My name is Ruby.
My life was decent, not perfect but good enough. I was the only child of of a divorced couple. I lived with my dad in North Carolina. It was a peaceful life. I woke up in the morning, slept at night and did all my homework. Simple but good.
I guess it wasn't perfect.
The problem was not too obvious. To be honest I was lonely. I wanted a friend or someone I could spend time with. That's all I wanted.
And this is where my story begins.
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It was the beginning of my forth grade year and I was ready to finally make friends.
I put on my purple dress shirt and knee length ruffled skirt. I put my pink pencils in my most prized possession. My gray skulls pencil bag.
The put all my books in my lilac bookbag.
As I ran downstairs to eat dad gave me a funny look.
"You're teacher will be upset if you walk around in purple all day." He said slyly as he began straightening my hairband
"The hand book said to were a dress shirt and skirt. It never said what color."
" Thats my clever little devil. Finish your milk and grab your lunch the bus will be here in a moment."
I grabbed my stuff and put my purple head set on. As I ran to the bus stop I turned my ipod. I hummed Lenka's 'the show' as I waited. I loved light the hearted tune. As a kid being perky was a main priority.
As I sat on the bus my favorite song played 'be ok' By Ingrid Michaelson.
Today would be a great day I can fill it.
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I jumped form my seat and ran inside.
Today I would be moved to the 4-5 grade hallway. It seemed like a big deal at the time. I was going to be one the big kids like the ones years ago.
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3 years ago
I wanna go home! I don't like it!
Don't worry the day is almost over. It's only the first day, you'll like going school soon. Your a smart girl Ruby.
She stood up and started whispering to the other teacher.
Is she okay?
Yeah but something seems off about that one.
That's mean, it's only the first day.
The teachers stopped thire analizathion when the bell rang and started addressing the class.
Kids it's time to pack up. Car riders leave first, bus riders you wait.
Wait how do I get home. Dad didn't tell me.
I left with the car riders since they went up front.
When I reached the front of the school my vision faded, everything was black and white. Like dad's old movies. I couldn't speak anymore and all the noise inside was drowned out by the storm outside. It was like I was trapped in a silent movie.
I didn't know what to do. I ran down a empty hall looking for a teacher.
Stopped by a large window to get a look outside.(she had severe adhd)
I watched the rain mercilessly drain color from the world.
I don't like rain.
And as if to respond thunder and lighting began to crash nearby.
I jumped from the window and fell to the foor. That was the last straw. This place was too big big and it was too loud and had too many people. I wanna go back to daycare. I promised I wouldn't get in trouble anymore. Daddy said law said said I had to go. Why did the the law say I have too go here? The law is mean, I'll tell on him and then we'll see who gets the last laugh.(the law is not a person. This girl is insane.)
"Are you ok? What grade are you in?"
I looked up and saw her. She was tall with tan skin. Her stormy gray eyes stared at me. Her hair was redish brown like polished wood.
"I'm lost."
"Do you know how to get home?"
I shook my head.
"Alright. Take my hand, I'll help you."
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The 5th graders where nice to me even if no one else was.
I know I was like a pet to them but it didn't matter to me. They would talk to me and encourage me to learn more about life. Often I was called the little mastermind.
I loved the attention. But she was special to me. Her name was Kate. She was my best friend even though I wasn't her's. This was the price I paid for happiness but it was more then worth it.
Even though she's moved on I don't care. She was my first friend and that is still important to me.
She proved that I could make a friend.
That's why I will continue to try to make one.
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"Kate?"
"Yeah Ruby?"
"I wanna be just like you."
"You should be yourself. You don't wanna be like a copycat from those after school cartoons."
( don't act like you have never seen one of those.)
"No! I wanna have lots of friends and look pretty like you."
"Ruby... ha ha! your so cute!"
