After the lesson was over,
Kehna's POV
" -And that's how you hit a high note. Well, that's all for today, you can start packing your stuff " I could for some kind of reason understand why Ruby was drooling over a teacher, because the bell hadn't rung yet but he's already asking us to pack. And not just that, he looks like he actually knows what he's doing.
Everyone already went out, as usual.
I also finally came out of the classroom, I was walking peacefully to my locker, when someone tapped my shoulder I turned around and to my surprise, it was Stella. "Already forgot about me?" we hugged each other "So?",
"What do you mean by, so?"
"Are we picking you up today?"
"Oh, yeah about, that my mom is also coming"
"Okay, great"
"Want to go outside?" she asked.
"Umm...what about the cafeteria, I mean I'm also okay, with going out but-"
"Let's go out then," Stella said already walking outside, so I quickly ran along.
"Wait, what's the name of this festival, is it something special or is it just for fun?"
"As long as you're in this town anything celebrated as big as this, always has a meaning no worries, I'll explain later, let's go".
We went out and started talking, we got to know each other better and found out that we have a lot in common. Then I used the chance, and asked about this "Mysterious festival"
"So you said, you were going to tell me what this festival is all about"
"Yes, you're right. It's celebrated, because there was a time where things were going up and down people were dying without being sick, things got costlier in shop's, that only rich and 'secured' people were safe, gangsters started attacking the city, to cut the long story short, a hero as they would say in movies came to rescue the city, they call him the man in Black because he always wore black and you never saw his face, I guess he must have been really rich to have fed the whole city, the festival it's self, is called dia del hombre de negro".
"Sounds scary"
"And that sounded sarcastic"
"No, really I meant that" it didn't look like she bought it. "What do you mean by 'secured' people?"
"You know, mafia gangs or gangsters. Like people who could protect themselves and their family" Stella explained.
We waited till the bell "So let's meet here again or in the cafeteria?"
"Which is better?"
"Do you have lunch?"
"Yes"
"Then let's meet here" with that said, Stella and I approached the school hall. "See you" I waved my hands, saying goodbye.
Without acknowledging Ruby approached me. "So you and Stella Garcia, huh?"
"You know each other?" I asked curiously,
"Yeah, so? Stay away from her she's no good" she left me standing there. "What!" I mouthed to myself, that day went like every day, just more exciting.
It was 2 pm, we finished earlier. We didn't want to keep them waiting, so we decided to go out five minutes earlier, but to our surprise, they were already standing in front of our door "Good afternoon, Mrs. Arellalo"
"Oh, hello you're already, here"
"We didn't want to keep you waiting," Mr. Garcia said.
"Ahh, that's thoughtful of you" my mom replied.
While our parents were having a hard time talking to each other, I and Stella were clinging to each other "So shall we?" Stella's dad said, as we got out of our building.
On normal days, I wouldn't see as many people smiling, but today seemed to be different.
"Kehna!" I heard Stella call out "Let's go get an ice cream it's on me". She said and left for a second to talk to her father. "Papi, please give us money, so we can go get ice cream". Mr. Garcia immediately handed over some money.
We started walking to the ice cream truck, after getting the money. "So this is what you meant by, 'it's on me'?"
"Well what did you expect, I don't have a job neither do I have money but, don't see me as broke"
"What should, I see you as then?"
"Less talking more walking, now let's go get the ice cream" we successfully got what we wanted, but didn't directly go back to our parents.
It was getting late but, we still wanted to go through the festival, but when we were done looking around. I noticed my mom was having a conversation with Mr. Garcia she was smiling and having a bit too much fun.
"Hey, mom did you forget we were going to that restaurant"
"Oh, you're right, we have to get going now Mr. Garcia" "Well, then let's escort you, I mean we brought you here in the first place" my mom didn't look like she wanted to say no.
"Well, I guess we won't be able to say no" we started walking towards our destination. They were behind us while we're in front minding our own business.
"Are we going again maybe tomorrow or anytime this week?"
"It depends, if there's nothing to do at the restaurant" a restaurant? I thought for a second but wiped that thought off and nodded, since we were getting closer, my mom said goodbye. "Mr. Garcia we'd like to say thank you and goodbye we're almost there"
"Ahh I see, are you going to that restaurant"
"Yes, sir"
"Are you going to have dinner or why?"
"Well, we want to meet with the owner"
"The owner?"
"Yes, we want to ask if there's space for me. I need a job"
"Oh okay, fortunately, I'm the owner of that restaurant" with that said, he offered us to come with him into his restaurant and that day my mom also got her first job here in Tacoma.
"Thank you very much sir, we will be leaving now"
"You can start tomorrow" after that we exchanged greetings and we went home. They did suggest dropping us at home, but I mean they already did enough for us this evening. So we went home. While walking home. "So are you happy with your job?"
"Yes, why?"
"I don't know just wanted to ask, I think Mr. Garcia likes you"
"Yes, he's my boss now" I wasn't convinced "If you say so" we chatted a little.
When we got home, we both didn't bother to eat or do anything else, but we went straight to bed.
The morning came again like every other morning, I had to get ready and go to school. I still had like half an hour till my bus arrived. "Kehna are you coming home, earlier today?"
