Disclaimer: I do not own Steven Universe.

A/N: This one-shot is a little different than the other two. It's based on a review prompt from "Guest". They wanted to read a School AU. I've never done a modern day AU before. Hope you like ^_^ Keep more requests coming!

Ruby ran through the hallway of a now vacant building. She did not bother to look behind her, they were there.

She could hear them call out to her. The words hurt so much worse than the kicks and punches had.

How could such a harmless revelation cause individuals to turn to raw hate?

Ruby had been a fighter all her life and she was no stranger to defending herself. But even she knew there were times when one must turn away from a fight. It was not a sign of weakness; it was a sign of survival.

Adrenalin carried her through one hall to another, sharply turning in the hopes of losing her pursuers.

Hearing footsteps ahead, with the bearer still unseen, Ruby expertly ducked into one of the many rooms.

It was a small lecture hall. The room was darkened, save for one dim light, and in that light was illuminated an individual draped in blue. That was all the information Ruby could process as she ran toward the stage.

Ruby was surprised that her actions and demeanor did not seem to surprise or frighten this individual. Instead, the girl continued to sing. The song was wordless, a soothing melody unlike any other.

Ruby ducked behind the podium just as the door few open.

An imposing woman stepped into the room. Her hair was bleached close to white, skin a fake tan orange. Her nose, which was decorated with a distractingly large piercing, scrunched in displeasure as she surveyed the room. "Girl." She called out to the singer. "Have you seen anyone come past here?"

Ruby held her breath. She had not thought any of this through. In the heat of the moment she had simply come closer to this other person for safety. But what true safety could be found with this seemingly fragile stranger.

In a gentle but not at all timid voice, that 'fragile stranger' spoke, "I have not."

Mumbling a few choice words, the large woman left the two alone.

When Ruby heard the door close she let out a long breath and leaned her head back against the old wooden stand in relief.

Ruby's rescuer finally spoke, "You really shouldn't fight." The scolding voice held worry in it.

Worry was not a feeling Ruby was used to, she did not know how to respond, "Shut up." Ruby stood to meet the other student in the middle of the stage.

"They got you pretty good." The singer observed, not moving an inch as Ruby came ever closer.

Taking observation for insult, Ruby spoke a well warn challenge, "I could take you on."

Ruby stopped an arm's length from this mysterious person. In this closeness, she noticed the other individual had the most obstructive bangs. 'Perhaps that's why they did not move away', Came a passing thought.

"You won't hurt me."

Standing in the dim light, in front of this person, was making Ruby's head spin. She could feel her body pulsing from pain with every heartbeat. Her mind had finally calmed enough to realize it was in pain.

Annoyance at the pain fuelled Ruby's response, "Huh? How would you know? You don't know me."

"You're right, I don't." Sapphire smiled kindly, "But I am pretty skilled at reading people."

Ruby looked at this individual as though they were the most curious enigma. Did they have a name? Ruby found herself wondering.

Almost as though she could read minds, the stranger spoke, "My name is Sapphire."

Ruby was a tad concerned that maybe this girl wasn't joking when she said she could read people. This surprise was matched when Sapphire offered her a hand.

"I'm Ruby."

"Ruby." Sapphire tested out.

It was very strange hearing the name spoken with such a kind tone. She wanted the conversation to continue and so Ruby took the hand offered to her, "The song you were singing was lovely."

Sapphire helped pull Ruby to her feet. The singer realized her mistake as a pained look crossed a bruised face. Sapphire let go as she realized, "You're bleeding."

Before Ruby could open her mouth to reassure her, Sapphire fled. Ruby watched her run out of the lecture hall. It was confusing as it was comedic.

Ruby expected Sapphire to run long ago, perhaps seeing blood was the last straw.

Still, it would have been a lie to say that Ruby was glad to see her go.

"Well that's that." She said aloud to the empty hall.

Taking a step forward, Ruby felt as though the ground beneath her had suddenly become uneven. Pain hit her side.

But she pushed through.

It had always been like this. Something Ruby lived by. You get through the pain on your own. You have to be strong on your own. Because no one will be there to pick you up if you fall.

It was not sad. Just truth.

*BANG*

The main door flew open once more. Ruby braced herself for the worst as she looked up to the noise.

This time a familiar blue figure, with her modest skirt bellowing around her, came flying down the rows of chairs, "Stay still!" Sapphire ordered as she noticed that the fighter had moved.

Ruby obeyed. She really had nowhere else to be anyway.

Sapphire began to rummage hastily through the box she held in her arms, dropping things in her rush.

Ruby smiled and for a moment her pain was forgotten… but only a moment, "Ouch!" She flinched as Sapphire tried to address a small gash near her hairline.

"Sorry Sorry" Sapphire kept repeating, her face mirroring Ruby's expression as though she too was in pain.

Ruby sighed, "It's alright". She thought for a moment, "Here, let me take that." Sapphire handed the box over gladly, "This isn't the first time I've had to patch myself up." Ruby explained.

Sapphire nodded, following Ruby as she sat herself done. Sapphire watched the whole process. As though she was trying to learn how to properly dress wounds in the future.

It made Ruby self conscious to be observed so intently. She took extra care in treating herself, unlike most times where her wellbeing hardly mattered.

"You don't have to stay and watch." Ruby offered, "Are you done with your singing practice?"

"I just come here to relax." Sapphire admitted, "The echo is pretty great." She sang out a few notes to prove her point.

Sapphire turned to find Ruby's eyes locked with her own. It sobered them both. "Is anything wrong?" Sapphire asked.

"Thank you ."

These words echoed as well, in a very different way.

Sapphire could feel the reverberation of these words. It made her inexplicably giddy and all too aware. An equally unpleasant and pleasant feeling ran through her. The result was a tint of color blooming upon her checks. She cursed the feeling, but it remained steadfast.

"After you've finished with your bandages, where will you go?" Sapphire asked, trying to change the subject.

"I don't know."

Sapphire could hear a weight to Ruby's words. It made her realize that there was so much she did not yet know about the other.

"I'll stay with you until you figure it out."

"Do I get say?" Ruby chuckled a bit, closing up the first aid kit.

Sapphire crossed her arms in jest, "Nope. I've already decided."

"I'm glad."