Anything but Love

Chapter 4: Sunday

"So, you haven't even sent her a text?" Jasper asked; getting into a shooting position and taking aim at the basket.

Amethyst raised an eyebrow; arms crossed as she stood lazily under the net. "Not even a snap?"

"Nope," Ruby uttered as she caught the ball that Jasper had made into the net; she frowned. "How many is that, six?"

Amethyst rolled her eyes. "Stop dancing around the problem Rub's…but it was seven," She snatched the ball from the red girl. "My ball!" She dribbled towards the three point line in determination.

"But seriously, Ruby and Sapphire fighting; I thought I'd never see the day," Jasper commented with a slight head shake.

"There's a first for everything I suppose," Amethyst said; sucking her teeth when she missed the first shot.

"You need to arch your shot more," Ruby said as she tossed the ball back to the purple girl before turning to Jasper. "And we're not fighting…I just needed some space and time to think is all," She folded her arms defensively.

Jasper paused. "…are you thinking of breaking things off,"

Ruby spoke, not missing a beat. "No, of course not; Sapphire is the best thing that has ever happened to me…she's my world," She unconsciously drifted her right hand up to cover her heart.

It was true. Sapphire held a special place in her heart; at first her friends thought it was nothing but first girlfriend syndrome. It's a fake term (created by Jasper) that is kind of like how when virgins loose it to someone and then automatically cling on to the person, but dating wise. They thought that since they were both each other's first, for everything, that they automatically thought there could be no one else.

But that wasn't true. Their feelings for each other are real and aren't based off something so stupid. It took a while but her friends finally understood.

Amethyst held the ball up under her arm. "Then, what's the issue?"

"I don't know, I'm just being stupid," Ruby sighed. "Look, I don't want to talk about this right now, let's just keep playing; it's my ball," She motioned for Amethyst to toss her the orange rubber globe.

Jasper held her arm out; stopping Amethyst before she could move. "No way, you need to stop avoiding this and just go talk to her. We all know how much you care about Sapphire, she feels the same; and I'd hate to see you guys in such a rough patch,"

"Especially over something as stupid as a misunderstanding,"

Ruby groaned, tugging at her messy curls in frustration. "What would I say to her? I basically left her hanging last night, she probably feels so awful; like it's all her fault," She looked down at the ground. "I told her that I would always be there for her, but as soon as things look bad I turn my back on her and run,"

"She must hate me,"

Jasper rested her hands on her hips; she hated seeing her friend like this. "She doesn't hate you and you know it; you made a mistake, we all do, the best thing you can do is go to her and apologize,"

"Why should Ruby apologize?" Amethyst muttered, causing them to glance at her. "Sapphire's the one who pushed her into the snow and rejected her in front of her parents,"

Ruby nodded her head in thought. "I forgot about that," But she knew it was no excuse; she was supposed to be the one person who Sapphire could trust.

And she felt like she had broken that trust.

"Sapphire isn't like that; I'm sure she had a reason for what she did," Jasper objected; vouching for the older blue girl.

"She was going to tell me something but you guys know how I am when I'm upset; I cut people off before they can explain,"

Amethyst shrugged. "Then go to her and find out what she was going to say; it's better than sitting around here and moping about life,"

Jasper nodded.

"Wh-what?" Ruby gulped. "Now?"

"Yes now," Amethyst huffed. "Go get your girl and apologize before you don't have a girl to apologize to,"

"O-okay, should I just like—"

"Go!" Jasper and Amethyst shouted in unison; startling their sheepish friend as she jumped at their sudden outburst.

Ruby cleared her throat. "I get it; I'll see you guys at school Monday I guess," She picked up her duffle bag and proceeded to jog out of the school's gym; the metal doors gliding shut behind her.

After a few seconds of silence Amethyst groaned loudly.

"Damn it, Ruby was our ride home!"

"Are you sure you don't want to hang out with us?" Lapis asked over the phone.

Sapphire shook her head; aware that her friend couldn't see her. "No, I'm sure, thanks for asking though,"

It was currently two o'clock and going on three as Sapphire sat on her living room couch, watching The Flintstones on Boomerang. She was home alone at the moment while her parents were out attending a funeral; one of their high school friends had passed days ago and they were going to pay their respects so they probably wouldn't be home until late.

Sapphire pulled her fluffy cotton blue blanket up to cover her chest; her feet sticking out as she rested them on the coffee table. "So what are you guys doing; another movie night I suppose?" She guessed, laughing softly as Barney messed Fred on the screen.

"No, we're sick of that," Lapis said with a huff. "We're actually planning a baby shower for Rose while she and Greg are at the doctors, it's crazy really. I didn't think we would have to do this until we all graduated college and all moved in next door to each other,"

Sapphire snickered. "How did you figure?"

"I don't know; we've all been such good friends for a long time," Lapis hummed to herself. "We would probably live in a nice country area without too many roads; more space for the kids. Rose and Greg would be together, then Amethyst and Pearl, and then me and—"

"Peridot?" Sapphire guessed, twirling her wavy strands around her finger.

