Chapter 16

• Monday arrived sooner than Ruby would have liked. Fortunately, she had spent her weekend with her sister, indulging in their favorite guilty pleasure—binge-watching Gossip Girl and engaging in endless chatter about trivial matters. It was a blissful escape, allowing her to temporarily forget the challenges of being away from her family and adjusting to a new school. Yet, with the start of a new week, reality swiftly reminded her of its presence.
• Ruby received a summons from Mrs. Cooper, and her heart sank. The news of an incident in the canteen had already reached her ears, and she braced herself for the consequences. However, this time Mrs. Cooper decided to give her a stern warning, allowing her to escape with just a warning. The phrase "misbehavior isn't tolerated here" echoed in her mind, and Ruby couldn't help but wonder about the principal's own teenage days. There was a mischievous glint in Mrs. Cooper's eyes whenever she heard of pranks played on Mr. Smith, hinting at a rebellious spirit that was likely suppressed in her role as an authority figure. It became evident that Mrs. Cooper wasn't a devout follower of discipline, but merely paid lip service to it because it was expected of her.
• Tasked with the responsibility of informing the class about an upcoming assignment and collecting their submissions for grading, Ruby felt a wave of reluctance wash over her. As the newly appointed class representative, she despised the position already. It seemed like her first job in this role was already one she dreaded.