After the bonding that she'd experienced with Luke in his car, they hadn't talked for two days. The new year was approaching and she had matters at hand like getting her mom back to their home.

As the day progressed and the New year eve came, her mom returned back home and Ruby felt content. At least she'd spend her New Year with her family. She'd welcomed her mom with a tight hug and watched her Dad carry her mom's little bag into their home. As she watched him, she realized that he looked leaner than she remembered and he'd let his beard grow out a bit. He didn't look like the father she'd grown up to love. Maybe it was because she wanted to resent him, after all he was a cheat.

The difference between the New year's eve to Ruby was the fact that there was no party. They usually had a party on New Year's eve, but the year was different and with all the trouble that happened ,and all that was still brewing, what was there to celebrate?

She spent the New year's eve locked up in her room and wandering what her parents were doing.

Everything was somehow back to normal and that was a good thing to Ruby. A good way to start a new year. But as the New Year dawned, she realized that her family was still as messed up as it'd been. No magic had happened. No miracle. How could she expect a miracle, when she hadn't even asked God for help? She couldn't even remember the last time she'd really prayed to God. Like really prayed.

The doorbell rang a little bit into seven in the evening, so she dragged her feet to open it. Ruby opened the door to see Luke. A somewhat chirpy Luke. She didn't know why, but seeing him so happy riled her up. How could he look happy when she couldn't even find a reason to smile?

"Hi Ru..." He smiled at her.

"Stop it!" She yelled out in frustration.

"Stop what Ru?" He asked, confusion flashing in his eyes.

"Stop acting all nice and know it all. I hate it. I don't know why we're even friends." She looked him in the eye. "I don't want to see you in my house ever again. You're too happy to be my friend." She didn't bother ushering him in even during the cold.

He looked hurt, but she didn't mind. She'd transferred her hurting to him and she felt refreshed. A cold gust of wind hit her on the face and she shivered a bit.

Luke looked hurt, but his face hardened. If she wanted him to leave. Leave he would. So he turned with squared shoulders and left her behind. As soon as Luke left, she ran up the stairs to her room and sat still on her bed, staring off into space. Then she let out soft screams and cried, because the sadness inside her had increased ten folds. She howled because she was just as frayed as before. Even worse. Because right then, she had just pushed away the only person she'd opened up to. And it was her fault.

She let the dark clouds take over. She allowed the storm to wash over her. She didn't fight it. She let the dreariness and ache be her companion for the New Year.

Her period made things worse, the constant pain that felt like someone was repeatedly stabbing her abdomen. She let the tears keep flowing like an endless river.

Her mom entered her room with her signature delicious-smelling chicken soup and forced her to eat it. They spent a little while together. Soothing words were said to ease each other's pain. The first day of the new year came and went like a shadow and washed over the Grayson's household.

"It's gonna be okay," her mom said, caressing Ruby's face.

Deep down, Ruby knew that it was a lie. A lie said to make her feel better. She couldn't help but miss her Dad's presence. He was always the one who stayed with her when she was down.

But her mom would do just fine.

A/N

Mrs Grayson is not so bad after all huh?
I love her character. And Luke is a total good guy. Plus Ruby is PM - sing 😁

Mackenzie the 2nd. . . Out. . .