Chapter 1

I stood still in front of a black and red tall building, my chest rising and falling as a result of my heavy breathing. I was tempted to spew at the sight.

I loathe this structure.

School

My oh so loving parents thought it'd be nice to send me to the best catholic boarding school in Rome as a punishment for my notorious actions. I wouldn't be so notorious if they had given me the love and attention I needed but they were so busy to even care. I had to get their attention somehow.

I'm in Rome, thousands of miles away from home. The thought of it all made me ball my fists up in anger.

Going to school isn't my problem. The problem is leaving America, the place I know as home. I'm leaving memories, friendships and comfort behind. The worst part is that they wear school uniforms, ugly school uniforms (white shirt, red tie and a red plaid skirt). I hate looking like everyone else. I like to be unique. We wear uniforms at my old school as well but some days we could wear whatever we wanted. We could style our uniforms too; it just needed to be in black and white.

Why couldn't they send me off to a boarding school back home?

They wanna get rid of me so bad, huh? They want to forget I exist? Just like they did to my brother?

Let me tell you how it all happened.

*flashback*

I was laying down on my bed reading a magazine when I heard my mom scream my name.

"Ruby!!"

Oh Lord. Why so loud?

"Yes?" I shouted

"Get down here"

I rolled my eyes "extra"

I got off my bed and made my way downstairs, happily hopping all the way down, unaware of what was about to go down, unaware of the moment that would change my life.

I walked into the living room where my parents were seated. They were watching the news.

"You called?" I said with an attitude

I instantly regretted it when I noticed their stone hard faces. They didn't look happy at all. They looked incandescent. For once in my life I was scared.

"Sit down and watch" my mom said. It wasn't an ordinary statement. It was an order.

Without a single protest I sat down. What am I supposed to be watching? I don't watch the news.

The newscaster started narrating the headlines for the evening.

'The President's Daughter; Ruby Adams was arrested by the police again last night. She was caught driving above the speed limit in a drunken state. Her mom; the first lady, came to bail her out before dawn. She...'

My dad put off the TV before she could finish

Oh...this is reason why they're angry? There was no harm done. My friends and I went for a party. We got drunk. I attempted to drive home and I got caught. Big deal. That's what most normal teenagers do

The thing is, I keep forgetting I'm not a normal teenager. I'm the president's daughter.

''Blabbermouth'' I murmured

These reporters never shut up, do they?

My mom cleared her throat

''Ruby''

''Yeah?'' My voice was shaking. I've never seen her this inflamed before.

''Your actions are getting out of hands. Your father and I have come to a conclusion''

I have a feeling I'm not going to like the sound of this.

''Which is?''

'"We've enrolled you in a Catholic boarding school in Rome. Apart from manners, we hope you'll also learn religious morals"

"What?" I shrieked. I stood up in fury "you can't do this to me"

My head was spinning. They've already enrolled me? Without my permission? Have they lost it?

"We have already made up our minds. We'll make the arrangements and get back to you. You have a week to say goodbye to your friends"

Boarding school? In Rome? A place far away from here.

Uniforms, no maids, no chefs, no cuisines. I have to do my own laundry

"Nobody even bothered to ask me first to find out how I felt'' I said with tears in my eyes. This isn't the first time they're treating me unfairly. They never consider my feelings.

'''It's for your own good'' my mom said

"Dad?" I looked at him with pleading eyes, hoping he would back me up on this but he didn't. He was as angry as my mother.

"Your mother's right"

I got up and stormed out of the house. Time to get drunk again.

*end of flashback*

My mom came down from the limousine, our body guards stood by her sides.

My mom is a tall and slim woman in her late forties but she dresses like she's twenty. She has long blonde hair like mine and fake boobs of course. What do you expect from a first lady with a lot of money?

