The day meandered by Ruby, like pictures flashing before her eyes. Like death. She felt like a corpse too, tired from a day of blankly staring at white boards and blank pieces of paper. She heard the voices of her teachers in her head telling her to get her grades up and to stop day dreaming. It stressed her out, all of it. It was dangerously soothing to just have her head in the clouds.

"Hi, Ruby."

Ruby looked up and saw Sapphire standing in front of her. She looked around for a moment and remembered where she was; She was sitting on a bench in front of the school parking lot, waiting for her ride.

Ruby smiled up at her and gave her a lazy, "Hey."

"Can I sit with you?" she asked. Ruby shrugged. Sapphire sat down on the bench and smoothed out her skirt. She said nothing for a moment and then inquired, "Who are you waiting for?"

Ruby sluggishly replied, "A friend." Then, added, turning toward Sapphire, "For a ride home."

"Oh." Sapphire said blankly. Another awkward silence ensued, until she questioned, "Do you have a car?" Ruby shook her head and Sapphire nodded in understanding.

Ruby sat up, turned her body toward Sapphire, and asked with a raised eyebrow, "Do you have a car?"

Sapphire smiled and replied faintly, "I would if I had a license."

"You don't have a license?" Ruby inquired flabbergasted. Sapphire softly giggled.

"No…" She looked sheepishly at her feet, which were crossed over one another, "I'm… afraid."

"Why are you afraid?" Ruby questioned in puzzlement.

Sapphire sighed, "I don't know. All those car crashes, I guess." She looked up at Ruby, her eyes hesitantly looking into hers.

Ruby leaned back in her seat and scoffed, "If you drive safely, you'll be fine."

Sapphire turned her head away and mumbled, "I don't think it's that simple."

Ruby retorted dumbfounded, "But it is!" Sapphire let out a weak grumble, as if it were painful for to hear.

Ruby sighed, murmuring, "Hey, I'm sorry. I didn't know it was that serious to you." Sapphire didn't react at all to this. Ruby stared at her wondering why she wasn't replying. She then put up her hands up and continued, "I just don't get why some people are afraid of cars. They're safe. They have airbags and there are all kinds of safety rules." Ruby peered at Sapphire to see if she was listening, but her head was instead bowed down, her hair sweeping down her face like a veil. Her hands were in her lap, clenched tight.

"Okay." she said in a controlled voice.

"Is something wrong?" Ruby asked uneasily.

"I just…" Sapphire finally said, "I get nervous about bad things happening and you…" She trailed off.

Ruby was concerned and scooted herself closer to Sapphire, "I what?"

Sapphire swiveled around to face Ruby, an dejected expression on her face, and blurted, "You made me feel silly!"

Ruby shook her head and explained, "I didn't mean to make you feel that way. Honest."

Sapphire nodded, "Okay."

Ruby lightly put her hand of Sapphire's shoulder, "I don't think you're silly at all. That's actually a very reasonable fear to have." Ruby chuckled, "More rational than a fear of clowns, I guess." Sapphire chuckled too.

"I already feel so… foolish about it and when you mocked me, I…" Sapphire paused and then apologized, "I-I'm sorry for getting worked up about it. It's really not a big deal."

Ruby laughed heartily, "That's not even close to getting "worked up"! I was just worried I hurt your feelings."

Sapphire looked down at her feet again, smiling, "Yeah…" Ruby felt a light blush spread across her face. She's kinda wierd, but really sweet at the same time.

Ruby beamed at Sapphire and asked, "Do you want to get something to eat?"

Sapphire's head shot up to look at Ruby, an astonished look was on her face and questioned, "Really?"

Ruby lightheartedly snickered, "Why are you so suprised?"

Sapphire, still staring at Ruby, became flushed and shyly said, "I don't know…" and then gave Ruby a small smile, "I'd like to go, though."

Ruby stood up and put out her hand, "Then let's go."

Sapphire tentatively put out her hand, but then pulled it back and inquired, "What about your ride?"

Ruby rolled her eyes and scoffed, "I can text her later. She won't get out for a while." Sapphire put her hand in Ruby's and stood up. Ruby turned toward her and asked, "Do you have to call the person driving you home?"

Sapphire shook her head and explained, "I walk home. I live nearby."

"Well, good! Let's go." Ruby exclaimed. Sapphire giggled and they walked hand-in-hand off campus.