“i dunno. sometimes i just... feel things when you’re around.”
“sometimes you’re not annoying.”
“maybe i don’t wanna be just friends with you.”
Ruby Matthews
“i dunno. sometimes i just... feel things when you’re around.”
“sometimes you’re not annoying.”
“maybe i don’t wanna be just friends with you.”
There were many things Ruby would never admit. Like how she'd been bullied as a child or how she sometimes struggled with helping her dad while her mom worked or the fact she never invited anyone over to her house cause she feared being ridiculed. Or, worst of all, how much she enjoyed spending time with Maeve Wiley's twin brother, (Y/N) Wiley.
They should've hated each other, hell, at one point they despised each other. But then they were forced to partner for a school project and it was history from then on. (Y/N) Wiley was everything Ruby should've hated. He was reckless, careless, irritating, poor. Trailer trash at its core and it disgusted Ruby. Until she got to see the compassionate, caring, and nurturing side of him that destroyed the image she'd conjured of him through the years.
It was why, despite the rules she made for herself over the years as Queen Bee of Moordale, she allowed (Y/N) to follow her home. To her small, one-story house on Carlton Close. Her house was underwhelming, she knew it well. Her friend's all had nice big two-story houses that she often frequented and envied. But when she looked at (Y/N), she only saw his typical expression. Not a hint of disgust, smugness, or even malice in his eyes.
"I live in a trailer, Rubes." He reminded her when he noticed her softened expression. She nodded, silently, and unlocked the front door. All she had to do was pray her dad wouldn't-
"Rubes, is that you?" Roland called out from deeper in the house and Ruby winced when she stepped into the hallway in his robe, a plain shirt with a stain on it, and his equally stained sweatpants. He blinked at the sight of (Y/N) and then a teasing smile slowly spread across his face.
"Hey." (Y/N) greeted, lazy grin ever present.
"Let me guess... you must be (Y/N). Boy, I've heard so much about-"
"Okay!" Ruby nearly shouted and sent her snickering father a scathing glare before ushering (Y/N) into her pink-colored bedroom to avoid her father embarrassing her further. She closed the door behind her and groaned quietly, feeling the tips of her ears heat up.
"Is this Baby?" (Y/N) asked and when she turned, she spotted him crouched down by the bed. Baby's tail wagged furiously, her fluffy tiny body wiggling along with it. The chihuahua lapped at his fingers and with confirmation he wouldn't be getting bit, (Y/N) scooped her up into his arms and plopped down on the bed.
"You didn't come here to cuddle with my dog, (Y/N). You said you'd help me with homework." Ruby huffed softly, trying to ignore how her heartstrings tugged at the sight of her beloved pet accepting (Y/N) so easily.
"And cuddle with your dog." He grinned at her and Ruby rolled her eyes, setting her purse aside on her vanity and shedding her coat. She took a seat on the bed and kicked off her shoes before tucking her legs underneath her. Her eyes remained locked on the gentle way (Y/N) handled Baby and a small smile appeared on her glossy pink lips.
"(Y/N)..." She began quietly, manicured nails picking at one of her fluffy pillows. When she'd gone to Otis for advice, he told her- after getting over his stunned silence- to be honest. "Can I... tell you something?"
"Sure." (Y/N) eyed her curiously and shifted to face her, delicately setting Baby down on his lap and letting her curl up on his thighs. Ruby inhaled deeply and his brows knitted, a mixture of concern and suspicion seeping onto his face.
“Sometimes you’re not annoying.” She stated and his brows raised, a soft snort leaving him. His fingers raked through Baby's fur, head tilting ever so slightly as his lips curled into an amused smile.
"Thanks?"
“I-I don't know. Sometimes I just... feel things when you’re around.” Ruby pushed out, uncertainty laced in her voice. She wasn't an emotional person. She never allowed herself to be vulenrable, even around Olivia and Anwar. She'd experienced betrayal and humiliation at the hands of the first and last person she let herself be vulenrable with. But with (Y/N), it felt different. Safer.
"You mean... the Ruby Matthews... is feeling human emotions? I'm shocked, truly. I really am-" (Y/N) ducked his head, laughter falling from his lips as Ruby swatted at his arm and clicked her tongue.
"I'm being serious, (Y/N)!" She huffed again and (Y/N) giggled, cradling the sleepy chihuahua close to his chest. He gently set Baby aside on a pile of blankets, watching her melt into the fabric and doze off.
"Okay, well, obviously you're feeling things, Rubes. Don't you feel things with Olivia and Anwar? It's called enjoying someone's company."
"That's not- It's not the same feelings. You're like... the complete opposite of them. I-I like talking to you. I feel like I can talk to you. You're honest. You're not afraid of me." Ruby explained, internally wishing Otis had just told her exactly what to say instead of being so vague. Being honest? When had that ever done her any favors?
"As much as it pains me to say this, Rubes... it's because we're friends. You might even be my closest friend." (Y/N) reached out and let his fingers brush along her tan arm. Ruby's heart fluttered and she pressed her lips together, summoning the confidence she knew she had.
“Maybe I don’t wanna be just friends with you.” She revealed quietly and his fingers stilled, eyes snapping up to meet hers. "Maybe... maybe I want to go on dates with you and- and hold your hand when we walk into school. Maybe I don't want to keep this a secret from Maeve and my friends. Maybe I want to kiss you and hug you and sleep with you. Maybe I want to be... your girlfriend."