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Two

Humming to the Justin Bieber's song blasting through my earphones, happiness could not cease to course through my being. It was unexpected news, but the thought of another sibling makes me glad. Especially if one considers that for some time now, I have been yearning to hold a baby in my arms.

Those little ones are just so cute and delicate, they make you want to be the best person you can be while you hold them. I felt that way when Zion was still a baby.

After grabbing what I needed from my locker, I closed it and Abby's grand smile greeted me. "Why is your smile so big?"

"You are grinning too," she pointed out and I noticed her hands were full with a filled box and some books on top. So, I helped her with the books, getting a thanks. "So, why are you happy today?"

"You say that like I wasn't happy yesterday," I said, hugging her huge textbooks to my chest. "My mom is pregnant."

"Oh, really?" We both share our love for babies, so her smile became as big as mine was when my parents dropped the news. "That's so great. I wish my parents would give me a younger one." A bit of sadness was in her voice so I said nothing. "But I don't even think those two shake hands talk less of hugging."

"Oh come on." I gave her a slight nudge. "It can't be that bad."

"You have met my father. Do you think he evens allows her to sleep next to him? Anyway, give your mom my greetings. I hope it is a nice journey for her."

The fact that she changed the topic about her parents so fast gave me no chance to finally give her the speech I have practiced a million times. It is a speech imploring her not to hate her parents that much. But then... I guess I could always give it another day.

"You are coming on Friday, you can greet her then. So what's with the box?"

"I have a project to work on. It will be an art piece like no other."

"It's just the second day of school and you have been assigned projects already?" I could only hope the teachers taking my science subjects won't follow in that footstep.

"Nah. This is to apply to for a scholarship at the Art school in LA."

"Really? That's so good." Abby had always spent her Sundays in church praying to God for two things. To deliver her from the claws of her father and to help her gain admission to an art school. But a potential scholarship? That would be so good for her. "I wish you the best Abby."

She gave me a playful pout . "Thanks Ruby. Let's-"

"Well if it isn't Ruby Powers." Just by the clicking of heels I could tell who it was. But really, who finds it convenient to wear heels to school? The shoe type itself looks stressful.

"Hello Celery." A small, teasing smile was on my lips as I turned to face the girl that supposedly is the most popular in Silverbird high. I don't get why things like popularity exist. All it entails are what I would call silly things.

"My name is Caitlin. How many times would I have to correct you?" For some unknown reason, I enjoyed teasing this particular person. Getting on her nerves makes me happy. "So..." her arms crossed after she purposely tamed her new hair do. "Turns out you are Ruby Powers, Dominic Powers daughter. How nice. I always knew I could sense wealth around you."

Yeah, I don't have time for this kind of thing early in the morning. "What do you want Celery?"

She scoffed. "Let's be friends."

That i didn't laugh at her statement surprised me a lot. "Sorry, I am not interested. Abby let's-"

"What do you think you are doing?" Her honey like eyes which seemed to be the reason boys swooned over her pierced mine almost angrily. "People like us should stick together. Rich people always need rich people to survive in this world. You can't-"

"Seriously Celery, I am not interested. I don't need your fake relationship to survive." I just hate it when people tend to be persuasive even after giving them a dismissive answer.

"So..." She eyed Abby who still hadn't spoken a word. "You'd rather hang out with people like her?" Disgust laced her voice and you'll just have to wonder if she was some kind of high class human being. Maybe she has a physical feature no other human has.

"Will you please excuse us?" I asked, sarcasm mixed with politeness.

"You can't depend on someone like her Ruby Powers. You'll come crashing before you know it."

Okay, that's it. "Listen Celery. Maybe somewhere within your so called wealth, you have buried people or splashed blood on your clothes or kept whatever secret you seem to have. That's your problem. As for me, I am fine the way I am. And did you say rich people?" I gave a small laughter that reeked of pity.

"You are not rich Celery, your parents are. Stop being so mighty over something you haven't worked for. So, if you'll please excuse us..." I motioned to Abby and our legs started to walk past her. "We will take our leave now."

"You-" We had already walked away before she could say any other thing.

"Now, that's what I am talking about girl. That's how you should reply people like her and Roger," Abby excitedly said.

"I'll pass on that Roger issue. The guy is not worth my time."

"You are so-" Loud music buried Abby's words, making us put a stop to our steps and scan the corridors as though a response to why 2Chainz's Birthday song was blasting the walls, would come through there. "All I want for my birthday is a big booty hoe... yeahh." Abby sang and moved to the beat and I watched her like she looked like an alien.

"I wonder if this is our new fire drill system." My eyes narrowed to question the sanity of the statement she almost screamed into my ears. As I made to give her a response, I noticed students rushing towards the entrance.

"What's going on?"

My murmured question was answered by a girl who came running towards Abby and I, a small box of pizza in her hands. "Ruby! Happy birthday!" The frown I had didn't hesitate to appear. "Your mom said today is your birthday, that's why we are getting free pizzas. I guess it is good to be friends with you."

I wore a smile and said in response to her last statement, "I don't even know who you are." Abby stifled a laugh beside me. "But today isn't my birthday."

The tall girl shifted her glance uncomfortably. "Well, your mother is outside looking for you."

As we both watched her hasten her steps away from us, Abby asked, "Why would your mom be treating the school to pizza when it's not even your birthday?"

"That's what we are going to find out."

"I can't walk around with this box in my hands," she whined and I immediately had us swap the contents in our hands and soon, we were on the cemented grounds of our school. True to the girl's word, free pizza was being given out... from a huge bus. And boy, were people crowded around it.

As I scanned the crowd for my mother who I had so many questions for, I heard a feminine voice shout my name. A woman who appeared to be in her late forties danced her way to where I was standing, her sequin gown standing out in the bright light.

"Oh my God Ruby," she gushed as she got to my front. "You have grown so much."

"I am sorry, but who are you?"

Sadness came upon her face and she stood straight, her long blonde hair getting swept by the gentle wind around. " You don't remember me?"

Duh. Why else would I ask the question?

"You really don't remember me?" One of my brows cocked at her, a small smile followed. "How can you forget me Ruby? Look at me." She grabbed me by my shoulders. "Look into my eye. Tell me you remember me."

Abby and I shared a look before I reluctantly said, "I really don't know who you are."

"Really? How can you forget your mother?" I frowned. "Ruby, it is me Diane. Your real mother."

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