Monday rolled around too soon for Ruby. She seriously hated she'd have to attend an Earth middle school. She'd enjoyed school less back home, too. Regardless, this was an entirely different culture and a new species she'd have to deal with. Fitting in was challenging enough. Yet, hiding her true identity would be the most difficult.
Thankfully, whenever she or Crystal disguised themselves as humans, their bodies transformed outwardly into humans. So they remained the same physically inside. Just outward body changed. Still, the young girl wasn't looking forward to the day. She knew her older sister and her boyfriend's college classes lasted longer.
However, her sister had managed to arrange so she would drop off and pick her up. Since she already did that with Shaggy, it'd be no problem. Neither Shaggy nor Crystal trusted the L-Train, and at least Crystal's jeep ran on clean energy. Taking her peace pendant in hand, she quickly transformed into her human self. She glanced at herself in the mirror. From their studies of Earth, she knew she looked like a normal kid.
After all, updating information on Earth and its various cultures had been challenging back home. Mainly because they needed to understand the whole clothes concept. So, fashion updates were extraordinary. Ruby headed towards the kitchen and uncovered her sister cooking breakfast. "Morning, Crystal. Where Norville?" Ruby questioned.
"Shaggy took the dogs out for a quick walk. After all, they'll be stuck inside most of the day. And despite both being able to speak, they still can't use the toilet. So a quick walk is what they need."
"How do they not make noise while you're gone all day?" Ruby questioned, confused.
"Thankfully, since they're not average dogs, they can keep themselves entertained. We also try to make it home during our lunch break to take them for another walk. I know getting used to our schedules won't be easy for you. However, I promise I'll try to help you get used to Earth time. So, I'm making an egg skillet for breakfast. Human bodies need a lot of protein to get through the day," her older sister explained.
"What am I to eat for lunch? According to my research, Earth schools must ensure students eat healthy lunch foods. I also read some teachers take away food from students that aren't healthy."
"Well, Shaggy and I agree that's going too far. Especially if they don't know the family's financial situation or if its just an occasional treat. However, I did pack you a healthy lunch. Don't fret, Ruby. I've made sure everything is sugar and gluten-free. I also hope we don't unexpectedly have human food allergies. After all, the food back home is way different then here," as she slid some of the skillet onto Ruby's plate.
Ruby looked at the skillet in front of her. Eggs, spinach, lunch meat, and cheese. It didn't look too bad. Neither did the glasses of milk and orange juice in front of her. So far, Ruby hasn't had any problems with Earth food. Shaggy returned ten minutes later from walking Scooby and Amber. It's safe to say neither dog liked being leashed. But they also didn't want to piss off the cops either. They found their breakfast already waiting for them.
Shaggy did remind Crystal he had to work a shift tonight. That he'd be working five to ten at the restaurant. Crystal nodded before glancing at the calendar. They kept a meticulous record of all their appointments and shifts.
"Am I going to be left alone at any point?" Ruby asked, concerned.
"Of course not, sis. When we found out you were staying with us, we rearranged our schedules so someone would always be home whenever you were. So don't fret. Now, let's finish breakfast. We all have school in an hour and a half."
The trio quickly finished breakfast before doing a final rundown to ensure they'd get everything. Scooby and Amber assured them they would be fine, and everyone else was out the door. Pulling up to the nearest middle school, Crystal parked her jeep. "I'll be back in fifteen, Shag. Don't worry. I'm only going to make sure Ruby is alright," as she kissed him quickly.
The sisters quickly headed to the principal's office. Principal Vandom greeted them warmly. "It's nice to see you again, Ms. Starstone. I'm sure you'll do just fine at our school," the handsome ginger-haired man replied.
Seeing her sister didn't want to speak, Crystal took over. "I'm sure you can understand why she's nervous. Our hometown is extremely far away, and neither have been used to this city. It's vastly different then our hometown," Crystal explained.
"I understand adapting to a vastly new environment is difficult. That's why it's school policy for new students to have two mentors to help them settle in."
"Are you sure these mentors won't make things worse?" Crystal pressed.
"I assure you, Ms. Starstone, the school thoroughly examines the best choice to mentor new students. The girls should be here in a few minutes to introduce themselves," Mr. Vandom assured her. Five minutes later, there was a knock on the door. Then, two twelve-year-old girls came in. One had ashen skin, while the other had dark skin. The sisters looked over each girl curiously.
The pale-skinned girl had short, messy midnight blue hair with a single braid that matched her eyes. Her outfit was a magenta jacket and skirt with a blue belly shirt. She looked like a friendly person. Her African-American friend was tall for her age. Her jet-black hair was in multiple beaded braids. She wore a white top with blue jeans and green fingerless gloves. Again, she looked friendly and confident.
The girls then proceeded to introduce themselves. The pale one was named Cornelia Dawson. The other girl was her best friend, Chrissy Hanshaw. Again, both seemed quite cheerful and friendly. The preteens assured Crystal they'd keep her sister safe and make her feel welcome. Crystal seemed assured, but of course, Ruby wasn't so sure. Still, she trusted her sister with her life.
The sisters exchanged goodbyes before Crystal had to leave to get Shaggy and herself to their respective colleges. Sighing, Ruby glanced once more at the girls. Cornelia stepped forward, "Please don't be frightened of us. We both know its scary to be in a new place without knowing anyone. However, we both promise to help you feel welcome."
