Queen Ruby

Chapter 31

Once the police had heard enough, we returned to School and attended class for the rest of the day. Team JNPR asked a lot of questions about our escapade but we only answered as much as we did to the police. I told Oz everything about what happened after School. I texted Roman, but he hasn't answered yet so I decided to call him. After a few minutes, he finally picks up.

"Sorry, just managed to get out of Cinders layer."

"Did she buy it?"

"Yea, but I need to keep Neo at my place until she wakes up, the stuff you injected might last a few more days."

"Can I come over this evening?"

"It should be safe."

"I'll be there soon. Do you have food at home?"

"Not enough. Can you pick up Rice, Peppers, and cream on your way?"

"Ok, see you soon!" I hook up and start running. While in petal form, I change into a pair of blue jeans and a green hoody. I left crescent rose on my bed to be faster. After I have all the things Roman asked for I make my way to his apartment, the hood of my hoody, hiding my face. Before entering the building, I use my magic to turn my hair violet and my eyes golden. I take on the face of a girl that I just walked passed and un up the stairs. When Roman opens the door, he seems tens.

"It's me, Clay," I say in a lower, more mature voice. It takes him a while to realize what I did when he does, he opens the door completely.

"Ace, long time no see. Come in." He smiles, giving me the fake name. When I enter, Mercury and Emerald are sitting on his couch.

"Sorry guys, but I need to kick you out now." He says looking at the two. They stand up and walk towards us.

"And who is this cutie?" Mercury askes, leaning in closely. I can feel his breath on my lips. Roman looks pissed but does not react.

"The name is Ace," I say, not moving away.

"Nice name. I must say, I'm impressed." He says turning to Roman. "Who would have thought you could get such a cute woman." He mocks Roman. Without thinking too much about it, I grab him and force him to the ground. He is to stunned to react as I hold him down with a foot.

"I'm no one's woman. You better remember that next time we meet, that is if you aren't dead by then." I force my voice to be intimidating and pull him back up. Emerald, who was too busy laughing to do anything grabs him and gets out.

"Nice work 'Ace' " Roman laughs.

"I thought this appearance would be better than my actual one in case you weren't alone," I say changing back.

"I think, I'll always use Ace as persona from now on."

"Good idea."

"Ace, the genius hacker, that sounds cool." I laugh and hand him the groceries. "Where is Neo?" I ask.

"I put her in my room. I don't want her waking up in your room. She will probably be out for another day or so."

I nod and go check on the woman. She is still knocked out so I leave her be and go watch TV while Roman cooks us something. Even though my favorite show is on, I can't concentrate on the TV. Instead, my thoughts start wandering. Guard seems so differed when he is Roman. As Clay, he was always kind and gentle. Roman was charming and sly. Guard was formal and protective. Which one was he really? All of them or none?

"Guard?"

"Yes, my Queen?"

"Who are you really?"

"I don't think I understand what you mean."

"Are you Roman, Clay or Guard?"

"All of them I guess."

"Then what do I call you? Roman or Clay?"

"Ruby, Clay died the day I left you at your dad's place. I can't ever go back to being him. I know you still remember me as Clay, but I'm Roman now. I'm the same person, just with a different name."

"Do you like being Roman?"

"I don't like being a criminal, but I have to admit, I enjoy being allowed to smack talk people. As Clay, I would never have the courage to do that."

I nod slowly.

"Why the question?" He asks me.

"I was just thinking."

"Well, who would you like me to be, my Queen?" He asks raising an eyebrow.

"I want you to be you," I say as I stand up and make my way over to him. "Roman, I don't know what to think anymore." He comes closer to me but says nothing.

"I don't know who I am anymore, I don't know who anyone is anymore." I cry out. Hot tears roll down my cheek. He slowly takes me in his arm and lifts my chin so I look him directly in the eyes.

"You are Ruby Rose, the one and only. No matter what you do, you will always be her." He wipers. His eyes staring into my soul as I stare back. Before either of us can say anything, the timer for the pasta goes off. Romans eyes grow wide at the sound and he let me go. I stumble back and look to the ground. Roman gas his back to me, but I can see that his ears are red like my cape.

"Sorry, I shouldn't," Roman says, still not looking at me.

"Roman?" I grab his sleeve with one hand.

"I'm sorry my queen. I shouldn't have done that."

"Roman?" I ask again, this time louder.

"You are the queen and I am a guard. We shouldn't be so close. You know that right?"

"Yea."

"Even if things weren't like that, we could never be anything more than friends. It would just be wrong." He said shaking his head repeatedly.

He shakes me off and takes the pasta off the stove.

We aren't supposed to be friends. I always knew it, I just chose to ignore it and now I choose to ignore who we are completely.