Maggie returned with a tray of drinks, only to find Zac stewing.
“You’re so slow!” he snapped as she approached.
“Sorry, there were a lot to carry,” she said quietly, holding back an apology as best she could.
Ruby, rolling her eyes, muttered under her breath, “Well, no wonder. Fat as a pig, and you think you’d be fast?”
The comment was sharper than usual, harsher than her typical digs.
It stung, a barb that left Maggie standing there, too stunned to respond.
Zac couldn’t hold back. “If you’re so annoyed, why didn’t you go get them yourself? She went to the trouble of bringing them for us, and you can’t even say thank you?”
“Are you serious?” Ruby snapped, turning on Zac, disbelief and fury written all over her face. “You’re yelling at me because of this… this pig?”
Zac’s face softened, immediately regretting his outburst. “Ruby…”
Ruby turned on her heel, storming off, and Zac quickly went after her, leaving Maggie alone with the others, who exchanged uneasy looks.
The remaining friends shifted uncomfortably, their faces tinged with embarrassment.
One of the girls cleared her throat awkwardly. “Hey, um, thanks for getting the drinks. Don’t mind Ruby—she just… talks like that. Don’t take it personally.”
They all knew Ruby had crossed a line.
Snide remarks were one thing, but to hit Maggie so bluntly, right where it hurt, was another.
Maggie took a deep breath, nodding, her voice wavering as she said, “It’s fine…We’re all friends here… no big deal.”
But as she glanced down, she felt her nose start to sting, her vision blurring.
At her feet lay one of the stuffed animals Jasper had won for her…