TheInvitationCard
915 Words
After what seems like eternity of trying to stay focused, the knock off bell finally rang. Ruby's shoulders slumped in relief.
If not for Kenzie, her day would have been lonely, but thanks to her, she never felt like a lost sheep in the desert.
Despite everyone else avoiding her like a plague, with Kenzie around, she never felt like a stranger. Kenzie was so welcoming.
"See you tomorrow, Ruby" Kenzie waved as she walked towards a quantum bus.
"Bye Kenzie" Ruby waved back with a cheerful smile.
Kenzie entered the quantum bus followed by a few other students including Maureen. The bus wheeled out of the campus.
Ruby looked around the parking lot, luxurious cars were parked like they were at an auction.
Ruby sighed and started walking away from the campus to the bus stop. It was only a fifteen minute walk away from the school.
A few minutes later, ruby sat on the bench at the bus stop, eyes scanning the streets.
Suddenly, her mind drifted back to the guy Kenzie had called, "Handsome devil"
'Why did she call him that?' She wondered.
From what she had observed, he seemed quiet and reserved. During lunch, he'd walked out of the classroom with his friends, but when Ruby and kenzie entered the cafeteria, he was nowhere to be seen.
'Had he skip lunch'
A call honk pulled her back to the present. She looked up expecting to see her bus, but a white limousine was parked in front of her.
Her heart skipped a bit and her eyes narrowed in suspicion.
A man in a black tuxedo suit stepped out of the car and approached her with a slight bow.
"Good evening miss, my mistress asks if you would mind accepting a ride"
Ruby looked around, hoping the man was talking to someone else. But then, her heart skipped. She was the only one at the bus stop.
"I am sorry, but I don't know your mistress," she replied politely.
"Ruby!" A familiar voice called.
Ruby turned her head towards the limousine and her jaw dropped when her gaze landed on Ariana.
Ariana waved, "Come on, get in"
With those words, Ruby found herself sliding into the backseat beside Ariana. It was as if she was pulled by a magnet into the car.
"How was your first day in class?" Ariana asked with a bright smile.
"Just… normal" Ruby bites her lower lip.
"Sorry, I had to live in a haste the previous day" She blinked rapidly.
Ruby sighed "It's fine"
Suddenly, she remembered the box on her bed, the clothes Ariana had lent her.
Ruby jerked up on her seat.
"I planned to return your clothes today but I left them on my bed. I promise to return them tomorrow. I promise"
Ariana paced a hand on Ruby's own. She rubbed it gently.
"You don't need to return them. They look good on" Her voice was calm and warm, like a mother comforting her child.
Ruby felt her heart melting, but she pushed the feeling away. She barely managed to stop herself from thinking of Ariana as a maternal figure.
"Before I forget" She paused. She reached for her handbag and pulled out a small decorated envelope.
"Here"
Ruby hesitantly received the envelope.
"What is this?" She was eyeing it with curiosity.
"It's an invitation to my brother's nineteenth birthday this weekend," Ariana Explained.
"I will really love for you to be my guest" Ariana's tone was pleading .
Ruby blinked. Why would Ariana invite her to such a prestigious event?
They had only met recently and Ariana seems to be from a Wealthy family. What would Ruby , a girl from a humble background, contribute to such a party?
"Please Ruby, don't worry about anything, I will take care of what you will wear on that day. I will take care of everything" Ariana made a Puppy face.
"But…"
"If you are really grateful for my help the other day, then you must come. No excuse. " Ariana's voice was soft but firm.
Ruby culled up on her chair and sighed.
"We are here, miss" The driver cut in on their conversation.
Ruby glanced outside the window and was stunned to realize they were parked in her neighborhood.
'How does she know where I reside?'
She wondered, yet she didn't find the courage to ask.
"Thank you for the ride," She muttered stepping out of the car.
"See you soon" Ariana Waved with a smile.
Ruby bowed and stepped aside, watching the limousine zoom off down the street.
"Who was that?" Her father's voice ran up in her ears.
She turned only to see her father standing before her.
"Da…dad" she stammered.
"That car somehow looks familiar," Ruby's father, Mr Anderson said.
Ruby looked at her father with much curiosity.
"Why are you back earlier?" Ruby's voice was shaky.
"It's nothing, I just came back earlier to prepare your favourite snack," Mr Anderson replied.
Ruby narrowed her eyes and scrutinized her father's face.
"Are you sure?"
Mr Anderson pressed a hand on Ruby's shoulder and smiled.
"Of course. And maybe you can gist me about school" He winked playfully.
Ruby scoffed then smiled.
"At Least you are not sick or something. Let's go inside, Micky must be waiting for us" Ruby said before walking away.
Mr Anderson looked down the street, then he shrugged his shoulders.
'It's not only my boss that owns such a limousine'
With that, he followed Ruby.
- Writer
