Ruby
Heat enveloped me and my heart clenched as my eyes swung open after a too-familiar scene just played in my supposed-to-be peaceful sleep.
I stared into the darkness ahead, and I wondered why my real mother bothered to show up.
I might not be so sure how, but her sudden presence affected me. And... just a few seconds ago, I saw the scene where she slapped four-year-old me- a thing that hurt not just physically, but emotionally.
She made me feel unwanted as a child. Her actions back then made me feel insecure about myself sometimes and that was a tough thing for a small version of me.
What am I saying?
It still is. The way my heart squeezed as I dreamt about that terrible day made me want to ask someone to scientifically or magically erase that memory and some others from my brain. But I doubt such a thing could happen except I get hit in the head or something.
As I sat up, my now widened eyes checked the time on the small analogue clock seated on the small drawer beside my bed. I still had an hour and a half before school opened.
I was considering going back to sleep when I recalled the dream. That changed my mind and I decided to check if I didn't miss any homework. As if the pillow in my hands was the reason for my situation at that moment, I tossed it hard to the other end of the room and it knocked the dustbin by the entrance to my bathroom down.
While debating whether to get it or let it join the league of dirty clothes, I heard a sound- it was like rushing water. And since I was certain there was no recording room for binaural beats in my bathroom, I frowned.
Then with careful steps, I made for the bathroom.
After I quietly swung the door open, I was met by thick darkness, the running water, the only thing I could sense. Reaching for the switch without a fuss, the cool room became illuminated and what I first saw startled me that I let out a small shriek.
But as the blue eyes looking into mine questioned my action almost emotionlessly, I realized it was just Zion. And... he seemed to be brushing his teeth.
But in the dark? At that time?
"Zion..." I rested against the door frame. "What are you doing here?"
A blink was all he gave and he turned to spit out some foam into the basin that was still receiving loads of fluid. Then he faced me. "I am brushing."
"Why are you doing that in my bathroom? How did you even get in without me noticing?" My eyes glanced to the main entrance of my room as though I would see traces of him walking past it.
"I like the wallpaper here," he commented.
I faced Zion, my brows twitching as I looked ahead at the repetitive anchor image on the light gold background that made up my bathroom walls.
"What?" Certainly, the look on my face said that I was trying to check if my brother was nuts or something. "You are brushing in the dark, Zion."
"The wallpaper helps me think," he simply ignored my stated observation and I decided to play along.
"What were you thinking about?"
"Life." The brush in his hand went back to cleaning his teeth which I was certain was more than clean at that point.
"Life," I repeated. I wasn't sure what to make of his... unusual act. "What about life though?" His act still intrigued me. What could a boy of his age be thinking of life? And why?
"How hard it is. And sad." The way he calmly, yet soberly answered made me certain my brother was one of a kind and it made me want to know him more. And maybe I could tickle his idea a bit. Maybe we could have an early morning argument.
I grinned. I can't wait to see my Dad try to break through that fight.
So I asked, "Don't you think life is happy too?"
The tap came off and his sight fell on my image in the mirror in front of him.
"It hardly is."
Man, where does this boy get his intensity from? The way he said those words... it caused some kind of heaviness to befall me.
But then...
"Zion, I don't know why you say that, but life can be happy. It has its happiness as it has sadness. We just have to push through situations to find those emotions. Okay?"
He stared back at me like he didn't understand a word of what I said. But he did because he gave a small nod like my father does when you engage him in a conversation while he is busy with his work.
Quietly, Zion made for the entrance. But before he walked out of my room, I called him back and asked, "Why do you think life is sad?"
Dramatic silence followed before he replied with, "I saw a dog die yesterday." And he walked away, not giving me a chance to hug him as my heart yearned to.
~
While I successfully ignored the many annoying glances people kept throwing my way as I waited for Abby and Jake in front of the cafeteria, Zion's earlier words in my bathroom crept into my mind and I just had to return the looks of the people around me and wonder what life was.As my mind searched for a response that would suit my thinking, Abby and Jake appeared at the end of the hall, engaged in a conversation. Just as Abby's laughter rang through the hall, a tall blonde girl who I recognized as one of the many girls that always eyes Jake like he is some juicy element, dragged him from Abby's side.
Abby's face became shadowed with sadness. She might have thought she wasn't showing it, but I could tell.
As she walked to me and apologized for keeping me waiting, I said, "I think we should lecture Jake on how to say no to people."
"You make him sound like a child." Abby hooked her arm with mine and we made for the food counter while making sure to remember Jake's choice of food.
"I am just worried about him. Those girls just want to use him to fulfil their desires. I am afraid they will ruin our sweet, innocent Jake."
Abby squared her chin as she watched the lady behind the counter take care of our order. "He is capable of taking care of himself. And did you call him innocent? I won't be surprised if he is doing it with those girls that swim around him."
"You sound bitter about it."
"What?" Eyes that glared incredulously darted my way and I gave her a small grin. And nothing more was said. As soon as we got to our table with our lunch, Jake arrived and soon started to dig into his meal.
"I can't do this anymore..." I slammed my half-eaten hamburger onto the plate.
"What?" The two stared at me concernedly.
"If everyone keeps checking me out as if I put a rich girl sign on my forehead, how am I supposed to eat in peace? I might as well take my lunch to the restroom and get my peace."
