Ch. 6 — New School, New Enemies
1298 Words
Ruby could feel the eyes on her before she even made it to her locker.
It started as a whisper.
Then a double-take.
Then a full-on wave of curious stares following her down the hallway.
And she knew—she just knew—something was wrong.
She hugged her books tighter to her chest, walking faster. “Okay, maybe they’re just staring at my shirt,” she muttered. “It DOES look like I showered in coffee.”
But then she caught actual phrases floating through the hallway:
“Wait, that’s her?”
“The new girl?”
“She moved next door to Kai Kingston.”
“Seriously? She lives right beside him.”
Ruby froze mid-step.
Oh no.
No, no, no.
She turned her head and saw two freshmen whispering behind their hands while pointing—pointing—at her.
Ruby exhaled sharply. “Fantastic. I’m a tourist attraction.”
She reached her locker and attempted to act normal. She spun the lock—wrong combination. Tried again—still wrong. Her fingers trembled with anxiety.
Behind her, she heard footsteps. Slow. Purposeful.
Then a voice—sweet, but with the edge of a knife.
“So… you’re the girl next door.”
Ruby turned.
Standing in front of her was a tall girl with perfect caramel-brown curls, flawless makeup at 8 a.m., sharp eyeliner, glossy lips, and a smirk that belonged in a villain origin story.
She leaned on the locker beside Ruby’s, arms crossed.
Behind her stood two other girls—matching confidence, matching attitude, matching “We rule this school” energy.
Ruby blinked. “…hi?”
The leader’s smirk widened. “I’m Brielle.”
Ruby nodded slowly. “Okay… hi, Brielle.”
“I heard you moved in next door to Kai,” Brielle said, casually inspecting her nails as if this wasn’t an interrogation.
Ruby swallowed. “Um. Yeah. We’re neighbors.”
A murmur passed through a group of students walking by.
Brielle raised an eyebrow. “Do you know who Kai is?”
Ruby frowned. “A guy who throws loud parties?”
One of Brielle’s friends snorted. “Oh my god—she’s clueless.”
Brielle gave her a pitying look. “Kai isn’t just ‘a guy.’ He’s Kai Kingston.”
Ruby rolled her eyes. “So I’ve heard.”
“And,” Brielle continued, stepping closer, “he’s also my ex.”
Ruby’s stomach dropped.
Of course he has an ex.
Of course she looks like she models for perfume commercials.
Of course she hates me.
Ruby held up her hands defensively. “Okay, well—I literally met him yesterday. And we’re not exactly friends.”
Brielle tilted her head. “Is that so?”
“Yes!” Ruby insisted. “Trust me, he annoys me more than anyone on the planet.”
Brielle’s eyes narrowed, but she didn’t look convinced.
“You know what’s funny?” Brielle asked. “No one’s ever lived next to him. Ever. Kai’s family owns that entire block—they don’t usually have neighbors.”
Ruby blinked. “Well, we’re renting the house, so—”
“So everyone thinks you moved there for him.”
Ruby choked. “WHAT?! No! That’s insane!”
“Is it?” Brielle asked.
“Yes! I didn’t even know he existed!”
At this, Brielle finally cracked a small, surprised smirk. “Wow. You really are new.”
Ruby exhaled, relieved for half a second—
—but then Brielle’s expression flipped back to intimidating.
“Look, Ruby,” she said, her voice dripping with warning syrup. “I’m telling you this because I’m nice.”
Ruby thought she meant “evil.” But she didn’t say it aloud.
“You’re new,” Brielle continued. “So let me explain the rules.”
Ruby frowned. “Rules?”
Brielle stepped even closer—uncomfortably close.
“Rule number one: Stay away from Kai.”
Ruby blinked. “That’s… fine with me.”
Brielle narrowed her eyes. “I’m serious.”
“So am I,” Ruby said quickly, palms raised. “I want nothing to do with him.”
“Good.” Brielle smiled sweetly. Too sweetly. “Then we won’t have a problem.”
Her friends smirked behind her like a pair of evil cheerleaders.
Ruby swallowed. She wanted to disappear into her locker.
Brielle turned to leave, flipping her perfect curls. Then she paused and looked back.
“Oh, and Ruby?”
Ruby gulped. “Yes?”
Brielle eyed her stained shirt. “Welcome to Crescent High. You might want to… I don’t know—try a little harder with the outfit next time.”
Ruby looked down at her shirt.
Brielle smirked. “We have standards here.”
Then she walked away.
The hallway erupted into whispers again.
Ruby leaned her forehead against her locker.
“I hate high school,” she whispered to herself.
---
Later that morning
Ruby sat alone at a small table during study hall, pretending to read her history textbook. Really, she was spiraling internally.
How do these people know where I live?
Why do they care?
Why is Kai the center of the universe here?
And why did his evil ex-girlfriend just threaten me??
She sighed deeply.
“Rough morning?”
Ruby jumped. A girl with messy braids and round glasses pulled up a chair beside her.
Ruby blinked. “Uh… yeah.”
The girl offered a kind smile. “I’m Zara. And just a warning: everyone here is dramatic. Especially Brielle.”
Ruby groaned. “She hates me and I don’t even know why.”
“Because you live next to Kai,” Zara said simply.
Ruby dropped her head into her hands. “I don’t even LIKE him!”
“That doesn’t matter.” Zara shrugged. “In their heads, proximity is romantic.”
Ruby looked up, horrified. “This is a nightmare.”
Zara grinned sympathetically. “Don’t worry. Crescent High loves gossip, but it moves on fast. Something new will distract them soon.”
“I really hope so.”
Zara nudged her shoulder. “Hey. Sit with me at lunch. I’ll introduce you to people who aren’t insane.”
Ruby smiled gratefully. “Thanks, Zara.”
---
One period later — The hallway again
Ruby walked to her next class, trying to keep her head down.
But suddenly—
BAM.
She collided with someone solid.
Her backpack slid off her shoulder, books tumbling out.
“Oh my God—I’m so sorry—” Ruby began, crouching to grab her notebook.
Then she looked up.
And froze.
Kai stood there.
Looking at her with a bored, mildly amused expression.
Of course.
Because why not.
He raised an eyebrow. “You okay there, princess?”
Ruby flushed. “Don’t call me that.”
He smirked. “Why? It fits.”
She stood up, clutching her books. “Why is everyone talking about me?”
Kai blinked innocently. “Everyone’s talking about you?”
Ruby glared. “You KNOW what I mean.”
Kai shrugged. “School’s dramatic. You’ll get used to it.”
“You could at least pretend to help.”
He shrugged again. “You seem capable of picking up your own stuff.”
Ruby wanted to scream.
Kai leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. “Careful, princess. The more they see us talking, the worse the rumors get.”
Ruby stiffened. “That’s NOT funny.”
“Didn’t say it was.” Kai stepped past her casually. “Just the truth.”
Ruby watched him walk away, heart pounding with equal parts confusion and rage.
Kai Kingston was a walking disaster.
And thanks to him, she now had enemies—
before she even made a single friend.
- Writer
