Finding Indigo

One

Ruby East did not look like her mother. Margaret East had a thin, gentle face while Ruby was still trying to embrace her full lips, round cheeks and hard-set jaw. Yet once again, someone had said that awful phrase.

"You look just like your mother!" Sophie Maddison chirped, shaking Ruby's hand.

Ruby plastered on a fake smile and hesitantly entered the backyard. The Maddisons bonfire was traditional when someone moved to their neighborhood in the tiny town of Spencer, Iowa. The town wasn't really that small, but compared to New Hampshire...

100 eyes were on Ruby as she wandered across the lawn. The rhythm to the chatter hitched momentarily, but began again once Ruby had settled into a plastic lawn chair. Her mother had gone to talk to people she recognized from work, and Ruby pulled out her phone. It buzzed to alert a text, but she payed no mind.

She tossed the device back in the pocket of her old, brown leather jacket and sank deeper into the chair, tapping her fingers along the armrests. 

After maybe 10 minutes, Sophie Maddison stood prestigiously on the patio and clapped her hands, that wide grin still molded into her face. The crowd quieted down except for a few lingering whispers.

Sophie lifted her hands. "Hey, everybody! Thank you for joining us at our bonfire this evening as we welcome our new neighbors!" The whole crowd shifted towards Ruby and her mother as Sophie swept her arm towards them. Ruby's mother now stood by the refreshment table, across the lawn from Ruby.

"This is- Well, why don't you introduce yourselves to us! Come on over, girls!" Sophie was doing everything she could to keep that grin suppressed. Ruby's face immediately flushed a deep red as she slowly rose from her little plastic chair. The chair remained tight around her legs as she stood up and had to be forcefully pushed to the ground by a deeply embarrassed Ruby. She stumbled towards the patio, ignoring the stares.

Ruby's mother was grinning at Sophie like she was an old friend. Of course she was. Her mother had tried to fit into every town they moved to. At first it was nice, she could get the neighborhood kids would play with Ruby. Now, it's like she had a smile stitched to her face, desperate to settle in. She was always smiling, her short blonde hair pulled back into a handkerchief. As aforementioned, Ruby doesn't look like her mother. Her shoulder-length auburn curls never seemed to look as incredible as her mom's smooth pixie cut.

"Hello! My name is Margaret East, and this is my daughter, Ruby."

Ruby's mom gestured towards her daughter, a twinkle caught in her eye.

Ruby sighed and looked up at everyone, clearing her throat uncomfortably.

"I'm Ruby, but my mom already said that... Um... We moved here from New Hampshire. We move a lot." She nodded stiffly with a tight smile.

Sophie smiled.

"So, Ruby, what's it like moving so much?" Sophie questioned, on the verge of privacy invasion.

Ruby pressed her lips together tightly. Was she serious? Was there not a more uncomfortable question for her to ask right now?  Her mother's smile faltered slightly.

Ruby redirected her attention to everyone on the lawn.

"Well... You can't get too attached."