Requested by that_simp3
Ruby had barged into my room just as I was getting ready to leave. Looking up at her curiously she didn't say a word. "Did you want something?"
I finished tidying up my bed and sat down knowing there were a few minutes left before classes would start. On our first day at Queens and I was still nervous. Even if I did have time to adjust.
She sat down beside me and I could feel the nerves radiating off of her. From the way, she bounced her leg up and down avoiding eye contact. Inhaling a deep breath I patiently waited for her to say whatever was on her mind. "I don't know if I can do this."
"It will be fine you'll have us all by your side." And by all, I meant all our friends. I was glad Diana had changed her mind, it wouldn't have been the same without her. And as if on cue she walked in through the open door. "Let's get breakfast before class?"
Diana rushed to take my hands as well as the offer and led us downstairs. We were met by the rest of the girls and I linked my arm with Jane and Tillie as they walked past. "Do you think we'll have the same classes?"
I looked at Tillie as she asked the question. Turning my head to look at Jane if she would answer she shrugged. "Probably not."
"But if we don't promise you'll still make time for us," I said pleadingly. They could tell I was being serious in a joking manner but they nodded either way. I smiled at their response and we had made it to the dining hall.
Everyone was already sitting and we took our seats wherever we could find. I sat in between Jane and Tillie. I could see Ruby walking our way taking slow steps as she sat across from me. She was acting strange and I had reason to believe it was far more than she was leading on.
She met my eyes and I narrowed them at her as the girls talked amongst themselves about their worries. "I'm fine."
It was like she knew what I was going to ask. But from the expression on my face, it was obvious. Before I could ask another question there was a call at the front of the room. Everyone had turned their heads and they were calling our names for schedules.
I took in a nervous breath-holding Jane's hand under mine for assurance. When her name was called up I let it go and waited for mine. It wasn't until the end that I heard it. It was almost embarrassing but I didn't let it phase me knowing everyone would be too busy eloping at their schedules to look at me.
Taking my seat I reviews my schedule and it was snatched away from me before I could finish reading it. Looking up I saw Josie intently looking it over as she handed me hers. It was apparent that was what she was doing with everyone else's. "I don't have any classes with you."
That was kind of a relief. But I wouldn't have admitted it.
"Looks like we have all classes together," Jane squealed and I was glad for that. At least that was something I would look forward to. "And a few with Tillie too."
"What about you Anne?" Diana asked as the redhead stayed silent. It wasn't normal for her to stay quiet for so long. "Anne?"
"I have two classes with Ruby and the some with you. I don't know about the rest of you."
"We'll find out eventually," Josie said and I looked at Ruby once more. She had her eyes on her paper and I leaned in closer. She was comparing hers with mine.
"We don't have any together."
"Doesn't mean you won't see me around."
~~~
That wasn't the case.
I hadn't seen her once since that day. And it had been two weeks since classes had started. I had been spending time with Jane as she spent her days in my room. It was a good thing I didn't have a roommate. Otherwise, we would have been a nuisance to her.
"I still think she hates me," Jane said and I took my eyes away from my paper to look at her. She was sat on my bed, never mind the other one unoccupied, as she worked on her homework. I raised my eyebrow in question at what she meant and then it clicked. "I think she might have heard me talking bad about her."
"I think she deserved it, she needed to be humbled. Besides I always hear her talking bad about everyone," I said with a roll of my eyes. This seemed to pique her interest as she put aside her work. Sitting up she took my hands in hers and nodded as a sign for me to continue. "We get it she's top of the class and not to mention pretty."
I was getting off-topic and I had hoped Jane didn't catch on. She was oblivious to it as she agreed.
"But that doesn't give her an excuse to be so mean. The other day, in the bathroom, I heard her say Hannah was stupid." I didn't want to go into detail, but that summarized the conversation I had overheard. Just omitting some other vulgar words.
"It's such a shame her personality is flawed." Otherwise, I might think better of her, I thought. Who was I kidding? I let my thoughts wander without consequence. And she was at the front of my mind. "Have you tried holding a conversation with her?"
I shook my head because as much as I wanted to her confidence scared me. Nevertheless her foul mouth. But she was nice to look at.
I heard the door opening and Tillie walked in disrupting my train of thought. "Sorry I'm late I ran into Abigail."
"Speak of the devil," Jane said with a laugh it only confused Tillie as she took a seat by the window and made herself comfortable. It seemed like everyone had forgotten the spare bed.
"We were just talking about her."
~~~
Everywhere I would turn I would see Abigail. Ever since my conversation with Jane. I couldn't escape her. Along with her, I would see Ruby around. Her head dug up in a book. It was a strange sight but I walked toward her as I saw Abigail walking down the hall. I didn't want to encounter her.
"Long time no see Ruby." She brought her eyes up to look at me and smiled. Closing the book I could tell the effects it had on her. In the form of the eye bags under her eyes and her tangled hair. "Are you alright?"
"I haven't been sleeping." I could tell as much. But I wasn't about to say anything.
"Do you want to study with me sometime? We haven't hung out in a while." A smile made its way to her lips again and she nodded. I looked away from her and to Abigail. I gulped nervously as she caught me staring and I dismissed myself from Ruby. "How about tomorrow after school?"
