby. My darling..." She joyously greeted as she got up, her arms approaching my sides. I swiftly took a step back.
"I told you I don't want to be with you, didn't I?"
" Ruby... Don't be like this. I am trying to beg for a second chance here. I want to be your mother again."
Crossing my arms as if it would be enough to contain my rising anger, I said, "Why are you asking for a second chance now?"
" I told you, darling..." She made to hold me by my shoulders again and I successfully got rid of her approaching hands. Not showing her disappointment that much, she continued, "I have been looking for you all these years."
"Can you just do me a favour?" A small sign escaped me as I looked away for a second. "Stop being a-"
A loud crash from outside drowned my words and as I turned my head to look out of the huge glass, a gruesome sight greeted me. The top of the car right in front of us was dented, blood gushed onto its broken windows, and there was a body laying right on the top, lifeless.
With widened eyes, I watched as people gathered around the scene. Confusion mixed with questions on their faces as someone seemed to be calling the emergency line.
As an attempt to get the body off the roof became successful despite the bloodiness, so I was able to catch a glimpse of the person who had just sadly lost his or her life.
"Oh no," I blurted out when it hit me that I knew the girl who was probably already walking towards the afterlife.
She was the girl Bryan was having an argument with.
Ruby Ignoring the woman in front of me, I rushed outside, Abby and Jake's warnings about Bryan ringing in my head. After I successfully pushed through the crowd that was trying to get past the entrance, I hurried towards the scene. It was no doubt the very girl Bryan was talking to. I definitely can't mistake her unique curls for someone else's. Even the little tug on her lips from earlier was still evident. Shaking slightly, I took steps back from the scene as my incoming thoughts started to frighten me. The questions in my mind didn't help issues either. Sirens announced the entry of uniformed men and I watched almost lifelessly as they urged people to move back so there will be more space for the available ambulance. From where I was, I could see the girl's blood-stained face and I could tell she was almost gone. But I couldn't help but pray for some miracle. Nobody deserves to die so cruelly. That statement drew my mind back to the fact that someone might be responsible fo
Ruby It still haunted my mind how Bryan's face instantly wore a grim look. It made me want to somewhat agree with my friends about his scary personality. But his expression change might not mean he is trying to keep an eye on me, that he thinks I know something. Right? Or, am I overreacting? Groaning loudly, my face looking up at the sky afterwards, I soon began to regret telling Jake to drop me off three junctions away from my house. I must look insane for talking to myself and wearing different thinking expressions while walking down the street. But then... I should tell the police what I know, right? I gave myself a small nod and soon stood straighter before resuming my steps. As I slung my bag over my shoulder, I assured myself, "I don't care if he goes to jail. He is not my friend. Why should I feel bad for him?" "I must say, you look cute talking to yourself on the street." I jumped to the side, absolutely startled at the masculine voice that sprung out of nowhere. Whe
Ruby “It is just a rumour, but it seems Bryan Lockwood is a suspect in Maddison’s case. Someone saw him being questioned.” Abby looked my way after blurting out her statement in the middle of the Avengers movie we were watching. “I always knew that guy was suspicious,” Jake added and I shifted on my seat, my mind finally touring towards the one thing I had been trying not to think about. Bryan Lockwood said he will punish me. No, he promised he would do it. And, that's a grandly messed up statement. “Do you guys think he killed that first girl? Uh… Melissa?” I asked my friends. “Melinda. It is very possible,” Jake replied to my question after relaxing his narrowed eyes. A sigh escaped me and I crossed my legs. “It doesn’t make sense. If he is a killer or what have you, why is he roaming the corridors of our school? Now that I think of it, when he was arrested for the first incident, he was too calm for someone who was supposedly being arrested for murder.” “What is going o
