Suddenly the horse seemed very tall.
Oh darn, she thought as her eyes closed and her body went limp. I should’ve done this on the ground, not on the back of a horse. This is going to hurt.
Chapter 13
Ruby Red
A loud sound woke Aspen up with a start. Slapping the Mickey Mouse ears on her alarm clock, she lowered the quilt and opened her eyes. The small hand mirror on her table jumped as she grabbed it to examine her face.
“Hmm, no damage that I can see,” she mused. After wiggling her toes, she then tested her fingers, stretching them open and closed a few times. Satisfied that all was well, she hopped out of bed.
Pulling out a sweater, a pair of jeans, and underwear in the darkened room, she tiptoed to the bathroom. Miriam had already come and gone, leaving towels strewn all over the floor. After Aspen cleaned up, she got dressed, put on her watch and ring, and caught the bus to school.
Sandy and Ginny waited for her in the courtyard.
“Hey!” Ginny called. Her hair was wrapped in a bun, held in place with a leather hair slide and stick. She raised her hand to high-five Aspen.
“Way to go.” Sandy laughed and slapped her hand as well.
“What happened? Everything went blank. Did you guys get home safely?”
“Well, duh. We’re here, aren’t we?” Ginny smiled smugly. Her dream catcher peeped out through the pink V-necked shirt she wore, and her metallic bangles tinkled as she moved.
“No, you know what I mean.”
“Yes, everyone is okay. You’re the new superstar back home,” Sandy said excitedly.
“I am?”
“Yes, you’re all that anyone talks about now.”
“No way. Really?”
Ginny nodded her head and laughed while shifting her backpack over her shoulder.
“Did Dylan manage to make it out?” Aspen asked, and Sandy raised her eyebrow.
“Yes, he did. But you can find out for yourself in class today.”
Sighing, Aspen looped her arms through theirs and headed for the school building. “Right, let’s get the day started.”
? ? ?
The first class of the morning was English, but Dylan was noticeably absent. She sat down at her desk and looked up in surprise as Ray and Ruby were escorted into the classroom. Mr. Wright cleared his throat loudly to get the students’ attention.
“Class, we’ve got new students.” He held on to Ruby’s shoulder as he spoke. “This is Ruby Firestone and her brother, Ray. They’re exchange students from Tuscaloosa High School in Alabama, and they’ll be with us for the next semester. Please make them feel welcome.”
The male students were completely captivated as they stared in amazement at Ruby’s beauty. And she did look spectacular. Her sweater and short skirt were completely white, and her hair was pinned high on her head in a swinging ponytail. The red tresses dipped and swayed as she moved. White Roman sandals with straps wound up her calves and fastened at the knees.
Ray stood next to her with his arms folded across his wide chest. He searched the class and as soon as his eyes found Aspen’s, he grinned broadly. Striding over to her, he left his sister alone at the front of the room.
“Can I join you, darlin’?” A small dimple appeared in his cheek as he hovered over her.
Aspen nodded and he took the desk next to her. His clothing had been freshly laundered and he smelled like fabric softener. Tiny flecks of gold sparkled in his eyes as he studied her.
“What are you doing here?” she whispered.
“Ruby wanted to see how Dylan was doing, and I wanted to spend some time with Lanta’s new hero.” He gave her a lazy grin.
Looking up, Aspen saw his sister watching their interaction and she lowered her head. “Does Ruby mind that you’re sitting with me?”
“Absolutely not. How could she mind when I’m with the prettiest girl in the school?” He smiled wickedly.
Heat flared in her cheeks. “Thank you, but I think your sister has officially earned that title right now.” She glanced at the smitten faces of the boys around her. Arguments had already broken out over where Ruby should sit.
“Darlin’, you’re breathtaking. Don’t sell yourself short.” Ray’s gaze wandered over her body with an appreciative gleam.
Aspen couldn’t help but smile at him. The Southern charm that he turned on was so sweet and engaging. She decided to relax and enjoy his flirting.
By the time the lunch bell rang, her stomach ached from laughter. Ray followed her around wherever she went. He carried her backpack to each class, and dusted off the seat for her before she sat down. Even though she’d looked out for Dylan, he didn’t come to any of his usual classes, and she jerked in surprise when his deep voice called her name in the corridor.
“Aspen!”
Wearing a tight-fitting gray T-shirt and a pair of blue jeans that hung low on his hips, he glared over her head at Ray. She felt guilty that her backpack was draped over Ray’s shoulder, and winced when she saw a muscle in Dylan’s jaw tick.