She turned and looked out the window as they drove to the mall. Manny followed her around as she picked out clothes that were on clearance. She managed to keep the cost under the amount that her mother had given her. She was glad that she wouldn't have to owe Manny anything, but looking at her last twenty dollars she wondered if that was actually a good idea. He was right; she would need clothes if she wanted a job. Manny looked surprised as she paid for the items. He shook his head, looking down at her beat up sneakers. Shit, she might need new shoes. Well those would have to wait.
She took the bags from the clerk and Manny guided her to a store with tons of country things. Ruby looked at him and shook her head as he went around the store picking up items like jeans, shirts, and it wasn't until he picked up a mini-skirt that she realized the clothes were for her.
"What are you doing?" she asked, watching him add it to the stuff in his hand, "You wear mini-skirts in your free time?"
He laughed, "Shut-up and get yourself a good pair of boots."
She raised her eyebrows as she watched him pick clothes out. He wasn't serious, right? Manny grabbed her hand and pulled her to where some stylish cowboy boots lined the wall.
"Whatever pair you want, don't worry about the cost," he said turning away and looking at a flowery shirt.
"Manny I'm not into country. I won't wear this stuff," she said looking at the boots her jaw dropping at the prices.
"Girl, you're riding in my truck," he said matter-of-factly and added the shirt to his pile, "You need a good pair of boots if you want to be seen with me. I'll pay for them, and you don't have to pay me back, seeing as how I'm forcing you to get them."
"They're too expens-," she started to say when he cut her off.
"Pick out a pair or you're walking back," he said walking away. She turned to the wall and thought about getting the plain pair because it was cheaper, but the way he was shopping in here was making her mad. A mini-skirt? Who the hell did he think he was talking to her like that? She walked down the wall and saw a pair of brown ones with a pretty blue design. They looked like they'd be comfortable, too. Maybe some cowboy boots would be nice to wear. She looked for a sales person and noticed one behind her.
"Do you have those in an eight?" she asked pointing to the pair she liked.
"Hun, I don't think those are in your price rangeā¦," the woman said crossing her arms and eyeing Ruby's clothes. Ruby looked up at the boots and then she tried looking for Manny.
"Ma'am, if you aren't buying anything, could you please leave the store," the woman said putting her hands on her hips. Ruby nodded and turned around to walk out, but instead walked into Manny's big chest. He caught her shoulders so she wouldn't fall and then he looked at the sales woman. His eyes were narrowed at the saleswoman. If looks could kill that woman would have been nothing but ash blowing in the wind. A man came up and pushed the saleswoman out of the way.
"Sorry Manny, she's new here. I'm so sorry. Is this your girlfriend? My you are a beauty. Which pair did you want?" the salesman said quickly. Manny looked like steam should be coming out of his nostrils. He glared at the woman as she walked to the counter. Ruby thought about it. She could diffuse the situation, or make it worse. She was sure Manny would make that woman wish she wasn't born if Ruby said something, and she was very tempted to say something. The salesman gave her a pleading look. She took a deep breath and then patted Manny's chest. His glare softened and he looked at her. Ruby gave him a smile and pointed to the pair of boots she liked.
"I don't know much about boots, sweetie. Do you think those would be good? I like the blue, they match your eyes," she said smiling sweetly and leaning against him. Manny's eyes widened and he laughed a little, putting his thick arm around her small waist. He looked at the salesman and grinned.
"You better get her those boots in a hurry, or I might take my money elsewhere," Manny said looking down his snout at the man. The man nodded and went running to the back.
"Size eight, please," Ruby called to the salesman and then looked at Manny and laughed, "Do you believe he thought I was your girlfriend? Should we keep up the charade?"
Manny laughed giving her a little squeeze, "Yeah, maybe he'll give us a discount because that lady was so rude."
She laughed, looking at the growing pile which now included some lingerie. She stopped laughing and raised an eyebrow at the sexy sleepwear and underwear he had added. Her jaw clenched and she crossed her arms over her chest. Eyebrows furrowed at him.
