Ruby

I didn't tell my family about the whole drama that went down yesterday; however, they surprised me with the news that my mother was pregnant. 

I can't wait to meet the new baby! After we returned to Manhattan, we came with my little brother... Zion Powers. And that boy just brings me joy every time I see his cute, alluring oceanic blue eyes. 

I am sure my second sibling will be even cuter. I've been missing that baby smell that filled the house when Zion was a baby. 

Humming along to the Justin Bieber's song blasting through my earphones, I recalled my timetable for the day.

After grabbing my stuff from the locker, Abby's grand smile greeted me. 

"Why is your smile trying to swallow me?" I questioned.

"You are grinning too," she pointed out, and I noticed her hands were occupied by a box that 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 Mum 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 slightly nudged her. "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 Mum my greetings. I hope it is a nice journey for her."

"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 can only hope my teachers won't follow in those 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 looks stressful.

"Hello, Celery." A small, teasing smile was on my lips when I turned to face the girl who supposedly is the most popular in Silverbird High. I don't understand why statements like 'popularity' exist in a place like this. It seems silly to me. 

"My name is Caitlin. How many times do I have to correct you?" For some unknown reason, I enjoy 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. "We should be friends, shouldn't we?"

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'd 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. 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 we walked past the unbelievable lady. "We will take our leave now."

"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 we would find a response that would explain why 2Chainz's Birthday Song was blasting through the room.

"All I want for my birthday is a big booty hoe... yeahh." Abby sang along and moved to the beat, and I watched her as if she were 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!" My frown didn't hesitate to appear. "Your Mum 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... uh... outside... looking for you."

As we both watched the girl hasten her steps away from us, Abby asked, "Why would your Mum treat the school to pizza when it's not 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 swapped the contents in our hands, and soon, we were outside. 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, whom I had so many questions for, I heard a 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 halted. "You have grown so much."

"I am sorry, but who are you?"

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

She did look slightly familiar.

"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 eyes."

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's me, Diane. Your real mother."

Ruby

Right. I do have another mother; the one who birthed me.

How could I forget the woman who didn't, for once, treat me like a daughter during the few times she managed to be around my dad and me?

My gaze hardened, I walked out of her grip and said, "You are not my mother. My mother is probably at her office working."

"Yes," she snorted. "That babysitter." The look of disgust on her face made me want to kick some sense into her. "I am sure she has bad-mouthed me. You know nothing about how vile she is."

My mind could only imagine what bad thing she was about to say about my mother. And my curiosity got the best of me.

"What do you mean?"

The tall woman wore a small smile and moved closer as though she had secrets she aimed to present to me.

"Do you know why I am not with your father? That woman stole him from me. She seduced him when I wasn't around."

Still wearing a fake surprise look, which encouraged her to talk more, I asked, "Really?"

"Look at me..." She beat her chest lightly. "I was a good mother to you, and I would still be with you if not for that woman who brainwashed your father."

"A good mother?" It would have been fun to watch her go on about how she was so good, but I had a class to attend, and so did Abby, who was watching the exchange in front of her as silently as she could. "Miss Diane..." Her eyes darkened. "I don't need you in my life."

"What?! But I am your mother! Do you know how long I have searched for you? If not for that tabloid that revealed your details, I'd still be searching relentlessly."

Of course, that article.

I licked my lower lip to contain how sickening her presence was.

With laziness in my tone, I gave her my response. "Do you think I don't remember how you treated me? How do you expect me to welcome you after you took pleasure in coming and leaving as you wished?"

"No, you've got it wrong. I-"

"Then, you find it so convenient to stand in front of me now and badmouth the woman who has taken care of me all these years? You should be ashamed, ma'am."

"But I am your mother. I-"

"You gave birth to me?" I guessed her last statement, and I scoffed. "From what I recall, you never once acted like a mother. So you have no right to stand here and expect me to act like everything is fine."

The little strength with which I was using to speak to her was getting dimmer as seconds passed. And then it finally hit me- I have two mothers.

"So, you are telling me off?" she scorned. "I guess you have your father's attitude after all."

An uncomfortable heat wrapped around me.

But I still managed a sarcastic smile and said, "Maybe I am like my father. And maybe I should call him right now and tell him who came looking for me in school. I am sure he'll be elated."

Diane did not miss the bitterness in my voice, so she just nodded and began to take small steps back. "Very well then. But know this, Ruby... The fact that I am your mother is just the tip of the iceberg. There are a lot of things you still don't know."

"Please..." I was beginning to feel stuffed. "Leave." I dropped the box in my hand and rested my hands on my kneecaps for a minute while my ears picked up the clicking of Diane's heels departing.

