Hattie's POV:
      "Hey, you have to see this over here!" Hattie calls out

       "What is it?" Sam asks.

         "Yes, what she says," Jasmine remarks.

           "I would like to know as well," Tammie states.

            "It is probably nothing," Gloria scoffs.

           "Sis, do not be so cruel," Don says.

                 The others take a look around the corner to see what Hattie is going on about anyway.  They did not expect to see such a fortunate.  The whole place is packed full of the rarest jewel ever, rubies.

              "Well, what do you think?" Hattie asks.

           Jasmine's  POV:

            "Well, leave it to Hattie to find the jackpot," Jasmine spits out.

                  Jasmine grins as the others nod in agreement.  She figures even though Don took over as a leader this does not change the fact they still look up to her.  She was the one to convince them to tag along on this adventure.

                She still wonders who it is that Don likes.  She hopes it is not Hattie or Sam.  Those two are wrong for him.  She believes Tammie could be his type cause there is no way he is into her.  It is rather obvious he is not crushing on his sister, Gloria. 

                Jasmine watches the interactions of the group as a whole.  She must make sure they do not get hurt no matter what happens.  To do otherwise would make her a horrible friend.

               Gloria's  POV:

                 Gloria feels bad for the girl who finds out Don is not into her. She knows any of her friends could be great for him. However, she has a feeling it is probably going to turn out to be the one they think he is least into that he will like.  She should know since she is his sibling.

           She grins as they take a look at the huge supply of jewels that Hattie found.  She did not think Hattie cared much for all this stuff, yet her she is showing them the motherload.

      "Hattie, that is rather something," Gloria says.

       Tammie's  POV:

          Tammie thinks Don is so cute, but there is no way he likes me.  It is so obvious, he sees me as a friend and nothing more.  She believes he has to have a thing for anyone, but her.  Well, make that anyone, but her or Gloria.

         She smiles right along with the others so they can see how sad she feels.  

    "Rubies, wow!" Tammie says.

    Samatha's "Sam" POV: 

       Samatha, aka, Sam thinks it is nice there are actual rubies here.  It is no secret red is her favorite color since she is the one to wear red almost everywhere she goes.

        "Hattie, leave it to you to find something like this girl,"  Sam squeals.

     Don's  POV:           

       Don watches each girl as they take a closer look at the stash.  He thinks it is so nice to be among friends.  Then, again who is he kidding?  His crush is within his reach yet he still has not gotten up the courage to tell her yet.  He is the guy who is everyone's friend, so how can he confess without breaking the hearts of the others?

        He can tell his sister gives him a watchful eye as if to say, go for it brother.  He has no clue that Jasmine suspects it might be Tammie.  He just knows that he feels like a chicken right now.

        "Red as a ruby, clear as a diamond, green as an emerald..." Don begins to say.

         "Don, there is nothing here, but rubies," Jasmine says with a hand on her hip.

        "Good grief, girl, I was just talking about something I remember from my past," Don blurts out.

       Tammie's POV:

       Tammie sees Don's interaction with Sam and feels a bit jealous.  She does not say as much though since it would only make things harder for her.  Besides, why should she risk ruining everyone's fun over a silly crush on a boy?  Let alone on one who is a part of the group.

      She covers her feelings up with a continual smile. She wonders what it would be like to have a pair of earrings, necklace, bracelet, or watch made out of the rubies. Then, again who is she kidding?  How is she to know these things do not already belong to someone else? 

      Narrator's POV:

      The others notice how quiet Tammie is since the discovery of the precious items.  They have no idea what this means.  They have been inside the cave for hours though and it has been a while since they last ate anything.  This makes them wonder if she is hungry.

     "You want something to eat?" Don asks.

     "Wh-what?" Tammie asks. Her face is bright red almost as red as the rubies themselves.

       "Don asked if you want some food," Hattie retorts.

       "Yes, he sure did," Jasmine teases her.

          "My brother wants to know if you are ready for dinner," Gloria says.

           "She appears to be embarrassed," Sam points out.

              "No, she is just red cause it is so hot inside this here cave," Gloria remarks.

                  Tammie feels awkward as they all give her so much unnecessary attention. She looks up to see Don smiling at her while the others just shake their heads. She laughs it off.

                 "Yes, now that you mention it I am a bit famished," Tammie responds.

      Don hands Tammie a half a roll-up, and a granola bar. Then, he gives her an apple. He hands a few of the same items out to the rest of the group as well.  It seems he is prepared as usual for this kind of thing.

      Jasmine smiles as she takes a bit of the apple Don gave her. She watches as the other girls do the same. She can not help but notice Tammie, Sam, and Don all look a bit flushed. She wonders what could have brought this on anyway?

     Hattie laughs at the funny faces Don makes as he eats.  

     Tammie finishes the apple, then starts to eat the granola bar."Thanks, Don, ever so much."  She says.

    "Yes, thanks bro, ever so much," Gloria says.

         "Don you think there is any more gems inside this cave?" Sam asks.

           Don shrugs his shoulders as if to say, how should I know. He knows as much about the inner layer of this stone cave as everyone else.  It is not like they are done exploring it or anything.

     Find out more in Chapter  3

       -Summer out!