It took Ruby about two full minutes to adjust to the unexpected whirlwind of reunion and conversation that Ariel immediately launched into after pulling Ruby down to sit on her pink and lime green dorm bed.
"So," Ariel flicked her gaze towards Belle, who was sitting on her own bed on the other side of the room, "I didn't know you were friends with Ruby too." Ariel giggled charmingly as she squeezed Ruby's thigh playfully, "we go way back."
Belle resented the careless freedom with which Ariel touched Ruby, how close she sat to her, how her smile seemed to communicate so much more than friendship.
Ruby looked over Belle and smiled widely upon meeting her gaze.
Although she was currently mad with jealously and frustrated with Ariel's unexpected intrusion, Belle felt at least the left corner of her mouth lift into a smile at the sight of Ruby's toothy grin.
"Well," Ruby started, "this poor girl actually got stuck with the task of tutoring me." She laughed before continuing, "And while I'm certain she didn't like me at the start, I think I'm starting to grow on her now." Ruby winked in Belle's direction, eliciting a light blush from the petite girl.
Ariel noticed this.
Although no one would ever accuse the gorgeous red head of being particularly intelligent, everyone has their strengths. Ariel's strengths included anything in the realm of attraction, flirtation, or seduction. So she made a damn good note of the way Ruby was looking at Belle. And, to her surprise, the way Belle looked back.
"Oh, you always were a charmer, Rubes" Ariel replied. She then moved her perfectly manicured fingers through Ruby's hair, keeping one eye on Belle the whole time.
Oh yeah, she likes her too.
Ariel smiled to herself as she watched Belle all but turn green with envy as she watched the red head's purposefully flirtatious gesture.
After a little while longer of catching up with Ariel, Ruby checked her thin black watch that she wore on the underside of her left wrist.
"Shoot, I've got to get going." She double checked her bag for her keys and cell phone. She moved towards the door, but turned to look at Belle before leaving. Once again, that wide charming smile swept across her face and washed over the other girl.
"The older girls on team are planning on going out to one of the clubs downtown tonight," she started slowly, "and I was wondering if you would want to come with us tonight? Emma is coming too" she added quickly as she looked at the petite girl hopefully.
Belle looked worried as she processed the details of the invitation. "I don't know..." Her perfect posture gave way as she shrunk a little with shyness. "I've never been to club. I don't have anything to wear-"
"Ooo! I can help with that!" Ariel sprung up and flung open her closet doors to reveal what appeared to be a the entire inventory of a Forever 21 store stuffed into a cubby. "Sebastian and I are going downtown tonight anyways! I can just help you get ready." Ariel smiled excitedly at Belle. She loved a good makeover more than anything.
Ruby looked at Belle hopefully, clutching her hands in a pleading display.
"Alright," Belle gave in. "I guess there should be more to the college experience than just school work."
"Great!" Ruby beamed at Belle and cast a quick thankful look over to Ariel. "Emma and I will pick you up around 8 to pregame!" She dashed out the door with a fading "See yah later!" as she rushed off to her morning practice.
Belle smiled to herself with excitement. "She likes you, you know." "What?" Belle blushed uncontrollably as she looked up to meet Ariel's knowing stare.
"She. Likes. You." Ariel spoke slowly. The dumbfounded look still didn't leave Belle's face though. Ariel sighed, "What? It's pretty obvious. First of all, Ruby Lucas would normally do anything to avoid studying but with you, she is suddenly all about it." Ariel smiled, "plus, she smiles like an idiot whenever she looks at you."
Belle smiled widely. "Really?"
"Yeah, and you do too" she said as she turned to face her open closet. "Now let's find you something to wear. I think I know just the thing to get her attention."