Lapis was quiet for a moment and when she spoke, she hesitated. "Uhm, yeah, me and P-peridot," She cleared her throat. "Jasper would probably find some side chick to be with on the weekends, she isn't one for commitment, and you and Ruby would defiantly be together; maybe even have an adopted kid or something,"

Sapphire bit her lip. "…I'm not so sure; I've been so awful to her lately."

It's true that they had gotten into somewhat of a spat, and ever since then Sapphire has been restless. She couldn't get Ruby out of her mind; she just hated the thought of her girlfriend being mad at her, if they were even dating anymore.

Sapphire couldn't even count how many times she had almost called or sent a text to Ruby before backing out halfway. Even now, her fingers twitched at the contact listed 'Rue'; the emoji with hearts for eyes on each side of the name.

That's sort of why she called Lapis; she could always count on the long winded girl to distract her momentarily.

"I'm sure she's going to break up with me—"

"Sapphire stop," Lapis cut her off. "I might not know her that well but by watching you two I can tell that Ruby cares too much to end it now. Didn't you have a reason for acting the way you did?"

Sapphire nodded solemnly. "I did,"

"And she still acted the way she did?" Lapis sounded confused.

"Well, I didn't get the chance to tell her; she sort of drove away before I could explain my actions," The ballerina announced. "She's reckless like that," She added to herself.

Lapis didn't seem to hear her as she beamed. "There you go! Just explain yourself, tell her about how your parents reacted to Emerald," She paused. "She's your cousin, right?"

"Yeah," Sapphire smiled at the thought of her closest family member. "We have been close ever since we were children. My aunt used to live right next door to us before I moved here with my parents in third grade; even though we were so far apart Emerald and I still kept in touch,"

Lapis spoke. "Have you spoken to her recently; about what's going on with her, maybe she's feeling bad about what her parents have done and needs some support."

"I know," Sapphire confessed. "But she's been so busy with school that I haven't gotten around to calling her; I was going to do it Friday on Thanksgiving, I know she has that day off and the college is only a few hours away,"

She bit her lip. "I couldn't tell my parents of course; and I wouldn't really have a way of getting there,"

"…Ruby could always drive you," Lapis suggested, not so discretely.

Sapphire shook her head. "I can't ask her to do that—"

"Come on Sapphire! Ruby would do anything for you and you know it," Lapis chuckled. "You have her so whipped and you don't even put out; how do you do it?"

Sapphire's face burned, she frowned. "I'm done with this conversation,"

As if on cue, the doorbell rang; vibrating against the walls with its' soft melody.

"Come on," Lapis teased, laughing up a storm on the other line. "No one can be that loyal without getting anything in return; haven't you thought about it? You know, waking up to dirty dreams of what it would be to have her wet and needy, whimpering beneath you; just begging you t—"

"Lapis!" Sapphire huffed, her face turning darker by the second as she slowly stood to answer the door.

"Don't be a prude like Pearl used to be," Lapis objected. "Ruby is one of the best athletes in our school; I bet she has the nicest body, her arms—"

"Okay Lapis, bye!" Sapphire quickly ended the call.

She wasn't going to lie but she would deny it in front of her friends; she has thought about it, who hasn't. More times than less she had found herself lying awake with a seemingly insatiable heat between her thighs that only Ruby could heal. It mainly happens after their most intense make out sessions where Ruby's hands would find themselves cupping her breasts through her bra and sometimes underneath; she favored that one the most.

On rare occasions Sapphire would grow a little brave herself and feel her girlfriends smaller chest in return. Things wouldn't go very far before Scarlet makes her way up stairs, as the caring mother she is trying to be, and making them split apart as fast as possible. Resulting in an aggravated Ruby and an unsatisfied Sapphire.

"One day," Sapphire mumbled as she lazily dropped her phone into her sweat pants pocket. "Coming," She called, sliding on the wood floors with her silky socks; she opened the door.

"R-ruby," Sapphire gaped. "H-hey, wh-what are you doing here?"

The red girl in question was standing on her front porch wearing her varsity jacket, black jeans, brown snow boots and a brown beanie covering her head; her curly black hair pooled out around the sides and back of her neck.

Ruby shrugged sheepishly. "What, can I not visit my girlfriend without having a motive," She tested the waters.

If Sapphire was shocked, her facial expression didn't say so. "…I didn't think we would still be dating; you sort of left me hanging last night and I haven't heard from you all day,"

Sapphire had just realized how upset she was; how dare Ruby not even leave her a text. Making her worry about their relationship status and stressing her out to the point of insomnia.

"I know and I'm sorry," Ruby wasted no time in apologizing. "I was just upset and I was too blinded by my anger that I didn't even think about how you would be holding up, I totally abandoned you," She looked down, avoiding Sapphire's intrigued gaze. "I-I'm supposed to be there for you, but I wasn't, and I'm sorry…"

Sapphire broke, uncrossing her arms and letting them fall limp at her side. "I'm sorry too, I was the one who backed out on telling my parents and I shoved you down the steps; so sorry about that by the way, are you okay?" Her hand twitched, ready to observe the spot where her girlfriend could be injured.