Her skin is super tanned. Her face is always full of thick coated make up that can make your eyes spin trying to figure out what she looks like underneath it. She practically uses her face as a colouring book. If you ask me my biggest fear, I'll answer "becoming like my mother". That's a story for another day

She took off her shades and looked me straight in the eye as if I was her enemy. I'm equal to the task as well, I stared her down till she backed down.

"Behave yourself or else" she said

''Or else what?" I asked with an obvious hint of sarcasm in my voice "Mother"

''I'm warning you''

"You can't do anything"

A pitiful look flashed in her eyes. For once, it felt like she realized I was still her child. She put her hands on my shoulder and sighed.

''We're doing this because we love you''

I smacked her hand away.

''That's a big lie. I'm not loved at all. This is just an excuse to get rid of me just like you got rid of Rainer"

She gasped

"How dare you!"

"How dare I?" I laughed "Screw you"

Her eyes widened in surprise at my words. I don't care. At this point I don't care. Fuck everything. They won't hear from me for three months, I'll make sure of that, including visiting days.

''Ruby.. .’’

''Save it. I'm happy I'm away from that war zone called a home. Have a nice life.......mother''

The driver wanted to help me carry my school bag but I declined. I snatched it angrily away from him.

''Don't bother'' I snapped at him as I hung my Ralph Lauren bag over my shoulder.

I fluffed my hair and entered the school.

It hurts. It fucking hurts but I won't let them know they got to me. They don't deserve my emotions. No one does. My heart ached badly. This made me remember my brother. I wiped the tears from my eyes. I can't walk in on my first day crying. I have to show them who's boss.

As I walked through the hallway, it was as if time stopped. Everyone halted in the hallways, their mouths hanging open in disbelief. Students stared at me with no remorse or shyness, some even had the nerves to whisper

''Isn't that Ruby Adams the American president's daughter?''

''What's she doing here?''

''She's so beautiful''

''I love her hair''

''I heard she's bitchy''

I didn't let the whispering get to me. I walked confidently as if I wasn't a new student, as if I owned the fucking place. I raised my head high and strutted down the corridor.

I stopped at my supposed locker; Number 302. I checked my schedule for confirmation. Turns out I'm correct. I opened it and put all the books I didn't need inside. When I was done I made up my combination.

"Hi" I heard a voice say beside me. I turned to my side to see who it was. Standing before me was a dark skinned girl with cool red streaks in her back length hair. I raised my eyebrow. She's cute and all but I don’t get it.

Who is she and why is she talking to me? Doesn't she know who I am?

"Hello" I responded, not to be rude. It’s my first day and I don't want any trouble....yet

"I'm Annabelle" she introduced herself "I was instructed to show you around on your first day"

Ah. That makes sense.

"I'm Ruby"

"Can I see your schedule?"

I handed her my schedule. She went through it. First period I had English, after that I was scheduled to see the principal then I had History and a few other subjects before I closed for the day. She glanced through it while humming then gave it back to me when she was done.

"I'll lead you to our first class which is English" she said

"Our?"

"We have it together"

"Okay"

"Follow me''

Immediately the bell rang, students started rushing to class. I was disgusted with their uncivilized behaviour. Nothing like this ever happened in my old school.

We were taught how to act. We went everywhere in a straight line or in an orderly manner. Disorganization was highly prohibited

I scoffed. This is why I hate mixing with people from the lower class.

I followed Annabelle while flipping through pages of the school's handbook

I read the school rules

-Disrespect is not allowed

-No use of cell phones during classes

-Uniforms must be neat and well ironed

- No jewellery in school

- Fighting is highly prohibited

- Seniors are allowed to go out of the school premises but should be back by 8pm sharp

"You don't like the idea of coming to a boarding school, do you?" She asked

"No. Not at all" I answered truthfully.

"Me neither. I was forced to come here. My parents are strict Catholics"

"My parents sent me here because my actions got out of control"

"I heard" she laughed "it’s all in the news"

I like her already. She seems like someone who isn't afraid to speak her mind. She also wasn't intimidated or impressed by my position. She treated me normally.