"Yes, because of the festival"
"Okay, so this is what you're going to help me to do, you'll give your dad food and don't forget to do your homework. I won't be gone for long, maybe I'll be back before you come back" I was listening, nodding and eating at the same time. "When are you going to be leaving?" I asked.
"Almost the same time as you".
After our little chat, I started packing my things, my mom still wasn't ready.
So I left, once I got to the bus stop, my bus arrived a couple of minutes later along with a
black tinted car. I could see Stella through the window. She waved her hands at me, I did so too. But all of a sudden the black tinted car parked in front of me and Ruby appeared out of nowhere saying...
"Kehna get in"
"But-"
"I said get in" I did as she said and we immediately drove off. I used this chance to ask "Why aren't you taking the bus anymore?"
"Because my dad doesn't want me to" she blurted out coldly,
"Okay" I said in response.
Meanwhile, in the bus where Stella was,
Stella's POV
Did Kehna just enter the same car as Ruby? Everyone knew that only Ruby William drove that kind of car I wanted to get to school so Kehna could finally give an excuse for, why she entered the same car as Ruby.
Sometime later, we finally heard what we all were waiting for,
"Everyone and anyone going to Amsterdam high school get out!" we all rushed out of the bus, our intention getting out of the bus was to enter the school hall as fast as possible, but mine was different I just wanted to confront Kehna while the others were running past me, my eyes were roaming roundabout looking for this one person, and I finally found her they were currently entering the school. I quickly ran along with the others, I didn't have time to look for Kehna so I went straight to class for the first period.
Ruby and Kehna on their way to class,
Kehna's POV
Ruby was dragging me through the hallway, we reached our classroom and the first period started and that's how I kept on looking at the clock to see, if we were leaving the classroom anytime soon.
"Ruby I seriously need to use the restroom" I was lying, I just wanted to go into the break.
Stella's POV
"Hey, Kehna"
"Jeez, do you always have to scare me like that?"
"Sorry, it's just um...first of all, how are you?"
"Are you sure it's 'how are you', you wanted to ask?" she mimicked Stella.
"What did do think, when you entered Ruby's car today, did you guys plan that?"
"Well, no she just..., you know appeared and told me to enter so, I did. I'm a bit scared of her, so don't be mad at me"
"I was going to scold you a bit more but with your excuse, I won't be able to do so anymore"
"Why did you seem worried and confused, when I entered the car this morning?"
"Because, I don't trust Ruby",
"That's the same thing she says about you, I mean not that she doesn't trust you, but that she wants me to stay away from you"
"That's probably because I know her big. dark. secret". I was about to ask something when- "What are you guys doing?"
"None of your business". Stella didn't look scared while saying that "Well, for your information, I'll be roaming around with you, and you don't have a say against that".
Stella's POV
"Sure," Kehna said without hesitation and she was just being too nice to Ruby for my liking, of course, I understood why.
I've had a lot of awkward moments but having a whole day being this awkward was something else, anyway the school got to an end we closed earlier today, because of you, know what.
Kehna's POV
I walked out of the school building just to see an excited Ruby in front of me "Get in"
"But I want to take the bus Ruby" her facial expression was turning from excited to mad "Look I don't think you get it, from henceforth we'll be picking you up and also carrying you back home so even if you're late we'll still pick you up, so from now on you won't need the bus anymore understood?" I couldn't say anything, so I entered the car and the whole ride long, it was silent when we got to our apartment. I didn't forget to thank them for bringing me home safe and sound.
"Thank you for the ride, see you tomorrow Ruby" she didn't answer and I didn't care so I took the chance to run, so nothing weird could happen again. "I'm home," I said exhausted "You're home so early?"
"Yeah, it's dia del hombre de negro" I responded.
"That weird festival?" I nodded in response "Mom, said I should make your food"
"Yes, she told me, but I already did myself"
"Then I'll be doing my homework in my, room"
"Okay" he didn't even ask if I had already eaten.
After finishing my work I started thinking of how I should tell my mom what happened today or if I should tell her at all. I knew my mom would probably tell me the same thing I told Ruby, while I was still deciding, the door swung open revealing my mom.
"Didn't you hear me enter the house?"
"No, how was your first day of work?"
"It was good, we got food"
"Food? Like leftovers?"
"No, it was ordered, but the person didn't come, and pick it up"
"Are you trying to make up a sensible story, so I don't think these are leftovers?"
"If you don't eat I and your father would be very happy not to share with you, you know, if continue like this you, won't be able to get rich or successful in the future" I knew my mom was trying to tease, because of the tone she was using.
"Just because I don't like food other people already touched and only God knows what else they did to the food, doesn't mean I can't save or be rich, it's just I have high standards when it comes to food"
"Enough with your speech, just eat" we spent that evening talking and also eating and surprisingly she didn't ask about school.
It all continued like this for a whole month Ruby would pick me up in the morning, I'd sometimes go and help my mom after school, Stella and Ruby still hadn't gotten a little bit closer to each other. I wasn't having, the fact that I was helping my mom, even if I could also just work there, and also get paid, so I finally got the courage and asked for a part-time job
"Good afternoon sir"
"Good afternoon, you're already here?"
"Yes," I said, as I gathered up courage.
But right now, I was standing in front of him and didn't know how to ask.