off limits ( m.s. )

TWENTY SIX

XXVI.
SOTC: wish i could be your girl - kristiane

- irl -

irl

    ruby feels like a bundle of nerves as she smoothes her hand over her clothes for the hundredth time. her makeup is all done, and she's actually pretty proud of how it turned out. she'd even blow-dried her hair to look nice, which she almost never does.

    if she's going to profess her feelings tonight, she might as well look her best while she does it.

    there's a knock, and it startles her so much that she visibly flinches.

    "ruby? you ready to go?"

    it's matt. she can tell, even though his voice is muffled on the other side of the door.

    "yeah, i'm coming." ruby calls back.

    she stares into the mirror one last time, adjusting her hair and fiddling with her top until she's satisfied. then she turns to the door and twists the handle.

    her intuition was correct; matt stands there by the entrance, hands in the pockets of his jeans. he looks up at her, and his eyes widen ever so slightly, just enough that she notices.

    "oh wow...you look...you look really pretty." he stammers, scratching at his jaw awkwardly.

    her face flushes and she tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. "you're looking very nice yourself, matthew."

    a small smile crosses his lips, and she can tell that he's trying to fight it. "thanks, bee."

ruby follows him down the stairs and out the front door, filing into the passenger seat wordlessly. chris and nick are already in the car, and the blonde lets out a little whistle.

"you look great, rubes." he says.

"so do you guys." she turns her head to smile at them.

"are you excited?" chris asks her.

"yeah, we're gonna have a lot of fun."

her voice is half-hearted, even though she's really trying to act enthusiastic. she is excited, but there's also only one thing on her mind right now.

when they get to nathan's, it already seems to be packed. cars line the block, glittering in the light of the street lamps. matt parks behind one of them and they all clamber out, approaching the house together.

the thump of the bass vibrates up her legs as they walk, and fear begins to crawl up her throat. she's never loved parties, especially when she doesn't know a single person.

surprisingly, nate is the one to answer the door. he hugs each of them in welcome and ushers them inside.

ruby was right again; there's already a lot of people here. most of them have solo cups in their hand, mingling in their own separate groups. her eyes travel from person to person, trying to analyze each one.

"i know you guys don't drink, but can i get you anything ruby?" nate asks.

she can feel matt gazing at her again. it's like his eyes are fire, and right now she doesn't care what he thinks. one drink would help her calm down.

"um...sure!" she nods, and he leads the way to the kitchen.

     several coolers sit on the marble counters, liquor bottles lined up next to them. nathan waves his hands to let her know that it's all up for grabs, so she makes herself a vodka and sprite while the boys grab sodas.