Quote:
Originally Posted by
hermionesclone 
Grayson kinda wished he didn't have to tell her that she was probably right. Because she was. Bellaire had been downright rude to the girl sitting next to him. "You're the complete opposite of her. She's uptight, follows rules and is the strict teacher type whereas you do what you want and have the time of your life. She's probably a bit jealous or whatever." Shrug. He didn't know, really. "Don't take any notice of her, Rubes. She's a pain in the neck and once you're done with this school, you're never gonna have to see her again." So haters gonna hate and all that.
Honestly? He was glad that she was smiling and tossing her hair back like that. Usually hair flips made him cringe thanks to its association with one girl in particular -- grumble -- but this one was alright. Ruby was Ruby again, wasn't she? With the confidence and all? "Like I'd forget something like that. You underestimate me, Bannrr." Lulz.
And then there was silence.
And Grayson was left alone with the one question burning on his mind. He looked out towards the lake, one arm still wrapped around Ruby. Thoughts and curiosity were a dangerous combo, mkay? They were making the sixteen year old want to know something so badly but something was stopping him and he hated it. Really really hated it. Feelings were NOT something he could talk about.
"Rubes?" he started, looking over at her again, "You still like me, right?"
“Maybe you’re right.” It still bothered her though. Like it made her doubt herself in so many ways. And was she really so bad? Like she’d got that yearbook thing about being sent to Azkaban and being the biggest troublemaker, and Ruby laughed it off and everything but… was that really what people thought of her? When there were kids fighting and being outright rude and everything and she much preferred minding her own business… and when you took into account that her brother was now a prefect, being rewarded for being good and smart and all the things that Ruby was not… well it was kind of tough and she didn’t know what to think. Not that she’d tell anyone that! No way. Nobody needed to know. She had it TOGETHER as far as anyone knew, and she wouldn’t cave in or back down or let anyone else see her vulnerable. So she nodded along to all of Grayson’s words, choosing to believe them. It was easier that way and it was nice to hear someone supporting her… but then he always did, didn’t he? Like, in everything.
…Even the really hard things so this was nothing, comparatively. He earned a warm, appreciative smile.
Do I? Then I guess you’ll have to keep on proving to me that you can back that ego of yours up.” She said in a teasing tone. Humm. She knew he could, but couldn’t have him getting complacent right?
Ruby didn’t mind the silence that grew, she had plenty to think about, and it was nice to just sit like that with him. She was startled when he spoke and turned to look at him.
Did she still
like him?
Obviously she did. So much. It was stupid and pointless and she hated that she did and was trying NOT to because it wasn’t getting her anywhere. But what was he getting at exactly? She frowned slightly.
“I technically never told you I did in the first place.” She reminded him. Technically she hadn’t. It had just been implied by the other words she’d inadvertently said this one time…. But that look on his face had her add quietly,
“My feelings haven’t changed, Gray.”
Like yeah, she did. The Summer had just made it even more true. Which was totally tragic of her, ugh, like did he need to rub it in? Honestly.