CAN I EXPOSE HER SECRET?
Ruby opened her locker. All her books, diary, papers, everything fell on the floor with a loud noise. All eyes are on Ruby Espinoza. Something was written on the side of the locker in red paint.
“Hey, there coward, or can I call you loser?”
She looked at everyone around there, controlling her tears. Laughter echoed in the hall and Becca was standing some steps away from Ruby.
“You should see her face.” Tiffany laughed out loud. Why they are doing this without a purpose? There has to be some reason behind it. The red paint flows on the locker. Maybe It was painted a few minutes ago. Everyone looked sympathetically at her. She thought of bending down and taking all her books, but Becca wasn’t moving an inch from where she’s standing.
“Becca, go to your damn class,” Charlotte’s voice echoed through the hall very loud and clear.
“And also, you too,” Scott ordered to her friends Wes and Tiffany, who always stays with her.
Scott Campbell is a very kind-hearted person. He’s a young English teacher. He doesn’t like anyone to be bullied.
Three of them walked in a line crossing Ruby. Becca kicked a note aside to her feet. She doesn’t ever give respect to books.
Ruby closed her face with her hands and ran away.
“Why these students are being like this?” Scott looked worried.
“We can’t do anything and, by the way, how’s Becca behaving in her class?” Charlotte questioned.
“She always remains the same. She never listens to anyone and also talks more about a boy, Daniel. I don’t even know who the hell is he?”
“You don’t know that. You aren’t from the 18th century, right Scott?” Charlotte chuckled.
“No, I am young like you,” he replied her getting closer to her.
“But Daniel is an actor. A famous actor from this century.” She stepped back.
" So, what?"
" Never mind. You don't know a celebrity. You have never been attracted to a girl. Do you even like someone? Like anyone?"
“I don't. This is who I'm. By the way, don’t misunderstand me. If you are looking forward for my attention. I got to say I won’t kiss you,” he told the truth. It’s rare to see him talking to any girl.
“I know that. That’s why I am having a doubt.” Charlotte asked indirectly.
“Okay. I know what you mean. I am not gay and if you ask me for any proof. I can’t give it.”
“I need proof. I can only believe if you can kiss a girl.”
“Charlotte. Iam not interested in anyone,” he said sternly.
“Maybe one will come to find any girl of your type. Till then I won’t believe you,” she teased and turned away. Within a few steps, she came face to face with Jason.
“Hey there,” she whispered.
“Charlotte,” he said slowly feeling her name and looking into her beautiful face and her brown hair.
“Yes, that’s me.”
“You look awesome but not good as yesterday “
“Seriously, Iam totally wet the day before,” she said, frustratedly remembering the water.
“You are beautiful the way you are. Don’t need any silly make-up.” These words hit her hard. When she was about to reply, his expression changed.
“Yesterday you didn’t fall on the poll accidentally. A girl pushed you down. I should have told you earlier. Iam still not familiar with the names."
“What? How she looks like? “She asked furiously.
“A girl with blonde hair and behaved like a drama queen. She’s so interested in her swimsuit than learning. When I tried to explain it to her, she just ignored me like there’s no one around her.”
‘That should be Becca. Who’s going to behave like this. Drama queen means Becca. I got no doubt about that. I never thought she has the courage to push me down,’ she thought to herself, digging her nails deep into her palm.
"Charlotte," Jason called her for the fifth time.
“Cross my heart and hope to die. She’s going to pay for that.” she flipped her hair and walked to her classroom without waving bye to Jason. She thought she could spend more time with Jason the next time she saw him. Now she can only think about Becca and her stupidity.
......
Ruby looked at her hands covered in red paint in the mirror. She loves red but not like this. She’s not a loser. Is she? She locked the restroom door and stayed there crying like a coward. What Becca wrote was true. After some time, she definitely needs to arrange all her books and lock them in her locker.
The front door to the bathroom burst open. Becca’s voice boomed in the room.
“You should see that crying babyface. It’s fun and I want more fun like this till she goes out of this school.” Footsteps came near Ruby’s closed door.
“Right. How about I ask you one thing? Why do you feel so much anger towards her?” Tiffany doubted. When the silence remained for a few minutes, Becca said “the reason is she has a thing which I don’t have,”
“What’s that? This shocks me. You have everything you wanted. The girl who gets whatever she wants.”
"No, I don’t. Technically, it’s not a thing. I want her boyfriend to be mine. If I want it, I should get it. Am I right?" Ruby took her phone brilliantly and opened the door slightly ajar. They both are standing many feet away from her. Her hands trembled. Still, she managed to take a video of what Becca’s going to tell. Somehow, her instinct told her to do that. She never did something like this. This is her first behaviour or move to work against Becca.
"Ye... yes, but do you want Caleb?" Tiffany feels so different about her wish. She never knows about that till now.
“Yes, I do, and I couldn’t have him. He never looked at me. In fact, he hates me and my attitude. I have a list of boys who want me. I never cared about that. I only want Caleb.”
