Not So Bad After All

# 9

Ruby really didn't want to go to school. She would prefer staying by her mother, who had yet to wake up. As much as Ruby worried about her mom, she couldn't get Ryder out of her head. Why had he given her his number? Why had he comforted her? She really didn't know, but she was thankful for that. She had added his contact onto her phone and talked with him for a bit. He really wasn't that bad of a guy, just rough around the edges. Ruby was snapped out of her thoughts when the bells started ringing. "Ruby-chan~ let's go!" The unmistakable voice of Anastasia called as she waited for Ruby. Ruby rolled her eyes playfully and walked alongside her friend with a smile on her face. Maybe... just maybe things would start looking up for her again.

"I cannot believe you said that to him!" Ruby said, laughing with tears streaming down her face. Anastasia giggled before winking. "What can I say? I've got a sharp tongue." She replied, laughing with Ruby. The two walked down the hallway, stopping at their lockers. "Have you heard anything from Leo?" Anastasia asked, watching Ruby as she fumbled with her books. "No, he hasn't spoken to me since the incident with Ryder. And if I text him, he only gives me one-worded responses." She sighed, closing her locker. Anastasia shrugged before saying, "As much as I would love to stand and chat with you, I've got biology next and you know how Mr. Ferguson is about being 0.5 seconds late." Anastasia said, grinning as she walked off. "Have fun!" Ruby called out to her, causing Anastasia to scoff as she turned the corner. She giggled softly before closing her locker and making her way to her next class. As she turned the corner, she bumped into someone. "We have really got to stop doing this." A gruff voice said, making Ruby look up. "Oh, hey Ryder." She said, giving a small smile and only receiving a nod in return. "I was actually meaning to find you, I wanted to tell you thank you." Ryder raised an eyebrow at her statement, causing Ruby to sigh a bit before continuing. "For the hospital thing. I really appreciated that." He smirked and patted her on the head as he passed by. "Sure thing, princess." Ruby could feel her cheeks heat up at the nickname, scoffing and jogging to her next class.

Ruby was getting worried now. She hadn't seen Peyton or Leo at all today, and they hadn't texted her saying they were sick or couldn't make it, so they should be here, right? She seen Anastasia and ran to catch up with her. "Hey Anny, have you seen Peyton or Leo at all today?" Ruby asked, Anastasia raising an eyebrow at the nickname but making no comment. She appeared to be in thought for a second before saying, "I think I saw those to talking before I went to my last class, but other than that, no, not really." Ruby nodded before heading off to search. She heard a groan that sounded unmistakably like Leo coming from an empty classroom. Thinking he was hurt, she kicked the door open. "Leo? Are you hurt or-" She couldn't even finish her sentence as her eyes widened. Leo was sitting on a desk, looking disheveled, a topless and flushed Peyton straddling him. Their eyes snapped over to the door when it kicked in, eyes widening after seeing who was standing there. "Ruby..." Leo started, sounding breathless.

"We can explain."

(A/N: Sorry for another short chapter, but I promise the next one will be longer! I have a lot to do today and I'm kind of rushing, so I apologize. Anyways, that's all for now! Farewell!)