"I'm fine Sapph," Ruby smiled softly. "Really,"

Sapphire took a breath, she nodded. "Okay good…" She twisted her fingers together in front of her, her lip caught between her teeth. "…I missed you,"

Ruby's expression softened, her intense red eyes dropping to a soft hue of lavender. "I missed you too," She scratched the back of her neck nervously. "I kind of had to stop myself from calling you; I knew I had to talk to you in person,"

"Same here," Sapphire confessed. "An-and I was going to tell my parents, I swear, but something came up and I had to back out,"

Ruby furrowed her eyebrows. "What happened?"

"Okay so, I have a cousin named Emerald who goes to college a few hours away from us. My mom told me that apparently she's gay and is supposed to be marrying her girlfriend after they graduate," Sapphire went on. "It turns out that Emerald has been lying to her mother about dating some guy while in reality she's been seeing this girl for years; my mother was completely disgusted Ruby,"

"She literally denounced her from the family, Emerald's mother even kicked her out of the house," Sapphire gripped her hair tightly. "Wh-what if my mom reacts the same…" She blinked away fast forming tears.

Ruby jumped into action; pulling the girl into her awaiting chest. "Hey now, I'm sure she wouldn't do that; I already told you that she loves you," She rested her chin on Sapphire's shoulder. "And if push comes to shove I'll promise to be there for you, no more running away?"

Sapphire nodded into her chest. "N-no more running away; if anything happens we promise to stick together no matter how bad it seems,"

They stood there in a tight embrace before the cold air finally took a toll on them, Sapphire spoke up first. "We should get inside before we freeze to death," She didn't wait for an answer as she reluctantly pulled out of the hug and grabbed Ruby by the jacket sleeve; closing the door behind them.

"Thanks," Ruby said as she tugged her hat off of her head; black curls were pulled into a loose pony tail. "Have you been watching the Smurfs all day?" She asked as she situated herself on the welcoming couch.

"No, the Flintstones were on a while ago," Sapphire teased, sitting beside her girlfriend. "Oh yeah, guess what?"

Ruby smiled, facing her body to the older girl. "I don't know; what?"

"The girls are throwing Rose a baby shower," Sapphire said, watching Ruby nod her head in thought. "They don't have any ideas but they are trying to do it; Lapis called and told me earlier before you got here,"

"Oh cool," Ruby grinned. "So do Jasper, Amethyst, Lars and I have to throw Greg like a bachelor party? If we do, I would be so down for that,"

Sapphire raised an eyebrow.

"N-no, we wouldn't have strippers or anything!" Ruby stuttered with a heated blush. "J-just go to a bar or something; I don't drink so I'd probably be the designated driver,"

"Hmm," Sapphire hummed, tracing the outline of Ruby's rough hand. "Lapis actually said that she imagined us all living near each other when we graduate college,"

Ruby snickered. "Oh did she,"

Sapphire hummed. "She said that Rose and Greg would be together, Pearl and Amethyst, her and Peridot; she said that Jasper would be a bachelor though,"

"Sounds like her actually," Ruby chuckled softly. "What about us?" Her voice was softer.

Sapphire bit her lip. "Well, she thought that we would be living together with an adopted kid of our own…" She trailed off nervously. "…h-how would you feel about those odds? I mean we're only in high school and I'm going to be leaving soon so, I can't lie and say I haven't thought about it,"

Sapphire hesitantly looked up. Ruby didn't seem upset or disgusted; she just seemed thoughtful as she considered her choice of words.

"I mean, these few months have been amazing and to be honest," Ruby met her fragile gaze; somehow she knew that whatever she said could either break or build Sapphire.

"…I can't really see myself with anyone else besides you,"

A strange feeling settled in the bottom of her stomach, Sapphire sighed. "I thought I was the only one; I'm not going as far as marriage but I want to be with you for as long as I'm able,"

"I understand," Ruby leaned in closer for a long awaited kiss, but just as their lips were about to meet she pulled back; she looked around. "Wh-what about your parents?"

Sapphire grinned; resting a hand on a strong thigh. "My parents aren't home and won't be for a while,"

"Oh!" Ruby said a little too excitedly before she toned it back. "I mean…oh, cool, so can I…" She gestured with her eyes; looking from inviting plump lips to amused teal eyes.

Sapphire rolled her eyes playfully. "Ruby; shut up and kiss me already. You know you don't have to ask anymore, you never did,"

"Taking initiative," Ruby wiggled her eyebrows. "I like it,"

So Ruby liked when she took control, Sapphire hummed.

She'd keep that in mind.

I was going to add Ruby and Sapphire fun time but then I was like, nah, it's too soon. But if you want to read some fun time, I will be posting a new Chapter for 'Mine' later today.

Anyway, I might not update next week since basketball starts soon but I'll try. Senior year stress sucks so if you have any tips I'd be grateful.

I hope you liked this chapter and I guess I'll see you later, take care guys!