Keep Faith in yourself and never doubt about your qualities

...

_ Honey, I have to go. You will stay at home with Shawn. Don't worry about me, I will come back quickly. Shawn will take care of you during my missing. I see you soon, Sweetheart.

I stayed beside my stepfather as my mom quickly took her baggage and disappeared through the taxi. I stayed there for a while before I locked up upon Shawn, his eyes slowly darkened when he glared down at me, grabbing me by the arm. The next time I had news on my mom, it was for her death….

...

_ Ruby! Get up right now, you little slut! And don't make me come pick you!

I slowly opened my eyes and get up painfully of my bed, rubbing my arms carefully. I didn't want that bastard to come to my room. I frown a little because of the light crossing in my room and I walk toward the bathroom. After take a bath, I pick up my bag and stuff and I step out of the house as fast as I could.

Oh, sorry, I hadn't introduced myself. I'm Ruby Suarez. I'm 17 and I'm an only child. I come from Barbados; I have golden skin, curly long dark red hair and bright golden eyes. People said I was looking like Halley Berry, others said I looked like my mother but, I don't remember about it. I'm stuck with my ass stepfather. My mother? She's dead since I was 10. She was travelled to Italia for business when she has been taken by some kind of terrorists. Since her death, the judge putted me under Shawn care until I was old enough to be independent.

But what they didn't know is that my stepfather was not as innocent as he looks. Every night when I came back to school, he's lying on the sofa, drunk and drug. I even remember the first time he was like this. I had spent some time at my dance academy and I headed home, exhausted. From the outside, I could tell that no one was at home already. So, I walked in the house and I nearly passed the door that I was thrown to the ground, because of the slap I receive in the face. I almost stare blankly at him, wondering why he had done this. He only grabbed me by the hair, thrown me on my bed and closed the door of my room. Since THIS event, I was afraid of him, afraid of what he could do to me. I started by leave the dance academy, change school, close myself to other people. And here I am, In the Jr. Tranquility High School. I was alone, completely left by people. They always stare at me like I was a freak; keep chatting on me when I passed toward them. Maybe it was because of my mark on the back; once the bastard had threw some candle on my back, making me yell at hell. He gave me a "slut" mark that I always try to hide from them; but somehow, they always find it out. Here was my routine, but I didn't know that today was going to be the beginning of change.

This time I was sat at the fountain, staring at some people in front of me. There were Banes Michaela, the most popular girl of the High School and her new boyfriend, Sam Witwicky. I used to know him since we were in kinder garden but since my mom's death I had to break relationship with him. He was leaned on a bright yellow 2010 Chevy Camaro with black racing stripes on the back. I was drew his car from distance, listening music. Even if I had to abandon my dance study, I continue to exercise when no one was there in the Gym lot. As I was about to finish my work, a football hit me on the back and I almost threw it on the ground, yelling in pain because of my mark. I didn't need to look up to know that everybody was staring at me because of the scream.

_ Hey slut, get out of our spot!

Trent De Marco was glanced at me, mocking smirk on his face. Since I came in this school, this guy never stopped hunting me like that. I was annoyed of him and angry… very angry.

_ Trent, for one time in your life, can't you just leave me alone? There're plenty of others spot, so just find your way at another spot.

_ Not until you didn't find your way to the slut highway. You know? Where bitches might be waiting for you.

Again, laughter flew in the air as I try to keep tears coming into my eyes. I was getting VERY angry. I was about to punched him in the jaw as hard as I could when I heard someone spoke loudly, catching everyone attention.

_ Trent, everyone is not in your case. Now leave her alone before I throw your fucking ass under my feet.

I glared at the voice when my eyes widened. Michaela Banes was standing right next me, struggling against Trent. It's when I sensed someone wrap me carefully; I nearly fell when I saw Sam's worried face look over me. Because of the pain in my back, I fell on the ground, all my paperwork shouting on the floor.

_ Hey, are you alright?

_ Y-yes, I am. Thank you.

_ You welcome. Are you new in the school ? Because I don't remind me saw you before. My name's Sa…

_ I know your name, Sam. I already know you since a long time.

I said it with a hint of laugh in my voice; he has really forgotten me. That's understood in some way.

_ R-Ruby!? Is it you? Oh gosh, how can't I even recognize you?!

_ We were kids, it's not your fault.

_ Yeah, but… how is your mother? I remember her singing for us when we were at your home.

I was caught by my throat. It's was always very hard to talk about my mother even if she was gone since 7 years. Thankfully, Michaela came toward us; I thanking her mentally to interrupt our discussion.

_ Hey, are you okay? Trent is such an ass with people. Do you want to go to the nurse?

_ No, no it's okay. I'm alright. I should go to my class, it's getting late.

_ Here, your paperwork. See you soon, Ruby. It was really nice to see you again. Most in other condition, but nice.

I giggled a little at his comment; yes, it was really nice. He didn't lose his baby face, maybe more mature but it was still here, the young Sammy boy I used to play with when I was 4. With this thought, I got up, put the papers in my bag and begin to get in the school after greeting them. But, I had another thing to do. A symbolic one. So I reached to Trent and his monkey crew, his football in my hands. I pull out a pen and step at 5 miles of him, enough for him to sense my presence. He turned his face at the same time I stab violently the poor football, making him scream. Everybody eyes winded as I left it fallen on the ground, grumbled a "perro" and headed to the building. The rest of the day went normal, except for the fact that everybody were chatting on me for what I dare did to Trent De Marco.