The Things I Love About You

I Hate Shopping

Ruby was in her room with the first aid kit and has a ball of cotton wool in hand with rubbing alcohol. She applied the cotton wool she has soaked with rubbing alcohol on her elbow injury and wince in pain.

She has got a deep scratch on her elbow and it was painful making her pale skin red. She got the roll of plaster and placed a length around the injured elbow.

There came a loud knock on her bedroom door. Ruby frowned and quickly kept the first aid kit on the cupboard of her vanity table.

The knock came again and louder. Ruby knew instantly it was Jamie. What does she want?

"I'm coming", Ruby shouted and fling the door open. It was Jamie.

"Yes, how may I help you?" Ruby asked

"Sorry, but I don't need your help. Actually, mummy want you to help her with the groceries shopping". Jamie said sharply.

"You gotta kidding me, I'm busy". Ruby told her younger sister.

"With what?" Jamie inquired.

"I'm not going to tell you, can you leave?" Ruby demanded.

"Yes, and this is the list for the shopping. Happy Buying". Jamie taunt and drew the piece of paper at Ruby face.

"You spoilt brat!" Ruby cursed and closed her door with a loud thud. She pick the fallen paper and read the list.

Cereal

Carton of Milks, yogurt and cream

Can of baked beans

Tub of margarine and butter

Package of cookies (get oreos especially)

Bag of flour

A bottle of sunflower oil

A Jar of honey and coffee

Tube of williams toothpaste

Nutri-crain cereal bars

Carnation instant breakfast

Protein shake

Maple syrup

Chocolatey frosted flakes

Chocapic chocolate cereal

Rice krispies

Cocoa krispies

Cocoa puffs

Cocoa pebbles

Cocoa toast crunch and

Ice cream (Vanilla, Strawberry, banana and chocolate)

Ruby groaned inwardly when she finished reading the list. It was so long and going to the grocery store for shopping wasn't what she liked.

She quickly changed into a blue T-shirt and black sweatpants and styled her hair in a high ponytail. She took her phone and car key and drove to the grocery store.

The grocery store wasn't filled with people that afternoon as Ruby did her shopping, looking through the list at intervals for what to buy. She has finished purchasing everything else except for the Rice Krispies. At the shelf she saw many products on display and took more than two carton to decide which to buy.

"Why didn't mom specify the product I was going to buy". Ruby mused as she looked at the two cartons on her hands.

"I hate shopping", She muttered and decided to seek assistance.

As she moved towards the checking counter to ask for help on what choice to make. Ruby bumped into another person and he was a guy. The two cartons fell from her hand.

"Sorry, I wasn't looking forward", Ruby said as she bend down and retrieve the cartons. She looked up to see the boy staring at her. Who was he?

"Hi, it was a mistake. I was just wondering which to choose among this two carton of Rice Krispies". Ruby said and looked back at the cartons on her hand.

"The blue one, that's is more benefiting and sweet. The red one is just something commercial". The boy said and Ruby looked up to lock eyes with him.

He was really handsome with boyish good looks, his glasses made his hazel eyes that has blue fleeks to shone and his hair that has a unusual ink-blue tint with black locks were cut short and short around his nape. The boys was tall, really tall. She was short compared to him and he stood straight wearing a red hoodie and black cargo pants.

"Than...thanks...thanks a lot". Ruby said and turned her eyes away. Why was she ogling at him? Ruby question herself inwardly. s**t! That was embarrassing and her face flushed red. She took the blue carton and put it in her shopping trolley. When Ruby turned again, the handsome boy was gone.

"Where did he disappeared to?" Ruby asked herself quietly and looked at the other aisle. There was no sign of him, by the way, he was a stranger and was good as gone. She signed as her head began to throb with pain again.

When she got home from the grocery store, her mother Jean was baking a sponge cake. She looked through everything Ruby had brought and was impressed. This was the first time Ruby has gone for shopping and hasn't returned with a kind of mistake. Ruby was never good at shopping.

"Is there a problem?" Ruby asked as she lean against the big refrigerator.

"No, I was just wondering how you manage to buy the right products". Jean said and look at her cake in the oven.

"Yeah, I'm very smart", Ruby said and turned away to go to her room when she suddenly remembered the boy. He has helped her, that boy that wear glasses and has a melodious voice. He was her fairy godfather.

*****************

Farrah manoeuvre the car through the traffic that morning as she drove Jay to his new school. It was a Monday morning and Jay was ready to start afresh.

The journey to the school was a quiet one as none of them initiated a conversation. Soon, they were inside the gate of Kim Lance Highschool. It was indeed a really big school with nice buildings and facilities.

Farrah stop the car and got her bag before getting down. Jay followed her, he was dressed smartly in a green tee shirt and black jeans. His hair was styled and gel giving him a attractive look with his glasses. Jay slung his red backpack on his shoulder and both him and Farrah walked to the principal office.

