Ruby

"Mr. Grassi filled everyone in about the scholarship," Abby took a detour from our conversation, which was an argument about the best type of pizza.

Trust me, that is a scene you don't want to watch. If Abby hadn't gotten tired of Jack rooting for the barbeque chicken flavour that she detested for some reason, a cooking war might have been introduced at a point.

"Who on earth is Mr. Grassi?" Jake was still pissed at Abby for murdering his taste in the best thing he knows as food.

"My art teacher?" She gave him a duh look and as she turned to face me, I wondered if she would have attacked me so easily had I had the same taste as Jake. "The scholarship program is huger than I thought. "

" Weren't you filled in on the program before deciding to go for it? " I asked her.

" Mr. Grassi just threw it into the air at that time, he didn't exactly delve into the contents and now that he has, I have to make sure I get that scholarship. "

I couldn't agree more. "Let us know if you'll need any help. We have to make sure you get this one."

" I'll let you guys know when I need your help. So, Ruby, is your dad doing something about that nude thing?" Abby finally peeled her back of her locker and I took that as a cue to begin our journey to the cafeteria.

"Yeah. He has a detective friend who is working on the issue, hopefully, something comes out of it."

With a slight shift of my head, I noticed Jake's attention was already elsewhere and before I could fish out the source of the distraction, he turned and our eyes met.

As though he had been caught doing something weird, his ears turned a shade of red and his eyes shifted to the side in discomfort.

Before I could indulge him in a conversation, Abby resumed her talk with eagerness. "Let's go to the cafeteria and talk some more. I have something I need to tell you. Jake, are you coming? "

" Uh? " Jake's eyes fluttered a bit and it was obvious he was out of it. He was being unusual and it made me worry. Last time he was being unusual, I thought he would punch the hell out of Mr. Bounce if he could.

"Are you coming?" Abby asked again. She was oblivious to his lack of calm.

"Uh..." He scratched the back of his head slightly while he wore a small, retreating smile. "I'll join you guys later."

"Should we get your lunch then?"

Gosh, Abby can be so innocently inattentive when she happens to be.

"No, no. I'll see you guys after closing."

He was clearly trying to hide something.

"Suit yourself," Abby dismissed him with a careless wave of her hand. She reached for my arm afterwards and dragged me with her. Before I complied with her lead, I stole a look at Jake who threw me a small smile before he turned in his heel and walked toward the direction he was earlier staring at.

"Actually," Abby pulled my attention again. "It is good that Jake won't be joining us."

"Why? Girl talk?"

She gave a gentle nod. " Let's get settled first."

It seemed whatever she wanted to talk about was serious and that fact made me wonder about Jake again. He was so secretive earlier.

Minutes later, we were welcomed by the crowded and noisy cafeteria whose largeness always surprised me because it was almost as spacious as our auditorium.

After we both got our lunch, we got settled in our usual spot which was in a corner and a bit proof to the bouts of annoying chewing and loud chittering.

"So... What do you want to talk about?" I probed Abby who looked unusually timid. "Is this about your father?"

"No." Within a second, her eyes seemed to wear little bags beneath them. " This is actually about Jake."

My lips were almost smiling widely already. "Is this about how you like him?"

Her eyes widened and the playful grasp of her soda can relaxed. "Have I been that obvious?"

"Sort of."

Her eyes widened more without a hassle. "Do you think Jake has noticed?"

I shrugged and reached for the plastic fork that was on top of my packaged pasta.

Truthfully, it was the only thing the cook made so well. And since that was the case, it was hard to find anyone complaining about how lacking she was in making other meals.

"Maybe he has, maybe he hasn't. You know how discrete he can be."

Abby sighed dejectedly and I found it a confusing reaction. I expected her to be greatly ecstatic about what she felt about Jake.

But her voice continued to drip solemnity as she said, "I don't know whether to tell him or not."

"What do you think?"

She drew her breath as she clasped her hands together. "I think I don't stand a chance. I mean, he is constantly surrounded by the hottest girls in school and even though he doesn't talk much about them, he always looks like he enjoys their company."

I scoffed. " You are being silly. And you should stop giving excuses. You-"

"Oh my freaking God!" A shriek put a pause on the one thing I always wanted to talk to Abby about.

As if the loud sound was a magic spell, it caused the noise around us to die and everyone soon had their attention heading toward the sound.

Turned out the sound came from Celery's table. One of her friends, who always made sure to be dressed in designer products from head to toe was glaring at a girl who I presumed to be a junior who kept apologising for spilling soup over her leather skirt.

"You have to do something about this, bitch. This skirt costs more than you would in a black market sale."

What an offensive statement.

The girl in heels whose name I would guess to be Lana or something got up and wore a frown when she saw the way the seasoned liquid dropped off her skirt.

"You know you have to do something right?"

"I will do anything. I'll wash your skirt for you, I am so sorry," the junior who was sporting pretty shoulder-length hair begged.

