STEYN

STEYN.

"Today has to be one of the most confusing days of my life." I told Ruby, the frown lines on my face deepening to form wrinkles.

Dragging my feet off to class was the second hardest thing I had to do today, because when Ruby and I got to the classroom, it felt like an eternity had passed.

Thirdly, I couldn't concentrate.

Snippets of my conversation with Ruby kept ensuing in my head.

Right.

People had history and culture, but this? Why would anyone name their children Walker I, Walker II, III, IV ,V?

"WAIT!" I bursted out earning a few not so friendly stares my way and even Mrs. Bleuming paused whatever it was she was scribbling on the board.

"Yes, Steyn? You have an issue with what's on the board?" She asked, looking from the board to me.

"No." I replied hastily.

She continued her scribbling, providing me with an opportunity to ask Ruby the pressing question in my mind.

"Let's say your parents are infatuated with Walker, which of course, they're not." I said, setting the pace for the next question. "But what happened to names like Wallace, Williams, Wilmington, Winchester?"

I shrugged.

"They're ancient enough." I continued, bent on sourcing for the root of this story.

"They have individual names, but not many people know about this. You're the first I'm telling. Walker is just the official title used in addressing them, it's a must." Ruby emphasized. "You should have waited for me to let the whole cat out of the bag!!"

She feigned disappointment.

"I can live with that now that you say it." I shrugged and then another thought hit me. " Don't tell me you're also a Ruby I, II and III."

"O'course, not!" She spanked my hands playfully. "Let's start with the Walker you met, his name is also Alex."

I rolled my eyes and pretended to be deep in writing when Mrs. Bleuming looked my way.

"Alex." I repeated after Ruby, tasting the name on my tongue. "It's too nice a name for a jerk like him." I told her. "No offense meant."

"None taken." She replied, grinning.

I smiled, reminiscing over her easy going nature.

"Your town is culturally messed up." I told her, smiling.

"But you're loving it here already." Ruby replied. "I can see it in your eyes."

"Oh. What are you now?" I smirked, taking down notes this time.

"You can't deny it." She pinched my cheeks. "It's a nice place here, if you let yourself, you'll enjoy it."

" I really hope for that." I shook my head, "have you ever had Jenner problems?"

She looked at me for a long period of time, searching my eyes, like she wanted to say something but decided against it.

"Not just Jenner, she said instead. "Wait till you meet the full gang. They're so alike in ways you can't believe to be possible that sometimes, I force myself to believe that they have the same DNA."

"Maybe. Remember how they say birds of the same feather flock together?" I reminded her. "That is it."

She bobbed her head over to where Jenner sat. "I wish she didn't have to be so fake."

"Hey!!" I warned her silently, "I can't dislike her more than I already do, when I'm barely up to a week here."

She smiled.

"But you can decide to like someone on the first day you meet them?" She asked, looking at my facial expressions.

I did a double take, trying try to understand the angle her question came from but to no avail, so I just nodded. "That's why first impressions matter a lot."

Ruby shook her head, laughing.

I smiled, not knowing exactly what was funny.

By the time history class was over and we dispatched, I knew a lot that could fill up five pages.

I smiled slightly, thinking how history class could remain so peacefu.

"You know," I began, "My head is starting to ache from knowing things that happened decades ago."

"You'll think history has got nothing on science majors until it smacks you in the face straight on." Ruby replied, pointing at me. "Stay here, I'll be right back. I need to grab my backpack."

"Okay." I nodded, my eyes wandering around as she sauntered off.

This small town was beginning to look interesting.

I made a mental note to ask Ruby to show me around the school when she returned. One step at a time, I reminded myself.

I scanned the hallways, noticing the group of student bodies reduce by their numbers.

"Hey newbie. Warming your way into Ruby's heart are you? What exactly do you want??

Turning around to face my accuser, I asked, "What do you mean?"

"You dimwit! You know exactly what I mean. No one's here, so feel free to drop the acting and relocate to wherever you came from."

"I know exactly what you're talking about?" I retorted In mock sincerity. "Oh, you mean the fact that you're wasting the right words on the wrong person?"

"I would watch my mouth if I were you, because there's no one around to save you from me." She smirked.

I sighed.

"It's a good thing I'm not you, cause, I can't stand all that low self esteem." I told her about her problem. "And you think I need saving? What do I need to be saved from?"

"You think you're such a smart mouth?" She sizzled up to me. "Let's see where that gets you."

"I'd love to do this with you Jenner, because it seems like you want to pick a fight with me. But I hope that you can understand when I say I don't have the time to do this with you. You'll agree with me that it's a waste of time." I retorted, holding her gaze.

"Don't ever cross paths with Walker again." She warned.

I looked her over like she had gone crazy because anyone who vomited those words had to be crazy. I'd never cross paths with Walker if I could control times and movement, I thought.

"Sorry. But what Walker are you talking about?" I laughed, "The one who dumped you?"

I laced a palm over my mouth in fake mockery hoping she'd take the hint and leave. She didn't.

"Or perhaps, one of the other walkers?" I patted her shoulders with sheer boredom written over my face. "You have nothing to worry about, Jenner. Be it your Walker or the other Walker's, I want to let you know that the Grace's of Gryffindor have got nothing on me."

"Mind the way you speak to me or I'll hit you." Jenner barked.

I shook my head in total disbelief and grabbed my stuff in my bag to go in search of Ruby when Jenner raised her hand to hit me, but I was quick enough to hold it in mid air.

"Permit me to reintroduce myself." I eyed her skeptically. "I'm Steyn, from Russia. The only child to a single mum. Take this as a warning Jenner and don't ever think of raising these filthy hands to hit me. It shouldn't even escape your memory as a thought.

I flung her arms away, watching as she stared at me in disbelief and shock.

"I'm not very lenient." I continued, "And my patience has an expiry date."

"What happened?" Ruby asked, coming to stand beside me.

"Nothing. Just a girl who thinks I'm trying to steal your brother away from her." I replied, as we both stood there, staring at Jenner's angry retreating back.

"I saw what you did there." Ruby confided, grinning from ear to ear.

"How much of that did you see?" I asked her, smiling.

"Enough to know it was awesome." She grinned.

"You're too innocent looking to be evil." I cautioned.

"Jenner deserves all that and more. If it's her, I don't mind me becoming the wicked witch of the west."

"Such a strong phobia?" I questioned, walking out of the hallway, Ruby by my side.

"You don't even know the rest." She replied, shaking her head.

My thoughts lingered on the statement more than I'd have liked. Was there something more to our Jenner girl?

We parted ways the same time my mum's car pulled up in the parking lot.

"I'll bring you some soda tomorrow." Ruby yelled.

"I'm watching my weight!" I yelled back, grinning. "But soda is welcomed."

The grin remained plastered on my face till I got in the car.

"I knew you would do well on your own." My mother commented.

"I barely survived." I replied, placing a kiss on her right cheek.

"Your smile says otherwise." She said, giving me the 'I know it all' look.

"You always think whatever you want in the end, anyway." I told her.