Twenty Three

***Ruby***


"Mr. Grassi filled everyone in about the scholarship thing," Abby took a detour from our conversation, which was more like an argument, about the best flavour of pizza to exist.

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 which she detested for some reason, there would have been some sort of cooking war introduced at a point.

"Who on earth is Mr. Grassi?" Jake was obviously 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 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 finally begin our journey to the cafeteria.

" Yeah. He has a detective friend who is working on the issue, hopefully, something comes out of it soon. "
With a slight shift of my head, I noticed Jake's attention was already shifted 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 uncomfortably.

Before I could indulge him in a conversation, Abby resumed her talk with a bit of eagerness within her voice.
"Let's go to the cafeteria and talk some more. I actually have something I want to talk to you about. Jake, are you coming? "

" Uh? " Jake's eyes fluttered a bit and it was obvious he was actually out of it. He was being really 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. It was obvious 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 actually 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."
It was already clear to me that he was trying to hide something.

"Suit yourself," Abby dismissed him with a careless wave of her hand and she reached for my arm afterwards and dragged me with her and that allowed me to just take a small glance at the tall guy who threw me a small smile before he turned in his heel and walked toward the direction he was staring at earlier.

"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 again what could be going on with Jake. He seemed so secretive earlier.

Minutes later, we were welcomed by a crowded and noisy cafeteria whose largeness always surprised me. 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 prone to the annoying chewing of some people and loud chittering.

"So... What do you want to talk about?" I proved Abby who seemed so timid already.
"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 her playful grasp of her soda can relaxed. "Have I been that obvious?"

"Sort of."

Her eyes widened 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 which was already looking and tasting amazing.
Truthfully, it was the only thing the cook made so well, 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 could be."

Abby sighed dejectedly and I actually found it an amusing sight. I expected her finally talking about the thing she has for Jake to have her a little ecstatic.
"I don't know whether to tell him or not."

"What do you really think?"

She drew her breath as her hands clasped together. " I think I don't stand a chance. I mean, he is 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 a little silly and you should stop giving excuses. You-"

" Oh my freaking God!" A shriek put a pause to the one thing I always wanted to talk to Abby about. Like the loud sound was a spell, it caused the noise around to die and everyone soon had their eyes heading towards the sound.

Turned out it came from Celery's table. One of her friends, who always made sure to be cladded in designer products from head to toe was glaring at a girl who I presumed to be a junior who was apologizing repeatedly for spilling her 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."
My eyes narrowed as I found that statement really offensive and almost everyone around me seemed to feel the same.
The girl in heels whose name I would guess to be something related to Lana got up and wore a frown as the liquid came dripping onto the floor.
"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 a nice shoulder length hair begged.

"No. I don't want your stinking laundry methods ruining my skirt." She flipped her straight 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 stuttured.

"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 get her skirt off this moment?"

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 firghtened girl in front of them. "What's your name darling?"

"J-Jane."

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

" I- I..."

Celery shut her up with a raise of her hand and sighed deeply before saying, "Listen Jane, if you know what's good for you, just take that skirt of yours 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. With an issue that could ruin her, she still found it convenient to join forces to try to molest a little girl who just 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 in accordance with 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 I. " Okay."

When Jane was out of the picture, I took a few steps towards where Celery was seated 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 someone Celery?" One of my hands which I had behind me left its position and the phone in its hold 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 afterwards.
"You are so kind Celery," I said delightfully and my other hand reached for her chin and gave it a little 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 which was accompanied with a little smile, we walked back to our table, the murmurs not ignorable.

"That was a bit fun," Abby causally said and I found myself agreeing as we took our seat and took a quick glance at Celery's table where Lana was now spitting anger filled, 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've actually 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 apologized 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 actually the one texting me.

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

After a small 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?" The red hair asked.

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

The girl wore another excited smile which Abby rolled her eyes at. After rebuking her action with a pinch, I wondered what exactly Abby noticed that made her not like Clara.

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