Ruby Reinvented Read online

  “It doesn’t matter.” The words fly out of Cassandra’s mouth like daggers. “It seems Bea doesn’t understand that friendship is a two-way street.”

  “We can start over,” I say. “Friends? True friends?”

  Cassandra flips her hair. “Can I meet your parents?”

  This tells me all I need to know, so I shake my head. “I’m really sorry.”

  “You know what? Forget it.” Now Cassandra has both hands on her hips. “I wouldn’t want to be your friend anyway. I’m glad Connor finally knows the truth about you.”

  I smile. “So am I.”

  Chapter

  36

  I SPEND THE next day showing my parents and Ellie around town. We visit the bookstore, the harbor, and the ice cream shop. Of course people whisper and point, and some even stop to chat, but mostly, everyone leaves us alone.

  Summer’s parents invite us over to dinner, and my parents are so fascinated with town that they decide to walk there.

  “So, Bea.” Dad puts his arm around me as we walk. “Your mom and I are kind of in love with this place.”

  “Yeah, Midcoast’s pretty great.”

  “And so is Maine. Everybody’s been exceptionally nice. We’re thinking about getting a house here,” Mom says.

  “What?” I stop in my tracks.

  “Yeah, like a vacation home.” Dad takes a deep breath. “To get away from it all.”

  “And, of course,” Mom adds. “To spend more time with you.”

  “Really?” I look from Mom to Dad.

  “What do you think about that?” Dad asks.

  A few weeks ago I would have been totally horrified at the thought. But now I feel all warm and gooey inside. Like I just had a cup of hot chocolate—with marshmallows.

  I can’t wait to tell Summer.

  Which I do as soon as she opens the door. I don’t even make it past the entryway of their house when I start blabbing. She listens politely, but her eyes keep darting around the room. I’m not sure she’s hearing a word I’m saying.

  “Didn’t you hear me? My parents want to get a house here.”

  “I know, Bea, and that’s awesome. It’s just that I have to tell you—”

  “Dinner’s ready,” Veronica calls from the kitchen.

  “Just a minute,” Summer calls back.

  Eric comes in and ushers us forward. “Come on, girls. This is a very important night.”

  I raise an eyebrow at Summer. I didn’t think her family would make such a big deal about having my parents over for dinner. I thought they were too cool for that.

  It’s obvious that we’re not eating on the couch tonight. Tonight we’re in the dining room. The table is set for nine. I wonder if Holly has a friend over.

  Summer and I sit at one end of the table, and Mom, Dad, and Ellie are at the other end. Eric and Veronica are loading the table with plates of food. My mouth waters at the smells wafting from the dishes.

  The front door opens, and Holly’s voice echoes through the house. “Sorry we’re late.”

  “You’re just in time,” Veronica says. “Wash your hands and take a seat.”

  A minute later Holly bounces into the dining room.

  Followed by Connor.

  Veronica introduces my parents and Ellie to Holly and Connor. Connor smiles politely at them but never looks at me.

  “I’m so glad you could all join us here tonight,” Veronica says once she sits down.

  “Thanks for having us,” Mom says. “Everything smells delicious.”

  “I hope it is.” Veronica picks up her glass. “But first, a toast. And an announcement. Or, an announcement, and then a toast.” She lets out a nervous giggle.

  I look at Summer, but she doesn’t meet my eyes. She’s got a big goofy smile on her face, though. We all pick up our glasses and stare at Veronica, whose hand is shaking so much that her wine is sloshing around in her glass, threatening to spill over the top.

  “This is a pretty big day for us.” She smiles at Eric, but her voice is as shaky as her hand. I can’t believe she’s making such a big deal of meeting my parents.

  Eric waits for her to go on, but she can’t seem to get the words out. “We wanted you all here to be a part of this.”

  I glance over at Holly, who’s positively beaming. Then I sneak a peek at Connor, who looks as confused as I do.

  “Connor.” Eric turns to face him. “There’s something we’d like to talk with you about.”

  “Okay.” Connor’s eyes dart from Eric to Veronica.

  “We would like it very much if you would become an official member of our family.”

