Ethereal ✾ ||C.S||

IV. Hell no's and headphones

✾Ruby's pov

It was after third period and I was sitting in the school's football ground. The weather was very chilly. Like always, I was listening to some music on my phone and aimlessly doodling on my notepad. The cheerleading squad was practicing their new routine for the upcoming football game there too.

"Bubblegum is tutti fruity. We've got the power to whip your booty. GOOOOO PANTHERS."

I was so not impressed with this. Cheerleading has now turned into a social climbing opportunity for girls, degrading and stepping on one another to get the attention of boys or to prove some sort of self worth. Honestly, it was pathetic. I wouldn't be caught dead wearing a cheerleading uniform.

I lost my train of thought when the head of Highdale's panthers approached this boy sitting not that far from me on a bench. Mystery boy was chilling with a cigarette pressed between his lips. He looked so peaceful but stressed all at once. It was weird.

"Umm hey, Cole."

Oh, would you look at that, he does have a name.

"Hi, Jade"

He said without looking up and gripping his burning cigarette between his fingers.

"I'm having a small party at my house tonight and I was wondering maybe if you could like come or whatever."

Jade was one of those high maintenance girls. Branded clothes. Hair blown out. Makeup and nails always done. High heels to school everyday. All in all, she was actually pretty hot. And by the looks of it, I think she most probably had her cheerleading uniform fitted. Because it was just hugging her perfect curves.

"I'll think about it."

He gave her one of his award winning smiles that would make any girl fall for him. God, he was such a player. She ran off squealing with her colorful pom poms. A few minutes pass and I change the song on my phone. I was in a very "Arctic Monkeys" mood today.  As soon as the music died down in my earbuds, I heard the football quarterback and his jocks call me a "slut". My heart breaks into a million pieces but I pretend I didn't hear him and bob my head to the music that was clearly paused. They kept laughing and laughing, I looked over to Cole who was observing this situation. After what seemed like forever, they walked away to the changing rooms and I let out a sigh. I could feel my eyes water up.

No Ruby. Not here. Please keep it together.

I took out my headphones and began wrapping them around my fingers.

"You know, you're not what they say you are."

I shot my head up to see Cole looking at my direction.

"Well, I'm used to it now."

"If you don't mind me asking, why does he even call you that? Cause there is no way in hell you're a "slut". Trust me, I know."

He pushed his fingers in his hair.

"Well if you must know, two years ago, the quarterback, Bradley, actually had a crush on me."

"Okay, then?"

"Well I always thought of him as my little brother so I accidentally bro-zoned him in front of the entire school in the auditorium. I never wanted to hurt his feelings. It was an honest mistake. Could have happened to anybody really. I think I actually hit a nerve there cause after that he's been making my life miserable."

"That's a dick move at his end."

"Yeah.", I said while standing up.

"Well I better get going."

I look up to him. He was putting away his lighter.

"It's Cole by the way."

"Ruby."

I gave him a weak smile.

"See you around, Ruby."

I nodded and started walking away from the shaggy, brown haired boy.

✾Cole's pov

"See you around, Ruby."

And with that the girl in the baggy, oversized Pink Floyd t-shirt and ripped skinny jeans walked away. She looked awfully familiar. Almost like I've seen her somewhere apart from school. It was very unsettling. I watched her as she disappeared into the crowd. I gathered my things and headed off to my last class of the day.
I walked over to my locker to get my books, as soon as I opened it, a little red note fell to the bottom of the locker like it'd been hanging on the hinge waiting for me to open the locker.

"Can't wait to see you at my party tonight, big boy. xoxo Jade."

I groaned internally at the thought of going to a party tonight, I might as well stay in and get some sleep.

-

✾Ruby's pov

I changed into my pajamas and hopped onto the bed like a little bunny. Thank the Lord it was the weekend, this entire week has been such a pain in the ass. I took out my phone and scrolled through one of those aesthetic, cheesy Instagram accounts, just then my phone vibrated in my hands. I checked the notification bar only to see that I had a friend request on Facebook. I opened the app to see who it was. It was from Cole. I was a bit surprised actually.

Why would he send me a friend request?
He doesn't even know me.
How did he even find me?

I stop overthinking for once and accept the request. I then put my phone to my side, adjust my sheets and in a matter of minutes I already felt like I was drifting off.

✾✾✾
omfg this is shit.
lol.
i can't write.
sorry.
rainbows.
xx