Read Online Ruby Reinvented by Ronni Arno - Free Book Online Page B

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    â€œMommy!” Summer hugs her mom, who looks exactly like Holly in older form, and then she hugs her Dad, who looks exactly like Summer in man form. Holly hugs them next, and I just stand by the couch smiling like a dork. I fold my hands in front of me but realize that looks a little creepy, so I force my arms to just hang at my side.
    Summer’s mom gives Connor a hug, and Summer’s dad shakes his hand.
    â€œYou must be Bea.” Summer’s mom comes toward me with her arms outstretched.
    â€œNice to meet you,” I say after she releases me from a hug.
    â€œWe’re so happy you’ll be joining us,” Summer’s mom says. “I’m Veronica, and this is Eric.” She motions to Summer’s dad, who gives me a handshake instead of a hug.
    â€œIt’s finally getting nice outside, so we thought we’d walk, if that’s okay with you, Bea,” Eric says.
    â€œSure,” I say. I’m glad I wore my Converses—comfortable but fashionable and the spot-on choice with my T-shirt dress.
    â€œLook at Bea’s dress, Mom,” Summer says. “She made it.”
    â€œYou made that?” Veronica holds the door open for us, and we all pile out onto the walkway.
    â€œYes.” I look down at my sneakers. She probably thinks it’s ridiculous.
    â€œWow,” Veronica says. “You’re really talented.”
    I jerk my head up and smile uncontrollably. Nobody has ever called me talented before. Nobody ever. When you’re the daughter of a supermodel-turned–television star and the best pitcher in the major leagues, regular, everyday talent doesn’t look too interesting.
    â€œThat’s why I needed the T-shirts.” Summer grabs a shopping bag out of Veronica’s hand. “Thanks for bringing them!”
    The smile is still glued to my face as we walk into town. Holly’s walking behind us with her parents. Summer, as usual, is skipping ahead. Which means I’m walking with Connor. I wipe my sweaty palms on my dress and give myself a pat on the back for making the dress out of cotton.
    â€œYou’ll love Clara’s,” Connor says.
    â€œIt’s good?” I ask, and give myself a mental face palm. Of course it’s good, Ruby. He just said you’d love it.
    â€œIt’s my favorite restaurant in town.” Connor either doesn’t notice my stupid question or he chooses to ignore it.
    â€œIt’s really nice of Summer’s parents to take us out.”
    â€œOh yeah, they’re awesome.” Connor pauses. “When did it happen?”
    I glance at him. “When did what happen?”
    â€œYour parents.” He’s looking down at the sidewalk. “When did they—when did they pass away?”
    Uh-oh. The neurons in my brain are firing blanks. I can’t think of an answer. Did I tell Summer when they pretend “died”? I don’t remember! And I have to be sure to keep my story straight if—
    â€œI’m sorry.” Connor hangs his head even lower than it was before. “That was rude of me to ask.”
    â€œOh, no—not at all,” I stammer. “It’s just that I—I don’t remember much about it. Them. I was really little.”
    Connor nods.
    â€œHow about you?” I don’t really want to talk about dead parents, but since he asked about mine, I guess I should ask about his.
    â€œI was six.” He pushes his hair out of his eyes.
    â€œWow.” I look over at him, but he’s not looking at me. “How’d it happen?”
    â€œCar accident.”
    â€œWow.”
    â€œHow about you?”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œHow did your parents die?”
    Oh, right.
    â€œUm, same.” I can’t think of anything else to say, so I say the first thing that pops into my mind. How could I be so stupid? I could have said something else. Anything else. Fire, plane crash, train wreck, deadly virus,