Rolex Ruby

Chapter 2 - Part 3

Ruby stood awkwardly in the doorway, the room was empty. Thoughts raced through her mind, “What do I do now?”

She slowly stepped forward, searching for some sign of life. Spotting a door at the back she hesitantly walked over to investigate. It appeared to be an office of some kind. Peering in the slit window she observed a small group of adults. She knocked on the door, her heart beating harshly against her ribs as they turned to stare at her small face through the gap.

The dark shape nearest opened the door, “Yes?”

“Em, I’m the new girl, Ruby, I was told to come here to meet oh, erm, Mrs, L-Lind,” she struggled as her throat constricted with anxiety.

“Linden?” the petite woman asked.

“I think so.”

“Su-Mrs Linden, it’s for you,” called over the young teacher.

“Oh yes, Ruby,” a broad, blonde haired lady jumped up from her seat, “Sorry, totally slipped my mind you were coming today; let’s get you into the correct form and room, timetable,” Mrs Linden listed as she hurried Ruby away from the office.

 “Now, here we go,” said the older woman, handing her a piece of paper with a table on it, “That’s your timetable; oh, let me have a look at that again.”

Ruby handed it back.

“Right you’re with Mr Connell, Room 3A, follow me. Did Mrs Shore give you a map?”

“Yes,” Ruby presented the laminated object, “I have a map.”

“Good good, you should be able to find your way around,” she nodded, still looking deadly straight ahead as they walked along the dark, tiled corridor, “I’ll introduce you and ask for you to be allocated a buddy, no chance of getting lost then. Don’t worry, you’ll soon makes friends here,” she babbled, more to herself than Ruby.

Mrs Linden made a sharp turn off coming to an abrupt halt outside of a solid grey door. She tapped lightly before stepping into the classroom. Ruby’s eyes flickered around the room as many faces stared, some with startled expressions, others with grimaces of disgust as their conversations were interrupted. There wasn’t a smile to be seen. Anxiety rose in her chest once more, her hands clasping together in a protective hold over herself. She was hidden partly by the wide mass of Mrs Linden, her back being a shield against the enquiring eyes of her new classmates.

“Mr Connell, this is Ruby Johnson, the new student who will be joining your class,” Mrs Linden  addressed the tall, thin man standing at the front, then, turning to the students, “I expect she will be welcomed and made to feel at home by all of you. Would someone like to help show her round today?”

The class was frozen, not one bothered to even flick an eyelid. Their motionless silence obviously caused frustration to the woman who forever seemed to be in a hurry; “Well?” she glared at them.

Mr Connell cleared his throat, his eyes rising in the direction of a small girl sat quietly by the corner – the only one who appeared to have made any movement. It transfigured recognition which was as good as a response for Mr Connell.

“Amy, would you mind?” he asked kindly.

The young girl looked with big, blue eyes, their innocence almost transfixing, at her teacher and gave a slight nod, her mousy brown fringe bouncing above her dark eyebrows.

“There we go Ruby, now you can go and sit with Amy. Enjoy your first day,” Mrs Linden departed quickly, disappearing down the corridor.

Ruby felt disconnected and alone. The class followed her with mistrusting eyes to the seat next to Amy. She felt their analysing eyes noticing the over-sized trousers, which trailed along the floor, and the scruffy, green jumper. She realised that her make-up free Italianate features stood out amongst the caked, orange or black faces of the girls in the class. All except Amy’s. This plain stranger made no attempt to acknowledge the new girl, merely sitting back into her dreamy reverie once more.

Mr Connell talked away to the class but his words were just background noises to Ruby’s ears, the class’ whispers their main focus.

“Look at ‘er; that watch on her wrist. Looks proper expens’ve, bet she stole it.”

“Nah, probs a tatty rip-off, you can get ‘em on Main Street, people sellin’ ‘em all down it.”

She heard the girls behind her discussing. Eyes wandered to her wrist, the beautiful butterfly watch – silver – gleaming noticeably from below her sleeve. How out of place it was! She unconsciously pulled her sleeve down over it; taking note of the pair behind’s conversation coming to an awkward halt.

Suddenly the bell rang, cutting out any other noise with its shrill call to order. The class jumped up, rushing as fast as they could out of the door. Ruby had to run after Amy who seemed to have sprinted out of the room.

Once she’d caught her up, Ruby grabbed the thin arm, “Hey,” she called, “Aren’t you supposed to be showing me round.”

The mousy girl looked startled, “Oh, um, sorry, forgot, own li’le world ya know? Where are you first?”

Ruby fought with her bag to get the paper out. “Maths, Mr Greenwood.”

“Same. Come with me,” she continued to march down the corridor making it incredibly hard for Ruby to keep up.

By the time they reached the room, Ruby felt she’d run a marathon. Her chest heaved and her breath came in weak rasps. She walked up to the teacher to introduce herself except merely stood and gasped at him.

His face was a picture of surprised alarm, “Are you ok?”

“Y-yes,” she breathed, “I’m, I’m the new g-girl.”

“Ah, sit down there, you’ll need a book. Are you sure you’re alright?”

***

Ruby fell into the house that night, all possible energy drained from chasing Amy around the school all day.

“How was your day Rubes?” Anya asked kindly, bringing her a cup of tea.

Ruby sat up to take the hot drink, “Tiring.”

Anya laughed, “I guessed. Did you meet any nice people?”

Her daughter’s face twisted, “I guess – ish.”

“Why ish?”

“Well, I first met this girl called, Kate-Cath, something like that. She was nice but really weird, she’s in the year above I think. Then I meet the Head of Year, she was – brisk. And loud, demanding, didn’t really like her that much. My tutor seems nice, Mr Connell, boring but I think I could go talk to him if I needed anything,” Ruby shrugged, her mouth twisted, “And then there was this Amy!”

“Amy? Has she said something to you? If she’s upsetting you...” Anya asked in concern.

“Oh no, she was fine – a bit dippy and forgetful but she wasn’t nasty or anything Mum.” Ruby hastened to correct her, adding angrily, “No she was supposed to be showing me round; it’s just, she runs everywhere! I was out of breath for every lesson, could barely talk to introduce myself. I’m just glad she’s only showing me round this week or I think I might die of a heart attack!”

Anya chuckled, “Oh dear, realising how unfit you’ve got, hey, chuck?”

“Hey, I’m not unfit!” Ruby looked down at herself, a slight rise were her jumper ruffled over the tiny belly beneath, “I’ll start doing netball again or something.”

“Aww, love, I’m only kidding.”

“Best be,” she stuck her tongue out at her mother.

“Oy, none of that missy,” Anya grinned, tapping her lightly on the leg.