RUBIN

By the flip of a finger, Raina was already right beside Rubin. Lupita, Jack and Ivy gazed at her in awe. "Geez, she can be so unbelievable – how can she just ditch us like that?", mumbled Ivy with wide–eyed, slightly shaking her head wearing a deadpan gaze. Jack and Lupita chuckled,"That's so like her", Jack whispered and they both laughed.

Rubin dropped his bag beside his desk and turned only to find Raina staring at him with her head on the desk. He flinched, startled by her presence next to him since he wasn't expecting her. With a sheepish smile, she stuttered "Oops, sorry, I startled you."

Raina is a blond hair girl who's well known for her overly self- esteem and clingy attitude.

Wearing a bright smile, she stretched out her hand towards him,"Hi, I'm Raina Richardson – Nice to meet you, Rubin". He smiled and cheerfully shook her hands,"Hey, nice to meet you too, Raina".

"Um, I guess you're the owner of this desk right here", he added pointing to Alix's desk.

She chuckled, "well, no, this belongs to Alixes. Mine is over there ". She answered pointing to the the fourth seat on the third row where Ivy, Lupita and Jack sat, staring at them. They all waved at Rubin with a radiant look on noticing his gaze– he smiled and waved back.

"Are those your friends?", he queried, turning his attention back to her. She nodded cheerfully.

"Will you like to meet them, too. I'm sure they'll be glad to make friends with you".

He stared thoughtfully at her. She eagerly gazed at him "Hey, come on, say something. Don't stay silent like that ". He chuckled and nodded. "How can I even resist you". She cheerfully shook her head, "I don't think you got any means for that", answered Raina, teasingly. They both laughed.

"Okay, so since this is not your desk, where is the owner of this desk? "

"Oh, Alixes?"

He nodded, curious. She sighed and paused for awhile before answering."Um, something happened this morning so she was taken to the infirmary. She'll be back by closing."

"I see, was it so bad?", he queried with a worried look. "Um, I guess so. She had actually been there for hours now and we're quite worried about her." She paused and nervously glanced around to make sure Fred and Patrick weren't around. After making sure the coast was clear,she signaled him to lean closer. Rubin glanced around as well and finally leaned closer to her.

Jack quickly nudged Lupita and Ivy, "Hey, what's she whispering into his ears?".

"Do you expect us to know that? Are we some kind of magicians or sorceress? ", answered Lupita with a blank look.

"Oops, sorry ", said Jack with a sheepish grin and turned his gaze back on Rubin and Raina. Ivy stared at her two friends and giggled.

"She run into Ben and his friends, Patrick and Fred, the bullies. I heard something strange happened which I don't really know so both Ben and Alixes were admitted. But I heard Ben's situation was more severe that Alixes so he was transfered to the FAMILY HEALTH HOSPITAL. " Raina explained.

Rubin gazed at her perplexed, " Really? ". She sharply nodded. He sat quietly for a moment, befuddled. "Um, thanks, Raina but I'll like to meet Alixes. I'll take her bag to her after class, then".

She stared at him, surprised. "Are you sure about this?". He nodded. "Okay, if you've said so–I'll escort you to the infirmary after school then".

"Thanks, Raina".

"Hey, no need to thank me, what are friends for", she sharply cuts in with a smile.

***************

Betty sat over her desk, staring at Mya, bemused. "Wow, so you're Laura's sister?", she exclaimed. Mya nodded with a faint smile. She nervously held her hand, "Hey, I'm really sorry for what happened to your sister".

"Um, well, it's okay. But something, puzzles my mind. Who was that boy who was brought in with Alixes?"

"Who, Ben?", asked Betty with a quizzical look.

She nodded expectantly, "Yeah, Ben and those two boys who brought him".

Betty smiled, "Oh, Ben is Mr Hansel's son and those boys are Patrick and Fred, his friends ". Mya sat thoughtfully without uttering anything further. Betty gazed at her quizzically for a while.

"Is everything alright?"

"Um, oh, yes". She snapped out of her thoughts with Betty's question. "Thanks so much, Miss Betty, it's been nice talking to you. I got to run off now. James will come for Alixes in a while".

"Okay, nice meeting you too. Let me see you to the door". She offered cheerfully. Mya nodded with a smile and picked up her stuff. Betty lead her to the door, "Have a safe drive".

"Thanks", she exclaimed and waved. Laura sat beside Alixes and saw her sister trod off to her car. She smiled and waved back at her sister hopefully, wishing she could at least see her. Mya drove off and Betty returned to her desk.

*************

After what seemed to be a long day for Raina and her friends, the bell finally rang for closing. She lead Rubin to the infirmary as promised and sped off back to her friends who stood at the main entrance waiting for her.

"I'm here, guys, let's get going "

"Hey, what kept you so long over there? ", Ivy queried.

"Um, nothing we were just talking, sorry for keeping you. Let's go now, please, don't be sulking".

"Unless you treat us to some ice creams", Jack mumbled. Lupita and Ivy nodded in support.

"Alright, alright, let's go".

"Yes!!", they cheerfully shouted and strolled out after her.

**************

Rubin strolled into the infirmary and saw Alixes lying on the bed, asleep with Laura beside her. He gave a faint smile and trod towards them.

"Hey, who are you?", Betty called from her desk on noticing him. He paused and turned to to greet her. "Sorry, ma'am, I didn't see you. I'm Rubin"

"Oh, the new student? ". He nodded. "But why are you here, school is already over I guess?"

"Um, yes , ma'am. I'm actually here to drop Alixes bag to her"

"Oh, you're in the same class as her. Go ahead then".

"Thank you"

He slowly approached her bed, gazing at Laura but felt something wired about her. Laura suddenly felt odd. She felt he could actually see her. She smiled and waved at him, cheerfully. He quickly turned his gaze back to Alixes after finally realizing she was a ghost.