The Path to Hue

Part XVI

Sky and I have been cuddling all day, Poppy is out so we're just enjoying the day in. Watching our favorite movies, with our favorite snacks, and--of course-- my favorite person. It's amazing, everything I ever wanted actually. She's so understanding, and the best cuddler. The only con: we haven't discussed if we're actually together.

She's focused on our third rewatch of Moulin Rouge, my favorite musical. She loves Ewan Mcgregor's performance. I'm just glad she enjoys my interests.

"Hey, need me to grab us lunch? I'm getting pretty hungry,"

"Yeah! Can we get Panera Ruby? Please? I have been craving broccoli cheddar soup,"

"Anything for you Sky," I hold her cheek and lean in for a kiss. Before our lips can meet, my phone rings. Always great timing. I grab it from the coffee table and it's Jade, I pick up.

"Hello? Jade, hey... I'm really sorry about everything that's hap- you what? In the middle of the store? Are you serious?! I told you to- you know what, nevermind. Can I see you and Bella soon? I feel like we should talk about what to do about the situation, yeah- Is she with you? Oh okay. Sunny? Uhm, we're not on great terms, if anything I think she's on no one's side. Okay, yeah I'll see you soon. Do you need me to text her? Okay, sounds good. Bye."

"That was Jade right? What happened?"

"She uh- she confronted Vi and Colin about the entire situation, I asked if they could come over so we can talk about it. Sorry for cutting our movie day short Sky,"

She nods sadly, "I wanna fix this situation too Ruby, don't worry about it, okay?"

I smile, "Thank you," I kiss her and start cleaning up the dorm.

-

"Hey Jade, Poppy. Wow, that's a...so many candles,"

"Yeah, they are a dorm necessity. Uh, that's what Vi taught us anyway-"

"HAHA YEAH." I grab the tote bag and clink the candles into one of the cupboards. I haven't thought about Vi since,, okay not that long ago, but still. I'm so scared to actually discuss the situation. How I was crushing so hard. How obsessed I was with her. In front of Sky too, although I guess we have glossed over it once or twice. Not fondly, but... we have.

"Did you get the chance to text Bella?"

"Oh, yeah. She said she'll be here 15 minutes late. But no worries! She's just running a few errands,"

"Alright, that's chill," she grabs a water bottle from the fridge and settles in next to Poppy, arm around her too. When did they get so comfortable with each other again?

"So um, what exactly happened? You know, when you saw them?"

"Well, I'm sure we're all aware that Vi hasn't come back to the dorms week after we all found out. She's been rooming with Colin at his cousin's--she claims to all her followers that he has his own villa, it's pretty pathetic, but that's a tangent. She's been hanging around town, me and Pops bumped into her while running errands, she was on a livestream. I was so infuriated seeing them act all gushy in public, I had to step in-"

"You didn't, but go on," I say, sipping on my iced coffee.

"She said something about the audience, 'who are they gonna believe' as if this is some petty internet drama! Ugh it makes me sick just thinking about it!"

"You know her, she can't treat us like people. We're only content to her. I told that to Sunny and, she didn't take it too well. I guess that's why she's not here now,"

"Are you guys not friends anymore?"

"No, and when she ended it she said something about me being the second friend she's lost already, I feel like her and Violet had a messy best friend break-up,"

"That's rough, do you think she'd want to talk about it?"

"Well, none of us have tried yet, me and Poppy can try but we can't force information out of her if she doesn't want to,"

"Yeah, that's true,"

"So... should we talk to Ms Morton about this whole situation? She said she has been trying to contact Violet for a few days now, or would that get Vi in trouble?"

"Why do you care if she gets in trouble, Ruby? Are you still under her influence? Last time I checked she betrayed you and Sky,"

"Jade, I'd really appreciate if we didn't talk about this aggressively, reminder me and Colin broke up a few days ago-"

"Hey! I'm sorry I'm late! I brought boba!"

Everyone collectively greets Bella, and Jade quickly detaches her arm from Poppy's shoulder.

"Hey babe," she says with a nervous smile. Bella grins and passes everyone their drinks, even Poppy's. With the second to last drink in hand, she glances around the room,

"Where's Sunny? Is she still in class or busy...?"

"Uh, no. She's not on good terms with Ruby, but don't worry! She's not on Vi's side either,"

"Well, I'll just put her drink in the fridge for now. Let her know later, alright Sky?"

"For sure," she nods. Bella smiles and reaches for her pink drink. She walks towards Jade and squeezes herself in between her and Poppy. She could not be any more obvious about her dislike for Pops right now. She exchanges a fake smile to me, I nod and hope she's doing okay.

"So, what did I miss?"

"We're discussing whether or not we should talk to Ms Morton about the entire situation,"

"Oh that's tough. I'd say do it though, she's super understanding and wouldn't give Vi any shit,"

"That's the thing though babe, she deserves the shit. She's put us all through an impossible situation,"

"Okay, but that's not for you to decide, Jade. Karma will catch up to her eventually,"

"Whatever you say,"

"Okay, well I think I should be the one to tell her," I blurt.

"Ruby, is that the best idea? You've been having so many breakdowns lately, I don't want you to burn yourself out," Sky answers.

"Well who else should? I don't want you to relive the situation, Jade would be too aggressive-"

"No I wouldn't-"

"You're literally being aggressive right now-"

"I- ... Good point," She crosses her arms in agreement.

"And Bella, she's not part of our runway group anymore, Sunny's a definite no, and Poppy? She's not really too involved, uh... no offense,"

"No it's fine, I'm kinda glad I'm not going through it,"

Bella glares at her; if looks could kill, this one definitely would.

"Then it's settled, I'll tell her next time we have runway class, what's the worst that can happen?"