Seven

Ruby

As I made my way to my second class for the day, my friends' words about Bryan continued to plague my mind. The person I met at the prison entrance seemed okay to me. He didn’t even know we went to the same school at first but he engaged me in a very interesting conversation.

So it made no sense.

And a psycho? How could he be a psycho?

I scoffed. Abby needs to end her subscription with her gossip suppliers and Jake…

My thoughts fell apart like a deck of cards and my head tilted to the side as it occurred to me again that Jake wasn’t exactly fond of stupid talks.

But still, it made no sense.

Just when I was about to give up the delibrations, my eyes fell on the man in question who was leaning against a locker, staring at… nothing. Approaching him already, I wondered if he was thinking and wondered even more if I would be disturbing. But then, I was already so close to him and I would finally have a chance to prove my friends wrong.

When my small body found stood in front of his which wore many evidence of work outs, I said as less protruding as possible, “Hey there.”

His heavy gaze left the nothingness ahead and fell on me. I could sense questions in his eyes and maybe a little judgement. 

“Do you remember me?" I continued with my question. "We met the day you were released.” 

Nothing. He said nothing. And it did not seem like he planned to say ‘hi’.

“Uh…” I scratched the back of my hair. “It is good to see you decided to-” Bryan left his position and weaved his way past me. “Hey! I am talking to you,” I called after him as I turned while trying so much not to show how disgusted a part of me was at his rudeness.

Without stopping or even glancing my way, his thick voice boomed with a fierce, “Get lost.” 

And there I stood. Startled. A bit annoyed too.

But I was no doubt surprised at the level of coldness the dude gave off. He waved me off like I was some clingy fool he was trying to get rid off.

I know it would be too early to harshly deal with him, but that guy… he… he…

Man! I don’t know!

It’s not like I can exactly run after him, grab his hair and curse at him for ignoring me. I don’t need more eyes on me.

But honestly, besides the anger and surprise I felt, a part of me was intrigued and I wished to know what his deal was.

And I was going to find out.  

As I stamped my intention in my head, the bell rang and I made my way to English class.

~

“Anything?” I mouthed to Jake who shook his head. It had been thirty minutes already and the substitute teacher hadn’t found his way to our class yet.

But then, what more could be wonderful news if not a free period?

“Haha! I am first again," I happily said as Jake rushed to his seat beside me to focus more on the racing game we were playing in multiplayer mode. "You have gotten weak, Jake. I can easily outrun you now."

"That what you think? I will show you, Ruby." He faced the phone in his hand and I got extra serious. Since our new teacher refused to show, everyone decided to do something that caught their fancy. "Better watch out, Powers, I am coming for you," Jake playfully threatened. 

"No you are nooot." I sang and used my special feature to speed past his green car. 

"What kind of sorcery is this? How are you winning?"

I would have loved to see the look on Jake's face, but I had a game to win. Besides the look on his face when I finally get the first position would be the one that will make my day. I might even take a picture.

"Yes!" I danced on my seat as I finally raced past the finish line. "I win! Haha!"

"Yeah, yeah." Jake playfully dismissed my small victory moves, a small smile on his lips. "I am sure you cheated or something." My tongue stuck out in reply and he gave me another dismissing motion. Then, he said, "I don't think we will be having a class today."

"I hope we don't. I'll like to beat your ass again."

"You plan to rub that in my face, don't you?"

"You always did the same. So... Yes." I grinned at him and he shook his head, a small chuckle coming from him. "Jake?" I instantly recalled the question that had been on my mind.

"Yes, Ruby?" He tossed his phone to the side. That is one thing I like about him, he is always attentive. 

"Uh..." Dramatically, I scanned the noisy class as though someone might be watching. Then I motioned to him to move closer. After he did, I repeated the scanning thing again before asking, "Is there a girl you like?"

"Hmm..." His voice rang into my ears and he made his eyes stay fixed on mine. "Yes."

"Really?" Oh my! I hope it is Abby. "Do I know her?" I asked further with super interest in my voice.

"Maybe." That was all he said before he sat back, his arms crossed, a small smile on his face. Or better put, a somewhat dreamy smile on his lips.

Oh my! A maybe means yes.

I am screaming!

He does like Abby!

But I needed to be sure. Shifting closer to him, with my eyes probably looking like that of a child who is about to get the ice cream promised to her.

"Jake? Who is she?" His eyes which bore a resemblance to the colour of honey fell on mine again and he left my question hanging. "Tell me..." I made my puppy face. 

A small shift in his seat was followed by a small exhale before he said, "Hmm... Should I?" I nodded my head crazily. "Hmm." His hand went under his chin and rubbed slowly. "The girl I like..." God help me I don't scream when he finally says her name. "Her name... Is a secret. Ouch!" He rubbed the spot I just smacked. "Why did you do that?"

