Chapter 14: Ruby's Plan of Global Domination Unfolds

Ruby: Steven's House, Living Room: 4:30pm: 14 June

I was sitting between Gordo and Ren on her couch, watching the channels flash by as she tried to find something. I don't even think she was looking. She was just holding the channel up button down like it was some sort of routine, or like she had a cramp in her finger that was making it incapable of moving. She was going way to fast to see anything, I swear. Tawny got up from her seat on the arm of the chair that Lizzie was in, and walked quietly out of the front door, saying nothing to anyone. It was pretty random.

Gordo leaned forward a little, and said to Ren, "Is she seeing anyone?"

She shook her head, "Not that I know of."

"Do you…do you think she would maybe dance with me at your party?"

Lizzie started laughing for some mysterious reason, and when we all looked at her and she noticed, she became silent, and acted like she hadn't done anything. Gordo liked Tawny, that was funny shit right there. I was still determined to get him myself before the night was over tomorrow. He had that fascinating appeal that geniuses have.

"Uh…anyway…" He started to say.

He hesitated entirely too much, and I took the opportunity to state the obvious because that was my job, "Oh my God, you have a crush on Tawny! That is so cute!"

Louis and Twitty came in at that exact second, and Louis asked, "Who has a crush on my girl now?"

"She's not your girl, Louis." Ren told him, seeming annoyed. It did get old. He got randomly possessive of this girl who wanted little to do with him other than for what seemed to be her own personal amusement.

He mumbled something and started to go upstairs. Twitty followed him closely, seeming a little nervous, and Miranda got up from the other chair and stormed off through the kitchen door.

"What was that about?" Ren asked.

I knew. That girl was obsessed with Louis, and he went and acted like he liked Tawny again. I looked at my watch and tried to remember the time I was supposed to meet Mark. It was a little after 4:30, and I couldn't remember if I was supposed meet him at 4:30 or 5. It was 4:30. I had no time to clarify Miranda's behavior though it was very unhealthy and dangerous, and I could see her killing Tawny out of jealousy. She was going to get her boy, and it was all good. I had a fool-proof plan. "I know what it is," I said to Ren quickly, "And I'll tell you later, but right now I have to go…and…um…get some stuff for your party…decorations and such…shiny things…and uh…yeah. Later. I'll call."

Everyone looked at me blankly, and I left quickly. I was late. Shit. This was bad. If he left everything would be ruined. Literally. Every single thing. Ren's party, Miranda's life, Gordo's loss of celibacy, and everything else having to do with anything that mattered at the moment. Miranda could end up killing Tawny in her sleep because of me being late. Mark was hooking me up with the goods.

I hoped into my car, and left Ren's driveway, accidentally peeling my tires before making it onto the road. That was nothing compared to what would happen if Mark left because I wasn't on time. How could I go and forget what time I was supposed to meet him at his place?! I'm so stupid sometimes!

Mark was one of my exes from when I was a freshmen, and he was a senior, and we actually stayed in touch because the sex had been so amazing, though rather illegal at the time. He was twenty-two now, and he had purchased me a great deal of alcoholic beverages for the purpose of saving Ren's party from utter humiliation and going down in the shitty party hall of fame with the likes of Nelson, who moved away our sophomore year. I think it was because his party was so bad. After her attempt at the club, I planned to move the party to my place because, conveniently, my parents were going out of town for some festival thing in Minnesota. Ren didn't know this yet, I planned to drop it on her tomorrow like it just hit me then. Everyone could dance, and have a few drinks, but all of the good stuff would be at the party after the party, which I would claim was also Ren's idea, and thus she would go down in the awesome party hall of fame, and I would go with her because it was at my house. I had it all worked out. I was brilliant.

I pulled into Mark's driveway, and saw him sitting on the front steps. I let out a huge sigh of relief, and parked behind his car.

"Hey, baby." He said as I got out. He played basketball. He was tall, and sexy, and possibly the hottest guy I ever dated. Damn. We broke up because he was going to college, and I was devastated until two weeks later when I hooked up with Bobby Deaver for a while.

I nodded, "I'll see you tomorrow night, right?"

"Yep. Come on in, and I'll help you put all of this in your car."

"How much money do I owe you?"

He raised an eyebrow at me, and looked at me like I was insane for asking, "No money. Just save me a place in your bed tomorrow night."

"That works for me." I laughed inwardly, I was going to have fun tomorrow night, definitely. I winked at him knowingly, "What all did you get?" I asked as we headed for his refrigerator.

"Everything. A whole lot of everything, so everyone should be happy." He opened his refrigerator and showed me.

I stared. The only food present was a block of cheese and something that looked like salad in a Tupperware container. It was filled with lovely alcoholic beverages instead. "Oh snap…"

"I've been eating fast food, and take out. I'll give you a cooler if it won't all fit in your fridge." He smiled.

I smiled back because I, Ruby Mendel, am the shit.