The Path to Hue

Part X

I pull into the space, and I see Colin vaping with his friends. All the fucking fumes already make my head hurt. I head out of my car, towards the pack of guys. They either smell like too much body spray or complete BO. It doesn't help the already stressful situation. One of the guys motions towards me,

"Hey yo, ain't that your girl Colin?"

"Nah bro, it's the green bitch-"

"Bro she's gay!"

"Oh my bad, that school's like a pack of crayons, can't tell them apart!"

They erupt laughing, and I really wish I had an excuse to leave already. I shove my hands in my pockets,

"Uh, hey,"

He exhales a dirty cloud of pineapple scented vape in my face.

"Yo Ruby, do you wanna join us? We're just-"

"Loitering?"

"Yo, no need to be so uptight," his friend intervenes, "Just try it,"

"Um, no thanks still. Colin, we gotta get going,"

His phone vibrates,

"Yeah for sure, gimme a sec,"

He pulls it out of his pocket and smirks, he whispers something to his friends and they all look towards each other in a smug manner. I really hope he's not texting Sky or Violet. Or that neither of them were dumb enough to keep texting him. I grab his arm and we're already driving away in my car. His friends yell 'daaaamnnn' towards us. He makes a sign towards the pack. I hate that entire group.

We're on the roads, and he connects his cellphone to my aux--without asking. Before I know it, he's blasting rap music from some rapper I've never heard of. He was kind enough to bless me with the artist's name: lil big money.

"Well, thanks for that,"

"No prob, guy's the biggest sensation. His bars keep it real,"

He proceeds to vape more, so much so that my windows are now fogged up.

"Do you mind?"

"Huh? Oh, sure. I have an extra pen if you-"

"Colin! I know about you and Violet-" I blurt. He's silent.

"Ruby... I gotta be honest, I have no idea what you're talking about,"

I brake without warning and his face smashes onto the dashboard,

"Bro what the fuck??"

"I don't appreciate douchebags lying to my face, cough it up big boy. Why did you do it?"

"Look, Violet came onto me. She was overwhelmed, someone asked her out and she said she didn't feel good enough for them. I offered to smoke, it always helps me relax, I just wanted to help her."

"That's not what she told me, are you one-hundred percent telling me the truth?"

"No cap Ruby, I wouldn't lie to you after you let me back into Sky's life,"

"But you did willingly kiss Vi multiple times. This wasn't a one-time accident,"

"I know Ruby, I was fucked up. I feel so shitty about it,"

"So shitty that you needed to see Sky after--I assume--sleeping over with Vi?"

"Yo Violet said she didn't want to be alone that night,"

I burrow my head into the steering wheel. I can't believe this guy. Violet too.

"Even if it wasn't you who initiated, you have to realize that you're wrong for this. You cheated on your girlfriend, with one of her best friends, and haven't told her yet. Do you even want to be with Skyler?"

"Ruby, weren't we picking up some stuff for Sky? Why are you attacking me right now?"

"Colin, I needed an excuse to talk to you one-on-one. I just needed the full story, because now I think Violet is lying about all this. I wouldn't have thought-"

"Why do you even care so much? I know they're your friends, but can't you let this slide? It was a one-time accident-- well twice, but still! For Sky, can we not tell her? She doesn't have to know-"

"Colin, she already knows. I had to tell her,"

He sighs and hits his pen again, he takes a long deep breath.

"Well that's that then,"

"Do you even care?"

"Look Ruby, me and Sky have known each other since we were little. We know each other well, she knows I'm not the best guy and gives me countless chances anyways. If she's not emotionally prepared for my fuck up's, I don't know what to tell her,"

"Get out of my car."

"Ruby, she's too sentimental, that's just who she is-"

"Get the fuck out."

"We're in the middle of nowhere-"

"Get out!"

"I thought we were cool Rubes, damn,"

He slams the door and kicks at the door, I drive off before he can do any more damage. I check my rear view mirror and he's vaping heavily on the side of the road. I scoff and drive.

-

I head up to Stella's and leave my car in her driveway. Everyone's officially gone, so now all the leftover alcohol is mine for the taking. I want to forget. Everything that's happened. I want it all gone. I grab the Vodka and drink. A sip turns into a gulp, and before I know it the bottle's gone, and my brain can still register Colin's name. I reach for another bottle. It absorbs me and I feel woozy. I'm better off without them, without those purple-haired douchebags.

I'm three sips into the second bottle and I collapse onto the cabinet, I didn't notice the golden shot glasses right next to the tequila. I grab a glass and try to pour myself a shot. I face plant onto the alcohol soaked carpet. My body isn't functional enough to pick itself back up. I cry as my body melts into the luxury carpet. Nothing matters anymore.

Stella finds me, and I vaguely make out her faded pink curls. She picks me up and takes me to the guest room.

"You didn't want to join me? The brands your family buys is amazing,"

"Ruby, you know I love day-drinking, but you had way too much. And with what you told me yesterday morning, I don't think you should've been drinking,"

"No, I'm good. It really helped. Don't worry about me," I groan, "Or my liver," she laughs.

"You're still funny, even when you're drunken sick,"

"Heh, that's why I get all the girls,"

"Clearly not,"

"Ouch."

"Sorry couldn't resist,"

"I don't know what to do next,"

"Okay, this isn't my usual advice, but... I think you should stay away from them for a while. The alcohol cabinet too. Crash here in the meantime. It gets lonely up here you know? Karma rarely visits because she's always hanging out with River or Vi- someone else. And imagine all the food we'll be ordering! My treat of course,"

I smile, "That does sound pretty fun,"