Two

Ruby

"When is our next movie night?" Abby asked just as I was about to get out of the car.

Just staring at my house was making me yearn for the comfort of its walls but her question was quite important. 

"Uh... This Friday?"

"Your place or Jake's?" she asked further.

We never use her house because her father is a strong believer in a human being not needing nobody else but himself. So... he almost forbade her from having friends if not for some amazing intervention.

"Mine. My Mom is making popcorn for us."

"Yes!" Jake celebrated as his eyes met mine. "I love it when your Mom makes food."

My grin was large. "I know it is a compliment. But..." My smile dropped and I wore a dark look. "My Dad mustn't hear you say that or else he will use you as our house rug."

His green eyes danced away in discomfort, causing Abby and I to share an evil laughter.

"Bye guys," I finally said and I walked towards our house.

Our family used to stay in a hotel before- I grew up in a penthouse there. But shortly after we had a change of location to the Philippines, things happened and we all had to come back to New York. And contrary to when we left for the Philippines, we came back with my little brother... Zion Powers.

And I could already hear his loud greeting without entering the house. The boy who is almost hitting the big age of ten is my little happiness as I have always wanted a sibling. You should have seen how huge my smile was when I first saw his beautiful face and his alluring oceanic blue eyes.

So, as I opened the entrance door to the sophisticated bungalow, the first name that came to my lips was, "Zion." Tossing my bag on the nearest couch, I raced to the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. "Zion!" My eyes widened. "Where are you and where is my ice cream?"

"Will you keep it down, young lady?"

"Hi Mom," I greeted without looking at her. "Zion!"

"He is sleeping." The door of the refrigerator closed and my mother's gentle yet somewhat commanding gaze states glued on me. "I took your ice cream."

"What? Why?"

She shrugged and walked towards the isolated island in the middle of the room.

"Come have a seat, your father and I need to speak to you."

"But Mom..." My shoulders slugged. "My ice cream."

"Sit down."

"Is she here already?" My Dad's voice introduced his entry and I instantly forgot about my lost delicacy. He and I are friends no doubt, but sometimes, I can't help but feel I should always be coordinated in front of him. "Hey, Ruby."

"Hey, Dad." I took a seat opposite my Mom.

"Hey, sweetness." He gave my mom a small kiss on the forehead.

"School was fine. Thanks for asking."

Mom spat out laughter at my words and my Dad sat beside her.

"So... Ruby, we have something to tell you." The way my mother's tone softened was suspicious.

"What is that?" Something within me could not help but think Abby's bodyguard idea somehow got communicated weirdly to my Dad, so I quickly wore a frown.

"Ruby..." Her smile became wide. "I am pregnant."

~

As I hummed to the Justin Bieber's song blasting through my earphones, happiness could not cease to course through my being. It was unexpected news, but the thought of another sibling made me glad.  Especially if one considers that for some time now, I have been yearning to hold a baby in my arms.

Those little ones are just so cute and delicate, they make you want to be the best person you can be while you hold them. I felt that way when Zion was still a baby.

After grabbing what I needed from my locker, I closed it and Abby's grand smile greeted me.

"Why is your smile so big?" I questioned.

"You are grinning too," she pointed out and I noticed her hands were occupied by a box which had some books on top. So, I helped her with the books and got a thank you. "So, why are you happy today?" Abby asked.

"You say that like I wasn't happy yesterday," I said, hugging her huge textbooks to my chest. "My mom is pregnant."

"Oh, really?" We both share our love for babies, so her smile became as big as mine was when my parents dropped the news. "That's so great. I wish my parents would give me a younger one." A bit of sadness was in her voice so I said nothing. "But I don't even think those two shake hands talk less of hugging."

"Oh come on." I gave her a slight nudge. "It can't be that bad."

"You have met my father. Do you think he even allows my mother to sleep next to him? Anyway, give your Mom my greetings. I hope it is a nice journey for her."

The fact that she changed the topic about her parents so fast gave me no chance to finally give her the speech I have practised a million times. It is a speech imploring her not to hate her parents that much. But then... I guess I could always give it another day.

"You are coming on Friday, you can greet her then. So what's with the box?"

"I have a project to work on. It will be an art piece like no other."

"It's just the second day of school and you have been assigned projects already?" I could only hope the teachers taking my science subjects won't follow in that footsteps.

"Nah. This is to apply for a scholarship at the Art school in LA."

"Really? That's so good." Abby had always spent her Sundays in church praying to God for two things. To deliver her from the claws of her father and to help her gain admission to an art school. But a potential scholarship? That would be so good for her.

"I wish you the best Abby." I meant my words.

