The Path to Hue

Part VII

I leave my car at the country home and start walking back down through the forest. My thoughts spiral, but not as much as before, thanks to Stella. I know I want Sky, but I promised Jade and Bella I would be the one to break the news to her, because Colin sure as hell won't. Fuck. And how am I supposed to tell Violet that I know? How do I even confront her about it? We've been friends for so long, even though she's hurt me, I don't want to lose her.

It's a long way down and I regret not taking my car, the fucking edginess in me. Out of boredom I check my phone, I just hope no one's texted me. I have 2 missed calls from Violet and a text from Sky. Before I can respond to either, Sunny calls me,

"Hello? Sunny? What's up?"

"I just wanted to check in on you! I woke up like 10 minutes ago, just checking in that everyone's safe hehe,"

"Aw, well I'm safe. Don't worry about me. Oh and Sky's good too. Also Jade and Bella. Vi too I believe,"

"Wow, it sounds like you had a busy morning, or uh afternoon now actually,"

"Yeah I guess so, how was everything last night? Were you safe?"

"Oh yeah, don't worry! Me and Stella just played party games with a bunch of people, got a bong out at one point, it was so fun!"

"Man that sounds fun, I wish I hung with you guys,"

"Are you sure everything was good last night? Did anything bad happen?"

"No! Nothing like that! Just.... stuff happened I guess,"

"Did something happen with Violet? I know she left early, but anything else happen between you two?"

I didn't want to tell Sunny the truth, Violet's been her best friend since kindergarten. I don't want to ruin their friendship whatsoever. I dodge the question, "Um no, not that I know of. Just, just cramps heh..."

"Oh okay, if you want to talk about it just let me know! I'm always here for you Ruby!"

"Same here Sunny, thank you. I'll see you later?"

"You bet! I heard Bella's paying for dinner tonight hehe, but I gotta go! Bye! I love you!"

"Love you too! Bye,"

Now I'm keeping the truth from Sky and Sunny. I hope the pressure doesn't get to me. I open up instagram, but before I can refresh Vi is calling me again. I hesitate to answer and it forwards. Now that's three missed calls. I decide to open Sky's text. It's a photo of the pancakes she ordered, blueberries and syrup. Her usual. I text back the dinner plate emoji with a heart. I don't want to overspill my thoughts about her.

-

By the time I make it down the mountain, I'm sweating. It's been about 40 minutes, but I feel better. I contemplate calling Vi back, but my phone's nearly dead from scrolling. I put it back in my pocket and head downtown. I still haven't eaten breakfast, well lunch now. I decide to go to the Pancake House since Colin and Sky must've left by now. I ask for a table and the waitress asks if I'll be expecting anyone,

"No, just me," I sit down and look at my menu, but before I can even eye the omelette section I hear a familiar voice, I look up from behind the menu and there she is. Violet. She looks around the place and sets her eyes upon... Colin? He didn't leave? It looks like he cleared the table too. Fuck. Them. But I shouldn't try and confront them now, not here anyway.

I put on my hood and try to lie low. I hear Vi say that last night was either a mistake or a piece of cake. It was loud. I couldn't hear much. He puts his hand on hers and she looks away, red. I can't believe this. This entire situation. Because now I have to play spy. Now I have to pretend I don't know the truth. And it hurts so much. I leave before the waitress can take my order, I'm not even hungry anymore. I'm just angry.

While storming out I text Sky to meet me. I don't care where, I have to tell her the truth.

-

I head to the dorm, and before she can invite me in, I crash on the couch. I bury my head in the pillow and groan. This is going to be so difficult, considering everything that's happened, and how sensitive she is.

"Ruby is everything okay?"

"No, everything is a huge mess," I yell into the pillow,

"Well, just explain yourself. I know we can figure this out," she places her arm on my back, "Is this about our kiss last night?"

"Not entirely, but yeah. It is. This... this is so fucking hard wow, I just- I like you Sky. I want you, I want to be the one you kiss. The one who- who gets to hold your hand on dates and whenever the group hangs out. I want to be with you and support you through everything. I feel- I feel so good whenever I'm with you, and I don't even know if you feel the same way. I don't know if you want me the way I want you. Everything last night just made me realize, I've liked you since Color Block too. I thought at the time that we were just best friends, and that was all, but now... I just know, I want to be with you. Please... say something?"

He expression is blank, she struggles to put her words together,

"Ruby... I-" the door creaks open,

"You guys! You didn't tell me we were gonna hangout!! #sonotcool,"