Ruby smiled and waved at Ryuki and Rena. After saying goodbye, she headed to her classroom.
She got to her seat and noticed ugly, rude words scribbled on her desk. Smiling, she tried her best to wipe them off.
Some girls behind her laughed as she cleaned it. They were the ones who wrote it. They enjoyed teasing Ruby because she always smiled and never fought back. That made them bolder.
Homeroom started. Ruby walked up to hand in her homework, but a girl stuck out her foot. Ruby didn't see it, tripped, and hit her head on the floor.
The class burst out laughing. The teacher told them to be quiet, so they snickered under their breath instead.
Ruby didn't mind. She stood, brushed off her clothes, and gave her homework to the teacher.
"Be careful when you walk," the teacher said, nodding.
The teacher hadn't seen the girl trip her. Ruby didn't say anything—she knew telling wouldn't change a thing. Plus, she didn't care.
Class went on. Some boys and girls who'd brought rocks threw them at her. Even when they hit and hurt, Ruby didn't cry. She stayed tough.
At lunchtime, she had nothing to eat—no money for food and no lunch from home. She studied instead. When school ended, she went home.
Today, though, she saw Rena and Ryuki waiting. Her fake smile faded, and a real one took its place. She ran to them.
"Hey, don't run like that—you might fall," Rena said, gently tapping Ruby's head.
"Sorry," Ruby said, looking sad.
"Don't be upset. I didn't mean to scold you. I just care about you," Rena said, trying to cheer her up.
"Come with me. I've got something good for you," Ryuki said, taking Ruby's hand.
Curious, Ruby grabbed Rena's hand too. "What is it?" she asked.
Ryuki smiled. "Let's go to the park, and I'll show you."
The park was close to school. Ruby nodded, and the three of them walked there. They sat on a bench, Ruby swinging her legs. Ryuki pulled out a box.
"I've got something tasty for you," he said, opening it. Inside was fried chicken. Ruby's mouth watered as she stared.
"Is this… for me?" she asked, unsure.
"Of course, just for you. Eat up," Ryuki said, ruffling her hair.
"Thank you, Big Bro!" Ruby said, kissing his cheek.
"Wait, I brought something too," Rena said.
Ruby turned and saw a pastry in Rena's hand. Her eyes lit up with excitement.
"For me?" she asked.
"Yes, just for you," Rena said, smiling.
"I love you, Big Sis!" Ruby said, giving Rena a big kiss on the cheek.
"Great, but eat the chicken first, then the pastry for dessert," Ryuki said, handing her the box.
"Okay, Big Bro," Ruby said. She picked up a piece of fried chicken with her small fingers and took a bite. The crunchy texture and delicious flavor filled her mouth. She bounced on the bench, thrilled. "So good! So tasty!" she said.
She held out the half-eaten piece to Ryuki. "Big Bro, try it."
"Okay," he said, taking a small bite. Then she offered it to Rena, who smiled and nibbled too.
The three of them ate and enjoyed their time together. After saying goodbye to Ryuki and Rena, Ruby headed home. She didn't want to go, but she had no choice.
Inside her house, she smelled alcohol. Empty bottles were scattered around. A shirtless man in just underwear lay asleep on the sofa, his chest hair showing.
Ruby tiptoed past him to a door on the other side of the room. She opened it carefully, trying not to make noise, but it bumped an alcohol bottle. The bottle rolled, clinking loudly.
Ruby froze, scared, but the man didn't wake up. She slipped into her room and shut the door.
Her room was empty—just a pile of clothes and some books, nothing else. She went to her clothes, pulled out her favorite red top, and smiled. As she took off her school uniform, bruises on her back and front showed up, along with burn marks on her thighs and the words "Bitch Child" scarred on her chest.
Her father—the man outside—had burned those words into her skin with a hot stick. He'd said they'd stay there forever, and no matter what Ruby did, they wouldn't fade.