About Ruben

When one tries to play Holmes but fails

"Noir is so awesome," Ruben had said. But when Mitchell and Scar had thrown him an unamused look, he had cringed and hung his head in slight shame. It wasn't his fault that he thought that Noir was cool! Someone blame Noir for being so cool and not Ruben for idolizing him.

"This is not cool," Scar had said matter of factly. "In fact it's so stupid I have to cry."

Mitchell had nodded in agreement before he ripped the survey paper out of Ruben's hand.

"This survey-" Mitchell had read out unimpressed, "Is to find out whether students ranging from 14 to 18 years of age prefer heroin or LSD."

"Awes-" Ruben had begun just when Scar had said, "Stupid."

Ruben had nodded quickly at that, "Stupid indeed."

"Well, it's for Ruben," Mitchell had said after a moment of silence. "I guess it's fine because only crazy people like him do crazy things like this."

And before Ruben could even blink an eye, Mitchell had gone ahead and called out to a random student, "Hi, we're helping Ruben with a survey here. Would you please fill this out?"

-•-•-•-

Everyone had stared. Every single soul in this school. From teachers to students. From cafeteria lady to caretaker.

Hell, a paper with the blasted questions had even reached the principal. But since the principal was a loser and knew that Ruben was a person-with-great-interests-in-studies, he had let Ruben off the hook. Ruben only had to promise him that he'd tutor the principal's son in maths.

It was during lunch period when that happened. Ruben, Scar and Mitchell were walking across the lawn to their common lunch-place under the tree, when Carlotta Henley crossed their way along with her friends. Her friends didn't even spare the three a glance when Scar had handed them the sheets. Well, they did throw flirty gazes at Mitchell.

Carlotta slowed down when she saw them to say a quick 'hi guys'.

"Hi, Carlotta," Mitchell had said with a smile while he inconspicuously elbowed Ruben.

"Carlotta," Scar had continued with a neutral face. She believed that made her look cooler.

Ruben had said nothing. He was shy like that. Despite the many awkward situations and incidents they had in the past, Ruben just seemed like he couldn't get over his shyness whenever Carlotta was around.

"What are you guys doing?" Carlotta had asked and peeked at the sheets Ruben was holding with interest.

When Ruben didn't speak yet again, Mitchell replied.

"It's a survey for Ruben," Mitchell had said.

"Nothing else," Scar had said. "Nothing weird or suspicious. Just a normal survey."

Mitchell and Ruben had sighed. Scar was prone to lead them all to do with her answers.

Carlotta had laughed and just shaken her head at Scar and then pointed to the sheet.

"Well, I want to part of this survey too," she had said.

Mitchell had eagerly ripped the sheet out of Ruben's arms and pushed it in Carlotta's direction.

"LSD and heroin?" Carlotta had laughed. "I've tried neither."

"Well, just write that down then," Mitchell had said in place of Ruben who still seemed speechless.

"Alright," Carlotta had grinned before she had pulled out a pen and written down those words.

-•-•-•-

Later on, while they were sitting in the library, the three friends had gone through the many filled out survey sheets. Some were completely filled out, on some were words reading 'never tried either' and yet others had nonsense drawings and vulgar words on it. The vulgar words sheets and the drawings wandered straight into Mitchell's bag which was operating as a make-shift trash can.

"Since I'm a girl-" Scar had begun until Mitchell had coughed 'barely'.

After a quick punch to his side, Scar had continued.

"Since I'm a girl, I can only say that the person who wrote in your book is a female."

"What makes you so sure?" Ruben had asked interested. He had placed his head on his propped up arms and watched Scar going through the writings in his memory book with a concentrated look.

"See, this handwriting is undeniably tidy. The letters are mostly the same. Also, the 'o' has a kind of female touch to it. This slight wave on the right. See?"

Ruben had nodded and Scar had continued playing detective. She compared the writing to some handwritings on the papers boys had filled out. Then she compared the handwriting to those which girls had filled out.

And Ruben and Mitchell had been astounded. Scar was right.

The handwriting was female.

"Here is Carlotta's," Mitchell had then said. Ruben had practically ripped the paper from Mitchell at the mention of Carlotta's name. They had not had time yet to check Carlotta's handwriting because the bell had rung for class and then they had to sprint to P.E with Mr. Hoppenklopfer who made them sprint four rounds because apparently they were late.

Back to the "survey".

Part of Ruben hoped that it had been Carlotta.'

Part of him didn't.

Ruben had scanned the paper in seconds. And then he had sunk back into his chair in disappointment.

Carlotta's handwriting was different.

And so were those of Rianna and all the rest of the queen's friends.

"Has anyone got Kalani's?" Mitchell had suddenly whispered while he was flipping through the sheets like a madman on the search for the meaning of life.

Ruben had sat up straighter while Scar began helping Mitchell to look for the paper. Until Scar shook her head.

"Just remembered. Kalani wasn't in school today. She's sick."

And then light bulbs had switched over their heads.

Literally.

The librarian had turned on the lights.

But that went unnoticed by the friends.

They were busy staring at each other is realization.