Embittered Ruby (6 page)

Act cool. Be confident. “What? No apology?” Carmen broke the lock of his intense gaze as she bent to scoop up her books and papers. Good thing the school hadn’t issued her a laptop like at Briarcliff.

He grunted and stepped over Carmen’s hunched body and let his foot scuff over the top of the books she’d just stacked, spreading them back along the hallway. He sauntered away, shrugging his shoulder toward his friends, who immediately followed.

Tears sprang to her eyes. Why? What had she done to him? Would everyone act rude and cold toward her like that jerk? She tried to gather her things into a bundle so she could at least get out of the middle of the hallway, but papers and workbooks kept slipping from her grip.
Don’t cry
. She blinked her eyes hard against the impending flood.

Two hands reached from behind her and grabbed her books. Carmen stood and whirled around. “What’s your problem?”

A guy about her own age reached the neatened stack out to her. “Simma down, chica. Be easy. I’m just tryin’ to help a girl out.”

Carmen read the tattoo that curved around the front of his neck. “Diego? Is that your name?”

“What? You think I inked someone else’s handle on my throat? That’d be dumb.”

He had a point. Then again, anyone who would lay still and let someone else jab needles in his jugular couldn’t be playing with a full deck. But what did he want with her? Carmen took her books and rested them on her hip and waited.

Diego gestured down the hall. “Do you know those dudes?”

What did he care? “No. I’ve seen them before though.”

His eyes narrowed. “Where?”

“Outside my apart—wait. Why do you want to know?”

She had to be more careful.
Don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore, Toto
.

“Look. You know what’s happening here, don’t you?”

“What do you mean? Nothing’s happening here. I’m just trying to get to class.”

“Oh great.” Diego sighed. “Listen, newbie. You’re going to have to wise up real fast. You’re being scoped out. They’re going to try to claim you for their gang. The leader, Marco, he prolly wants you for his girl.”

“His girl?” Carmen laughed. “He’s never even spoken to me. He doesn’t know me at all.”

Diego let his eyes rove up and down Carmen’s body. “Oh, chica. He knows you plenty.”

Carmen shivered. “Gross.”

“You really don’t get how this works, do you?”

“And I suppose you’re going to teach me?” Carmen squared her shoulders. Time to toughen up. “I’ll probably find out you’re in it with Marco. Whatever ‘it’ is.”

“Look. I can’t be late for class, or I’ll get suspended again. But I’m telling you. Stay away from Marco. He ain’t no good for nothin’.”

“Don’t worry about it. I already have a boyfriend anyway.” When they found out about Nate, they’d leave her alone.

“Here? At this school? Then where is he?” Diego glanced both ways down the hallway.

“No, he goes to NYU.” That bit of info should get them to back off.

Diego stared, unblinking for a few seconds, then burst into laughter. “Listen. If Marco bugs you, tell him
I’m
your boyfriend. Leave any talk of college boy out of it. Trust me.”

Yeah right. “I don’t think so.” Like she would pretend she had some gangbanger for a boyfriend. “Besides, aren’t you afraid of Marco getting mad at you?”

“Mad at me?” Diego shook his head. “No. Marco don’t mess with me. You don’t believe me now, but you’ll see. You be calling on Diego’s name within the week.”

Where on earth was Mr. Hastings’ office? Furthermore, why did the guidance counselor want to see Carmen on her first day of school? Unlikely they were going to plan out her future on day one. The student monitor said two hallways down, take a right, and it’s the last door on the right. Carmen put her hand on a doorknob. Something looked funny. This couldn’t be the office.

She pressed the door open a crack and peeked inside. Mops, brooms, buckets, and the unmistakable scent of those wood chips they pile on top of vomit for some reason no one knows. No guidance counselor.

Great. So even the hall monitor had it in for her. Like an unspoken rule: devour the new girl. No matter. Carmen squared her shoulders and turned away from the maintenance closet. She’d never let them get to her.

The door to her left led outside. If she opened it and ran, would an alarm go off? How far could she get before they caught up with her?

No point in even trying. Her life belonged to everyone else, and she just had to play along.

After wandering for a bit, she finally found the office in the exact opposite direction she’d been sent. Nice.
Little Miss Hall Monitor, your dreaded misdirection tactic—while stealthy and effective—won’t break me
.

Carmen knocked on the window and poked her head into the office. “Mr. Hastings? I’m Carmen Castillo. You wanted to see me?”

“It’s wonderful to meet you. Welcome to Hackensack High School.” He beamed like he welcomed her to the White House.

“Uh, thanks.” What was he so happy about?

