Not So Bad After All

# 6

When Ruby woke up the next morning, she really didn't want to get up. Her entire body was sore and she was exhausted despite how much sleep she got. She groaned a bit, knowing today was Friday and tonight started the weekend, so she pushed herself out of bed. She did her normal routine, shower, teeth, clothes, makeup, bag, and out the door she went. She jogged to the bus stop, leaning against the sign. "You okay, sweetheart?" The kind voice of her boyfriend made her immediately perk up. "Leo!" She exclaimed, wrapping him in a bear hug. "Are you feeling any better?" She asked, glancing up at him with concern in her eyes. He smiled fondly down at her, patting her head gently. "I'm fine, but what about you? What happened yesterday?" He asked, smile dropping. She gnawed her lip as she contemplated on whether or not to tell him. She sighed before giving in and telling him the entire story whilst they waited for the bus.

By the end of the story, Leo looked ready to kill. He huffed angrily before saying, "I told you to stay away from them!" Ruby's eyes widened in surprise. This wasn't exactly the answer she was expecting. "I tried to, but they kept showing up." She replied, watching him as he shook his head. He wrapped her in a gentle hug. "I'm sorry, I just hate they did that to you. But please, stay as far away from them as you can, okay?" He asked, tilting her head up to look at him with one hand. She nodded a little and he smiled, giving her a quick peck. Just then, Anastasia and Peyton ran up. "Woke up late.." Anastasia panted, hands on her knees. Peyton only rolled her eyes a bit before smiling slightly at Leo. Just then, the bus pulled up and the four boarded, ready to start the day so they could get ready for the weekend.

When they entered the school, the hallways were practically flooded with people. Ruby maneuvered her way through the crowd as her two friends and boyfriend tried to get to their own lockers. Ruby opened her locker, and just as she did, the first bell sounded indicating students needed to get to their classes. Ruby sighed in relief when the crowd started thinning out, so she quickly grabbed her books and headed to her next class. "Wait up!" A sudden shout from behind called as Anastasia walked up to her. "We have our first class together, remember?" Anastasia asked with a small smile while Ruby grinned. "But of course, how could I forget?"

The lunch bell sounded, and Ruby exited her class smiling. No Ryder, no groupies, no hassle, absolute nothing. She made her way down to the lunchroom, when something caught the corner of her eye. She glanced over to see smoke outside the entrance-way. Thinking there might be a fire, she jogged over, peaking her head around the corner. What she saw wasn't what she expected, and this immediately dampened her mood. Who else could it be? The universe clearly hates her as it keeps crossing their paths. She turned away, about to leave for lunch, when a hand grabbed her arm and pulled her back. She found herself pressed against the wall with Ryder in front of her. He threw his cigarette down and snuffed it out, before glancing back at Ruby. "We need to talk."

Ruby blinked once. Twice. "Um, talk about what...?" She asked, glancing for an escape route. Ryder seemed to notice and placed both hands on either side of her head, caging her in. She sighed in defeat before glaring up at Ryder. For once, he didn't smirk. Whatever he had to talk about must have been important. "What happened yesterday." This topic, again. Ruby sighed again before snapping, "Like I said yesterday, as if you don't know. You were the one that-" She was cut off by a hand covering her mouth. "I'm going to have to stop you right there, princess. I didn't send those idiots to pick a fight with you. Now, what exactly did they do?" He asked, removing his hand and placing it in its original spot. "Shoved me to the ground, kicked me in the stomach, banged my head against the flooring..." She murmured, closing her eyes. He analyzed her for a second before backing away from her and taking out another cigarette. "Sorry, I'll deal with them later. For now, you should get to lunch." He said, patting her head before returning to his cigarette. "But what about you?" Ruby found herself asking before she could even process anything. He turned to her and raised an eyebrow. "I-I mean, aren't you hungry or anything?" She asked, feeling embarrassed all of the sudden. He smirked before replying, "No, I'm fine. Thanks for asking, princess." He winked at her, and with that she quickly nodded before walking back inside. 'What was that all about?'