"Hey, a guy can dream of what you'd look like in them, right?" he asked wiggling his eyebrows, "I'll pay for them, I promise."
He smirked at her and touched his nose to hers, before rushing off to look at something. She was so tempted to hit the big lug and run off. Maybe moving in with him was a bad idea, but it's not like she had a lot of choices. The salesman came back with a smile, handing her a box.
"Thanks for the help with Manny. He's got a short temper," he whispered opening the box. Ruby smiled and touched the soft leather of the boots.
"Go ahead, try them on. I'm sorry about Lisa, she's new, still getting used to things here. I'll give you a twenty percent discount off the whole purchase," the man said, "Manny's a regular here, so we would really like to keep it that way."
Ruby laughed, trying the boots on. They were surprisingly soft and comfortable.
"We'll take them," she said looking at them on her feet in a mirror. She thought about asking if they were still hiring, but decided Manny would enjoy it too much if she worked here.
"Why don't you wear them out?" the salesman suggested, putting her worn tennis shoes into the boots box, "They look good on you."
The salesman went over to Manny and sweet talked him a bit while Ruby admired her new boots. She walked over to Manny and he whistled, looking at her boots. She laughed showing them off. Almost a thousand dollars later she had a new wardrobe. She shook her head as she walked with Manny who was weighed down with bags.
"I think you went overboard in there," she looked down at her new boots and smiled.
Manny laughed as he put the bags into the backseat, "But you're gonna be one hot country girl, and everyone is going to be jealous of me."
He turned and helped her up into the truck. She shook her head and waited for him to get in. Once he was in and started the engine she touched his hand.
"Manny? I hope you're not getting the wrong idea. I'm not in a place where I can be in a relationship," she said.
"Please, like I would want to be in a relationship with you," he said, pulling the truck out of park, "Damn gorgon's are always turning me to stone."
She laughed, but watched him as he drove, his hand running through his hair. She wondered if maybe he was lonely. He lived in a big house by himself, and it didn't seem liked he talked to his friends from school that often. So, maybe she was helping him out, by keeping him company. She supposed dressing a little country couldn't hurt if it made him happy. They went to the grocery store as she bought things to make dinner with. Was it odd that even though he said things to make her mad, she was starting to feel more comfortable around him? They walked down an aisle with shampoo and deodorant.
"Make sure you get your woman shit," Manny said leaning on the cart.
"Woman shit?" she asked looking at him.
"You know? That girly woman crap you females love so much. Good smelling soap, frilly shampoo, those things when you bleed," Manny said.
"Band-aids?" she asked confused. He snorted and shook his head.
"No that other stuff, when your time of the month comes along. I don't want to have to go to the store in the middle of the night," he said.
Ruby blushed, "Oh, yeah. I'll get some, thanks."
Woman shit? Never heard shampoo described as frilly before. She couldn't help but laugh and do exactly as he said she would. She took her time smelling the shampoo's and soaps to find the best smelling one. He sighed tapping the cart as she walked along the aisle.
"Will you just get one already!" he complained as she put another bottle down.
"Oh, alright!" she said grabbing one of the other ones she had smelled and the conditioner that was with it. Then she went to the soaps and he groaned. She shook her head.
"Ugh, Manny! You're such a guy!" she complained, "You want me to smell good, right?"
"I hope I'm a guy," he said, "Just hurry up. I don't want to be on this aisle for three hours."
She rolled her eyes, not that he could see beyond her sunglasses. When she looked up from the soaps she saw Clawd buying some deodorant, he gave her a smile.
"Now there's a familiar face I haven't seen in forever!" Clawd said. He surprised her as he scooped her up into a hug. Manny smiled and slapped him a high five.
"Hey Clawd, how's it going?" she asked putting the soap into the cart.