"I think we're going to get along just fine Annabelle"

"The feeling is mutual babe"

In a short time we arrived at our first period which was English. The teacher was writing on the board when we walked in. Annabelle and I sat on the empty chairs at the last row in class I decided to sit on the first chair of the row in order to get away from everyone else. Annabelle sat behind me.

The whispering got louder

"Whore"

"She's not even that pretty"

I blocked out everything they were saying. Rainer would always say "Ignore them. At the end of the day, it's just words"

"Don't let the side talks get to you" Annabelle said "this school is filled with a bunch of gossips"

"Noted"

The teacher turned around to face us. His eyes landed on me directly. He stared at me with friendly eyes and a small smile.

I was stunned when I got a good look at him. He looked so.....young. Too young to be considered a grown man yet too old to be described as a boy. He's definitely not over 24. He even looked like a student and he definitely was dressed like one. He had a clean low haircut, piercing brown eyes and a muscular figure. He was dressed in a white collared t shirt and jeans. Teachers like this didn't exist in my old school.

"Hello" he said "you must be Ruby Adams"

His voice sent shivers down my spine. I couldn't speak so I just nodded.

"I'm Mr Henderson. Your English teacher"

He took his eyes off me and generally faced the class. I was still in shock. Hey! Maybe Rome isn't so bad after all.

My eyes followed him wherever he went as he taught.

''He's hot, isn't he?'' Annabelle teased

''Totally" I silently squealed

"Sorry to burst your bubble b, he's off limits"

"Duh. He's my teacher"

"Not that"

"What do you mean?"

"He's a seminarian, a soon to be priest. "

It felt like a blow to my chest. A guy as hot as that wants to be a priest? With his incredibly good looks he could get women at his convenience with no stress.

"Wow" I breathed

"Yup. Shocking, I know. He's going to be ordained in a month. There's even a bet going on to see if any girl can break him before he gets ordained"

That sounds sick on a whole different level. How desperate can some girls be?

"Do they teach? I mean the priests and all"

"Of course, even the sisters. Don't worry, you'll get used to everything"

I brought out my notebook from my bag and prepared to take down notes.

"Let's talk about oneself" he said pacing round the classroom.

Oneself? What's that supposed to mean?

He moved round the room with ease and made gestures with his hands like he enjoyed what he was doing. He easily slid through the rows as he taught making sure to take note of every students' actions and reactions. He made sure no one was left out.

"It’s easy to give other people advice but difficult to take your own advice. For example, I used to be good at giving my friends great relationship advice but I never was the charmer when it came to girls" he joked "I mean look at me now" he wiggles his eyebrows

Everyone laughed including me

A girl raised up her hand

"Yes Lily?"

"What does this have to do with literature?"

"Everything. Everything. You can never fully understand the true concept of writing another person's story if you haven't fully developed yours. You have to understand yourself guys. That's key"

That makes sense

"I want you to write a short summary about yourself as if you were writing from someone else's point of view. It can be in form of poetry or anything that comes to mind. You can even write a memory, anything. Surprise me. Time starts now"

Desk chairs shifted. Students muttered in complaint. The clock ticked. Pens moved on papers vigorously. I stared at my empty book unsure of what to write.

I remembered Rainer. He would know what to do. He loved writing.

Flashback

I sat on my reading table and stared at my notebook in pure confusion. We were given an assignment to read the book "Jane Eyre" and write a summary on it.

I was beyond perplexed. I hate writing or doing anything that has to do with school. I hate school.

"Can you help me out Rain?" I asked my brother, who sat across me

Rainer closed his eyes and ran his fingers down his notebook slowly. A part of his shiny blonde hair covered his left eye. I looked at him in admiration. He was so beautiful. I thought he was even more beautiful than I was. And that says a lot, since I consider myself the most attractive person on earth. Self-delusional, I know, but hey! A girl can dream.