“Have a seat.” Mr. Hastings gathered some papers together. “How is your day going so far?”

Carmen shrugged. “It’s okay. Just figuring things out.”

“Great. Well, I just wanted to discuss a few things with you. I know it’s your first day, but one of the items on my list is rather time sensitive.” He slid a blue sheet of paper across the desk.

Carmen read it as she pulled it toward her. “College fair? Tonight?” The first day of school was hard enough. Carmen didn’t want to come back to school later the same day—or anytime she didn’t have to.

“Yes. As a junior, it’s time to start thinking about college possibilities. Judging by your grades, I’m assuming you plan to go to college.”

Was that a question or a statement? College had always been the plan. But now, who knew? Better yet, who cared?

“Well, it’s really important to keep your options open. The fair gives you an opportunity to explore the offerings of various colleges and universities. You can even bring your parents.”

No way was she going to—wait. Had he said parents? An idea crept into Carmen’s brain. College night might be a good way to get Mom and Dad together. And Mom would probably dress up, with makeup and everything, since it would be her time meeting Carmen’s teachers. Getting Mom there would be no problem, and Dad stayed in town all week, but would he come all the way to New Jersey just because she asked?

Only time would tell.

Carmen had no idea how exhausting it was to mess with people’s minds until she’d spent the afternoon working magic to get both her parents to come to the college fair without knowing the other would be there. Couldn’t she skip the event and crawl into bed?

Was it even worth the effort? A college fair wasn’t necessary to find a culinary school—there were only a few perfect choices. But she’d heard the hope laced in both Mom’s and Dad’s words when they assumed attendance at the fair meant Carmen might be exploring other options. Fine with her. They could think whatever they wanted to. As long as it got them together in the same room.

The drive to school passed too quickly. It would probably be even more awkward walking into the school with her mother by her side than all alone as the new girl earlier. At least Mom looked pretty hot—for a middle-aged woman anyway. She’d dropped a few pounds, had on skinny jeans and some great boots she’d bought a few years ago but had never even worn. A flowy brown top, some gold bangles skimming her slimmer wrists, and her hair loose and wavy—she almost looked like a student rather than a parent. Would Dad notice? Or was it too late for him to see good in his ex-wife? Then again, he would be comparing her mother to a professional cheerleader. As good as Mom looked, who could compete with someone like Tiffany? If a person liked that kind of perky perfection. Ewww. No thanks.

As they approached the school, Carmen spotted her dad waving from the steps at the front door, still dressed in his business suit. Handsome. Grinning. He tipped his head down to speak to a blond student beside him who turned and waved at Carmen.

Who was th—?

Tiffany?

Carmen’s heart sank. What was
she
doing there? Impossible. There was no way her father had brought his bimbo to his own daughter’s college night at school. How could her dad have so little class? How would Mom feel about coming face-to-face with her home-wrecker so soon?

Mom gasped, and her steps slowed.

Carmen wanted to sneak a peek at her but was afraid to look.

She grabbed Carmen’s hand and pulled until they both stopped moving. Her grip tightened.

Carmen looked at her mother’s chalky, lifeless face.

What had she done? It was Carmen’s fault they were all here. If she had known just how clueless Dad really was, she’d never have arranged this. So much for trying to get Mom and Dad back together. Her scheming had done nothing more than drive the knife deeper into Mom’s back.

Mom let go of Carmen’s hand. “I’m leaving. I’ll pick you up after.”

“You can’t, Mom. Please.” But Carmen didn’t even want to be around that adulteress, so how could she blame her mom for wanting to bolt?

“You know I’d do anything you ask me to, honey. But don’t you think this is asking a bit too much?” Mom rubbed her temples. “I’d really like to disappear before I have to talk to them.” Her glance darted toward Dad and Tiffany, who had started their approach.

“All right. I understand. Let’s get out of here.” No way she’d let Mom leave by herself. Carmen grabbed her mother’s elbow and ushered her back toward the car.

Footsteps drew closer behind them.

“Pamela, Carmen. How’s it going? I’m so glad you let us know about tonight. Tiff and I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.”

Carmen whirled around and glared at her oblivious father. Could he really be so stupid? How could Carmen never have seen hints of this level of insensitivity before? A person didn’t turn into a cruel monster overnight. There had to have been evidence all along. It was like she’d never known the man. Then again, what did she expect from him? A solid, loving dad and husband didn’t kick his family out so he could move
Barbie
into her dream house at their expense.

She shifted her gaze to Tiffany, gloating by his side.

Her eyes sparkled with power. “Well, hello there, Carmen. Nice to see you again so soon. It’s such a shame we can only have you stay over four nights a month.”