Chapter 5 Five

Ruby

When I got home, my father was pissed at Diane for showing up. It took bribing him with milk and cookies to change his mind about hiring security men to guard me in school.

Once it was certain that he wouldn't visit that idea again, I went to sleep.

After four and a half hours of sleep, I woke up, my numerous assignments sprawled before me. And since I had no idea where to start, I grabbed my phone and texted Abby.

After ten minutes of doing nothing but alternating between staring at my phone and blankly checking the Chemistry textbook in front of me, I dialled Abby's number.

She didn't pick up, so I called Jake.

'Hey, you,' he sounded different, like he had been using his energy to do something.

"Hi. I am bored."

'Do you want to watch me work out?' he suggested swiftly. 'Let's switch to video chat so you can cheer me on as I do my push-ups.'

I chuckled. "Why would you need me to cheer you on?"

'Anything to make you feel good. Anyway, are you good?'

"Depends."

'Everything has changed so fast since that tabloid, hasn't it?' I nodded. 'I hope that doesn't mean you'll be exposed to danger, though. We'll all go nuts if something happens to you.'

His words made me smile.

"I hope nothing crazy happens. I pray my real mother showing up is the limit. My dad mentioned something about some of his business rivals playing dirty games. He is worried they'll target me."

'Let's hope they don't. And if they do, I will make them regret laying their hands on my girl.' The giggle I replied with could not be helped. 'I know how strong you are, Ruby, you'll survive whatever crazy thing it is that's coming your way.'

"Thanks, Jake."

'Are you certain you don't want to watch me work out? I am quite a sight.' He quickly changed the topic.

"Ugh... puh-lease. You can ask Abby, though."

'She'll chase me off,' Jake simply said, and I could picture the brunette screaming at a half-naked Jake to get off her phone.

Man, that girl definitely likes him. She either doesn't realise it or she's just good at pretending. But I should study Jake too, and see if he likes her.

Or... I could just stylishly ask him.

"Jake?" A loud noise followed- it sounded like it came from a motorbike. And since the noise hindered our conversation, Jake had to hang up, and I was left with my assignments. Well, I could as well start them.

'Oh Dominic.'

Like a deer about to be hunted, I became alert, and my eyes narrowed dramatically at what my ears just picked up.

′Hmm, yes Dom.'

My eyes widened. My parents are... doing it.

