"And he is teaching you next year too," added Sara. "What?!" Ruby said in shock. "Yup. Two subjects in the third semester," Lee chipped in.

"Now I'm really upset," Ruby immersed her face into Lee's chest. She grabbed a bit of the fabric of his t-shirt and mumbled, "Please help me."

"Ruby, this is Prof. Thompson. And Tom, this is Ruby. She is our friend."

Sara introduced Ruby to Prof. Thompson as soon as she joined them.

Professor Thompson had a small face and a gentle smile. His hair was greying to a pleasant white, his eyes were kind, hidden behind his glasses and he gave off friendly vibes. Ruby thought that he must have been quite popular when young. He reminded her of a clean shaven Santa Claus.

Thompson shook hands with her and said, "Why am I hearing about this friend for the first time from you?"

"I'm in my first year actually," Ruby answered with a smile.

"I found her quite recently. She was hiding from me," added Ruby. Thompson chuckled.

"She plans on taking your subject next year," said Laksh.

"Is that so?" Thompson turned to Ruby, with raised eyebrows, "Mind you, it's not easy."

"Don't scare the poor girl. She is already worried by Sloan breathing down her neck," said Sara. Thompson laughed, "Prof. Sloan has that effect on people. Don't worry. If you want, I'll talk to him to go easy on you."

"Thank You sir. I just hope it won't be much trouble," Ruby returned his warm smile.

Sara immediately leaned in and whispered to Ruby, "Your 'friends' are here." She pointed towards the entrance of the cafeteria. Ruby turned around and glanced at them. Determined, she stood up from her seat, and walked towards them.

"I have to get going. I have a class. They won't pay me if I'm late," he laughed getting to his feet, "I'll see you kids around."

"When will we get to visit your vacation home again?" asked Laksh before he left. Thompson thought for a second and said, "How about this weekend? You can all come, but come bearing gifts," Laksh nodded with a smile. She added, "We can discuss the scholarship also then."

"Sure."

Thompson said his goodbyes and left. This was when Sara joined them, closely followed by Ruby.

"Just get rid of them. Kick them out of your life. And please don't call them as your friends, not in front of me anyway. Ever," Sara said as she sat down.

The road to Tom's vacation house was long and flanked on either side by tall trees. The lush green canopy barely let any light pass through them. Since it was mostly unused, the road appeared to be smooth and perfect for a long drive. It had slightly rained early in the morning, and hence the surface of the road was a dark shade of grey. The road reminded Ruby of the forest reserve between her town and the big city.

This time, Sara drove, Laksh sat beside her in the front , while Lee and Ruby took the back seat for obvious reasons. Whenever she heard a giggle, Sara would say, "Guys, behave. This is a public space. Don't make me kick you out of the car."

Soon they arrived at the vacation home. It was an enormous wooden structure built in the clearing, in the middle of the woods.

Huge windows that let in light into the house, the long balcony, an open area where guests could sit and just watch over the forest, were some of the first things that caught their eye. To its right was the open space, and to its left, was a small greenhouse where Tom grew his exclusive collection of plants. The vacation home was on its own a marvel.

On the balcony overlooking the forest stood Thompson leaning against the railing, and he waved as they drove in the premises.

The four walked out of the car and were received by Tom happily.

"Tired after the long drive?" He asked.

"Very much," replied Laksh.

"I was the one who drove," said Sara sharply.

"Your house is amazing Professor," Ruby complimented, still looking around with her big eyes.

"Thank you Ruby," Thompson smiled.

"Come on, let's go see the greenhouse!" She said, pulling Lee by his arm. "I'm going in. I have seen it before," said Sara as she walked towards the front door.

"I have got new plants. A few gifts and a few I collected from an exhibition," said Tom. "You know I don't really care about all this, Tom," Sara said as she walked in.

Laksh and Lee, accompanied Ruby to the greenhouse. Ruby's eyes were wide with wonder. There were all sorts of plants, from roses to jasmine to ones Ruby had never seen before. Some plants had leaves that mimicked flowers. She spotted white, pink and yellow flowers.

Pulling out her phone, she gave it to Lee, "Please take my picture." They clicked individual photographs and selfies. "How good is Thompson to let us into his vacation home!" Ruby exclaimed. "It's because of Sara. She has known him since she joined college," said Lee.