“Becca, you...you love Daniel. A hot actor is your boyfriend. Why you ever need Caleb?”
“Daniel. Seriously Tiffany. You are wrong.” Becca laughed like a witch. She should have checked there’s no one around there. Ruby’s so keen on her next word. What’s she’s going to tell next? 'Doesn’t she love Daniel?'
A few minutes later, Scott stopped breathing. He’s dead for real.“That’s enough, Ruby. Give me the knife.” Caleb snatched it away from her. It almost has cut his palm in the force.“First of all, how did you even get a knife?”“I found a lot of knives in this room. I got one before Scott came here.” Ruby replied. On the other side, Charlotte was crying so hard.“Please, don’t leave me, Jason. You don’t deserve to die.” She sobbed, hugging him. Jason is too weak to reply to her.“Call 911. Jason’s dying.” Charlotte ordered her siblings. Caleb heard her and took his phone. Will it be too late?“What are we going to do with the body? Should be hidden this murder too?” Caroline asked with fear.“No. The game’s over. There’s no point in repeating the same mistakes again and again.” Ruby said wisely.“Then what are you suggesting, Ruby?” Chloe asked.
Ruby went down the stairs as Charlotte and Chloe followed her. Without having much of a choice, Caleb, Caroline, and Jason followed them. They all ended up in a single room full of many monitors, full black suits in a closet, some electronics like laptops, tabs, cables etc... Caroline stepped carefully without getting trapped in the cables.“Is this Scott’s place to monitor us?” Caroline asked.“What the fuck are you talking about?” Charlotte asked, in complete shock. Her sister hasn’t told the truth yet.“Scott is the threatener, Char. We are sure of it.” Caleb said, without a doubt.“Wow, a teacher is capable of all these things. His death is coming closer.” Ruby surely said. At the same moment, the large monitor in the middle of the room lightened up.“Congratulations, Caleb. You are right. It’s me, Scott. All this time. By the way, I’m not the one who’s going to die. It’s going to be you,
“Scott? Charlotte’s best friend. The one who came to see her in the court.” Caleb asked for clarification.“Yeah, it’s him. How is he related to Becca? What’s his relationship with her? If Char knows something, she would have told us,” Care wondered and saw someone standing alone on the road.“Is it Jason? Am I right? Can you stop the car, Cal?” she asked as her brother did what she said.“Hey, what are you doing here? Is there any problem?” she asked from the window.“Um...yes...no. I’m not in any trouble. I was just lost in thoughts. I was about to reach home. What are you doing here? You both can’t wander anywhere while the threatener can be anywhere.”“We know. We...” Care turned to her brother. “Can we get help from him in searching all this evidence?”“Do you think it’s a good idea? We can’t get him in any trouble again.”“Yeah. I don’t know but I feel like we sho
“So, what are we doing now?” Chloe asked while keenly entering all the rooms in their house and looking for cameras.“We are going to Becca’s house. How many times do I have to say this?”Caleb let out a sign and made his way out of their house.“Without a plan?” Care questioned.“We will figure it out on the way,” He replied. Everyone joined him in the car except Chloe.“Hey, aren’t you coming?” Char asked.“No. We really have to find the secret basement and the cameras. I can’t take my mind off it since Ruby said it.”“But we can’t leave you here all alone. Come with us,” Care said. But Chloe is stubborn this time.“I guess someone has to be with her. It’s time for a split-up,” Charlotte said, getting out of the car.They all agreed. Care and Caleb are on their way to Ruby’s house.“So, what’s your plan? Do you have one?”
I couldn’t believe. That the threatener had a secret basement in their own house. The siblings are ready to find the basement. First, they have to cross the first challenge. Trail in the court. It was pretty rough. All they got to have is hope. The undefeatable hope. The anxiety continues to rule in the court until the siblings heard the most important word ever. The one word that could make them feel happier after an eternity.“.... Not guilty,”The siblings almost yelled in happiness and hugged each other. The lawyer looked at them with satisfaction and he glanced back at Daniel. Who’s the reason for their happiness.Caroline broke into her hug with Char and approached Daniel. “Thank you so much. I will never forget this. Ever in my life. I thought everything’s over.... but then...” she got emotional.“Hey, it’s okay. Everything’s alright now. Hereafter, you all even get to be safe from the threatener.
“Stop your useless argument and warnings. No one’s going to do anything to anyone.” Care shouted from her throat.“Why would you think so less of me?” Char asked.“It’s not about that. Right now, this is not the right conversation.”“I will get to the point. We need help from you, Ruby. And you won’t be saying ‘no’ to that. I’m sure of it,” Care added.“Really? What’s your request? Let me hear it.”“We four of us will be out of prison after the trial in the court. Since the killer is standing right in front of me, we will be free in some weeks. Plus, what Charlotte did was self-defence and we will even get extra protection in our house to protect us from the threatener. The detective is searching for him without sleep...”“Okay. Stop it. Come to the point. I don’t want to hear all your advantages,” Ruby interrupted her.“Fine. Tell me everything you know about MW. Tell