Welcome To Twilight High
1115 Words
Two months ago
The sky was clear with partly clouds; the sun cast a warm glow over the campus. Ruby stood before the fountain in front of the main school building; her jaw dropped and her eyes were wide. She could not hide her amazement.
This school was truly the definition of paradise.
Students in tailored uniforms were chatting from all corners of the campus. Children of ministers, models, and all renown figures were moving to and fro on the campus.
It was around 7:30 am, and the classes were to start at 8:00 am.
Butterflies flew in Ruby's tummy. This was a dream come true. For someone like her, earning a spot in such a school seemed surreal. Twilight High School is the most expensive school in Canada. For children from a low-class family like herself to secure a spot, it was only by winning a scholarship, which is like searching for a needle in the vast desert.
But for her, that is not the case; she did not partake in writing the scholarship exams, yet her father just came home a few days ago with a scholarship letter.
'Twilight High School is glad to accept Ruby Dunn's as a scholarship student.'
Ruby had read the letter.
The edge of Ruby's lips curved, and she took a slow breath. She closed her eyes, feeling the wind, and the water of the fountain added a rhythm, making Ruby feel as if she were listening to some music.
Ruby was lost; she was mesmerized by the beauty of this school. All of a sudden, someone bumped into her. Her eyes flung open, but by then, a loud thud greeted her ears.
Gasps filled the air, followed by laughter. Ruby spattered in the water. Her clothes drenched and her face red.
'Who could do such a cruel thing?' She wondered.
She corrected herself and made an attempt to stand, but she froze when crumbled notes fell on her lap. Ruby raised her head to see a group of four boys disappearing into the crowd.
"That's your compensation, buy some better clothes" a voice echoed from the crowd.
Ruby gritted her teeth, and her wrist was clenched to a fist.
Flash, Click
The cameras focused on Ruby's face.
Ruby took the notes from her lap and squeezed them tightly.
'Bunch of wealthy idiots.' She cursed inward.
Deep down, she had begun regretting stepping foot in this school. She tried to stand up, but only to step on a wet stone. She went crashing back into the fountain.
The laughter grew louder, sounding like a death hymn in her ears. Everyone seemed to find pleasure in her humiliation.
Ruby wished she could just drown in the fountain. That very moment, a delicate, perfectly manicured hand reached to her.
"Let me help you." An angelic voice rang in Ruby's eyes.
She looked up only to see a strikingly beautiful girl with long, flowing hair. She had a warm and welcoming face.
The laughter stopped and the silence would be compared to that of the graveyard if it were not for the gushing fountain water.
"Come on, my hand hurts" The girl pouted cutely.
Ruby swallowed hard before grabbing the girl's hand. The girl pulled her up with ease and helped her out of the fountain. Her clothes dripped wet.
These are the same clothes her father had bought her with his hard earned money. The edge of her eyes felt wet.
"Follow me," The girl said.
Like a sheep ready to be slaughtered, Ruby followed the stranger ignoring the deadly glares from the crowd.
The girl led Ruby into a building. The walls inside had portraits of the girl with five boys and others with the girl and two boys. The two little boys' grins looked infectious and with the resemblance, it was undoubted that they were twins and maybe the girl's brothers.
Ruby was hit by a pang of jealousy for the bond the girl shares with the boys in the pictures.
"I am sorry about my brother," the girl said. Her words carried a hint of annoyance.
It hits Ruby that the jerk who pushed her into the fountain is the girl's brother. Supposedly one of the twins in the picture.
"He can be a jerk at times," She added.
They walked into a room that seemed to be a living room. And more portraits of the girl and the boys were displayed in the room. Ruby wondered who the strange girl is to have her own space in the school.
"I am Ariana Dawson," she added, facing Ruby.
The name rung a bell, yet Ruby could nor remember where she've heard that name.
"Ruby," she replied.
Ariana smiled then said ," let's get you changed from those wet clothes"
Ariana led Ruby into the change room. She opened her wardrobe and took a box giving it to Ruby. Ruby opened the box and her heart raced.
The fabric was soft and color vibrant. A total opposite to her usual clothes.
She looked at Ariana trying to ask if she could really wear this, but before she could say a word, Ariana's phone boozled.
"I have to take this" Ariana said apologetically, "I will be back soon"
When Ariana walked out, Ruby looked at the fabric once again. She was overwhelmed that a stranger could be this generous especially in a place where everyone thrives for status and appearance.
She changed into the clothes and her jaw dropped. The soft fabric hugged her skin transforming her from a girl drenched from humiliation. The dress made her feel more confident.
Ruby stepped out of the change room and met two girls waiting in the living room. One girl, Maureen, huffed in disdain.
"Nice dive into the fountain, beggar." Maureen sneered, tossing her hair over her shoulder before walking away.
Contrast to Maureen, the other girl, Kenzie, smiled brightly.
"Ignore that bumpkin. You look amazing in those clothes!" She said,
The edge of Ruby's lip was raised.
"Thanks," she whispered.
"Oh, by the way, Ariana has already left. You can head to class now," Kenzie added, then walked out of the room.
Ruby sighed. She had hoped to thank Ariana for her kindness, but it seems she will have to save it for later.
Her eyes fell on the golden clock on the white wall. She took a deep breath, and her shoulder dropped.
It was close to break time already. Thus, she picked up her wet clothes and put them in her wet school back. Then she dragged her legs out of the room.
She had lost the will to attend the classes; thus, she walked back home dejectedly.
- Writer