"You know why," I returned harshly. "I-"

"Rich kid." An annoying voice interrupted me. "I have a question for you."

It happened that the entire class became silent and my head could imagine everyone's eyes watching me, eager for what was about to follow. So, I faced Roger who stood in front of me, a mischievous on his face.

With gritted teeth, I asked, "What do you want, Roger?"

"Oh come on, you don't have to sound so unpleasant." I shot him a blank look. "So... My question is... Why do you look so poor?"

"Excuse me?" 

"I mean..." His eyes roamed my body and he wore the kind of look one would wear when one sees something disgusting. "Look at you. You are so-"

I put a hand to his face. "Stop right there, dude. I have a question for you. Why are you so concerned about how poor I look?"

"I-"

"Roger, I don't know why my father's wealth affects you, but if you don't stop bothering me about it, I think I will have to ring my father and have him bring over his police friends. Surely my father wouldn't like to hear that a certain Roger Stevens is making life hell for his daughter."

"Making life hell?" Roger's earlier attack mode got disabled and he took the victim road. "When did I ever do that? All I did was ask you questions."

"Really?" I shot him a short smile which I would say felt deadly. "You didn't start rumours? Which was it?" I made a pretend thinking face. "Oh I know... Ruby Powers paid the tabloids to pass her as Dominic Powers daughter when in fact she isn't. Am I wrong, Roger?"

"I..."

"You don't want my father to hear that you are disturbing me not to talk of spreading rumours. I really don't know what he could do. So... Please refrain from your uncultured acts. Thank you."

"Are-" I shot Roger a look as he dared speak another word.  "Are you threatening me?"

"What if she is?" Jake asked sternly. "You heard what she said, right? Now, do us a favour and sit your attention-seeking-ass down."

Man, I love my friend.

Roger who was already looking lost took a quick look at the class and made for his seat without a word more.

"Is this English A?" a male voice asked almost sultrly from the entrance.

"Oh great. Our teacher finally found his way." 

After shooting a grin at Jake because of his words, I looked towards the entrance and my face instantly wore a small frown.

The tall man whose scent took over the room looked really familiar. And, a quick scan of his outfit- a plain blue shirt which had two buttons open was tucked into his black skinny jeans making his legs look so long and it was completed with a nice looking long jacket which flowed well as he walked to the desk- was all it took to recall where I saw him.

He was the intriguing dude I saw at the spot the day Diane came. And, man, did he look good. I am certain the female staff were having a blast sneaking glances at the young, good looking new teacher.

As he dropped somethings on his desk, murmurs filled the air and after a look at the back seats, I saw he had an effect on the students too.

Well, that's something.

"Hi guys." Everyone went quiet and in return, he raced his eyes through the class. When his eyes fell on mine, I almost smiled. Like I noticed the other day, his eyes held something interesting. "I-" The bell rang. "Well... Bye. See you in the next class."

And like that, he was gone. Leaving us nothing but his scent as an evidence that he was in the room.

"That was the weirdest class ever," Jake said as he got up. "Are you going to the library now?" I nodded, pushing away the thoughts in my head about our new English teacher. "See you at lunch, then?"

"Yes. Bye."

Soon, I was on my way to my next destination. But that was when I caught a glimpse of Bryan Lockwood who glided through the corridor as quietly as possible. And I did not miss the fact that he was pulling a girl after him. And it did not look any bit like a gentle pull. So, without giving it much thought, I decided to follow him.

Fortunately, they were both headed for the library and when they entered, they went to the science section and soon, a heated conversation began. But I could barely hear a thing. So I decided to move closer but a voice stopped me.

"What are you doing?" The masculine voice was probably questioning my position at that moment. Hands on the edge of the large shelf beside me, I was skillfully peeping from that corner while my butt teased the atmosphere in front of it.

"I- ouch!" Hands instantly went around my waist before I could jump away from what my head just hit. Then I realized I was perceiving the scent that had just plagued English class. Quickly, my eyes snapped open and I couldn't believe how close the man was.

"Uh... Could you let me go?" I fought his hold but it was too firm and that was... disturbing.

"Hmm..." His eyes roamed my face and I couldn't really ignore how his breath fanned onto my head. "I have this thing-"

"You should really let me go. People would misunderstand if they see you holding me this way," I said as I tried to fight his hold again. It was just hard to get out of it.

“There is this one thing that I can't stop wondering about." He totally ignored my complain and filled my ears with his softened voice. 

"Let me go, Sir."

Maybe he would realize he is a teacher and I am his student and he really shouldn't be holding me in such an... intimate way.

Still ignoring me, his hand went on to cup my face. He tilted it a bit and he observed it seriously. "Do you want to know what I have been wondering?" he asked amidst his silent drama.

"Yes. But let me go before-"

"I wonder what it'll be like to kiss you."