"Yes, we'll start by helping you find your locker. Principal Vandom made sure our class schedules matched up. So we'll be able to stay with you throughout the day," Chrissy assured her.
"Alright, I'll give this a go. Lead the way," as the girls left the office. They went down a flight of stairs till they came to a row of maroon lockers. They went to a locker marked C-22. Chrissy then handed her a slip of paper. Ruby looked confused, so the African-American girl explained it was the locker's combination. She showed her how to work the lock and told her to memorize the combination.
Ruby quickly did as she asked before opening her locker. The two girls helped her set up her locker soon before they headed to homeroom. Ruby remained slightly nervous as they approached the classroom. She deflated some when she saw while it had different desks and a whiteboard, unlike back home where they'd their desks made out of crystals with hologram display, she could still tell what was what.
Cornelia and Chrissy escorted her to an empty desk that was to be hers. They again assured her they'd be with her the entire day. Ruby felt her guard go down slightly. The rest of the day, they seemed to play out just fine. If you compared human knowledge to Modavitians' knowledge, it'd be a high school freshman vs. college freshman. Which meant this civilization could catch up rather quickly. That is if they could stop climate change and eliminate all the political shit.
When lunchtime rolled, the girls escorted Ruby to their table, where their other two friends were waiting. One was a Hispanic boy with messy, beaded, blood-red, jet-black hair. He'd a couple of piercings, wore thick eyeliner, a black shirt with a sword through a heart, and black jeans.
When Ruby saw the other boy, she suddenly felt her cheeks become hot. The boy had short, thick, strawberry-blond hair and Heterochromia eyes. He wore stylish black and white clothes with the Eye of Horus on his shirt.
The blue-haired girl introduces Ruby to them. "Ruby, these are friends Arsenio Flores and Arnette DuBois."
"Nice to meet you, Ruby! How's your day been so far?" asked Arsenio as he turned off his music player.
"So far, so good, I guess. This school is very different from my previous one. The school I attended back home had far more advanced classes. But I'm sure I'll do fine," confessed Ruby.
Arnette smiled at her, "It's nice to meet someone who gets good grades," his friends glared at him. So he mended his words, "What I mean is I've only gotten straight As all my life. We're all bright people, but I'm the only one with straight As. Some people refer to me as the smartest kid in school. I mean, I do love to read a lot. Also, I do a fair bit of tutoring."
"Hmm, what do you like to read? I don't know much about any of you four. So please tell me.
"Well, may I please start?" asked Cornelia, and the others nodded. "Well, I'm the youngest one in the group here. I suffer from an anxiety disorder, so its not easy for me in social situations. However, around people I'm comfortable with? I can truly be myself. As my friends will tell you, I'm quite charitable, love learning new things, and hope to become a beautician one day."
"Do you have any other interests? Like, what do you do for fun?" Ruby asked, to which Cornelia flicked her braid over her shoulder.
"Well, I'm part of the school's book and astronomy club. I love helping others learn. Even if, again, I've some anxiety issues. I read mostly young adult books with female protagonists. Yet, I also love studying the stars!"
"Yep, that's something we all have in common. We all love what's beyond the heavens. So we're all members of the astronomy club. However, I'm also on the girls' basketball team. Have you ever played before? Yet I'm more then willing to show you how to," Chrissy replied as she ate her strawberry yogurt.
"So, are you hoping to play professionally one day? I've heard of the WNBA. Do you think you're good enough to play pro?" Ruby asked eagerly. Her sister had made her cheese and tomato sandwich. Crystal also packed some blueberry yogurt, apple slices, and vegetable juice."
"Its either that or be an astronaut. One of the two. So I have a backup plan if I don't succeed at one goal."
"What about you two? Anything I should know?"
"Well, I, for one, hate conformity. I'd rather be an individual, hence my appearance. I truly couldn't care less what people think what I look like. I am who I am. As for who that is? I'm into supernatural and rock music and a fan of the Hex Girls. I also play guitar in my cousin's band," answered Arsenio.
Ruby again found it odd a boy would wear makeup. From her understanding, only human females did that. But again, the boy before she had swirly eyeliner, and his nails were also painted. I guess he didn't care about following norms.
Then Arnette spoke up, "Well, again, I love reading. I love anything written by Rick Riordan or Rick Riordan Presents. However, I also love studying ancient cultures. I want to be an archaeologist one day. I love going to the different museums and studying what they offer. For example, I loved studying the Dead Sea Scrolls at the Field Museum."
"Well, my sister promised me once things settled down more, she and her boyfriend would take me sightseeing," Ruby answered. Of course, now they wanted Ruby to tell them about herself. So, she stuck to the truth as much as possible. She replied she, too, enjoyed studying the stars and learning about different cultures. Back home, everyone was into the magic of crystals.
She also mentioned she loved being outside in nature. She loved animals very much. She also explained that her mother was a doctor and her father a scientist. However, she stayed with her college-age sister because her parents had a year-long assignment they couldn't pass up on.
They talked a little more before heading to their next class. By the time Crystal came to pick Ruby up, she could see that Ruby seemed to have enjoyed her first day of school. They quickly returned to the apartment, where Crystal couldn't wait to hear all about her sister's first day. Plus, hopefully, any new friends she had made!
