𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐋𝐎𝐑 𝐏𝐔𝐑𝐏𝐋𝐄 || 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗿𝘆 𝗛𝗼𝗼𝗸

𝟐.𝟎𝟕 - 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐩𝐭. 𝟏

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— 𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐞 𝟐 | 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝟕 —
╚══ஓ๑☼๑ஓ══╝

(Third Person POV)

Ruby stayed unmoving for most of the car ride back to Auradon prep in silence, aside from the occasional hiccups and sniffles that came from her uncontrollably. The others didn't know what to say to her, not being able to relate to the things she was feeling at that moment. She twisted the ring on her thumb as she stared at it with watery eyes, replaying the sound of those same three words in her head over and over again.

'I love you.'

Evie had her arm around the princess to try to comfort her, a solemn look on her face. Out of everyone, she probably understood the most. She knew better than the others just how strong Harry's feelings for Ruby were, and she couldn't feel anything less than heart-wrenching sympathy for her. After all, Evie was the only person other than the princess that Harry ever spilled his feelings to.

"Oh, Rue..." the blue-haired girl said with a sad grimace when she noticed the dry bloody handprint on her cheek. Ruby's hand slowly raised to her cheek and she immediately started to tremble at the feeling of the crusted blood "Here let me." Evie said as she doused her handkerchief in some water before starting to gently clean her cheek. Ruby bit her lip to try to keep the tears in again, tired of letting the others see her cry.

When they all got back to the school, she didn't even say goodbye to them as she left the limo. Lonnie did however after she had helped them get the swords away before hurrying after her best friend. All Ruby wanted at that moment was to curl up in bed and sleep forever. She dragged herself through the school and up to the dorms, ignoring anyone who passed by asking if she was alright. When she got to her room she used her whole body to open the door, suddenly feeling like her limbs were made of lead. She kicked her shoes off and shed her outer layers of clothing down to her undergarments before slowly slipping under her comforter. She wept quietly and hugged her knees to her chest, not hearing Lonnie come into their room.

"Rue?" she said sadly with furrowed brows as she walked up to her bed, seeing the lump of comforter shake lightly. She just frowned and took off her jacket and boots before crawling under the comforter and pulling her best friend into her chest as she tightly wrapped her arms around her. Ruby pressed her face into Lonnie's chest and cried her heart out, making tears spring to the other girl's eyes instantly as her heart broke for the girl she saw like a sister. "It's not forever, I'm sure you'll see him again." She said as she slowly petted her hair.

"H-he told me..." she hiccuped and tried to stop the oncoming sobs.

"He told you what Rue?" She asked gently, wiping the tears from under her eyes with her thumb.

"H-he told me that he l-loved me!" She cried out and gripped onto her for all she was worth. Lonnie's mouth fell open as she watched the girl raise her head "And I didn't get the chance to say it back..." she croaked with a trembling lip as she looked up at Lonnie who, for a moment, was at a loss for words.

"I'm sure he knows Rue... I promise," Lonnie said and pulled her back in, rocking her gently till she eventually calmed down. The two girls layed that way in complete silence for a while till Lonnie gently sat up with Ruby in her arms "The cotillion is in a couple of hours, we should start getting ready."

"I'm not going." The princess sniffled and stared down at her lap, picking her fingers aimlessly. Lonnie sighed at that as she got up, facing the girl and gently holding her cheeks in her hands so she would look up at her.

"I think you should. Rue, you're the most optimistic person I've ever met. You've never given up hope on anything our whole lives. I think you should come, it might help lift your spirits, give you a little boost of confidence back. Because after, I know you'll find a way." the dark-haired girl said with a smile as she rubbed her friend's puffy cheeks. Ruby just casted her eyes aside away from the girl and nodded with furrowed brows before she was let go of "Good, now come on. I'll help you."