  Connor’s chin practically touches the table.

  “We spoke with your uncle,” Eric continues. “We know you haven’t had the best relationship with him, and he agreed that we’re better equipped to raise kids than he is. So—”

  Eric looks at Veronica and nods.

  “So we’d like to adopt you.” Veronica’s eyes are teary. “If that’s okay with you.”

  Connor’s still holding his glass in the air. He doesn’t move or say anything for what feels like hours. Finally, he puts his glass on the table and looks at Eric.

  “Are you serious?”

  “Yes, Connor. We are very serious.”

  “I’d live here?”

  “You’d live here.”

  “For real?”

  “If that’s what you want.”

  I think everyone at the table is holding their breath. I know I must be turning blue by now.

  Connor breaks out into a big smile, dimple and all. “I’d really like that.”

  Veronica puts her glass down, scoots out of her chair and over to his, and wraps her arms around his shoulders.

  “Welcome to the family.”

  Eric gets up next, and Holly and Summer follow. They pull him into a group hug, while Mom and Dad sit across from them, clapping.

  More than anything, I want to give Connor a hug too. But he hasn’t spoken to me in days.

  “Let’s eat,” Eric says when everyone’s back in their seats.

  The food is incredible, and Mom and Dad talk with Veronica and Eric like they’ve known each other for years. They don’t talk about Hollywood. They don’t talk about major league baseball. They just talk. Holly, Summer, and I talk, and Holly, Summer, and Connor talk, but Connor and I don’t say one word to each other.

  After dinner Veronica calls us into the family room. “There’s one more thing we’d like to do.”

  Eric pulls a wrapped box out of the closet.

  “This is for you.” He puts the box in front of Connor.

  Connor stares at it, until Summer jumps in. “I’m going to open it if you don’t.”

  Connor tears open the wrapping paper to reveal a box with a picture of a telescope on it.

  His eyes are almost as big as the box. “Is this—is this the Celestron NexStar Eight SE?”

  “It is.” Eric smiles.

  Connor picks the box up. “But it’s empty.”

  “That’s because the telescope is already set up outside.” Eric points to the backyard. “We thought you could use it here until the observation deck’s ready.”

  “I can’t accept it.” Connor shakes his head and pushes the box away from him. “It’s too much.”

  “Nonsense,” Veronica says. “Just think of it as a gift for all of the birthdays we missed before we knew you.”

  I’m holding my breath, waiting for Connor to say something. He goes from staring at the telescope box to staring at Eric and Veronica.

  “Thank you.” He says it so quietly I have to strain to hear him.

  “There’s something else.” Veronica hands Connor a large envelope.

  “I can’t accept—” Connor begins to protest.

  “Please,” Veronica says. “It’s important to us that you do.”

  Connor nods and carefully tears open the top of the envelope. He pulls out a parchment certificate with a gold seal at the bottom. I can’t r
ead what it says, but Connor’s silver eyes get all watery.

  “You named a star after my parents.” His voice is soft.

  “We thought you needed something to look at through your telescope,” Eric says.

  “We know how important they are to you.” Veronica dabs her eyes with a tissue. “And even though you’re part of our family, you’re also part of theirs. We never want you to forget that.”

  Connor’s staring at the certificate, his eyes filling up. He wipes them with the back of his hand.

  I swallow the star-size lump in my own throat and glance over at Mom. She’s welling up too.

  “How about we check it out?” Eric stands, breaking the silence in the room.

  Eric puts his hand on Connor’s shoulder and leads him out to the deck. The telescope is set up next to the grill. The sky is clear and dark, and the stars are amazing enough without the telescope. I spot the Big Dipper immediately and want to tell Connor that I found it all by myself, but the words get stuck in my throat. He won’t want to hear it anyway.

  Everyone takes turns looking through the eyepiece—except for me. Connor’s standing next to the telescope, and I don’t want to ruin this for him. But when it’s Mom’s turn, Connor is eager to help. He tells her where to look and even where to stand. I giggle. It’s funny watching my mother be so clueless. It’s something I haven’t seen very often.

