Ruby is a 17-year-old girl who grows up with an alcoholic mother. She is the liaison between her mother and the rest of the world until the day her mother disappears, leaving her alone. Six months from her 18th birthday, Ruby takes care of herself quietly, continuing her mother's job and going to school. When the washing machine breaks down and the landlord investigates, Ruby is sent to live with her estranged sister and her husband.
Used to depending only on her self, Ruby is not happy to be separated from the only world she knows; a world that included a drug habit, a "Could Care Less" battle/relationship with her boyfriend, roommate of her friends' drug dealer. She remains aloof in the rich neighborhood she is transplanted into (her brother-in-law is the creator and CEO of a social networking website), refusing to befriend anyone at school. Her defenses are challenged by her popular classmate and neighbor Nate, who rescues her from herself a few times. Ruby does gradually learn to trust others and makes friends with a few people at her school and begins a dating relationship with Nate. When he refuses to confide in her about the abuse he receives from his father, they break up.
Near the end of the novel, Nate disappears, the abuse finally reaching a point that he can't ignore it any more, and he confides in Ruby and they get help together. He moves to Arizona and they continue dating long-distance.
On her graduation day, Ruby throws away the key to her old house, which she had worn on a chain around her neck, as a literal letting go of the past and embracing the love and trust she's discovered in her new family, friends, and future.
If this were a movie: PG-13 for the scenes of Ruby's old life- drugs, drinking, her boyfriend and herself getting dressed after a sexual encounter.
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