"Hell no! You are not doing that to yourself." Abby leaned toward me and flashed me a small smile. "They are just jealous of you."
"What's there to be jealous of? I am Dominic Powers' daughter, so what?" Their jaws dropped, and Jake forgot about the pasta he was crazily into seconds ago. "What is with you guys?" I asked.
"Are you even aware of how rich your father is?" Abby asked.
"Before the age of thirty, he was already making waves in the stock market," Jake added to the conversation with his recently gained deep voice. "Right now, he does not only own and runs the biggest companies in the business industry, he scares his rivals with his crazy competence. And his yearly assets? Crazy billions."
"I know all that." I frowned.
"And you are wondering why people stare at you? Do you know how many people wish they had your life?"
"But do they have to stare? At least do it discretely." I scorned.
"They are just being human. But don't worry, in a number of weeks, they'll find something else interesting."
"I hope so."
Jake's words gave me hope. It sure would be nice to walk down the hallways without feeling like I am being stripped by hundreds of eyes.
"By the way, who was that woman I saw you two with yesterday?" Jake changed the topic to a heavier one. Abby looked my way as if asking my permission to blurt out what happened. But I knew she was also curious about the details.
Picking up my burger, I said almost inaudibly, "That was my real mother."
Abby's eyes widened in surprise.
"Mrs. Powers isn't your mother?" Jake asked, confusion all over his face.
"She didn't give birth to me but she is my mother regardless."
"That's crazy, Ruby. I thought that woman was lying." A snort escaped me in response to Abby's words. But within me, I wished I didn't have such maternal complications.
"What did she want from you?" Jake asked.
"I believe she wants to be part of my life again."
"Do you want her to be?" Without thinking twice, I swiftly replied with a negative. "Are you fine though? I noticed how unsettled you looked." I nodded and he reached to give me gentle pats on my back and soon, everyone was facing their food without speaking a word more.
~
After a long day at school, tiredness enveloped my soul and I had to wonder how the rest of the term would be if the beginning was already tasking. But then, one thing was certain, I will always get to have my energy rejuvenated in my number one abode.Home.
Its structure didn't fit the New York style- in fact, we are surrounded by apartment buildings that become visible after a ten-minute walk from my house. But the uniqueness of our home wasn't a bother as its walls have witnessed so many memories. And it definitely provided comfort. Comfort that was enough for a small family like ours.
Starting from the small array of flowers just by the porch, to the cool colours the building gave off, it definitely was home. And I couldn't wait to go into the welcoming abode and straight into my bed without disturbances.
But as I opened the door, I was greeted by arguments.
Ruby“Who on earth does that woman think she is?” Okay. Maybe it was no argument, but there was no mistaking how furious my Dad was at that moment and it would be for a reason I could easily guess. “Dominic, she didn’t do anything to her," Mom cajoled, her voice a bit tired.“But she went to meet her at her school. Why?”I could picture my Dad tossing his suit somewhere he won’t remember.Then, I could see my mom folding her arms after running her hand through her hair.“Because she is her mother, Dom. Let’s just wait for-”“Diane doesn’t deserve to be her mother and you know that. Don’t tell me you have forgotten what happened with the whole Samantha thing.”Samantha. I frowned. I do remember Mom having a friend named Samantha who took me in at a certain time. Well that was until…“Dominic, don’t.”My frown deepened at the tone of my mother's voice. And then my head started to calculate things. Unlike her other friend, David who checks on us once in a while with his wife and kids,
Ruby“So, what was your response?” Abby asked excitedly. Who knew the duo I call friends would find my brother’s question while my parents were doing it, interesting? Apparently, Jake never actually ended the call the previous night so he heard my little brother being inquisitive. Stopping in front of Abby’s locker, I said, “I told him they were praying for each other.”“What?”I know, Jake.Truthfully the answer just came from nowhere. I certainly wasn’t going to lecture the nine-year-old about sex. No, no. That’s our mother's job.“Did he believe you? I doubt he did,” Abby pushed even more.Certainly, replaying the previous night wasn’t pleasurable for me. But it keeps coming to haunt me. Arrgh! Can I get bleach for my now-tainted mind, please?“Ruby?” Jake called. He looked eager for a response as well. “He didn’t. Not until I screamed 'oh Zion, oh Zion' with my hands clasped in front of me.”Trust me, it was very dramatic. And I was very loud, I think I stopped my parents' sess
Ruby As I made my way to my second class for the day, my friends' words about Bryan continued to plague my mind. The person I met at the prison entrance seemed okay to me. He didn’t even know we went to the same school at first but he engaged me in a very interesting conversation. So it made no sense. And a psycho? How could he be a psycho? I scoffed. Abby needs to end her subscription with her gossip suppliers and Jake… My thoughts fell apart like a deck of cards and my head tilted to the side as it occurred to me again that Jake wasn’t exactly fond of stupid talks. But still, it made no sense. Just when I was about to give up the delibrations, my eyes fell on the man in question who was leaning against a locker, staring at… nothing. Approaching him already, I wondered if he was thinking and wondered even more if I would be disturbing. But then, I was already so close to him and I would finally have a chance to prove my friends wrong. When my small body found stood in front of
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
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