Rain fell from the heavens in a dense grey blanket, hitting the ground like a scattering of pebbles. I didn’t care that I left my party early. I wasn’t interested in plastering a fake smile on my face and saying my goodbyes. I couldn’t stomach it. All the patronizing comments, like ‘Aww . . . never mind, Caleb, you’ll find her soon’. And the comforting words that my father would say ‘Patience, son, these things take time. You’re still young’.It was easy for them to say. They had found their mates. Being the youngest out of my friends had its disadvantages, making me the only singleton.I could imagine their words of pity. ‘Poor Caleb, next in line to be Alpha, and with no Luna, too.’How humiliating?I shed my Tux and made for the treeline. It took seconds to rip through my shift. This was my escape from all the meaningless pleasantries tha

Ruby “Okay, fingers on lips, guys.” Our school teacher, Miss Wilson, silenced the class with a shush. I liked Miss Wilson. She was nice. She wasn’t old like my last teacher, who always smelled like toilet freshener. Miss Wilson was young and had a pretty smile. She had blonde curly hair that reminded me of spaghetti. I sat at the table with three other children, picking the PVA glue and glitter from my fingers like a sparkly layer of skin. “Does anyone need to take a bathroom break?” Miss Wilson asked, her eyes scanning the classroom for a show of raised hands. “Okay, kids, put on your coats, then go line up at the door.” Miss Wilson instructed, wincing at the sound of scraping chairs. We all hurried with enthusiasm towards the named coat pegs. I stuffed my arms through the sleeves of my red jacket, then dashed towards the exit. Once the entire class was ready and lined up, Miss Wilson opened the door for a tw

The next day...Ruby“Good morning, class,” Miss Wilson welcomed the class in her usual bright and cheerful mood.“Good morning, Miss Wilson, good morning everyone,” the entire class chimed together in the same sing-song way.As soon as I hung up my coat on my named peg, I heard. “Ruby, come and sit with me! No, Ruby, come sit at our table with us.” I felt myself being tugged in two different directions.“That’s enough, children. You’re all to remain in your assigned seats,” Miss Wilson said, putting an end to the chaos that erupted in the classroom.Then came a mixture of disappointed grumbles from the kids who hadn’t got to sit with me.

Caleb“Ew, Mom, I’m too old for Disney Princesses,” Ruby complained.She held the birthday card up that had every princess bunched together in a cheesy group pose. Ruby scrunched her nose, eyeing it with distaste. It wasn't like her to act bratty. Her sudden change in attitude made me sit up straight.Jen set down the basket of laundry that she was carrying, then put a hand on her hip.“Jeez, did you go to bed a cute twelve-year-old, only to wake up a stroppy teenager?” Jen retorted.I couldn't have said it better, Jen.Ruby rolled her eyes. “Ugh! I swear Grandma still thinks I’m like, five-years-old or something. I mean, who sends a thirteen-

Ruby It had been a month since I found out about Mom. Since then, she has had a double mastectomy. It meant both of her breasts had to be removed. Mom’s boss, Mr. Grant junior, heard about her having cancer. He sent Mom to the private hospital here in Lakewood, so she could have her operation straight away. He even paid for her to have reconstructive surgery. Mom was pretty sure that there wasn’t a health care policy when she signed her contract, but her boss insisted that the company would take care of all the medical bills. Mom made a friend while she was in the hospice. His name was Aiden, and he was the doctor Mr. Grant had flown in to help Mom. They’ve been talking on the phone a lot and I overheard mom inviting him to come with us to Washington.