The principal office has a musky smell of old books that line the shelves. He was a tall solid man with thinning hair and gray eyes. He introduced himself as Mr Yong.

"Welcome to Kim Lance, I got the admission letter last week". Mr Yong said, he has a funny accent Jay couldn't placed and his nose flare as he talked. Jay sat amused beside Farrah facing the him.

"Thanks, Principal Yong. I do appreciate your understanding of the situation and I'm grateful". Farrah said sweetly.

"That's OK, what's the boys name?" Mr Yong wasn't looking at Jay, instead his eyes were on Farrah face.

"Jason Peyton, he is in 12th grade". Farrah respond.

"So Jason Peyton, are you ready for a new start in this school?" Mr Yong asked.

"It depends on the situation". Jay told him and he shrugged nonchalantly and Mr Yong frowned.

"I don't get it, why was he suspended form his former highschool?" Mr Yong asked keenly, his eyes on Jay face and Jay tried to smile.

"It was something associated with assault and fighting". Farrah said.

"I see", Mr Yong placed his hands on the table. "Since all the formalities have been completed, he is a student of this school and I must say. Jason Peyton, we don't tolerate fighting or assault here. Hope you understand what I've say?"

"I do", Jay nodded, his eyes expressionless.

"Thanks so much, Mr Yong". Farrah gave him a handshake and he shook it heartily.

"You are welcome", Mr Yong said and showed them the way out of his office.

Jay said goodbye to Farrah after they came out of the principal office. Farrah was happy for him and she hugged him close.

"Jay, please don't get into trouble". Farrah said.

"I won't Farrah, I won't". Jay told her as he wrapped his arms around her.

"Promise me that you won't get into trouble". Farrah has released him form the hug and now held his hands gently.

"It's a promise, Farrah. Goodbye". Jay assured her and she kissed his head and he walked away to find his class.

****************

"What on earth is this?" Ruby yawned as she awoke and looked at her alarm clock. It was already 8:12am in the morning and it was a Monday. How could she overslept. Ruby quickly fling her quilt away and jumped down from the bed.

She was wearing her black short Pjs and her copper hair tumbled down in a wavy mess. She grabbed her towel and a change of clothes before running to the bathroom.

Fifteen minutes later, Ruby was done and came downstairs carrying her backpack and wearing a long sleeve white shirt and grey bermuda short with a high top converse sneakers and her hair was in a low messy bun.

Her mother Jean was in the sitting drinking macchiato and eating cinnamon toast. She looked at Ruby surprised as she entered.

"I thought you has gone to school?" Jean asked and Ruby shrugged. She went to the dinning table and took a fruit smoothie and avocado toast.

"And you haven't eaten breakfast". Jean asked more surprised.

Ruby moaned inwardly as she ate her avocado toast. "What's with all these questions?" Ruby thought.

"Ruby, I'm talking to you. What are you still doing here, it's already 8:30". Jean almost yelled.

"I woke up late and now I'll be done for". Ruby said as she swallowed her mouthful of toast and drank water.

"But Jamie told me you has gone to school early". Jean said unbelievably.

"Wow! That brat!" Ruby muttered to herself. "She told you a lie just to make me late". She told Jean, Jean shook her head.

"You should get going". Jean said, she has the same violet eyes as Jamie and a honey blonde hair.

"Yeah, yeah, mom. I'm leaving. Bye". Ruby said and hurried out with her car key.

*************

Ruby ran all the way to the history class with her book and textbooks in. She stopped by the class doorpost and tried to take a deep breath. She pacing hard and Mr Adams, the history teacher saw her as he turned to face the class.

"Miss Hayden, what are you doing there by the door?" He asked and all heads in the class turned to Ruby.

"Sorry sir, I'm late", Ruby apologize as she heard her book to her chest and trying to calm herself down. Her palms were sweaty and her hair tendrils laid slick on the side of her head and on her forehead were beads of perspiration.

"You are forgiven Miss Hayden, but this shouldn't repeat itself". Mr Adams warned and Ruby nod her head. Her hair was already shattered form the messy bun.

"Thanks, Mr Adams". Ruby asked in her small tiny voice and immediately sat down at a vacant seat in the back. She placed her book and textbooks in the table and placed her hand on her forehead sighing gratefully.

She was obvious to the pair of sapphire eyes watching her. She hasn't take notice of Jay as he was sitting in the front row of the classroom.

Jay remembered her as he set his eyes on her, it was her! She was the girl he bumped into in the grocery store. She has a beautiful small face with long wavy auburn hair and lipid emerald green eyes and small, soft rosy lips. This girl was tall and petite and Jay liked her gamine structure.

He shook his head and turned his eyes away from the girl.She was now writing in her book and Jay focused his attention on Mr Adams standing in front of the class.