She gave me a playful pout. "Thanks, Ruby. Let's-"

"Well, well, if it isn't Ruby Powers." Just by the clicking of heels, I could tell who it was. But really, who finds it convenient to wear heels to school? The shoe type itself looks stressful.

"Hello Celery." A small, teasing smile was on my lips as I turned to face the girl that supposedly is the most popular in Silverbird high. I don't get why things like popularity exist. All it entails are what I would call silly things. 

"My name is Caitlin. How many times would I have to correct you?" For some unknown reason, I enjoyed teasing this particular person. Getting on her nerves makes me happy. "So..." Her arms crossed after she purposely tamed her new hair. "Turns out you are Ruby Powers, Dominic Powers' daughter. How nice. I always knew I could sense wealth around you."

Yeah... And, I don't have time for this kind of thing early in the morning.

"What do you want, Celery?"

She scoffed. "Let's be friends."

That I didn't laugh at her statement surprised me a lot. "Sorry, I am not interested. Abby let's-"

"What do you think you are doing?" Her emerald-like eyes which seemed to be one of the reasons boys swooned over her pierced mine almost angrily. "People like us should stick together. Rich people always need rich people to survive in this world. You can't-"

"Seriously Celery, I am not interested. I don't need your fake relationship to survive."

I just hate it when people are persuasive even after giving them a dismissive answer.

"So..." Celery bitterly eyed Abby who still hadn't spoken a word. "You'd rather hang out with people like her?" Disgust laced her voice and you'll just have to wonder if she was some kind of high-class human being. Maybe she has a physical feature no other human has. 

"Will you please excuse us?" I asked, sarcasm mixed with politeness.

"You can't depend on someone like her, Ruby Powers. You'll come crashing before you know it."

Okay, that's it.

"Listen Celery. Maybe somewhere within your so-called wealth, you have buried people or splashed blood on your clothes, or kept whatever secret you seem to have. That's your problem. As for me, I am fine the way I am. And did you say, rich people?" I gave a small laugh that reeked of pity.

"You are not rich Celery, your parents are. Stop being so mighty over something you haven't worked for. So, if you'll please excuse us..." I motioned to Abby and our legs started to walk past the unbelievable lady.  "We will take our leave now."

"You-"

We had already walked away before she could say any other thing. 

"Now, that's what I am talking about, girl. That's how you should reply to people like her and Roger," Abby excitedly said.

"I'll pass on that Roger issue. The guy is not worth my time."

"You are so-"

Loud music buried Abby's words and made us put a stop to our steps. We scanned the corridors as though a response to why 2Chainz's Birthday song was blasting the walls would come through there.

"All I want for my birthday is a big booty hoe... yeahh." Abby sang and moved to the beat and I watched her as if she looked like an alien. "I wonder if this is our new fire drill system."

My eyes narrowed to question the sanity of the statement Abby almost screamed into my ears. As I made to give her a response, I noticed students rushing towards the entrance.

"What's going on?"

My murmured question was answered by a girl who came running towards Abby and me, a small box of pizza in her hands. "Ruby! Happy birthday!" The frown I had didn't hesitate to appear. "Your Mom said today is your birthday, that's why we are getting free pizzas. I guess it is good to be friends with you."

I wore a smile and said in response to her last statement, "I don't even know who you are." Abby stifled a laugh beside me. "But today isn't my birthday."

The tall girl shifted her glance uncomfortably. "Well, your mother is outside looking for you." 

As we both watched the girl hasten her steps away from us, Abby asked, "Why would your Mom treat the school to pizza when it's not even your birthday?"

"That's what we are going to find out."

"I can't walk around with this box in my hands," she whined and I immediately had us swap the contents in our hands, and soon, we were on the cemented grounds of our school. True to the girl's word, free pizza was being given out... from a huge bus. And boy, were people crowded around it.

As I scanned the crowd for my mother who I had so many questions for, I heard a feminine voice shout my name. A woman who appeared to be in her late forties danced her way to where I was standing, her sequin gown standing out in the bright light.

"Oh my God Ruby," she gushed when she got to my front. "You have grown so much."

"I am sorry, but who are you?"

Sadness came upon her face and she stood straight, her long blonde hair getting swept by the gentle wind around. "You don't remember me?"

Duh. Why else would I ask the question?

"You really don't remember me?" One of my brows cocked at her, and a small smile followed. "How can you forget me, Ruby? Look at me." She grabbed me by my shoulders. "Look into my eye. Tell me you remember me."

Abby and I shared a look before I reluctantly said, "I... I don't know who you are."

"Really? How can you forget your mother?" I frowned. "Ruby, it is me, Diane. Your real mother."