Not So Bad After All

# 4

(Picture is Peyton)

The trio entered the school, laughing and giggling. Ruby her a slight buzz come from her phone, so she stopped for a second, taking her phone out.

LeoTheLion01: Hey babe, can't make it to school today. Got sick :(

LovelyRuby149: I'm sorry, baby, I hope you feel better :)

LeoTheLion01: Thanks. Love you, have fun and stay safe.

LovelyRuby149: Love you, too, and I will.

She put her phone away, smiling a little, but slightly disappointed that he couldn't be here. 'Maybe I could drop by after school to bring him something...' She thought, but was snapped out of thinking about what she could bring him when the bell rung. Everyone was clearing out to go to class and there was no sign of Peyton nor Anastasia. 'They must have already left' Ruby thought, groaning softly. She put her things away and took what she needed for the next class. She was turning the corner when she bumped into something, more like someone. Ruby yelped softly, backing up and muttering a string of apologies when she looked up. Her eyes widened. 'Ryder King...' She thought, taking a half-step back. He watched her for a second with his piercing gaze before scoffing and brushing past her, making her bump into the wall. "Get out of my way." He growled as he walked off. She watched as he left, snapping out of her trance when the bell rung a second time, indicating class was starting. 'Crap! I'm late!'Ruby thought, sprinting to her class.

Her day was going horrible, to say the least. Her boyfriend isn't here, today's classes have it where she has none with her two friends, she got a detention slip for being late, her hair and makeup was an absolute disaster due to all the running around she had to do so she had to take her makeup off and fix her hair, which made her late for her next class, and last but certainly not least, Ryder King happened. 'That guy is such a jerk... He has attitude issues and made me get detention...' She thought, growling as she shoved her books in her locker. 'At least it's lunch time, so I get to see Anastasia and Peyton' That thought made her smile slightly as she went down to the cafeteria. She entered and glanced around for her friends, seeing them standing near the entrance with their lunches in their hands, along with one extra. "Here you go." Anastasia said, offering a tray to Ruby. "Thanks. Why are you guys standing?" Ruby asked, raising an eyebrow. Peyton growled as Anastasia frowned and pointed at their usual spot. 'This guy just has to keep showing up, doesn't he?' Ruby thought, glaring at Ryder who was sitting at their spot with his friends. She took a deep breath before approaching.

"Excuse me." Ruby said, holding her lunch tray in her hands and glaring at the four guys who were sitting in their spot. "What do you want?" One of the guys snarled, glaring right back at her. "You're sitting where my friends and I usually sit." Ruby replied, trying to keep her cool. "Yeah? So what?" Another spat out, looking like he was about to lose his temper. Ruby's temper, however, was lost with the previous sentence. "So you can get lost and find somewhere else to sit." Ruby snapped, slamming her lunch tray down on the table. Everybody had stopped what they were doing long ago to observe the exchange. Nobody moved for a second. Then Ryder smirked and stood up, motioning for the other three to stand as well. "Well, here you are, princess." Ryder said, his deep voice sending shivers down Ruby's spine as he gestured to the table. His smirk disappeared as he walked off, the other three following. Ruby took a moment to process what just happened. The cafeteria suddenly erupted in cheers and shouts, some even laughing. Peyton and Anastasia ran up to Ruby, wrapping her in a big hug. "Oh my gosh! That was so awesome!" Anastasia said, laughing as she sat down. "I'm surprised he didn't kill you." Peyton said, giggling softly. "Me too..." Ruby murmured, taking her seat beside Peyton.