A New Way to Start (The Darkest Minds fanfiction)

A New Way to Start

This is just a one-shot of a different way Ruby and Liam found out about their powers.

As I walked down Virginia Beach, I had no idea that my life would change. Frankly, I had no idea that I was about to be hit square in the face from a volleyball by a really cute Southern blonde guy.

"Ow!" I growled. "What the hell?!"

And then I saw him. He was shirtless, barefoot, and wearing red shorts. The only word that popped into my head the moment I saw him was 'dreamy'.

"Oh my god! I-I'm so sorry," the cute guy stuttered. "Here, let me help you."

"No!" I jumped away from his outreaching arms. "I'm fine. Just a little bruised."

He gave me an incredulous look. "Your nose is broken. I can carry you to the lifeguard." The guy shook his head. "I'm really really bad at sports."

I laughed, and his eyes seemed to flash at the sound of my laughter. "You don't say."

But my nose really was starting to hurt. I sighed. "All right, fine. Take me to the lifeguard." He smiled, and to me, it was brighter than the sunny beach. He grabbed my hand gently, and led me to the lifeguard.

After fixing my nose, the guy and I walked to the ice cream shop where I worked during Summer vacation. It was so much better than working at the heated surf shop.

I ordered strawberry, and he ordered vanilla. Then we sat down at one of the tables and quietly ate our ice cream. After maybe five minutes, the guy broke the silence.

"So, I hit you in the face and I don't even know your name."

I smiled. I don't know why, but this guy just had the ability to make anyone smile. "Ruby. My name's Ruby."

"Like Ruby Tuesday. Well, nice to meet you Ruby. I'm Liam."

And so began our relationship, if I do say so myself. I told him that I'm in Virginia beach for the summer and I tutor the most awesome little girl named Zu. He told me all about his summer goal to become a better athlete and that so far, it wasn't going so great.

"I really like music though," Liam pointed out. "But... peer pressure, you know? Everyone in high school either joins a sports team or joins the mathletes. No one does music anymore; that really sucks."

I couldn't help but feel bad for Liam. Although, I couldn't relate to not being able to follow your dream, because I didn't even know if I had any. For me, the future was just a blur of nothingness.

"What are your plans for college?" Liam suddenly asked curiously. Oh boy. I should have known this question would be asked. He didn't just tell me about himself for nothing.

I shrugged. Liam looked at me with confusion, as if he didn't exactly understand why I had quickly swept away the question.

My phone buzzed in my pocket and I checked to see who it was. My mom texted me. I didn't understand why, that is, until I saw the time. It was already 5:00! I had been at the beach for three hours. Liam was just the kind of person who would be able to make you forget about everything. His smile, his charm, his sense of humor- ugh, what am I doing? I only just met the guy.

"Hey, Liam," I said standing up, "I've got to go. It's getting late and my parents are making dinner and stuff so-"

He held up a hand. "All right." I just realized that I was talking way too much and way too fast. I looked away from his mesmerizing blue eyes, sheepishly. "When can I see you again?"

Now that got my attention. "I w-what?"

"Sorry," he said. His ears turned pink. Was he... embarrassed? "That was really sudden and I know that we just met but I think you're really cool and so I was hoping-"