I've been thinking about what I like about maxton hall or rather Ruby's & James relationship so much. And I think I've kind of got it?
They communicate. They are willing to be proven wrong and change their minds.
Like, Ruby realises immediately when she's overstepped in the Oxford preparation class, after James storms out. She feels bad for it, she doesn't think he deserved it just because of her preconceived notions about him.
But especially: she apologizes. She actually thinks about it, asks her father for advice and apologizes.
She doesn't just act like "oh well, wasn't the best thing but whatever". She takes the time to see things from his pov (And at that point she technically still can't stand him).
And she's willing to change her mind about him. She isn't stuck for eternity in the "he's an idiot" mindset. When he shows her he has another side to him, she's open to it. Let's him change her mind.
Same goes for James.
When he doesn't defend her from his father in the gallery, he tries to make up for it, by printing the posters. By showing that he's not ashamed to be seen with her.
Obviously it didn't convey the message he thought it would, cause ruby wasn't exactly thrilled about it (which she actually communicated right away, even if maybe not in the best manner) but it was the best way he knew in his mind.
And he explained it to Ruby, the moment she came to him. He didn't just keep his head down & took her accusations. He explained himself.
For both his behaviour with his father & the posters. He acknowledged he should've acted differently, he explained why he acted that way, made sure ruby knew that it had nothing to do with her.
And pretty much in any situation, theres some type of resolve like this. They aren't stuck in their ways. They fuck up sure, but they are willing to own up to it and change.
Not perfectly obviously. But that makes sense, their still teenagers after all. Most adults don't even manage to do that right all the time, let alone the times ruby & james manage to do it in the show.
And they do things for eachother. Without being asked for it. They support each others dreams and goals. Actually, they just support each other period.
Ruby tries to get him back on the lacrosse team, when she realises how much it means to him and is willing to take the chance of her sounding stupid considering she was so against him in the beginning.
James is willing to help her out with anything she needs also at the risk of looking stupid.
Also: both of them except that they like the other as it's happening. They aren't trying to hide it. Neither from themselves, each other, nor from others.
Literally. From the very first moment on, through the whole show.
They like each other. And they are okay with that.
The moment ruby apologises they both feel the shift.
When James texts her afterwards about the dress photos, ruby doesn't get snarky, isn't mean to him just because he'd been petty before and didn't help them get the photos. She appreciates his efforts. She's kind, she's mocking him in a friendly (flirty) manner & he's giving it right back.
He doesn't mock her for being nice to him, for showing affection for him, doesn't try to use that against her (which happens far too often in enemy's to lovers type romances in my opinion), he shows the exact same affection back.
Honestly the whole car ride is a testament to that.
They talk. Are open to each other. Ruby doesn't feel ashamed or afraid when she catches herself rambling on about Oxford, she's clearly happy and at ease.
And that's partly because you can see in james face how happy it makes him to listen to her.
He likes hearing her talk about it and he has no intention of hiding it. Not from her, not from Percy.
Or when they get back & james tells ruby she isn't invisible anymore, not to him.
That's a declaration right there.
And he's doing it with all the confidence he has.
And he invites her to a party. A party with all his friends, where everybody can see them.
And ruby tells lin about it. And doesn't deny that she wants to go. She admits she wants to. And she does. She jumps over her own fear of being seen, throws herself right between all the people that would hate her most for being there with james.
At the party itself. They don't hide anything. They touch totally openly.
Or in school. They talk, flirt, touch. No sign of hiding any affection whatsoever.
Honestly I could write down almost every single moment from the first season, cause it's literally happening all the time.
Neither of them act like they can't stand the other while they clearly start to develop feelings.
They are open with their feelings. And I love that.
The main reason they break up/ have that big of a conflict in that regard at all, is because of james dad. Cause he threatens Ruby, which james can't let happen.
(And even then, james has a hard time selling the whole thing meant nothing to him and ruby isn't really buying it either. )
It never happens cause they're too stubborn or proud to admit they like eachother.
Cause they aren't. And I again, love that.
And the resolution at the end? They don't just get back together and that's it. Wooo, happy ending. Nope. They talk it out. Again. Lay it all out there. Make sure the other understands. Feels seen. Loved.
I just...
It just genuinely feels like a genuine relationship. Not just a stereotype. There are dimensions to it. Just like to the characters. And it's just so enjoyable to watch.
