CHAPTER 1:

My name is Ruby, and sometimes, I feel like the loneliest teenager in the world. You see, I am constantly bullied by my classmates just because I’m shy and I don’t talk much to anyone. How is that fair? I mean, my family cares about me, of course, but it’s not the same. In school, I feel like an alien.

Thank heavens, there is one person who’s different - Ana. She has been my best friend since kindergarten, and always defends me from bullies. But it’s not just that—we hang out together, and, even though I’m quiet with everyone else, I never have trouble talking to her. She makes me feel like I can be myself. That’s why I thought our friendship would never end.

But that all changed at the beginning of February when I asked her to meet me at the park on a sunny, chilly Sunday. Right before our meeting time at 2pm, I whipped on my warm coat and ran to the park, eager to talk to Ana about a new boy who’d started school that week. When I arrived, I looked all around, but couldn’t find her. Assuming that she was running late, I sat on the bench near the entrance of the park to wait for her. A half hour passed. I was getting cold, and Ana was nowhere to be seen.

“Where is she?,” I thought. “This isn’t like her. I hope she’s OK.”

I walked back to my house confused and a little worried. When I arrived home, I laid down on my bed and texted her.

Where were you today?

In a few minutes, I heard my phone bing and read Ana’s message.

Sorry, Ruby! I was busy doing homework.

Odd. Ever since I’ve known her, Ana begins her homework after she leaves school on Friday. We didn’t get a lot for the weekend and I can’t imagine Ana was doing her homework on a Sunday afternoon. But she wouldn’t lie to me! Ana is my best friend! I text her back.

OK. Can we go to the mall together after school on Tuesday?

Ana immediately responds.

Yes, see you there!

CHAPTER 2:

On Tuesday, Ana and I have fun at the mall, hopping from store to store trying on Spring clothes and then we go to Frosty Delights for ice cream. As we eat our sundaes, I say, “We probably shouldn’t be eating this right before dinner, but they’re soooo good!”

“Yup,” says Ana. “”Mint Chip is my favorite,” she replies while texting.

After a few seconds, she looks up from her phone.

“I need to go to the bathroom. Will you watch my phone please?” Ana asks.

“Of course,” I say as I start looking at Instagram pictures.

While Ana is gone, I glance at her phone. I noticed the Messages app is still open, and I read the name Marco on her screen.

“Why is Ana messaging Marco?” I wondered. But should I read Ana’s messages? Would I be invading her privacy? She would be upset about other people reading her messages, but not me. I’m her best friend. Ana knows that she can always trust me and that nothing bad will happen to our friendship if I look at her messages.

I pick up her phone and begin reading and see one that catches my attention.

Marco, I had so much fun at the movies with you last Sunday.

I check again. What? I can't believe what I’m reading. Ana lied to me about why she didn't go to the park with me. She walks back to our table.

“What’s this?” I ask her while showing Ana her messages to Marco.

“Why are you looking at my messages?!? Those are private! We’re friends, Ruby but we don’t have to share everything,” Ana says, looking shocked.

“Well, I can see why you wouldn’t want to share this. You chose Marco over me on Sunday, and to top it off, you lied to me,” I answer, raising my voice.

“Well, I’m sorry about lying. I shouldn’t have done that, but you read my private messages!” Ana angrily replies.

“That doesn’t matter! What matters is that you lied to me and didn’t put your best friend over a boy! Well, that’s going to end. Forget about our friendship because it obviously doesn’t mean much to you.”

“Fine with me! How can I be friends with someone who’s so possessive?” Ana shouts.

We both leave in opposite directions, and I immediately block Ana from my Messages app.

CHAPTER 3

I walk into my high school a week later, still thinking about Ana lying to me. As I turn the corner to go to my locker, someone knocks my books to the floor. I bend down to get them, and as I stand up, I see Jessica, Stella, and Elena, three Juniors who love to give me grief.

“What was that for?” I demand, irritated by their endless bullying.

Jessica looks slyly at Elena and Stella and then turns again to me.

“Oh, sooooooorry! We didn't mean to do that!" Jessica replied sarcastically.