My hands on my ears as I tried to block out the noise, I scanned the room for my headset. Then, the door opened and Zion walked in quietly.

~~~

"So, what was your explanation?" Abby asked, stifling her laughter.

Who knew the duo I call friends would find it amusing that my brother came to me to ask about the weird sounds my parents were making? While their noise didn't go on, Zion remained curious about it and apparently, neither Jake or I ended the call yesterday.

So Jake 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 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 further.

"Ruby?" Jake called. He looked eager for a response as well.

"He somehow did."

"That's wild." Abby's eyebrows quirked as she seemed to decide whether to transform the wide smile on her face into full-blown laughter.

"The greatest sex talk ever," Jake added and received a smack from me.

"I wish my parents would do it though." Abby's voice lowered a "They are not talking to each other right now."

"Ruby's parents could give them a tip." Jake received another smack for his response and he scowled at me.

Ignoring him, I hugged my friend to my side, and said, "Things will be fine, Abby. They'll come around and see how apart they've grown and-"

"My own father thinks I am a failure." Sadness loomed around her and I had no idea what to say. But I held her still. "My mother doesn't even try to argue with him and when I do-"

"Abby!" Jake instantly interrupted. "What would you like for your birthday?"

"Uh?"

"Tell me, anything I will get it for you."

"Really?" Her face brightened a bit and I couldn't have been more amused. As Jake nodded frantically, she looked ahead thoughtfully for some seconds before saying, "I have always wanted a bear."

"A real bear?" Jake looked frightened at first but he soon wore confidence. "Don't worry, I'll get one for you. Anything to-"

"If you get me a real bear, I promise you I'll feed you to it," Abby said almost threateningly and I shook my head.

"Hey! That's mean." He frowned. "I am just trying to make you feel good. Both of you are mean," he pointed out, almost sulking.

"Me?" I touched my chest. "What did I do?"

"You have been smacking me all day. What did I do to you?" He eyed me dramatically.

"When did I ever smack you?" Feigning ignorance made things more fun. "I only touched you."

Jake gasped, his hands over his mouth. He then faced Abby and asked, "You saw it, didn't you? She beat me here." He touched the spot on his arm that I decided to grace with my swift beating.

"I didn't see her touch you."

"You are both mean," Jake concluded after Abby's reply left him speechless for some seconds, and he gained two smiles from us, the two meanies.

"Celery's squad is finally complete," Abby said, her face no longer wearing the look she had earlier. "The school's rich kids all in one clique."

Jake turned and watched with us as the five-member group approached the corridors with unnecessary pride in their strides.

"Ruby is not part of them, though," he commented as he scanned through the three males and two females whose entry into the new school year held students' attention.

"Oh, please," Abby scoffed, and I wore a frown when I sighted an oddly familiar face. "Ruby is not at their level; she is on a higher scale," Abby completed.

"Is that Bryan Lockwood?" I asked even though I knew it was him. His brown locs were a giveaway, and that majestic stride of his was certainly still there.

"Yes, that's him. They released him already?" Abby asked an obvious question.

"I heard he was falsely accused," Jake replied.

"It's true. He was released two weeks ago, and he told me he wasn't coming back to school..." A part of me was trying to make eye contact with the Bryan guy, but he was too engrossed in making sure he gave everyone a show, most especially those who concluded he was a murderer when the cops came for him after school hours on a very cold day.

"Ruby?" Abby called. "I asked you a question."

"What?"

"When did he tell you he wasn't coming to school?"

"I saw him in prison and decided to visit him." The two of them questioned me with their brows, and I adjusted my stance before I began to properly explain. "My Mum had some business there, so I followed her. That's how I met him. He was about to be released that day, so we could only make small talk."

"Are you nuts?"

I frowned at Abby's question. "For talking to him?"

"Yes."

"What's your deal?" As I asked my question, I noticed that they didn't approve of my little confession.

"Bryan Lockwood isn't someone you walk up to and talk to like he's a next-door neighbour."

"Why? Is he God's son?"

"No. But he is dangerous to try to befriend."

Abby was making no sense. The guy did not flash a knife when I talked to him. So, I asked, "What exactly is your point?"

"He is a psycho, Ruby. And he is known for driving people crazy."

The strutting clique had already walked past us, and all I could see was Bryan's muscular back.

"That makes no sense. How is he friends with Celery if that's the case?" I asked Abby after I tore my eyes off the clique.

"Do you think they are friends?" Jake asked and I became certain Abby was being serious. Jake would never indulge in useless talks. "What you see is an alliance to make Celery appear more intriguing. Ever since Bryan Lockwood stepped into this school, people around him have lamented how quiet yet dangerous he is."

"I heard he stalks people too," Abby added.

"Okay, now you are being ridiculous. When we talked, he didn't seem like a psycho."

Abby shook her head and patted my shoulders. "Don't be deceived, babe. Stay far away from him."

"Uh..." Honestly, it still made no sense. But it doesn't hurt to sit back and watch things unfold. "I will."

"Good. Anyway, I heard you guys are getting a substitute English teacher," Abby changed the topic swiftly.

"Why? What happened to Mrs. Belinda?" I asked while wondering where she gets precious information from.

"She's on maternity leave. Didn't you know she was pregnant?" I shook my head. "You should stop burying your head in books. Anyway, I need to go. I'll see you guys later."

"Is the whole Bryan thing really true?" I asked Jake, who stood beside me after Abby left.

"A huge part of it. If only Melinda were here, she'd tell you something about him."

"Who's Melinda?"

"The girl he was accused of murdering," Jake dropped, and my body grew cold.