The Path to Hue

Part V

I pull back after a few minutes, "I, uh- is this okay?" I can barely keep my thoughts together, my heart is racing, I don't want this to stop, not to mention Sky is in a relationship!! And, technically I kind of am too.

"Ruby... I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable or anything," she holds my face for comfort, "It's okay,"

I'm shaking but I look to her again, her eyes are so blue. I want to drown in her. She gives me a smile and hugs me, "We don't have to talk about this ever again if you want to. I understand it's hard to process, me kissing you when I'm trying  to revive my relationship. It's not fair to you," My face is digging into her shoulder and I cling onto her. I close my eyes and imagine it's all just a dream. Everything's going to be so complicated now.

"Hey, I'm right here Ruby. It's gonna be okay. I'm so sorry," I look at her, she wipes the tears from my eyes with her thumbs and kisses my forehead. God Colin cannot keep taking advantage of her, she's such girlfriend material. Not that I want her for myself, it's just... a fact. I lean in and kiss her again. She doesn't stop me and I run my hands through her hair, it's so soft. I can't believe I'm kissing her, again.

-

I wake up and the sun is rising upon the hills, Skyler's still sleeping. I lay my jacket over her. I can't believe I'm with her, it's amazing, but I should be with Violet! Oh shit, Violet. I check my phone, but there are no texts from her. I do have a text from Sunny:

i hope u guys don't mind, me and stella decided to play some party games with some

sophomores. hope u guys have fun!!

That's just like her, so easily social. I hear Skyler mumble in her sleep, she's so cute. If only Colin could see how great she is. I look at her and smile, her brown skin glows in the dawn, and it's perfect. She's perfect. But her phone is buzzing nonstop. Colin's calling her, looks like she doesn't have any missed calls either, just many texts. First ring of the day, I decide to answer.

"Hello?"

"Yo, Sky? Can we meet up for breakfast or lunch or something? I gotta see you, like soon-"

"Um, hey Colin it's Ruby. Sky's still sleeping, do you want me to wake her or...?"

"Uh, just say that I called her Ruby, and uh...I wanted to say thank you... for being so accepting towards me coming back into Skyler's life. I'm really trying to be a better guy for her. And it's uh, it's so weird that you're so chill after everything, like hey better for me, but uhm, I really appreciate it. It doesn't go unnoticed,"

I sigh, "Yeah it's no problem Colin, I'll tell Sky that you called. Bye."

I hang up and lay back down, arms behind my head. Maybe Colin isn't as bad as we think he is. He was a freshman that year. We all were. We've all grown up since then. I think I should ease up on him and Sky. Even though I kissed her last night. Shit. But she said we don't have to talk about it. If anything, it's like nothing ever happened.

-

I drove Sky to the city's Pancake House, she and Colin decided to meet up for breakfast. I pull into the parking space, turning down the radio. My shoulders tense, "Can we, not tell anybody about last night? I... I just want you to feel okay, I want you to be happy with Colin, or whoever you end up with if it's not him. I just, I want you to be happy."

She looks down, "I understand Ruby. I really do get it, thank you," she looks to me and smiles, "I love you,"

I feel my face burn and turn my head towards my window,

"Love you too Sky. Um, enjoy breakfast, okay?"

"I will, don't worry," she laughs and heads inside, her hair bouncing down her back.

Fuck. I slam my head on the steering wheel and groan. Why did she have to tell me her feelings for me last night? Why did I kiss her back when I was originally on a date with someone else? Why am I jealous of Colin? Why did Violet leave? Why hasn't she texted me? What did I do wrong? Why can't it just be easy? Because now I have feelings for two girls.

-----------

I shoot a text to Violet, telling her to meet me at the group's favorite boba place. She texts back that she can't make it, worse cramps than last night. It feels like she's avoiding me at this point. I contemplate going to her dorm to surprise her with boba, but I don't want to invade her privacy. I guess it's chill. I sit in my car and turn on the radio, maybe I should just chill out. I don't think I did anything wrong with Violet. She just had period pain. So why do I feel so awful?

My phone rings and it's Jade, "Hello?"

"Ruby, meet me at the Pancake House, me and Bella saw something. We gotta talk,"

"Uhm, can we meet somewhere else Jade? I don't feel like pancakes this morning,"

"Ruby. It doesn't matter what we eat, this is serious, okay? Get a waffle, I don't care. We gotta talk."

"Alright Jade," I sigh, "See you soon,"