"No. I don't want your stinking laundry methods ruining my skirt." Lana flipped her black hair.

"What's her problem? It's not like she will wear the skirt again," Abby distastefully said beside me, her arms crossing almost angrily.

"Give me your skirt," Lana or so commanded and the girl nodded.

"Let's go to the bathroom and-"

"Take it off right here," the taller girl ordered firmly and the junior lost all the colour in her face.

"R- right here?" She stuttered.

"Caitlin," Lana called to Celery who was watching the whole scene with no particular emotion in her eyes. "Can you please order this prick to take her skirt off?"

Abby and I shared a look and without uttering a word, we both knew what we would do should Celery agree to take part in the stupidity of her friend.

Celery assumed a confident posture and crossed her legs while boring holes into the frightened girl in front of them. Then she asked, "What's your name, darling?"

"J-Jane."

"Jane, why did you spoil Lana's skirt with your disgusting meal? And what is that? Soup? What are you? Four?"

" I- I..."

Celery shut her up with a slight raise of her hand. After a deep sigh, she said, "Listen, Jane, if you know what's good for you, take your skirt off. It looks like it will fit Lana quite well."

Well, at least I was right about the name of her spoiled friend.

But I must say, Celery is quite audacious. Despite having an issue that could ruin her, she still found it convenient to join forces to try to molest a little girl who made a mistake that could be solved quietly.

That's one thing about bullies I will never get.

Why on earth do they find it so fulfilling to blow a simple problem into a big one?

"Well, Ruby..." Abby called me with mischief in her voice. "I think it is time to have some fun."

With a small smile on my face, I took out my phone and took a brief look at its blank screen before my legs started to move per Abby's steps.

When we finally got to the heated scene where Jane was presently contemplating whether to do as her senior ordered, Abby announced our entry quite loudly and the look on Celery's face satisfied me.

"Jane, right?" Abby placed her arms gently on the girl's shoulder after she nodded. " Don't worry babe, you should get a mop to clean up the mess on the floor. But be careful next time, okay?"

" Uh..." Jane looked towards Lana who was now scrutinizing Abby and me. "Okay."

When Jane was out of the picture, I took a few steps towards Celery, and within a second, my body was leaning towards her.

"Hello Celery," I greeted her gently and the loud gulp she took didn't escape me.

" H-Hi."

"Are you seriously trying to bully her, Celery?" The hand I hid behind me left its position and the phone in its grasp was pushed into Celery's face. "Have you forgotten baby girl? You are no longer in a position to act like the world should bow to you."

" I- I..."

" Will you kindly let your friend know it is fine for people to make mistakes?" She nodded and I wore a smile in response, my back straightening afterward.

"You are so kind, Celery," I said delightfully and my other hand reached for her chin to give it a playful squeeze. "Too nice."

"Th-Thank you."

Nodding approvingly, I took retreating steps towards Abby who asked if the matter was settled. After a quick warning glance at Celery, we walked back to our table, the murmurs around us not ignorable.

"That was a bit fun," Abby causally said and I found myself agreeing as we took our seats and took a glance at Celery's table where Lana was now spitting angry and hardly audible words.

"It is good to know Celery can finally be put in her place."

" And it's all thanks to that picture."

" What picture?" A familiar voice interrupted my attempt to finally open my lunch.

"Clara... " I had forgotten about the quiet girl who approached me with a request to have lunch together. "It's good to see you."

As Clara had her seat, Abby said almost disgustingly, "Don't you think it is rude to ask a question about something you obviously have no idea about?"

" Abby!" I scolded my friend who gave Clara a fake apologetic smile after.

" Sorry, I was trying to make a conversation," Clara apologised and I gave her the apology Abby didn't give. "It's good to sit here with you though."

" Yes, we are finally having that lunch date."

Her lips widened with a shy smile before she reached for her salad plate and dug in quietly.

Soon, Abby and I were also eating our meal.

Midway, my phone vibrated and Abby nudged me to reply.

Turned out she was the one texting me.

Abby ❤️: This Clara girl is very weird to me. Don't let's be friends with her.

After a slight eye roll which I made sure to direct at her, I replied - Don't be ridiculous.

Abby ❤️: What should I do about Jake? When do you think I should tell him about how I feel?

Me: How about this Friday? You could tell him at the party.

Abby❤️: You are such a smart bish and that's why I love you. I'll do just that.

Me: Good. And please, don't punch him.

Abby let out a snicker which caught Clara's attention.

"You don't want me here right?" Clara asked.

"Don't be ridiculous..." I think that's my favourite statement for now. "I love the thought of being friends with you."

The girl wore another excited smile which Abby rolled her eyes at. After rebuking Abby's action by pinching her arm, I wondered what Abby noticed that made her not like Clara.

And truth be told, I am very curious about it, so for that reason, I think I'll also be cautious of Clara's sudden presence in my life.