Ruby groaned angrily as she stomped from the pathway to the edge of a large pond in the middle of the campus. She was upset for probably the fifteenth time this week and it was only Wednesday. Some other student had just ticked her off; Ruby didn't even remember exactly from what after the five minutes of arguing that ensued. Then, Jasper broke things up, like usual, and, like usual, Ruby ran off right after without an apology.
With frustration, Ruby picked up a small rock and threw it forcefully into the water with a loud splash. That made her feel a little better until she saw a much larger rock. She picked it up and raised it above her head. She was about to throw it when there was a voice.
She looked over to farther down the water's edge to see a girl. She was squatting in the muddy soil with a handful of something. Her mouth opened and out of it came the sweetest sound Ruby had ever heard. They were simple vocalizations that changed in pitch in such a lovely and expressive way.
Ruby lowered the rock from above her as she maintained her gaze on the girl. The notes being sung made her feel a lot calmer inside. The turmoil she had been experience was disappearing steadily. She dropped the rock down absentmindedly.
After a minute or two, a few ducks and a goose swam up to the girl, who then sprinkled what was in her hand toward them. They happily ate and listened to her soothing song. When the birds waddled up onto the land, the girl stopped her song to let out a sweet string of giggles as they began to eat from her hands.
Ruby couldn't help but move closer, wanting to hear the other better over all the loud quacking and honking. When she came within a couple feet, she tried to look innocent, facing toward the water. Ruby couldn't help but steal a few side glances. The girl had locks of beautiful white, blonde hair that covered most of her face and draped around her shoulders. It made an appealing contrast against her warm, beige skin tone.
Then, the girl's giggles whittled away and she slowly stood up.
"Would you like to feed them?" she spoke kindly.
Ruby just turned to her with a beet red face and furiously nodded.
The girl smiled as she dug her hand into a purse that was slung around her. She held out a handful of seeds toward the other. Ruby apprehensively moved closer and cupped her hands together. The girl poured the seeds into the other's hands then got herself some seeds before squatting back down to the ducks and goose who were waiting.
Ruby copied her actions and the birds began to feed from her hands, too.
"My name's Sapphire," the girl commented, "What's yours?"
"R-ruby!" she blurted out, loudly.
The loud noise caused the birds to start loudly quacking and suddenly the goose bit Ruby's hand hard.
"Ow!" she screamed as she fell back onto the ground and the birds immediately flew off.
"Oh my gosh, are you okay?" Sapphire said as got up.
Ruby immediately hid her hand and downplayed the pain, "Yeah, yeah. Wasn't nothing."
"Are you sure?" she asked with a worried expression, leaning over Ruby.
"Y-yeah, I'm fin-"
But Sapphire didn't listen as she snatched the other's arm, pulling it out straight. The goose had gotten a good snap on the sensitive skin between her thumb and first finger. It was already blistering up and there were a few cuts in the skin.
"We should get this cleaned up. Come on," she informed as she easily pulled Ruby up by the arm.
Ruby was dazed at the girl's strength and sudden authority as she was dragged up to the path. They headed over to the infirmary building where Sapphire brought her to one of the rooms. It was a typical examination room, like at the doctor's office. Ruby wasn't too familiar with it though because she hated going to a doctor. She had even gone to the lengths of duct taping her fingers together with a splint when she broke one to avoid going to the hospital.
"Sit up on the table, please," Sapphire politely.
Ruby reluctantly hopped up and cringed at the crunch of the paper on the table as she sat down.
"So, you're taking nursing classes or something?" Ruby asked, trying to distract herself.
"Yes, this is my third year in training," she answered as she looked through the cabinets.
As Sapphire came back with gloved hands carrying a few medical supplies, Ruby shifted nervously.
"Are you uncomfortable with doctors?" she asked, noticing the other's emotions.
Ruby looked away, "Well, I definitely don't like 'em."
Sapphire then took the other's bitten hand causing Ruby to quickly look back at her. The blonde gave her a reassuring look after she grabbed a cotton ball with a pair of tweezers.
"Don't worry," she cooed as she dipped the cotton in some disinfectant, "It will only sting a little. And you can have a piece of candy afterwards."
Ruby glared, "I'm not some kid!"
Sapphire used that moment to press the cotton ball to Ruby's hand and she yelped.
"Ouch! Don't just do that without warning me first!"
Her anger easily boiled over for a moment.
"I did warn you," she said as she began to wrap Ruby's hand. She was used to patients who had a temper. Most of the athletes that came in were like this.