"Don't you find it a bit weird to hear her calling him as Tom?" Asked Ruby, unsure of how the other two will react to it. Their silence made her feel like she shouldn't have said anything.

"Let's head back?" asked Lee. Soon they returned to the two inside the house.

Warm tea was served in beautiful Jade china cups on the small table in the living room. The walls were adorned by exquisite paintings. The lace curtains were a shade of ivory that went well with the wood paneled walls and on the floor was an off white fluffy carpet.

"It's such a beautiful house," said Ruby as she took it all in.

"I keep forgetting it's her first time here," Lee laughed. Ruby turned a shade of crimson.

"My wife decorated it herself," said Tom.

"I didn't know you were married," said Ruby.

"Yes. I have two kids, a daughter and a son. In fact, my daughter is in college. She is your age," he smiled.

"What about your family? You never talk about them," asked Sara, turning to Ruby.

"I have a dad at home. We live in the south," she replied.

"And your mum?" asked Laksh.

"She passed away when I was just a baby," Ruby answered.

"Oh. I'm sorry," said Tom.

"It's alright. In fact I'm named after her, Rose," Ruby said, more cheerful now.

"Ruby Rose John," Tom said as he nodded with a smile.

"That's beautiful," said Lee as he rubbed the skin behind her thumb, enclosed in his hands, in circles.

"Dad brought me up on his own. He works real hard. He has dedicated his entire life for me. I just wish I could help him somehow," Ruby trailed off.

"I told you she is a good girl," Sara said with a chuckle to Laksh.

Ruby toured around the whole house with Lee by her side, while Sara and Laksh stayed back with Tom.

"This house is so beautiful," said Ruby as she sped pulling Lee along with her. They walked into a bedroom that looked like it came straight out of a magazine. Comfy bed, white fluffy pillows contrasting with the oak wood wall panels, and a large window that gave a vast view of the forest. Ruby stood against the window, her hands on the glass as she gazed outside. She felt Lee's arms slide across her waist and his chin rest on her left shoulder.

"I wish we could stay the night," Ruby mumbled.

"I wish so too. But Tom doesn't let us stay overnight. He has to leave to his apartment in the city," said Lee and Ruby nodded with a pout. "But I know a way we can enjoy for a few minutes," he said with a wicked smile as he turned her around in his arms.

Sara had excused herself from the other two, and left the living room. Laksh took the chance and asked Tom, "Tom, I was wondering about the scholarship."

"Ah yes," Tom took a sip from his tea and said, "Your chances are very high Laksh. Your scores, your volunteer work, being in the position of the president of Student Council, it all puts you in a very good spot. Let me talk to the dean however because the final decision rests with him."

"Of course sir. I am glad you understand the effort I put in. I just need your support," Laksh replied with a relieved smile.

Sara was walking towards the washroom as she admired the paintings that she had seen a million times before. Hell, she could name the paintings and their artists, owing to the lessons her parents have given her since she was a child.

When Sara turned the handle of the door to the washroom, she heard a giggle from a nearby room. Having heard it countless times before, she was too familiar with the owner of the voice. She smirked and walked into the washroom.

Soon, it was time to leave. Sara waited outside with the others for Tom, who was still inside on a phone call. Lee stood with his arms around Ruby. Laksh was checking out herself on her phone camera and Sara rolled her eyes at the scene. Soon, Tom walked out, but with a guitar in his hand.

"You got it fixed!" exclaimed Lee in surprise.

"Yes. It wasn't easy finding someone who knew how to fix this," Thompson said with a smile.

Ruby's eyes widened with wonder. "You play guitar?" She asked Lee.

"It baffles me how little you know about your boyfriend," Sara said, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes I do. It had broken the last time I had come here. I didn't want to buy a new one. I just loved this one so much," said Lee

Eyes still filled with excitement, Ruby asked, "Can I also play?"

Ruby's mind was filled with a thousand scenarios as they drove back. She felt she should not have asked that question. Lee's face was unrecognizable with irritation as soon as those words left her lips. Laksh had shook her head at Ruby from behind Lee and Sara had just walked to the car after saying goodbye to Tom.

Ruby should have known how possessive Lee was about his things. At least she should have considered that he would not be happy if someone asks him to use his favorite object as soon as he gets it all new. This just proved Sara's statement about how less Ruby knew about her boyfriend.