🖤The Last Flame Of Ruby

The black car rolled to a slow, effortless stop just in front of the school gate, drawing attention the way it always did. It wasn’t just the car. It was her. Ruby stepped out, her heels touching the ground with quiet confidence. The morning sun caught the soft glow of her skin, her outfit perfectly tailored—simple, but expensive enough to make a statement without trying. Heads turned. They always did. Whispers followed almost instantly. “Is that her?” “That’s the new girl…” “She looks so… intimidating.” “Of course she does. Look at her.” Ruby heard it all. She always did. But she didn’t react. She never reacted. Instead, she adjusted her bag slightly over her shoulder and walked past them, her expression calm, unreadable… almost untouchable. To them, she looked proud. To them, she looked like someone who thought she was better than everyone else. But the truth? Ruby had learned a long time ago that silence was easier than explaining yourself to people who had already judged you. Inside the hallway, the atmosphere didn’t change. If anything, it intensified. Eyes followed her every step. Some curious, some admiring… others filled with quiet jealousy. A group of girls stood by the lockers, their voices dropping the moment Ruby passed. “She’s pretty, I’ll give her that.” “Pretty and fake.” “Girls like her are always trouble.” Ruby kept walking. Unbothered on the outside. Alone on the inside. “New girl.” The voice came from behind her—smooth, confident… familiar in a way that made people turn without thinking. Ruby stopped. Slowly, she turned around. And that’s when she saw him. Jake. Leaning casually against a locker like he owned the place, his eyes already fixed on her with a kind of interest that wasn’t subtle in the slightest. He was the type of guy people noticed instantly—effortless charm, an easy smile, and the kind of confidence that came from knowing exactly the effect he had on people. Especially girls. A few of them were already watching. Waiting. Ruby held his gaze for a second longer than necessary before speaking. “Yes?” Jake smiled, pushing himself off the locker as he walked toward her. “First day, right?” he asked, his tone light, almost amused. “You look like you’re trying not to hate it already.” A small pause. Then, quietly: “I don’t hate it.” “Not yet,” he corrected, a smirk playing on his lips. Ruby raised an eyebrow slightly. “And you’re…?” “Jake.” Of course he didn’t add anything else. He didn’t need to. The way a few girls nearby reacted said enough. “Oh,” Ruby said simply. Not impressed. Not excited. Just… calm. And that was new. Jake noticed immediately. Most girls tried too hard around him. Some giggled. Some stared. Some made it obvious. But Ruby? She looked at him like he was just… another person. And for some reason— That made him more interested. “Well, Ruby,” he said, her name rolling easily off his tongue, “if you need help surviving this place, I’m your guy.” There it was. Charm. Confidence. The exact kind of attention Ruby had learned to be careful with. She studied him for a moment. Then gave a small, polite smile. “I think I’ll manage.” Jake let out a soft laugh. “Yeah,” he said, stepping slightly closer, his voice dropping just enough to feel personal, “I think you will.” As Ruby walked away, she could feel his eyes still on her. And for a brief moment— just a very brief moment— she allowed herself to feel something she hadn’t expected. Curiosity. She didn’t know it yet… But Jake wouldn’t just be her first friend in this school. He would be her first mistake