Unwritten Chemistry

Stand by me

Malia's POV

I wake up feeling disoriented, wrapped in the warmth of Kylie's oversized shirt and borrowed shorts. It's a strange comfort after last night's whirlwind of emotions. Kylie's still asleep, her breathing steady and calm. I slip out of bed carefully, trying not to disturb her.

I pull the door to Kylie's room shut as quietly as possible, taking a deep breath to steady myself. I'm fully dressed in my own clothes now, but I still feel the lingering warmth of her oversized shirt from last night. She's still asleep, curled up under the covers, and the thought of waking her feels... wrong, somehow. Not after everything.

I take a few steps into the common area, my head full of thoughts, trying to figure out what to do next when I hear a voice that almost makes me jump out of my skin.

- I'm gonna fucking kill you. Are you sneaking out?

I whirl around, startled, to see Ruby sitting on the couch, her arms crossed, eyes narrowed. She looks ready to murder me on the spot, and I swear my heart skips a beat.

- Ruby! - I gasp, pressing a hand to my chest. - God, you scared me half to death.

She doesn't soften. She stands up slowly, her eyes locked on mine.

- Oh, I'm just getting started, Malia. If you're sneaking out right now, you're going to wish you were dead.

Her voice is deadly calm, but I can hear the anger simmering beneath the surface. I scramble to explain.

- I'm not sneaking out! - I say quickly, trying to keep my voice steady. - I wasn't leaving. I just didn't want to wake her up.

- Right. So you just decided to get dressed and tiptoe out, huh? Sounds a lot like sneaking out to me. - Ruby eyes me, suspicious.

- No, it's not like that. I just— - I stop, taking a breath. - I was going to come talk to you, actually. I figured... it's not exactly appropriate to do it in pajamas, and I thought you'd want to hear what I have to say.

Ruby's gaze narrows, her eyes scanning me up and down, assessing whether or not I'm telling the truth.

- I swear. I'm not sneaking out. My phone, my shoes—they're still in her room. I'm not leaving. - I point down to my sock-covered feet, hoping the lack of shoes will help my case.

Ruby eyes my feet, then her gaze flicks back up to my face, still skeptical but slightly less furious.

- Okay. Talk to me about what? About how you've been jerking Kylie around? Or about how you're finally coming to your senses now that you've hurt her?

My stomach drops at her words, but I hold her gaze.

- I know I messed up, Ruby. Not just last night, but before that too. I didn't handle things well, and I know I hurt her. But I swear, I wasn't trying to...

Ruby cuts me off with a scoff, crossing her arms tighter over her chest.

- Oh, I know you weren't trying to hurt her. But you did. And you need to stop acting like it was some accidental, harmless thing. You've been all over the place with her—spending time with Peder, acting like Kylie was just some backup option, pushing her away. And for what?

I flinch at the mention of Peder, and I try to speak, but Ruby doesn't give me the chance.

- She doesn't deserve that. - Ruby says, her voice sharper now. - You don't get to play with her feelings because you're scared or confused. Kylie's one of the best people I know, and you've been treating her like she's disposable. I don't care if last night you finally figured out you like her. It's not enough to just say it, Malia. You've got to prove it.