Stella looks to her side and nods her head. At that point, my former friend Ana, who was doing her makeup by her locker, walks toward us and glares at me.

“Hello, Ana,” I say, trying to be polite and avoid an argument. “Um…it's been a while since we last saw each other. How are you doing?”

“I have nothing to say to you, Ruby, because we’re not friends anymore,” Ana responds.

“You’re just being bitter, Ana. You know it’s your fault we ended our friendship,” I say, standing up straight.

“How is it my fault? You invaded my privacy, and my life doesn’t only revolve around you! You’re the one being bitter,” Ana replies.

“You’re probably the only person in this school who thinks so. I’ll bet if other kids knew our story, they would support me,” I say.

Ana laughs without saying anything.

“Why are you laughing at me, Ana?” I ask.

“Has anyone talked to you about what happened between us? You must’ve heard something…” Ana says, still giggling.

“Why? What did you tell them?” I snap.

“You’ll see,” Ana says, smiling.

As they all leave, I wonder what that was all about? What did Ana tell everyone?

I find out the answer as soon as I walk into the lunchroom later on. Destiny and Raven walk toward me.

“Hi Ruby, have you seen the Instagram account we made about you? You’re famous! Everyone in our grade is following it, except you,” Destiny says, holding her phone out to me.

I hesitate, but then take the phone and scroll through the account. My mouth drops.

“You have to be kidding me,” I say, quietly.

It’s filled with pictures of me, taken without my knowing. The captions are the most cruel of all.

“Ruby is sitting by herself at a Coffee Island cafe because she doesn’t have a friend.”

“Who thought Ruby could have a worse social life? And SHE ended her friendship with Ana, the only person who treated her decently. How can Ruby be so stupid?”

“Everyone watch out! Ruby’s an awful person who’ll stop being your friend if you don’t give her all your attention. She did that to Ana and would do the same to you!”

I had never felt so alone in my life.

CHAPTER 4:

Apart from school, I never leave home. All the kids bully me at school and they probably would do the same outside of school. What’s the point of going anywhere when no one wants to be with me? I’m still mad at Ana. She’s now friends with Stella, Jessica, and Elena, and they’re always plotting ways to make my life more miserable. I’ll never forgive Ana. I’d rather be lonely than be with someone who lies and chooses other people over me.

One day, while I’m reading a book on my bed, I hear a knock on my door. It’s probably my parents or older sister Olivia. None of the kids from school visit me.

“Come in,” I say.

It’s my mom. She walks in and sits next to me.

“Ruby, we need to talk about what you’re going through,” my mom says, touching my shoulder.

I don’t say anything because I already know she wants to talk about how I’m isolating myself in my room every day.

“Dad and I noticed that you never come out of here. You’ve become so distant from everyone,” she continues.

“I’ve been going through a lot of things,” I say, not making eye contact.

My parents and Olivia don’t know what’s happened with Ana. I should tell someone, I guess, before they start really worrying about me.

“Ana and I aren’t friends anymore,” I say curtly.

My mom gasps.

“Why? You were so close to her. I can’t imagine your being without her,” my mom says.

“Well, we’re not close anymore, and that’s it,” I respond.

“You haven’t told me why that’s the case. Is that why you never leave the house? Please tell me what’s going on, Ruby. This is serious,” my mom says.

“Mom, I don’t feel like talking about this. Can this wait? I just want to be alone,” I say pleadingly.

My mom stares at me for a few seconds, looking worried, before leaving and closing the door. Did I do the right thing by not telling her more? Yes, I did. What would she think of me? How could I end my friendship with Ana, who was the only person who cared about me? Plus, it isn’t like she can help anyway. What would she do? Go to the principal and report I’m being bullied. The other kids would call me a tattletale, and everything would get worse.

At dinner time, I eat with my family, and from time to time, my sister and parents glance at me. They’re usually sharing funny stories that happened at work and school during dinner, but not today. They know something’s up with me. Immediately after finishing my food, I get up and pick up my plate and fork, but before I take a step toward the dishwasher, my dad calls, “Ruby…”.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, pretending to be unaware of what’s going on.

