#SamGabeHSAU -
It's not a very common name, but for whatever reason, there are two girls at Lawrence High named Ruby. One, Ruby Castle, is a farmer's daughter. She's blonde, a tomboy, taking no guff, but completely genuine in all her interactions.
The other Ruby, Ruby Veldt, is almost completely her opposite. From the outside, she is: dark-haired, feminine, and full of guile, presenting a tough front that doesn't do a lot to hide her porcelain self-esteem.
The kids at Lawrence call them Snow White and Rose Red. They're not friends. They don't associate with each other. The only thing they have in common is their first name.
They're not even in the same year. Snow White Ruby is a senior, a friend of Dean's. Rose Red Ruby is in Sam's year. And in most of his classes. And, more and more often lately, in his face.
"Did you go to the play?" she's asking as he settles into his desk in Ms. Harvelle's English class. (Yes, Jo's mother. Jo doesn't take her mom's classes as a rule.)
Sam is the type who isn't out-and-out mean to anyone. "Hmm? Oh, yeah. It was pretty good."
Ruby waits until Ms. Harvelle is in the room before saying, "I thought Jo was really, really good."
"Yeah, she was cute," Sam says. His mind's on Jo's co-star, on the heady kisses they traded last night and the warmth of his body against Sam's.
Ruby takes it the wrong way. "You think Jo is cute?"
"I just meant in the play."
"So you don't think she's cute?"
Sam casts a worried gaze at Ms. Harvelle, who, if she is listening, doesn't show any sign of it. "I dunno. I guess she's cute enough."
"Sam." Ruby rolls her eyes. "I heard you broke up with Jess. And I heard you came to all the rehearsals. People are gonna talk." She makes it sound as lurid and scandalous as an episode of Dynasty.
Sam reddens. "You think I'm into Jo?" He speaks so loudly that this time, Ms. Harvelle's head does rise.
"Well?" Ruby's eyes are huge brown globes glittering with curiosity.
"I went to rehearsal so I could bring Gabriel dinner," Sam says peevishly. "That's it. I don't know what you're thinking about."
"I was just asking." Ruby makes it sound like he's just insulted her. She tosses her hair, puts on her injured-but-brave face, and returns to her desk. If Sam were a little less self-absorbed, he might try and reassure her. But his brain is still stuck replaying last night, and he doesn't even notice.
When homeroom rolls around, and Gabriel grins at him with a shared secret, Sam forgets all about it.