"That would be nice." I smiled at her before walking away. Walking past Abigail. I could only wish I didn't care that she was looking.
~~~
The library was a nice place to study. Besides my bedroom, I liked the change in setting. I was waiting for Ruby to appear so when I heard footsteps approach the table I had assumed it was her. "You're Y/n right?"
I simply nodded sure enough that if I spoke no words would come out. She took a seat across from me placing her things down.
"I was wondering if you could help me with the homework for English." I was surprised to hear her say that. Considering she had been doing well in that subject. My mouth gaped open and I could see Ruby from behind her shoulder staring at our interaction. Which only reminded me to speak.
"I'm kind of busy right now I'm studying with a friend."
"Some other time then?" She didn't wait to hear an answer as she stood up and left. That was all for Ruby to walk over to me. She furrowed her eyebrows questioning me about what had just happened. I could only shrug my shoulders.
"You better be careful with her she has a bad reputation."
"What do you mean?" Of course, I had heard the rumors around the school. But they were only that, rumors. There was no way they were true. "Do you mean to say what everyone is saying is true?"
She hesitated in answering but nodded and I could feel my heart beating faster. She wasn't the only one but I had hoped, unlike her, my secret would stay with me.
"So long as you stay with me everything will be okay." I was confused at what she meant but didn't question it. Instead, I smiled and nodded as she placed her hand on top of mine. "Who knows what kind of trouble she will bring."
~~~
As I was walking out of class I could see Abigail. And just like all the times before she was leaning against the wall as if waiting for someone. Skimming my eyes over her I ignored her and remembered what Ruby had said. But things weren't going my way as she locked in on me and walked toward me.
I didn't know what to do but I was glad that at that moment both Tillie and Jane had appeared at my side. "Are you busy now?"
She could see my friends at my side but paid no attention to them. I opened my mouth to say something but Jane decided to speak. "Actually, she is. In fact, her schedule is booked, so whatever it is you wanted will have to wait for another time."
I could see the tension between them the way they were glaring at each other but they made no move to step away from the other. I cleared my throat and they both looked at me hesitantly. I was at a loss for words.
"Maybe some other time?" I didn't want to turn her down again. But the eight of Janes's eyes on my face told me I didn't want to defy what she had said. "How about next Friday at lunch?"
She turned to look at Jane with a smirk before turning to me and smiling. Nodding she waved us goodbye and walked away.
Ruby had approached us looking back at Abigail. "What's wrong with Jane?"
"I don't want to talk about it." The truth was neither of us knew. Tillie had tried getting to know but Jane only shut her out since. I, on the other hand, knew better than to ask. As much as I wanted to. She turned to us with a forced smile and composure. "I'll see you, girls, later."
Before we had time to say anything she was rounding the corner. "I have to go too, I promised Josie I'd meet her at the library."
Then it was only Ruby and me. Smiling at her I took her arm in mine and walked to wherever our feet led. "Supposedly I'm busy doing something now. Care to take my mind off of things?"
I hadn't known her smile could go so wide but it did. And she was leading me through the halls as she went on about her classes.
Her hair bounced as she fastened her pace and she didn't once stop talking until she had stopped walking. "I don't know when the last time we hung out alone was."
"We studied together in the library."
"Then Jane and Tillie showed up," she pointed out and I nodded in agreement. As she opened the door to her room it appeared no one was in. So I walked to the bed I knew was hers and laid there. "I feel like I don't know you anymore."
Her words caught my ear and I turned to lay on my back as I stared at her dubiously. I couldn't process her words. "I'm the same person as always."
After it became obvious she wasn't going to speak I sat up. Fiddling with my fingers I looked down at them. Silence filled the room and all I could do was keep it. Standing up I walked toward the window uncertain when things had changed between us.
Looking back at Ruby she was still sitting on her bed avoiding looking at me.
"I don't understand what you mean Ruby," I said truthfully. It was but a mere whisper she might not have heard it. But I saw as her ears perked up at my words. "Is it because I don't have time to hang out with you anymore?"
I came across as rude but I couldn't take it back.
"You have to understand college is taking a toll on me it's consuming my every day life. I don't see you trying to make an effort to make amends."
"I'm not Abigail you don't have to lie to me. But I try every day and you always ignore me for Jane or Tillie." Ruby brought her hands up to her eyes. She was nearly crying and I was to blame for it. I hung my head back in exasperation and calmed my breathing. "I like you Y/n and I'm trying my hardest to make things work between us."
"Because that's what friends do," I stated only furthering my confusion when she shook her head.
"You don't seem to get it, do you? Or is our relationship one-sided? I'm in love with you. I have been for almost a year and every time I try to tell you you seem to be busy with something."
The truth was I knew of her feelings. It was easier to pretend I didn't so we wouldn't be having this conversation. Because I wasn't one to confess or express my own. I preferred action to words. And words were all she knew. She needed things to be clear.
And I was anything but. I suppose change was good for some things and that something was this. "I can't help but run away from my feelings. You know how my parents are I can't act on love as you can.
"Because I do love you Ruby and I'm sorry it took me this long to say it."
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And I'm sorry it took me this long to post.