Ruby’s standing in the doorway of Anna’s room, giving Anna her judgiest of judgmental looks. “You call that a Christmas sweater?”
“What?” Anna frowns. She looks down at her emerald green turtleneck, smoothing a wrinkle at the waist. “It’s green. Last I checked, that was a Christmas color.”
Ruby huffs. “I mean, yeah, I guess.” She leans against Anna’s door frame, crossing her arms. “I just feel like you’re really not getting the whole point of this, roomie: it’s supposed to be an ugly Christmas sweater, but, like, in an epic and hilarious kind of way.” She gestures without looking at her own bright red sweater, which features a pimp-looking Santa proclaiming that he has ‘Hos in different area codes’. “Case in point.”
Anna’s face grows hot. “Well, I don’t have anything like that,” she says, feeling, as she often does around Ruby, naïve and embarrassed.
It’s times like these, where the differences in their upbringings are most apparent, that Anna can’t help but ask God why he decided to give her Ruby as a roommate. Whereas Anna’s family is conservative and devoutly religious, Ruby’s moms are atheist lesbians. To say that she and Anna didn’t have many childhood experiences in common is putting it mildly, and if you wanted to compare their coming out stories…well, there’s a reason Anna hasn’t gone home for the holidays. She suspects it’s the only reason Ruby invited her to her own family’s get-together in the first place: she felt sorry for her poor little bisexual roommate, who would otherwise be alone on Christmas Eve.
Which, given how crappy Anna is feeling right about now, actually doesn’t sound like a bad idea. She can change into her fluffiest pajamas and drown her sorrows in cheesy Hallmark movies and whatever’s left of the cookie dough ice cream. Don we now our gay apparel…
“Hey,” says Ruby suddenly. “You okay?”
The question snaps Anna out of her thoughts, and it’s only when she notices the concerned wrinkle of Ruby’s brow that she realizes she’s started crying; she reaches up and quickly wipes the tears away. “Yeah, fine. Listen, I really appreciate that your family was willing to have me, but I think I should just stay here instead. I don’t want…I’m sure you’ll have a better time if I’m not there.”
“Well, I’m not,” says Ruby, as though Anna’s suggestion had personally offended her. “You ever think that maybe I want you there? Jesus fucking Christ, Anna, are you really gonna make me say it?”
“Say what?” Anna asks, not knowing what on earth Ruby’s going on about, because why would she actually want Anna to go with her, she must realize that Anna would essentially be sticking shyly to her side all night and that they’d be spending time together for hours and that she’d have to introduce Anna to everyone in her family and…and…oh.
“Ruby...” Anna swallows; she doesn't think she’ll be able to find the words, but suddenly, there they are, tucked somewhere in the exasperated-yet-fond grin Ruby’s giving her. “Do you…am I your date?”
Ruby laughs, raising her hands in exultation. “Aaaand she gets it! Hallelujah, holy shit.” Her arms drop, but the grin remains. “Yes, you adorable fucking nerd, I want you to be my date. Do you have any idea how long my moms have been asking when we’re gonna get together? God, I thought it was obvious.”
And maybe it would have been, if it was something Anna had ever actually let herself hope for. The idea of Ruby, fearless, beautiful Ruby who could have anyone she wanted, wanting her…it’s enough to make Anna’s head swim. Even looking at Ruby now feels a little like trying not to drown. “I…I don’t know what to say.”
For the first time, Ruby glances away; when she looks back, her expression is strangely vulnerable. “I mean.” She licks her lips, taking a step forward into Anna’s personal space. “I personally would love a ‘hell yeah’, but don’t let me put words in your mouth.” A smirk. “Especially not ones you might have to wash out with soap because you never fucking swear.”
Anna laughs. “Well, I 'swear' I didn’t know how you felt, but…” She hesitates, then reaches down to take Ruby’s hands, because apparently, that’s something she can do, could have done for a while now. “But I’m glad.” Her eyes meet Ruby’s, and now she feels like crying in a good way. “I’m really, really glad.”
“Cool.” Ruby’s smirk broadens, and she squeezes Anna’s hands. “So, like, can I kiss you now? Because I’ve been wanting to for a really long fucking time. And then we can go in my room and pick out a sweater for you to borrow and go make my moms’ entire fucking year by showing up together. Deal?”
“Deal,” breathes Anna, leaning in and thinking, as Ruby’s lips meet hers, So this is how miracles taste.