  “Is it cool enough for some hot chocolate?” Veronica pulls her sweater tight.

  “It’s always cool enough for hot chocolate,” Summer says.

  “I’ll get some started,” Veronica says.

  “Let me help,” Mom chimes in. I giggle again, wondering if my mom even knows how to make hot chocolate.

  Holly, Eric, and Dad are still huddled around the telescope. Summer and I take a seat on the lounge chairs. We just stare at the stars for a little while. The sky is mesmerizing.

  “Pretty cool, huh?” Summer smiles. “Connor’s going to be my brother.”

  “That’s awesome,” I say. “Your parents are the best.”

  She nods, and then looks at me, all serious. “Your parents are pretty great too, you know.”

  I purse my lips. “They really are.”

  “So.” Summer motions to Connor. “Are you guys ever gonna talk again?”

  I shrug. “That’s not really my decision.”

  “Yeah, well, if your parents do get a house here, we’ll be spending a lot of time together. And it wouldn’t be good if my BFF and my brother didn’t get along.” Summer wiggles her eyebrows, and her lips curl into a smile.

  “Who’s ready for hot chocolate?” Veronica asks, and Summer jumps out of her chair.

  “That sounds pretty good right now.” Dad rubs his arms. “I guess I’m not used to this brisk weather yet.”

  Eric slaps him on the back. “Come on in. Let’s get you thawed out.”

  They laugh all the way to the door, Summer on their heels. Before she closes the door behind her, she gives me a wink and then motions to Connor.

  Connor and I are the only ones left outside.

  We are alone.

  Chapter

  37

  CONNOR’S FIDDLING WITH the telescope, and I’m sitting on the edge of the lounge chair. I have to talk to him. It’s now or never.

  I scoot off the chair and slowly walk over to where he’s standing.

  “This is pretty awesome.” I point to the telescope.

  “Yeah.” He’s looking through the eyepiece, adjusting something.

  “I mean, the whole night’s been pretty awesome. You know, how you’re going to be part of Summer’s family and all.” I stick my toe in between the slats of wood on the deck.

  “I know. I can’t believe it.” He’s still messing with the telescope.

  “What are you doing?” I am a little curious, but mostly I’m just trying to make conversation.

  He holds up the certificate in one hand, looks through the lens, and tweaks something on the telescope with the other hand. “Looking for this star.”

  I don’t say anything, just shove my hands in the pockets of my hoodie. I look up. There are tons and tons of stars. I don’t know how he’s going to find one out of the trajillion that are up there.

  “There it is.” He’s still looking through the lens.

  “You found it?” I look up at the sky.

  “I think so. It gives the coordinates.”

  He looks for a while longer, then stands up.

  “Wanna see?” He takes a step back.

  “Really?” I shove my hands deeper into my pockets.

  “Sure.” He shrugs. “I mean, if it weren’t for you, we wouldn’t even have an observation deck for this telescope, so—”

  “No, it wasn’t me. It was everyone. Summer, Holly, and the whole school.”

  “Yeah, I know.” Connor looks at his feet. “But it was your project, so thanks.”

  I take a deep breath. My heart is beating so fast. Maybe that’s why my words spill out just as quickly. “I’m so sorry, for lying to you. I know I can never make it up to you, but I hope one day you’ll forgive me.”

  Connor looks at me for a split second, then he looks at the telescope. “So are you gonna take a look?”

  I swallow the lump in my throat and step up to the eyepiece.

  The stars look a lot like they look without the telescope, only they’re much bigger and much, much twinklier. It looks like they’re dancing.

  Connor steps in beside me and bends down so he’s at the same level as I am. My heart speeds up, and I take a deep breath to try to slow it down. “That’s it. That’s the Jack and Diane Sullivan star.”

  “It’s beautiful,” I say. And it is.

  “Yeah,” Connor says. “It’s a good one.”

  I stare at it for a little while longer, until I hear Connor chuckle. I jerk my head up to see what’s so funny. But he’s just standing there, looking at the sky, laughing.

  “What?” I ask.

  “It’s just that—” He shakes his head, but he’s still smiling. “Now both our parents are stars.”

