Ruby

Welcoming Faces

Ruby and Jett made their way toward the elevator. The building, though showing its age with worn-out carpets and creaky stairwells, still had a surprisingly well-maintained elevator. It wasn't the fastet, but it worked, and that was all that mattered to them. The place had been standing for decades, yet still managed to hold onto a certain charm with its high ceilings and vintage architecture.

The building was modestly sized, structured into three floors, including a basement. The third floor, where they both lived, was a bit higher than the building's exterior suggested. As the elevator doors slid open with a soft ding, they stepped inside.

Their apartments were tucked away on the top floor, where the narrow corridors felt almost private, offering them a peaceful escape from the rest of the building's few residents.

After a short while, they stepped out of the elevator on the ground floor and made their way outside. A fresh breeze greeted them as they opened the door. The street lay quiet, not surprising for such a small, peaceful neighborhood. The surrounding buildings were modest, their façades a blend of aging brick and fading paint, mirroring the charm of the old structure they had left behind.

Across the street, an almost identical building stood, probably owned by the same landlord. At the far end of the road, a quaint little church sat solemnly, its steeple rising high against the sky. Not far from it was a small coffee shop. It was a cozy little place, the kind where locals gathered during the day. Everything about the neighborhood felt calm and quiet.

They walked side by side, their footsteps in sync, the quiet between them felt easy and comfortable. For a few minutes, neither of them spoke, content in the silence.

Ruby glanced over at Jett a couple of times, thoughts spinning. He shifted slightly, clearing his throat before finally breaking the silence. "So, uh," he began, his tone casual but with a hint of hesitation, "your friends... they're cool with me tagging along?" His eyes flickered toward Jett as he spoke, unsure if he was intruding or if he'd fit in with the group they were heading to meet.

"Totally," Jett replied, his voice reassuring, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. He looked down at Ruby, his expression confident as he continued, "I mean, obviously they have no idea who you are or that you're coming. But trust me, they'll like you."

"I hope you're right," Ruby said, his voice tinged with uncertainty as he glanced at the ground, kicking a small pebble on the sidewalk. He couldn't shake the feeling of unease settling in his stomach. Meeting someone new was one thing, but a whole group of people who all knew each other? That felt like a completely different challenge.

His mind raced with thoughts of how he might be perceived—would they accept him? Would he fit in with their dynamic? What if they judged him for his unusual appearance? He nervously nibbled at the skin on his lips, a nervous habit he had developed over the years. "I mean, it's a little intimidating, you know?" he muttered, more to himself than Jett.

"Dude, will you chill out?" Jett said, his tone light and teasing as he rolled his eyes at Ruby's anxiety. He couldn't help but feel his uncertainty a bit ridiculous. "You're acting like you're about to meet the president or something."

"Sorry," Ruby said, a chuckle escaping his lips as he realized how worked up he had been. He couldn't help but feel a bit sheepish at Jett's teasing. "You're right," he continued, shaking his head to clear away the tension. "Guess I'm just overthinking things."

Jett responded with a reassuring nod, confidence radiating as they continued walking. After a short while, they arrived at the small coffee shop. As they approached, Ruby noticed two people waiting outside.