Ruby

"Where do you think people who die go?" I asked the question that found a place in my head that particular day.

And Abby gave me her signature blank look in response before going back to rummage through my wardrobe for any cloth that could be party-worthy.

"I have no idea." She finally paused her search, her nonchalant expression relaxed and she found support against the wardrobe door. "Truthfully, no one knows the certain details, we just embellish the little we know to make us feel less scared about the reality of the life cycle."

" Mmm... " I pondered on her words, my fingers exploring the pack of gummy bears in my hand. "It is indeed a mystery."

"What is a mystery... " Abby's loud voice changed the atmosphere to what it was before. "... is how you don't have any cloth worth wearing to a party."

" Well, my good friend, I have never been to a party."

" Wait, where is the cloth you wore to that boring party your Dad took you to? " Abby's eyes wore their investigative look and soon, her hands were tossing clothes out of my greatly disarranged wardrobe.

Had I arranged my clothes before, I would have denied her access to my wardrobe. So, there I was, legs crossed, gummy bears in my hand, and a huge smile on my face because I knew she would never find the gown. I was also unbothered by her ruthless exploration of my wardrobe and I was confident that I will end up going to the party dressed in a SpongeBob tee shirt and jeans which would be coupled with my animal prints sandals.

"Are you looking for this, Abby?"

"Mom, no!" I cried in horror as she walked in with the gown.

"Mrs. Powers, you are an absolute darling. This is it." Abby stopped what she was doing. She dramatically walked past the heap of clothes, until she reached my mother who was currently giving me a jestful smile."This is the dress. Good Lord." She examined the red attire with sparkling eyes. "This dress is better than mine."

"Then you can wear it," I hurriedly suggested, my heart already mourning the fact that I won't get to wear my SpongeBob shirt.

Abby scoffed. "Trust me, babe, you don't want that to happen."

" Ruby darling..." My mom, after handing the red gown to Abby, approached me. "You need to go out and have fun."

"But-"

"Do you know why I made sure your Dad didn't win with his boarding school idea?"

My interest was roused instantly, and my urge to argue died instantly. When she noticed I was attentive, Mom reached for the end of my packed hair and played with it a bit before saying, "I wanted to make sure you don't miss out on the fun that comes with being in high school. And that includes going out with your friends."

" But a party sounds so strenuous, " I whined.

" Just go and have fun, Ruby. You need the fun."

" You heard your Mom, Ruby. It is time to let go of some stress. So... " Abby, clapped her hands twice with urgency. "Let's get ready. Jake will be here soon."

Mom leaned in and planted a quick and relaxing kiss on my cheek. "Have fun, baby. And make sure to come back home before eleven. Your Dad said to tell you that."

" He knows? And he didn't object?" My mother nodded and I concluded that she convinced him.

"Don't worry Mrs. Powers, I will ensure we are back before that time," Abby said. After smiling at Abby, my mother walked out leaving the two of us to deal with the preparation. "Alright Ruby, we are going to start with your makeup."

" Seriously?"

" It's nothing extravagant. I just need to make sure you look less... " She scanned my face. "... serious. "

That word made me wonder if I usually look serious and Abby used that opportunity to make me face the dresser mirror.

"Alright." She came back after getting her bag and all necessary materials she needed. Then, she got to work.

After a few minutes of brushing my face with this and touching my face with that, a very serious Abby asked, "That reminds me, did Mr. Klaus come to school today?"

I shrugged while my mind damned her question. I had already successfully pushed the thoughts about that man out of my mind. Every image and word of his had been tossed away.

"I don't know," my response was mumbled.

"Didn't he come to teach you today? What do you mean by you don't know?" Something ran over my eyelashes on the right eye.

"Well, he didn't. But why should I be bothered? He'll probably come around next week."

I hope Abby wasn't aware of the fact that I kept rubbing my palms as if I was over-worried about something.

"I see. I hope he is doing well. He is easily the best thing that has happened to our school in a long time."

" What do you mean?"

She stopped what she was doing.

" You said it yourself, Mr. Klaus is quite gorgeous. It is fun to watch him. He is charismatic and amazing. And he makes me continuously ask one question."

"What question is that?" For a reason, I relished the fact that my eyes were closed.

" I keep wondering if it will be okay for him as a teacher to date a student." My eyes flew open. "It can't be a sin right?"

" Uh..."

"I mean, as long as it is a consensual and legally mature relationship, will it be wrong?"

Taking a deep breath to keep calm, I locked eyes with her and said, "As long as the female is below the adult age, consensual or not, they'll still blame the man and he is likely to lose his job. So it's a risky relationship."

I wondered if Adonis Klaus was already of that fact or if he was just ignoring it.

"That sucks. Well, what if he is no longer a teacher and doesn't risk being fired?"

" Uh..." I wondered what Abby was up to, asking those questions. "If the relationship is sincere and if the man and lady can be discrete till she turns eighteen, things shouldn't go wrong."

" So, at the end of the day, it will still be a risky relationship," Abby stated, her eyes traveling to the ceiling. "It sounds thrilling though. Doing something risky sounds fun."

" Why are you asking these questions?" I eyed her carefully.

Abby shook her head and wore a small smile. "It is something I have been curious about. Let's finish up with your makeup so I can do mine." She grabbed her lip gloss and after a quick application, she instructed me to smack my lips. "There, we are done. Wow."

The boldness in my eyes caught my attention when I looked at my image in the mirror. And my lips kept teasing me with their sexy glossiness. I must say, I do look less boring.