  I give him a lopsided smile. I’ve really missed the sound of his laugh. “I’m happy for you. I mean, I know nobody can replace your parents, but now you have a whole other family.”

  “I’m pretty happy for me too.” Connor smiles, and for the first time in a long time, I can see his dimples.

  “Think we could be friends again?”

  Connor shrugs. “I don’t know. Maybe someday.”

  My stomach sinks a little and I nod.

  And then I see it.

  A shooting star.

  I squeeze my eyes shut and make a wish. And then I know. Connor and I will be friends again someday.

  I peek through the window to where Mom and Dad are laughing and sipping hot chocolate with Eric and Veronica. Summer is chatting with Holly, Topaz curled up at her feet. And even though Connor hasn’t quite forgiven me yet, I’m still here, with him, looking up at the most sparkly sky I’ve ever seen.

  No secrets. No fake friends. Just me, Connor, and the stars. And families who love each other.

  Best. Night. Ever.

  Acknowledgments

  FIRST OF ALL, I’d like to thank you, awesome reader! I’m grateful you chose to share your time with Ruby and friends.

  A huge thank-you to my wonderful editor, Alyson Heller, and the entire team at Aladdin/Simon & Schuster. Ruby and I couldn’t have landed at a better home. And another giant thank-you to my magical agent, Sarah Davies. Thank you for believing in me. I’m forever grateful that you pulled me out of the slush pile, and I feel lucky to walk the publishing path with you by my side.

  Thanks to cover artist Lucy Truman, who brought Ruby to life so brilliantly.

  I can’t give enough thanks to my critique group, the talented and insightful MGBetaReaders. This book is better than it would have been because of you. You’re all spectacular. I’d especially like to thank the readers for this manuscript: Jen Malone (such a wo
nderful friend and mentor to all newbie writers), Brooks Benjamin, Jeff Chen, Jean Giardina, and Karen Hallam, and query/early chapter readers Ella Schwartz, Melanie Conklin, Dana Edwards, Gail Nall, Rebecca Sutton, Chris Whitaker, Becky Appleby-Sparrow, and Ki-Wing Merlin. Big thanks also to my friends who read early versions: Stephen DeBock (my middle-school language arts teacher who is still teaching me after all these years!), Jane Coloccia, Rich Hoffman, Margaret Hoffman, Krissy Huetz, Susan Ilias, Rona Cherry, Madonna Kilcollum, Sean Dowd, and Michael Barron. Thanks also to my friend and writing teacher Jenny Milchman, who assured me I would get here someday soon.

  I owe a debt of gratitude to SCBWI for helping all new writers learn their craft. And to the Camden Public Library in Camden, Maine, for being the most inspiring writing place ever.

  And of course, big thanks and hugs to my young readers Ethan Hoffman, Maia Hoffman, Cole Huetz, Sierra Moench, Reese Barron, and Sophie Frank. Your enthusiasm encouraged me to keep going! I write for you.

  The biggest thank-you of all goes to my family. To my parents, Lew, Joy, Ron, and Bonnie, for reading every single page and enthusiastically calling me with your thoughts. Thank you for teaching me that I could do anything I put my mind to (I won the parents jackpot). And to my mother-in-law, Marianne Buehler, for sharing your thoughts on publishing and allowing me to share my pages with you (I also won the in-law jackpot). To my husband, Josh, thank you for your unwavering belief in me and my writing. I honestly never would have started if you didn’t believe I could do it (see . . . I do listen to most of what you say)! And of course, thank you to my kids, Hallie and Morgan. Thank you for sharing your favorite books with me. Thank you for reading everything I write, and thank you for letting me stalk you and your friends for story ideas (you do know about that one, right?). But mostly, thank you for giving me the most important job of all . . . being your mom.

  I am grateful for all of you. Your love and support wrote this book.

  RONNI ARNO writes books for tweens and teens. In her previous life, she worked as a publicist in Hollywood, ran a nonprofit organization, and taught yoga to children. She now lives on the coast of Maine with her family, where she kayaks, eats chocolate, and stalks her kids for story ideas.