Twenty Four

***Ruby***

"Where do you think people who have died 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 actually." She finally paused her search, her nonchalant look relaxed and she found support against the wardrobe door. "Truthfully, no one actually knows, we all just makes things up to make us feel less scared about the reality of the life cycle."

" Mmm... " I pondered on her words, my hand 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 flying clothes out of my wardrobe which was already disarranged.

Had I arranged it already, I would have absolutely not let her near my wardrobe.
So, there I was, leg crossed, gummy bears in my hand, a huge smile on my face because I knew she would never find the gown and also unbothered by her ruthless exploration of my wardrobe.

The smile was also because I was confident I will end up going to the part 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 a red gown on a hanger.

"Mrs. Powers, you are an absolute darling. This is it." Abby stopped what she was doing and through a huge deal of clothes, she dramatically approached 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 even better than mine."

"Then you can wear it instead," 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's receiving hold, 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, 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 it a lot."

" You heard your mom Ruby. It's 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 kiss on my cheek which made me a little bit relaxed. "Have fun baby and make sure to come back home before eleven. Your dad said to tell you. "

" He knows?" It is surprising he didn't object. Or perhaps he did and mom convinced him as usual.

"Don't worry Mrs. Powers, I will ensure we are back before that time."
Mom threw a soft nod in Abby's direction before she walked out.
"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 got me instantly wondering if she was right or not and Abby seized that opportunity and had me facing the dresser mirror in no time.
"Alright." She came back after getting her bag and after all necessary materials and tools had been taken out, she got to work.

After a few minutes to 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 his image and words out of my mind. "I don't know."

"Didn't he come to teach you today? What do you mean by you don't know?" Something ran through my eye lashes 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 together like I was being over-worried about something.

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

" How do you mean?"

I felt her stop what she was doing to lean slightly on the top of dresser. " You said it yourself, Mr. Klaus is quite gorgeous. It is fun to watch him. He is so charismatic and amazing. And he makes me continuously ask one question."

" What question is that?" For a reason, I relished how 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 relationship, should 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 as I asked my question.

Abby shook her head and wore a small smile. "It is just something I have been curious about. Let's finish up with your make up so I can do mine."
She grabbed her lip gloss and after a quick application, she instructed me to smack my lips gently.
"There, we are done. Wow."
I finally looked at my image in the mirror and I must say, I do look less boring. My eyes seemed to be bolder and brighter, my lips teased me with their glossiness..

"I look so good. I look so different."

"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. Thanking goodness that the dress had a zipper that made it easy to wear, my mind soon traveled to the one person that had already made his way back into my mind.

Truthfully, his absence in school got me a little curious, but I decided to be cool about it and ignored everything I was feeling all together. 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 a brief look in her direction, I saw her face was almost wearing a new glow.

"Nothing." The atmosphere having some quietness already, I walked towards her. "Help me with my zipper please."
As 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, that too my friend. 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 in an assured manner and said, "Abby, no matter how it turns out, at the end of the day, what matters is that you've finally let out how you feel about him."

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 were 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 putting on a blazer on top his white shirt, teased from where he stood against the door of his car, legs crossed in a relaxed manner.

"You say that like we don't look amazing everyday," I retorted and my boot heels announced my intention of walking towards the back seat and that made Jake frown.

"Aren't you going to sit in front? That's like 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 length of her jumping black, simple strapped gown, Abby confirmed her intention to seat beside him and I couldn't have been more than glad she understood what I intended to happen.

Soon, we were on our way. And, through silent moments, hilarious radio gigs, 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 which I wasn't certain was a good thing. 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 I guessed 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." I glanced her way a bit concerned and she smiled.

" What you 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. After a little bend from the stairs was a door which was vibrating hard.

"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 the muffled music from earlier 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 to. 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 obvious 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.

As my eyes bulged with surprise, he smiled shifted closer to my ear and said, "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 again and as I closed my eyes to wave the effect away, I realized his voice wasn't the only thing that aimed to affect me.
He had a firm, hold on my waist that brought me close to him and before I could push him away, he grabbed my hand and he was soon leading me far away from the frenzied space.