“Ruby, you know what’s wrong,” he replies.

Here we go again.

“Dad, it’s fine. We don’t need to discuss this right now,” I say, faking a smile.

“No, it’s not. You haven’t been speaking to anyone these past few weeks, not even Ana,” he says.

“Ana has just been busy, and you know how everyone at school ignores me,” I say.

“Don’t lie to me. Your mom told me you and Ana stopped being friends,” he responds.

“It’s nothing really. We just had a few problems, but I’m sure we’ll work it out,” I reply.

“Stay, please,” my dad says in a more serious voice.

“Ruby, this is important. If you tell us everything that’s been going on, we can help you,” my mom says.

“Okay, I will, but do I have to tell you why Ana and I are no longer friends? I don’t feel comfortable,” I ask.

“Yes, you do. That might be why you’re so distant now,” my mom answers.

I sigh and sit down again.

“OK. One day, Ana didn’t meet me at the park and told me she was busy with homework. A few days later, I looked at her messages, and it turned out she had been messaging someone named Marco. I found out that Ana had been hanging out with him on the same day we were supposed to meet at the park. I told her it wasn’t right for her to choose Marco over me and lie to me, but she disagreed with me,” I explain.

“Why did you read your friend’s messages? You invaded her privacy,” Olivia says.

“Why does that matter, Olivia? I had to end our friendship because Ana obviously didn’t care about it anymore,” I respond.

“Ruby, that was probably just a mistake Ana made. She cared too much about Marco and accidentally forgot about you. That just happened once. Didn’t she apologize?” Olivia says.

“She did, but that doesn’t change anything!” I shout.

“Please calm down, Ruby. We’re just trying to help,” my dad says.

“How are you helping me when you’re not understanding my situation?” I ask, raising my voice.

“We’re understanding it, but you should understand Ana’s apology was probably sincere,” my mom answers.

“Ana became friends with my bullies and started bullying me. She doesn’t care about me anymore,” I yell before slamming my fork and plate on the table and running to my room crying.

I lay down on my bed, thinking about everything my family said. Even my family doesn’t understand me. How will things get better? Twenty minutes later, someone knocks on my door.

“Who is it?” I ask, sniffing.

“It’s me, Olivia.”

“Come in.”

Olivia enters my room and sits on my bed.

“I understand what you’re going through, and we’re always here for you,” Olivia says, gently squeezing my hand.

“But what should I do? Everyone at school is treating me even worse now,” I say between tears.

Olivia gives me a tissue.

“You need to forgive Ana,” she replies after a few seconds.

“How can I do that when she wants to ruin my life? Even if I forgive her, she won’t agree to being friends with me again,” I respond.

“It’ll take some time for you to forgive her because you don’t understand all this from her perspective. Do you know why she became friends with Marco and chose to hang out with him and not you? Maybe she has a good reason and lied to you to not hurt your feelings,” Olivia says.

“But Ana doesn’t feel sorry for what she did and acts like everything’s fine,” I protest.

"You can’t be sure because no one told you what she’s been going through. I’ll bet she’ll learn from her mistakes and stop bullying you,” Olivia replies.

“Maybe. I’ll think about it. Thanks, Olivia,” I say, hugging her before she leaves my room.

CHAPTER 5:

After two more weeks of being alone, I get a surprise one morning…a missed call on my phone, from a number I don’t recognize. I guess it’s probably a robo call or someone trying to sell something, but my curiosity gets the better of me, and I call back the number. I’m shocked to find out it’s Ana!

“Um…hi Ruby. I know you weren’t expecting this, but it’s me, Ana. I hope you’re not mad right now,” she says.

I thought about Olivia’s advice, but I just couldn’t bring myself to speak kindly to Ana. I guess I still didn’t forgive her.

“Ana,” I snap. “What do you want?”

Ana hesitantly responds, “Sorry for calling you. I’m at a low point in my life. I know you’re angry at me for ruining things, but I’m still hoping you can help me. Marco’s not a good person. He shames and insults me when we’re alone and in public and controls everything I do. Marco also gets very jealous when I spend time with someone else, and that’s why he doesn’t allow me to hang out with other kids."