"What are you doing?" I asked him

"I'm trying to go through the motions"

I cocked my head to the side, an impulsive action I make when I'm confused

"Meaning?"

He opened his eyes. I was a bit startled when he did. It was as if he just came out of a spiritual realm or something. His eyes were so deep and filled with meaning, like he could see things everyone else couldn't.

"I'm trying to feel, darling. I'm trying to feel what Charlotte felt. What were her emotions when writing this book? Was she in pain? Was she heartbroken? Was she in love? Or was it out of mere creativity? If I can figure this out, if I can get her own side of the story, only then can I write mine"

I blinked twice. Another action I perform when I'm confused

"I don't get it. It's just a book"

"Of course you don't" he shook his head

I didn't. How can he do that just by reading a book? He doesn't know the author personally. That has to be impossible.

"Can you elaborate?"

He sighed

"I am too insane to explain and you, my dear sister, are too normal to understand"

*end of flashback *

What would Rainer do? I ran my hands up and down my notebook trying to go through the motions like my brother did.

What's so special about me that I need to put down? I have nothing. Ever since I lost my brother I've been a complete wreck. Feeling some sort of inspiration already, I started writing.

There were two white birds sitting on the wall. One named Rainer and one named Ruby. They were fine till a hunter came and aimed at the two of them, not knowing which to kill..... The hunter decided on Rainer just for the fun of it"

I almost cried. The hunter was society. Society killed my brother. I was so lost in my thoughts I didn't realize thirty minutes had passed till I heard Mr Henderson's voice when the bell rang.

"Pens up!"

He went round the class collecting everything row by row. It was almost my turn. No. No way am I submitting this. It's too revealing and personal, even though he might not understand what I meant.

Instead of giving him the paper when he got to my seat, I quickly tore it up and put the pieces in my bag. My eyes were filled with tears.

"Are you okay?" He asked, his eyes full of concern

"I'm sorry. I can't"

Before he could say another word I ran out of class.

*

Annabelle led me to the principal's office. I was embarrassed to say the least after my sudden outburst in class. It's been six months since my brother died but I still haven't been able to get a grip of myself. I still haven't been able to get over it.

How can I? In a home where my parents never cared about anything other than themselves, he was the only one I had. He was my best friend. He was my rock. Now he's gone.

"History is straight down at the end of the corridor. The door at your right" she explained

"Got it" I nodded "thanks"

"No problem. Look out for me at lunch. I'll keep a seat for you"

"Okay"

She squeezed my arm in a friendly gesture then left. When she left I knocked on the door. I entered when he told me to come in.

Father (Principal) Turner was reading a book. He dropped it as soon as he saw me. He was an elderly man, probably in his sixties. He had a kind face and shiny blue eyes.

''Good morning sir... I mean father" I greeted

He smiled

"Good morning Miss Adams. Have a seat please"

I sat down on the chair in front of him

''In my schedule it said to see you after my first period today. Here I am'' I said

''Yes I want to address you on your conduct''

Great, here it comes. The whole "behave yourself" speech

''The reports from your previous school are very bad academically and socially. You get into constant fights. You don't do your homework or participate in class"

My heart beat sped up

He took off his glasses and leaned in closer to me, resting his elbows on the table.

''Can I be honest with you Ruby?''

''Of course father"

''I don't think you're a bad person. I think you're just misunderstood. Yes you've made mistakes which are common in every teenager. I want you to be on your best behaviour. Prove them all wrong''

I smiled. He's the first person telling me something like this. I've already met two people I like so far. I don't think this school would be that bad.

''I will''

''Do we have a deal?"

''Yes sir''

He brought his hand out in a handshake which I returned. We shook hands smiling at each other.

''Good girl. Feel free to come to me if you have any problem. Have a nice day''

''Thank you sir''

''No, thank you''

I stood up

''I won't let you down''

''I believe in you Ruby''

I believe in you Ruby.

Best believe I'll never forget those five words.