Chapter 12

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Kylie was nervous. It had been a solid three days since she last spoke to Ruby, or Mel, that's the longest they've ever gone without speaking to each other. Malia was giving her the cold shoulder until she fixed things. They were currently in rehearsal once again, she watches from afar as Mel helps Ruby go over the dance moves a few more times. She looks over at Malia, who's texting away on her phone. She takes a deep breath and walks over to Ruby. "....7, 8! There you go! You just had to-" "Ruby?" They both look up. "Kylie." Mel clears her throat. "I'll give you two a minute." She kisses Ruby on the cheek before she gives them space. "Ky." "Mel." Ruby rolls her eyes. "What is it Ky?"

"Ruby, I'm sorry how everything went down. I didn't mean any of it, i swear. I just....i guess i was jealous." "Jealous? Of me and Mel?" Kylie sighs. "You two are just so unapologetically yourselves. With each other. And I can't do that." Ruby sighs. "Sure you can Ky, it's not like she and i are public about it. But at least we don't hide it from our friends and family." "Family? You told your family?" Ruby bites her lip. "Not yet. But that's only because we've been so busy with rehearsals and everything." Kylie nods. "I get it, not to mention your family is Christian." Ruby sighs. "Yeah, i don't know how they're gonna react and to be honest, I'm kinda scared." Kylie nods. "Well, whatever happens, i just want you to know that you'll always have me." Ruby nods. "I know. Thank you." Mel checks her phone. "Guys, let's run it one last time and you guys can rest!" Kylie and Ruby smile at each other as they take their places. "5, 6, 7, 8!" Halfway through rehearsals, Mel gets a phone call. "Hey!" She motions for them to keep going. "Yeah we're running through it one last time right now....ok, see you soon."

They finish rehearsals and everyone drinks their waters and grabs their bags. "Hey! Your mom called, said she wanted to have a barbecue, she said to bring you." Ruby looks at her. "Why did she call you?" "Cause I'm your manager and you didn't pick your phone when she called, which I said was cause you were rehearsing." Ruby nods. "So you're just gonna steal me away to my mom's?" Mel shrugs. "That's the plan, rehearsals are done, i do have to go to the studio with Ky for a little bit. It's just for some harmonies and whatnot, nothing too serious. It shouldn't take all day, if you want, I can come by afterwards?" Ruby smiles. "Yeah, that'd be great." Mel nods. "Ok, come on. Let me at least drop you off first." They walk to Mel's car and they drive back to Ruby's apartment. She grabs some clothes and comes back. "You ready?" "Yeah, I'm just gonna shower at my mom's." Ruby puts her seatbelt. "Alright." Mel drops her off at her mom's. "I'll see you later ok?" Ruby nods. "I look forward to it." She smiles. Mel laughs. She looks through the window before kissing her cheek. "I'll see if i can convince Ky to come too." She walks back to her car as Ruby unlocks the front door with her spare key. She waves goodbye before she goes inside and is nearly trampled. "Whoa!" "Give it up Alfie!" "Never!" Her brothers were shooting each other with pump marshmallow guns. Where do you even get those? "Guys?!" "Hey Rube!" "Hey Ruby!" They casually greet her. "That's cheating!" "Boys! Behave yourselves!" She hears her mother's voice from the kitchen.

She takes a deep breath. She goes to the kitchen to find her mom and Nadia chopping fruits and vegetables." "Hi mommy!" She smiles. "Ruby! You made it!" She gives her a warm hug. "Yeah, Mel just dropped me off. She said she was gonna come back later for the barbecue, if that's ok?" Natalie nods. "Of course sweetie. You wanna help?" She nods. She starts chopping slices of fruit. Ruby gives Nadia a look and nods towards the door. Nadia nods. "I'm gonna use the restroom real quick." She leaves to give them privacy. "Mom, can i talk to you about something?" She asks. Natalie nods. "Of course honey. What is it?" "Um, you know Mel? My manager?" She nods. "What about her?" "Um she....she said she's coming later, if that's ok?" Natalie smiles. "Of course sweetie!" Her aunt walks in, ending the conversation there. Damn it, she's such a coward.

The next hour was excruciating. Every time she tries to talk to her mom, she either gets pulled into conversation by some relative or she sees her mom already talking to her aunt or cousin. She sighs when her phone goes off.

Mel 💚 - on my way

Oh shit. Oh shit. Oh shit. She was hoping to tell her mom before Mel got here. It was now or never. "Hey mom?" She taps on her shoulder. "Yes sweetie?" "Can i talk to you?" Natalie nods. "Of course, excuse us." They walk off to the side of the house. "What is it honey?" Ruby rubs her sweaty palms against her sides. "Um, I don't know how else to say this so I'm just gonna come out and say it. You remember Mel? My manager? I've known her since i was 9?" Natalie nods. "Of course, how could i forget?" She smiles. "Um, well, she and i are...." She takes a deep breath. "Mom, Mel and i are dating. We have been for a while now. I just didn't know how to tell you." Natalie just stares at her before something behind Ruby catches her attention. "What?" Ruby turns around to see Mel hugging Kylie tight before kissing her cheek. "Oh...."

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I swear I'm not a cheater

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