"Good, my brother's are visiting, so I have to stock up on deodorant before Draculaura gets upset by the smell," he said with a laugh, "It's bad enough we're all eating steak in front of her."
"She's cracking the whip man. Women! Can't live with them, can't live without them," Manny said shaking his head.
Clawd laughed, "Like you're one to talk. You got one living with you now, I hear. You do know Draculaura is horrible at keeping secrets."
Clawd looked at Ruby and gave her a wink. Manny snorted, Clawd looked down and laughed.
"I see you're already trying to make her into a country girl, not sure how much Jace would like that," he said to Manny shaking his head. Ruby started looking at deodorants and razors. Clawd was doing her a favor by keeping Manny busy. It was odd, but she actually kind of liked the boots. She heard them laughing about something as she shopped. She came back to them planning a casketball game on the weekend.
"It'll be great, my brothers will join in. Maybe we could get Deuce to play, and Heath," Clawd said happily. Manny glanced to Ruby when Clawd mentioned "Deuce".
"Sounds like fun," Ruby said putting her "Woman shit" in the cart, "Can I join in?"
Manny frowned, "I don't think so. You'll probably get hurt."
She crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow at him, "I could run circles around you big guy."
"Ha! That's Ruby for you a spitfire all the way," Clawd said smiling, "I'll see you then! Later, guys! Glad to have you back, Ruby!"
"Later, man!" Manny called. Ruby gave him smile and a wave as he took off down the aisle. Manny turned to look at her.
"You sure you're ready to see Deuce?" he asked, "I was trying to get you out of it."
She shrugged, "It's not a big deal."
"I just thought, with all that's happenedā¦," Manny said leaving off the rest of the sentence.
"Don't worry about it. I'm fine," Ruby said walking away. Just hearing Deuce's name brought deep emotions in her, but she didn't want it to hold her back. She was sure she'd be able to see him now and not be tempted to use drugs again. Hell, every time she thought about drugs she remembered Marcus' dead face. Somewhere deep down she knew she would always have a thing for Deuce anyway, just like he would always have a thing for Cleo.
She recalled that first day that she met Deuce. Sapphire was calling himself Jace from the start and no one knew they were twins. Manny was such a Bully that first day. He called her a normie and blocked her way in the hall, saying Normie's weren't welcome at Monster High. Sapphire with his blue snake hair was more than welcomed. She remembered all the ghouls talking about how hot he was. Deuce was amazed that Sapphire didn't have to wear sunglasses. Sapphire had caught Cleo's eye and was already flirting with her. Deuce was already getting mad at him. It wasn't until their last class that everyone found out Ruby wasn't a normie.
It was apparently a test day, but being their first day in the middle of the school year they had no idea what was on the test. Mr. Hack told Ruby to take off her sunglasses when she was inside. She did look like a normie, wearing a jacket that covered her scales. Her hair was up in a pony tail, with bangs long and to the side.
"Yeah, normie! Take off your sunglasses," Manny echoed glaring at Ruby. Sapphire joined in on telling her to take them off, and Manny gave him a fist bump. Frankie looked at her with sympathy and Deuce stood up for her.
"Hey, leave her alone. There's probably a reason she wears them," Deuce said, frowning at them. Ruby looked at him like he was her savior. He understood what it was like to be cursed, to never be able to look someone in the eyes.
"Normie, just take off the glasses," Sapphire yelled with a smirk.
"Take them off or you'll get detention for a week," Mr. Hack said slamming a test in front of her. Ruby sighed and took them off, turning him to stone. Her red and gold eyes with a slit of black instead of a circle like most normie's. Everyone gasped, except Sapphire. He knew it was going to happen.
"Alright, Ruby!" he cheered, "You go, sister! Party time!"
Everyone looked at him like he was off his rocker. Ruby slipped her sunglasses on and took off her jacket, revealing red and blue scales down her arm. The same ones Sapphire had.
"What? Didn't I tell you I had a twin?" Sapphire asked giving Ruby a wink.