I’m surprised but not shocked. I had a bad feeling about Marco all along.

“It’s been like this for the past few months,” she continues. "I can only go out with someone else if Marco’s too busy to be with me. I tried contacting my other friends, but they like Marco because he’s good-looking and popular. They don’t believe he’d do things like that. Ruby, please, you’re my last hope!”

“I can’t believe you either, Ana. I’ve never seen what Marco’s really like, so why should I think that he’s doing the things you say? Don’t contact me with a different phone number again,” I say, hurt and angry that she would want to take advantage of me.

Before Ana can say another word, I end the call and block her. Why should I continue talking to Ana if she’s probably lying about Marco?

I get ready to go to school. By lunch period, I don’t see Ana. I shouldn’t be concerned about her. She might just be sick. None of my teachers mention her, so I’m probably right. Ana is fine; there’s nothing to worry about.

Ana didn’t attend school or contact me again for another week. I’m still angry with her, but I can’t help wondering how she’s doing. I didn’t think anything was wrong with Ana at first, and I thought she was lying and trying to manipulate me to begin our friendship again. But she only tried contacting me once, and it’s impossible for me to believe that she’s fine when she’s been absent all this time.

On Saturday afternoon, while walking to the library, I look around, and I see someone I wasn’t expecting to see: Ana. And she’s not alone. She’s with Marco, and they’re in front of the restaurant, Romance Island. I slip behind the corner and listen.

“Ana, what are you wearing?” I hear Marco say. “Your clothes look like you’ve just rolled out of bed. A sweater and sweatpants…really? We’re going to a fancy restaurant, not a pigsty. Learn how to dress decently for once!”

“I’m sorry, Marco. I haven’t been feeling well lately and stayed in bed the whole day today, so I didn’t have time to change into something nicer, ” Ana says softly.

“You’re making excuses.You’re just lazy," Marco says with a scowl.

“No, I’m not,” Ana replies, raising her voice.

“Don’t raise your voice at me. I can say whatever I—,” Marco yells.

“Stop it!” I say, running to them.

“Who are you?” Marco snaps.

“I’m Ruby, and I can’t let you treat her like this,” I say.

“And what are you going to do? I can treat her any way I want,” Marco responds, his nostrils flaring.

“I’ll take Ana with me so you can’t. Say goodbye to her, Marco, because she doesn’t need you,” I say, taking Ana’s arm.

Ana looks confused, but she walks with me toward the end of the street.

“Ruby, why did you do that?” Ana asks.

“Because I forgive you for lying to me. I realized everything you said about Marco was true. I’m sorry for not being understanding. And I apologize for reading your messages. Will you forgive me?” I reply.

“I will. Starting a relationship with Marco was a stupid mistake. Let’s be friends again,” Ana says, hugging me.

I hug her back. I never expected this, but I’m surprised at myself. I feel happy to have our friendship back.

The next day, Ana and I walk to school together. Immediately after we arrive, we see Elena, Stella, and Jessica crossing their arms and glaring at us. They must’ve been waiting for us this morning.

"Marco told us what happened, Ana. I can't believe you would do such a stupid thing," Elena says.

"I wasn’t happy with him. He’s the worst person I’ve ever met, and Ruby helped me break up with him," Ana replies, looking at me and smiling.

"What? I thought you never wanted to speak to her again. Don't tell me you’re going to be friends with her," Jessica says.

"I already am,” Ana says, putting her hand on my shoulder.

"And we’d rather not be with all of you," I add.

"You both have to be kidding us, Ana,” Stella answers. "We thought you were smart enough to want to go out with the most popular guy at school. But obviously you’re not. And instead, you choose to hang around with a weirdo like Ruby? What a loser.”

"Ruby and I don’t care what other people think of us. If you don't mind, we’re leaving now because we know what real friends are," Ana says before walking away with me.

"You’re going to regret this," Jessica shouts as we leave.

But we know we won’t feel any regret. A trustworthy friendship with Ana is all I ever wanted.