The Path to Hue

Part VIII

"Oh Violet, hey. Me and Ruby were just talking, what's going on?"

"I just wanted to see if I could find my rare Ruby, she's been giving me the weirdest vibes since this morning! It's not my fault I had cramps at the party last night."

"What do you mean? Did you and Rubes have plans or something?"

Fuck.

"No Sky! My sweet oblivious angel! We were on a date! Ruby asked me out the other day and I accepted! Sadly some #girlbossproblems happened and I had to cut it short,"

"Ruby, you were on a date with Vi last night?"

"Yes! But no! She went home early! Plus it's not like me and her are serious, and I-"

"You don't need to be anxious or rushed telling me the whole story. I'm more than willing to listen Ruby."

"Okay I uh--if it's okay--Violet, I need you to leave,"

"What? Are you guys best friends or something now? I just wanted to check in on you-"

I stare at the ground and my eyes are watering. I don't want to cry in front of either of them.

"Violet, please. I can't talk to you right now without tearing up... please?"

She nods and leaves the room with no emotion, I wipe my eyes and breathe. It's difficult to catch my breath.

"Ruby, I need you to explain the situation to me. I'm here for you, but I'd really like to understand what's happening first,"

How the fuck do i explain this situation to her?

"Well, ever since everyone in the group started partnering up, I realized that I've been feeling lonely. It was like that for a while, but it hit me hard recently and I... I asked Violet out to the party, and- and I thought it would be fun, she wasn't as excited as I was about it, but it was fine. I was fine. I liked Vi, I really did. But she left the party due to cramps, but it wasn't really her period it was-"

"It was what Ruby?"

"Please don't get mad at me. It was Jade and Bella who told me," My face streaming with tears, I didn't want to break the news to her, but I was the one that had to.

"What is it?"

"J-jade and Bella were going to the dorm and... they saw Vi and-"

"What?"

"I can't."

"Ruby, just tell me. What happened between you and Viole-"

"She was kissing Colin! And I'm so sorry. I found out this morning after our kiss, I swear I didn't know last night. I didn't mean to take advantage of you, your vulnerability or anything. I value you way too much to do that. I'm so fucking sorry."

She's silent and looks to me, she's trying to believe it's just a lie. Her lips purse and her tears are falling. I hold her and she bawls into me. I don't know what to do, I hold her tighter. Her cries are deep and hurt to listen to. I can't imagine how she's feeling right now, I can only reflect on my own pain. She cries for a good while before reaching her hands to my shoulders, face still in my chest.

"Ruby?" she sniffs,

"Yeah?"

"What do I do?"

"Uh, well what's your first thought?"

"Break up with Colin? Never talk to Vi again? Well no, I'm just... I can't believe what she did. But how can I be surprised? She made a whole Vi-Life episode about it. It's just... who she is. She needs everyone's attention. But... but why my boyfriend? Do- do you think they were doing it behind our backs?"

She said our.

"I don't know. The only way to find out is to ask,"

"Ruby?" she says faintly, getting up, now leaning onto the couch.

"Yeah?"

"I don't think I should be with Colin anymore,"

"That's good-"

"But I can't be with you,"

I stay silent,

"When I kissed you last night, that wasn't me. Colin... he wanted to smoke before the party. I didn't want to but I did. I wasn't myself. I've never been high before, I don't think I handle it well, but I was just... thinking hard about how you've always been there. I kissed you, and I messed things up. For everyone."

"Sky, it's not your fault we're in this mess. I don't care if you don't want me, you didn't fuck this up. Colin did,"

"No, I do want to be with you,"

"I... I thought you said you didn't want to be with me?"

"I didn't say I don't want to. I said I can't."

"Why not?" I hold her hands, "I promise I'll be nothing like Colin, I will do everything to support you and be a good girlfriend and-"

"I can't come in between you and Violet,"

"Violet cheated on me! She ditched our date to kiss your  boyfriend!"

She's tearing up again, her back leans  into the couch.

"Sky?"

"This is all too much, I need to take a day or two, I don't know how much time I'll need. Is that alright?" I stand up and start to head towards the door.

"One hundred percent. Text me if you need me, I-"

It's best to leave now instead of continuing that sentence. I kiss her forehead, and leave quietly. I should talk to Violet and see how she can justify this entire situation. I text her.

meet me in the dorm.