Ruby " So..." The cop seated in front of us dipped the lollipop into his mouth as he studied the pictures closely. "You are saying..." A pop sound followed and I ground my lips. "You are saying this is not you?" "That's what I am saying." "But this is your face," he stated the obvious and then looked up at Abby and I. "What exactly is the matter? Did someone leak your nudes? Did you send them to someone? You can tell me. I know teens do crazy things sometimes." Too tired to raise my voice, I sighed, then gently replied, "I have never sent anyone my nudes and not for once have I uploaded a picture of myself on the internet." "She doesn't even take normal pictures," Abby added to buttress my point. " Exactly. This is clearly a case of cyberbullying." "And who would want to bully you by uploading fake pictures of you?" Only one person came to mind. The man lowered his eyes and watched my expression closely. "You know who it is, don't you?" "I have a guess." His brows arched as
Adonis She must have thought I drugged her. It wouldn't surprise me if she slaps me with that accusation when she wakes up. But then, it's not my fault she lacked so much sleep that my very reliable sleep-inducer could not help but knock her out so fast. After settling on the little space left on her bed, I took a second to study her relaxed face. The things I heard about her in the corridors of the school were enough to tell me why she was so pale. And that made me wonder who Ruby offended that he or she would think it was necessary to release such provocating images. I sighed hard. Trying to figure that out was another issue on its own. A small smile found its way to my lips and my right hand attempted to reach out for the large mass of her shiny, nice scented, black hair that scattered all over her pillow. I quickly pulled back. I shouldn't be getting attached to her. I should not try to befriend her. But still, I need to protect her. And to do that, I need to be close
RubyI never thought it was possible for one to feel greatly at peace after sleeping. And I don't know if it is sensible to say that the sleep I just had was too sweet. My eyes were still shut because I wanted to go back into that slumber world and just dream away.But Abby's and Jake's voices kept interrupting my attempt, so I gave up. But my eyes stayed closed."I know you are awake, Ruby. I saw your hand move." Abby's stern voice made me smile inwardly.Then, I recalled the man that was with me before I fell asleep. Desperate to check if he was still in the room, I opened my eyes and the first thing I saw was the ceiling. Before I could turn my face to the side, two peering faces hovered over me and I wore a pout on my lips in reaction."Good to see you looking like yourself, Ruby," Abby commented while Jake helped me sit up. "Hmm." I ran my hands through my hair as I tried to stifle a loud yawn. "For how long was I asleep?""Dude, I have no idea. I am just glad you have got your
RubyThree days later, the school was wearing a different look in preparation for Maddison's memorial. I actually didn't think my mother would approach the principal to express her displeasure, but she did. And the principal who we hardly see around listened to my mother.Investigations were put on hold and no classes were held after eleven o'clock. And that was weird because you'd expect that there would be no class on a day like this.But then, I am glad the memorial service gets to happen. It is the least that could be done for the departed soul.Since Abby and I are part of the school decorating team, we were assigned to give a different touch to the open grounds behind our school.The view is quite nice. One would be able to see the city ahead at night and that guarantees a beautiful view. "Is that a piano?" Abby queried as she got off the ladder that she had earlier climbed so that she could put up the banner made for the occasion.I looked behind me and behold, a grand piano w
RubyWith fear within me, I walked toward my Mom who was still trying to decipher the issue on ground. Everywhere was already chaotic as murmurs filled the air and all eyes fell on me. But that didn't bother me. The woman in front of me is more important."Mom.." I carefully called after I found my stance in front of her."What is going on, Ruby? What is this?" She pushed the paper in her hand toward my face and I sighed. I didn't want her to find out in such a way.In fact, I didn't want her to find out at all."Mom...""What is this supposed to be?" Her forehead creased as she took another unbelieving look at the contents of the flier. "A naked you?" "I-""This is not how you look naked," she protested, her frown getting deeper. "I am sure of it.""You know what I look like naked?""I am your mother, of course, I do. That is not the point here. " She quickly changed the topic before I could ask the question that instantly entered my mind. "Why is this happening, Ruby? Is somethin