Sapphire taped the bandage securely down and then asked, "How's that feel? Not too tight?"
"It's fine," Ruby muttered into her shoulder, not wanting to look at the other. She knew looking at that beautiful face would calm her down and right now she wanted to stay angry. Some chick wasn't going to make her feel things she didn't want to!
Putting down the injured hand, Sapphire walked off, taking off her gloves, and came back with a jar of candy and a small smirk.
"Here," she stated, thrusting the jar a few inches under the other's nose.
Ruby's frown deepened, "I said I ain't no kid."
Sapphire took the jar away, not wanting to push the issue. Then, she came up with a brilliant plan.
"Well, if you're not a kid…I suppose I could give you something sweet that's just for adults."
Ruby gave a rough snort of annoyance, "What's that? You got trippy drugs or something?"
Sapphire giggled as she placed her hands on either side of Ruby's face, "No, silly."
The blonde bent over and steadied her face directly in front of the other's, finally forcing eye contact. Ruby immediately slammed her eyes shut but it was too late. Sapphire's soft features were already ingrained in her mind. Someone so gorgeous and exquisite was standing in front of her, holding her face as their breath mingled. She knew she was always so aggressive about not being gay when someone joked about it to her, mainly Jasper, but right now it was the farthest thing from her mind.
This didn't feel like a matter of if they were both girls or not. Sapphire was comforting her, calming her. Then, the moment became so much more intimate when Ruby felt the softest kiss upon her eyelid. Sapphire eventually backed away when she saw the tenseness disappear in the girl's face.
"All better?" she asked, sweetly.
Ruby opened her eyes, blushing and answered quietly, "Y-yeah."
"I'm sorry about forgetting to tell you to be quiet while feeding the birds."
"Oh! No, that's okay," Ruby said getting off the table, "It was kinda obvious."
"Do you maybe wanna go get some coffee or something?"
"Uh?" Ruby sounded in confusion.
"You have classes now?"
"Um, well, no, not till later," she mumbled out, trying to understand what the hell was happening here. Was she being asked out? She wasn't gay. Hell. No.
But then she felt Sapphire grab her good hand and smile at her, "Let's go then. I've been craving an iced latte all morning."
Ruby couldn't find the strength to say no for some reason. This girl was like some beautiful angel shining so bright that it was blinding.
They both walked into the bustling coffee shop that was a block down from the school grounds. Ruby had never been here before. She never really drank things like coffee or tea unless she needed a pick me up and usually the bitter coffee from the school cafeteria was enough for her.
"What are you going to get?" Sapphire asked.
Ruby shrugged as she looked up at the very large menu on wall, "I'll just have whatever you're getting. Don't really care."
"Oh, okay."
When it was their turn to order, Ruby pulled out her wallet, but Sapphire was quick to deny her.
"It's my treat, okay?"
"But…"
Ruby watched as the other handed the cashier her own money. Oh God. This was a date, wasn't it? No, no! If someone who knew her saw her here, like this, there would be rumors! Just as Ruby was about to turn and run, Sapphire grabbed her hand again.
"Where do you want to sit? It's kind of busy today."
Ruby saw the opening and suggested, "We could go take a walk with it."
"Oh, that's sounds perfect!"
Sapphire's eyes sparkled happily.
Shit. Did she technically just ask Sapphire out on some romantic stroll? She didn't mean to do that! And as she took her drink from the girl and they walked out, she realized that while she was safe from anyone in the cafe from seeing her she was still in public. At least they couldn't hold hands anymore because Ruby was using her uninjured hand to hold her cup.
"You haven't drunk any yet, is something wrong?"
Ruby stopped her current patrol of the people around them and looked back to Sapphire.
"Sorry, just thinking about something," she said and then took a sip from the straw, "Damn! This is good!"
Sapphire giggled, "I'm glad you like it."
The melodious laughter made Ruby lose herself for a moment.
When they got back to campus, Ruby was quick to lie to get out being seen with another girl. She looked at her phone and faked shocked.
"Shit, I didn't realize what time it was. I have to get ready for class."
"That's alright. It was nice to spend some time with you. I wished we could have talked a bit more thoug-"
"Yeah, Yeah. Uh, me, too. But I really need to go now," she rushed, starting to turn in the direction of her dorm.
"Okay, but-"
"Bye!" she quickly, racing off.
Sapphire frowned as she looked down at the scrap of paper she held in her hand. She was planning on giving the girl her number. She was sure that they had really good chemistry. Ruby sure was strange.