"I look good. I look so different," I commented, my voice subtly showing appreciation for what Abby did.

"You are welcome, babe. Now, move, let me glam up as well." Her hands waved me away and with a chuckle, I got up and reached for my gown.

While I thanked goodness that the dress had a zipper that made it easy to wear, my mind soon travelled to the one person that had already made his way back into my mind.

Truthfully, his absence from school got me a little curious, but I decided to be cool about it and ignored everything I was feeling altogether. But right now, a part of me was wishing I had his phone number so I could check up on him.

Gosh! I sound so stupid right now.

I am not even friends with the man, why would I want to do such things? But there it was, my betraying mind, thinking about contacting the man who once wondered how it will be to kiss me.

"What are you thinking of so seriously?" Abby asked from where she was. And after a brief look in her direction, I saw that she was almost wearing a new glow.

"Nothing." The atmosphere became filled with more silence and I walked towards her. "Help me with my zipper please." Once she did as I asked, I continued, "Are you ready?"

" I am actually a bit nervous. This is the first time I'll be confessing to anyone. What if he says no?"

"What if he says yes?" I endeavoured to ease her tension, so I turned, placed my hands on both sides of her shoulders, and said, "Abby, no matter how it turns out, at the end of the day, what matters is that you would have told him how you feel."

Her head shifted to the side as her eyes wore a pondering look. When Abby looked my way again, she wore a small, mocking snicker and said, "How do you manage to sound so mature?"

I shrugged and urged her to finish what she was doing. Soon, we were both done and ready to leave the house.

When we reached the living room, Jake made us aware of his presence, and between rushing outside and bidding my Mom and Zion goodbye, my mother made sure to remind me not to drink anything alcoholic.

According to her, if I am to learn how to drink, I must learn it from her.

"Wow, ladies, who knew you could look this amazing?" Jake who was surprisingly wearing a blazer on top of his white shirt, teased from where he stood, his legs crossed in a relaxed manner.

"You say that as if we don't look amazing every day," I retorted and my boot heels announced my intention to walk toward the back seat and that made Jake frown.

"Aren't you going to sit in front? That is your fixed spot."

With partial disinterest on my face, I answered, "I suddenly don't like sitting there."

"Uh..." He noticed Abby making her way to the passenger seat and his frown deepened for a quick second. "...okay."

After adjusting the jumping length of her black, simple strapped gown, Abby confirmed her intention to seat beside him and I was glad that she understood what I intended to happen.

Soon, we were on our way.

And, through silent moments, hilarious radio gigs, and random talks about school, we rode and when Jake finally announced our arrival, I felt absolutely reluctant to leave the car.

The venue of the party was a huge house. Evidence of a party was everywhere- disposed cups, loud people on the mowed lawn, crazy lights blinking from the blinded windows.

"Come on Ruby, let's do this." Abby had already swung the door on my side open.

" What's this party all about?"

"It's a college graduation party."

I grabbed the hand she extended to me and I got out, my frown deeper than before. "College?"

"It's not as nasty as high school parties," she said but I could read the doubt in her voice.

" I have a feeling it's still nasty nevertheless."

" Don't worry Ruby, as long as you don't catch the eye of any abnormally horny guy, you'll be fine," Jake tried to pacify the little fright in me. "And make sure not to drink anything anyone offers you, that's the number one rule of any party. If you need to drink something, let me know."

" Alright. Let's do this, guys."

When we were already past the entrance and almost engulfed by loud music, Abby pulled me behind and we resumed slow steps while Jake made his way to the little stairs that led to the main party.

"I'm going to tell him now," she said.

"Don't you think it is too early for that?"

"His response will determine how hard I'll party tonight." I glanced her way in concern and she smiled.

" What are you guys waiting for?" Jake motioned to us from the top of the stairs. "Let's go."

Abby smirked and pulled me with her as she raced towards the stairs. Soon, we reached a door that was waiting to send us into the loudness of the party on the other side.

Before we entered, Jake said, "Okay guys... you both have to wait in a corner while I get us some drinks. Don't leave each other. I repeat, don't leave each other."

His warning glare subsided and his hand reached for the knob and after a single push, the music swallowed us.

With a quick signal, Jake reminded us of his instruction and went the opposite way. And I got immersed in the pulsing music that filled the crowded room. The lights interested me too. The careful mix of the colours blended with the night and gave everyone in the room a different appearance.

And... did I mention how good the music was? The temptation to dance was already seducing me. But just as I turned to ask Abby a question, she whispered into my ear, her established intention to go after Jake and I was soon alone.

Feeling a little stripped, I hugged myself and watched as bodies jammed bodies and as people teased each other in a bid to satisfy their sexual wants.

Did Jake say abnormally horny earlier? Everyone seemed to be horny.

I was already scanning for somewhere to seat pending my friends' arrival when someone tapped me from behind.

My eyes bulged in surprise and the person smiled as he shifted closer and said into my ear, "I never knew you were the partying type."

My composure no longer destabilized, I returned firmly, my mouth also close to his ear, "Well Mr. Klaus, there's much you don't know about me."

" Then show me more... " His voice dragged in a way that stirred me and as I closed my eyes to wave that effect away, I realised his voice wasn't the only thing that aimed to affect me.

He had a firm, hold on my waist that glued me to him in a way I could not ignore. But before I could push him away, he changed position and grabbed my hand. And he was soon leading me far away from the frenzied space.