The Path to Hue

Part XIV

"Mint chocolate chip is by far, the superior flavor Rubes,"

"Whatever you say Sky," I chuckle. We avoid talking about the situation. trying to salvage what's left of our sanity.

"Hey, wanna watch something? There's this new movie I've been wanting to watch,"

"Oh yeah, for sure. Should I prep some popcorn?"

"Maybe later, I'm pretty sure you picked up every hot cheeto flavor. Didn't realize you took 'fire' so seriously," she says as she grabs the smallest bag. I grab a water bottle and head to the kitchen counter.

"Excuse you? I've been saying this before I even met you! You're stuck hearing it for the rest of your life!" she giggles,

"Hm, I like the sound of that,"

I blush, "Yeah, well uh- what was the name of that movie you wanted to check out?"

"Um, it should be on Netflix's homepage, you'll know it when you see it,"

I turn on the tv and collapse onto the couch. I realize how tired I am.

"Hey, can you go to the cafe around the corner and grab me an iced coffee? I don't wanna fall asleep during the movie,"

"Gimme just a sec, okay. Just one caramel iced, right?" I smile,

"Yeah, you got it,"

"Awesome, I'll be right back,"

She shuts the door and I feel my eyes anchoring down, I'm sure she won't mind if I close my eyes for just, a second...

-

"Ruby!"

Sky is sitting right in between my legs and I panic. How long was I out for? Does she mind personal space? Can she smell my breath?

"Yo... hey, wha- what are you doing?"

"Just wanted to wake you and let you know that Poppy texted me, she'll be here with Sunny in an hour,"

"Oh uh, cool. Uh, how long was I out for?"

"Just a bit, but by the look of it, I think you really needed that nap,"

She caresses my face and inspects it, "Your eyebags have definitely gotten less swollen," I laugh dryly. She's really close to my face.

"Did you uh, get the drinks?"

"Yeah, they're on the kitchen counter. I brought some macaroons as well, they had a really good deal going on,"

I can't focus with her so close to my face, she's so pretty. I want to kiss her. But I shouldn't.

"I uh, can I use your bathroom?"

"Oh yeah, go ahead. I'll clean up a bit for the movie,"

I rush in and immediately wash my face. It's tomato red, god she probably thinks that I'm still crushing on her. I definitely am, but that's not the point. I pull the toilet seat cover down and chill for a bit, check instagram until the butterflies in my stomach settle. Out of curiosity I check Colin's post. Still there. All the comments too. I check Vi's account next. She's still live. How long do live-streams even last? I block them both without a second thought and sigh. I don't think there's a future where we can be friends again, and it really sucks. We've gone through years of crazy projects and situations, just for it to all mean nothing.

"Ruby? You feeling okay?"

"Uh, yeah! Don't worry, just... constipated!"

Why. Would. You. Say. That.

"Oh... do you need anything?"

"No! I'm fine, I'm uh... yeah. Just fine,"

I burrow my face into my arms. I can't believe what a mess I am when it comes to Sky. I want to kiss her more than anything right now, but she needs a friend. This breakup is messy. She needs me. I push my hair back and head out into the living room. Sky looks at me happily,

"Hey,"

I smile, "Hi,"

"Snacks are all laid out girl, it's time to watch our featurette."

"Sounds good,"

I sit next to her and grab my coffee. God that's good. We settle in and enjoy the screen... until Sky's phone vibrates erratically. It's hopefully Poppy or Sunny, but I cross my fingers that it isn't one of those purple bastards. She picks up her phone, she hesitates and answers. Shit.

"I don't want to talk to you- What am I supposed to say! You threw me under the bus with no explanation... Yes, I know I was the one to break up with you, but you're being immensely immature. I'm trying to eat ice cream with Ruby and cope with the choice I've made. It's not easy on my end babe- I mean, Colin. Yeah. Okay. I get it... I know.... Not to mention she was my friend. Yeah, why does that matter? You had sex with her!! ...okay...Well I hope you're happy, but there's no possible future where we're friends, so please. Leave me alone. Bye."

I don't say anything. She can't even look at me. She's tried so hard to keep a smile on today, only for Colin to barge in unannounced and ruin it. She doesn't look up from the ground.

"Hey, it's okay. I'm here."

"Do you even want to be here? You know you don't have to just because you were roped into all of this..."

"Sky, I've been your friend for 2 years now. I want to be here, not to mention: look at all this food! Do you really think I'd leave you to eat it all on your own?"

She laughs,

"I guess not,"

"Exactly."

"I love you Ruby,"

"I uh-"

Her lips crash to meet mine and I can't think. She pulls me in deeper and she's on top of me. I close my eyes and kiss her back, I run my hands up her back and hers are in my hair. I can feel her smile, this is everything I imagined it'd be. I pull back,

"Sky?"

"Ruby, I finally have the courage to kiss you again and you stop me?" she smiles,

"I gotta say something important, I wouldn't have stopped this without a reason,"

"What is it?"

"I love you too,"