"Ruby?" Abby placed her hand on my back, her voice laced with worry. As I eventually stood straight and told her I was fine, she shook her head in disagreement. "You look pale. Do you want to go sit at our spot?"

I was sort of relieved that she did not question me about what just happened. Perhaps she understood that I needed to take things one step after another.

"That sounds good. But you are late for class," I said as my eyes swept through the surroundings and noticed the pizza bus had left. It took its loud music with it. " Don't worry, I'll go to the spot alone."

"Are you sure?" Abby asked, and I nodded and handed her the box. "I'll see you later."

We soon parted ways, and I made for a quiet spot just beside the main school building where Jake, Abby, and I usually study.

But someone was already there. Two people, actually. And they both seemed to be engaged in a heated conversation.

One of them, a young-looking man who wore a lot of bling around his neck, sensed my arrival and said something to the taller guy with dark hair, who quickly relaxed how he pinned the younger man against the wall.

This taller man shifted his gaze to me, and with a frown, he studied me just as I studied the handsome roughness of his face. I also noted his eyes... because there was something about them that I couldn't help but find intriguing. Maybe their colour, which seemed quite ethereal.

And his lips...

I would have kept staring if the man hadn't looked away.

Well, I did keep staring as he walked away, his broad shoulders swinging with an enviable swag, leaving me to wonder if they were doing something shady. Or if they were lovers.

Quickly deciding that was none of my business, I soon realised I should be in class before Mrs. Cook decides to mark me absent for the rest of the term.

(break)

As I stepped into our house, I met my mother in the living room, sitting freely. She seemed tired, but her current state revealed how beautiful she is even when stressed. No wonder my father fell in love with her while she was babysitting me.

"Hey Mum," I quietly greeted and sat on the white couch next to her.

"You are back. How are you?" Her eyes opened, and she flashed me a smile while her hand reached to cover mine.

"I'm good." I took off my backpack. "How was work today?"

"Oh, you know the usual... a lot of paperwork here and there. I'm glad I will be having a break soon."

I nodded in agreement. She does need a break.

"I met someone today." A pause followed. "She said she is my real mother."

She instantly sat up. "What? Who?"

"Diane."

"Oh, my God. Why would she-?" Her worried eyes darted at me. "What did she say to you?"

Shrugging, I replied, "She just said she had been looking for me for some time."

"Anything else?" I shook my head, and I had to wonder if there really was something else I shouldn't know. "How are you feeling baby?" Mum seemed more relaxed and I had to suspect something was being hidden.

"I was taken aback. But I'm fine now."

"Aww, my little girl," she cooed and pulled me into a huge hug, her hand running through my back. "I am so glad you are fine." I relaxed into her hold and failed to hold back my smile.

Her hug is the best.

"Can I get a hug too?" The tiny voice of my ever-cute brother asked and I looked his way. His full black hair danced as he approached us with those curious eyes of his.

"Hey Zee," I greeted him and he smiled. "How is my favourite boy?"

He climbed into Mum's lap and gave an inaudible response.

Typical of him.

"Look at you two... You are both so cute," Mum said, her eyes darting between my brother and me lovingly. "Alright, bring it in."

"Family hug?" asked the little one, and as my wonderful woman nodded, he squealed happily and dragged her into a hug. Then she did the same to me.

And I enjoyed that simple company.

Without a doubt, they are people I love with all my heart. And I certainly wasn't going to let people like Diane ruin such a good thing.

Ruby

I did not exactly sleep well last night. The return of Diane brought a rush of memories I wished to keep hidden.

So, as I walk down to the school cafeteria, I feel like a frustrated zombie, and it doesn't help that these kids keep glancing at me as if they're seeing me for the first time. 

Once I reached the doors of the cafeteria to wait for Abby and Jake, I wondered what the point of life was if we'd have to keep facing troubles now and then. 

As my mind searched for a suitable response, 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, whom I recognised as one of the many girls who always eye Jake as if he's some juicy element, dragged him from Abby's side.

Abby's face twitched with brisk sadness. She might have thought she wasn't showing it, but I could tell.

As she walked to me and apologised 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 meal choice.

"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. "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 who swim around him."

"You sound bitter about it."

"Huh? No, I don't."

I grinned at her disagreeing expression and nothing more was said. 

Once we got our plated lunch, and found a table, Jake arrived and soon dug into the meal we didn't forget to get for him. 

"I can't do this anymore..." Seconds later, 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 slurping 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 not only owns and runs the biggest companies in the business industry, but he also 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 discreetly." I scorned.

"They are just being human. But don't worry, in some 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.