The Path to Hue

Part III

It's the day of the football game, me and Violet are getting the group snacks; she's wearing her denim overalls with my jacket. It's a bit big on her because of my quarterback shoulders, but the oversized look is so cute on her.

"What are you looking at?"

"You just look really pretty, that's all."

"There is no need for flattery, I'm already too self-obsessed Ruby!"

"Yeah, but still. You're just lovely,"

She leans into me and smiles. Her hair sticks onto my face, but I don't mind.

"Vi, I meant to ask, you don't feel... I dunno, weird about all this? Me liking you in this way? We've been friends for so long, and I don't mean to put you in a situation you're not comfortable in. I don't want to ruin any-"

"Ruby, I don't mind. I like what we have now, and you're not ruining anything whatsoever. We're okay, okay?"

I smile, "Okay."

---

All of the girls--and Colin--are now together as the game goes on, we all have no understanding of how football works, but decided to come and support RIver anyway. We're winning by 7 points and Colin is trying to impress us with his community service stories, Skyler is beaming, but the whole group isn't into it. Me and Violet exchange whispers, the group doesn't know about us yet, but it shouldn't matter. We make fun of Colin's sad attempt at growing facial hair, and try to figure out how football works. We work so well together.

It's almost halftime, and it's crazy we've all tolerated Colin this long. His leg is shaking, we can tell he's nervous being around us again. We haven't seen him since the color-block party, him and I haven't even spoken since then either. I wonder if he or Sky has a grudge against me.

"So, since you're in the talking mood," Jade interjects, "how've you been treating our Skyler? Are all your cousins okay with her being your official girlfriend?"

"Jade, stop-"

"Nah. it's cool. Uh they're chill. Skyler's met all of my extended family. We're tight,"

"His mom loves me; she taught me how to make their family lasagna!"

"Yep, nothing like italian food to make up for cheating on her with her own friend," I nod slightly, avoiding any eye contact.

"Are y'all seriously not gonna let that go? That's when we were first-years!"

"Ah yes, too bad you ended your Rainbow High career as a first year. What was it you were expelled for? Spray painting a giant dick on the side of the gym?"

"Yo, if I knew you guys would be attacking me all weekend, I wouldn't have come. Come on Sky, let's roll," he picks up his jacket and grabs Skyler by the shoulder. She looks at us with a mellow expression, disappointed.

"That sure could've gone better," Bella says as the couple walk away,

"He just has to know that we're not gonna keep up with his bullshit. He has to acknowledge the shit he's done if he wants our approval,"

"Who said he wants our approval Jade? He just wants Skyler, he's not dating us too,"

"I get that, I'm just trying to protect Sky. I don't want her to get hurt again, if we can prevent that from happening like before, we're doing our job as her friends," the girls nod and I feel guilty. I shoot a text to Skyler,

sorry about what happened w jade, you know she can be a bit

much at times

---

The game is over and we meet up with River. Skyler hasn't texted me back and I'm worried. It's been almost two hours.

"Yo, River the game was tight. How do burgers sound to celebrate the win? My treat."

"I'm surprised you're not offering to go to that new parfait place, Amaya told me you're obsessed,"

"Okay, maybe I was waiting for you to mention it, because that sounds way more celebratory,"

Everyone laughs and we load into mine and Amaya's car. It's only a 5 minute drive: Violet, Bella and Jade load into the back. I take off my beanie and check the mirrors, the roads are empty and it's nothing but green lights the entire way.

"Jade, you're really gonna have to chill out about the situation going on. Skyler hasn't even texted me back, I think we should throw Colin a bone. For Sky, okay?"

She rolls her eyes and Bella places her hand on Jade's arm, "Fine. for Sky though. Let's just hope he doesn't spoil Saturday's party."

My phone vibrates, it's Skyler.

it's fine, colin says its cool. we're looking forward to saturday

yeah, me too. I'm here for u ok?

<3

We arrive and River is the first hopping out of Amaya's car, we're surprised he isn't more exhausted after the game.

"Yoooo I am about to smack down some motherfucking yogurts!! Jade, I'm gonna bleed your wallet dry," he says enthusiastically. The rest of us unload from the vehicles and enter together. We order at least 11 different things and take a booth. Poppy sits next to Jade and leans into Sunny, as to avoid any contact with her. Jade, on the other hand, has her arm around Bella. They are inseparable and I can't imagine how Poppy feels whenever they hangout with the group.

I look to Vi and smile. It works so well between us.