Uncomfortable silence filled the atmosphere between the two. Ruby's breathing was very even and deep, nothing compared to the blue, mannequin like girl who stood only a few feet from her.

"What," Ruby spoke, breaking the silence, "Do you want?"

"I, well, I suppose...do you remember me?" The girl finished her sentence with a mere whisper. This surprised Ruby, she didn't know what to expect, but it wasn't that. She didn't know what to make of this girl. Yes, she did remember her, but what she remembered made her angry. Ruby's hands slowly closed into fists.

"I do," Ruby answered confidently, "but not your name."

"Sapphire, Sapphire Brooks."

"Ah I see," Ruby paused, "Is there...something you ne-"

"I'm sorry," the comment took the red girl back, "you have every right to hate me." Ruby stared in confusion, an apology? Her mind wandered, that was the last thing she expected. "I just couldn't stand it any longer, It's all my fault. You should be happy and social like you were two years ago, but it's my fault you get beaten every other week. I wanted to talk to you for so long and when I finally did it all went to hell, I just, I'm so sorry, I just... I jus-"

"I don't hate you," Ruby cut her off. She was inches from the girl, her anger had melted, and she found herself holding the girl's arms in fear of the girl getting anymore upset, "It's not your fault either." The blue girl was shaking, obviously upset, and most likely cold as well, she was wearing a dress that went down to her knees with a light sweatshirt, "It's been two years, don't tell me you've thought all this for that long."

"I-I have."

"There's a gas station down the road." The blue girl looked at Ruby through her bangs and with what she could only assume was a confused expression.

"So?"

"So, you're In a dress and light sweatshirt In the middle of november, you must be cold. Also you said you wanted to talk to me for a long time right?" Sapphire simply nodded, "Well, now you get to. Let's go." Ruby and Sapphire walked in silence, the station was only a minute or so away, Ruby told Sapphire to get whatever she wanted and meet her by the check out, both immediately went to get hot chocolate. They smiled and ruby went and got some chips and met Sapphire at the checkout.

"All together or separate?" The cashier asked.

"Together," Ruby answered before Sapphire had a chance, and pulled her wallet out to pay.

"You don't have to do that," Sapphire said looking up at Ruby.

"You're right, I don't, but I don't mind," Ruby said, It was rare for her to do nice things, due to the lack of people she talked to. But when she had the chance to do something nice, she would do it.

"You're so sweet," Sapphire said when she sat down across the table from ruby, "You're so kind as well. You don't deserve all the beatings and bullying an-"

"Enough of that," Sapphire looked up, expecting a scowl, but was instead greeted with a smile, "You get more and more upset the more you talk about it, and you don't deserve to be upset. Like I said before it's not your fault." Sapphire was looking down, she was overwhelmed with the guilt she had for those two years and she was so mad at herself for so long. To be forgiven and told it wasn't her fault made her feel even more anger at herself then she did before.

"How can you just forgive me so quickly?" She asked. Tears began to fall. "I just don't understand, I was so stupid and cowardly."

"D-don't cry!" Ruby panicked, she went over and sat next to Sapphire and put her hands on her shoulders. She had no idea how to comfort someone and stiffened when Sapphire put her head on her chest. Out of instinct Ruby put her arms around her and hugged her, she hated seeing people upset. "If either of us is stupid, it's me," Ruby let out a light laugh "It took me two years to stand up to Jasper."

"I don't think you're stupid," Sapphire mumbled against Ruby.

"Well you definitely aren't," Ruby whispered, "You were smart enough to break up with her."

"Break up with her?" Sapphire lifted her head up to reveal tear stained cheeks and a confused expression. "We never dated."

"What?" It was Ruby's turn to be confused, "But that's what I always heard, stuff about you two."

"Rumors." Sapphire simply said, she began to shake again, "It was just all rumors, I-I hated her, she always harassed me, and followed me, and when I talked to you...all this-" Ruby shushed her.

"You know what that means?" Sapphire shook her head, "Jasper is just extremely pig headed." Sapphire finally gave off a small smile. "Really though, she does all that to you and you still think it's your fault? It's all Jasper. It's all her fault. Don't ever think I hate you either, I don't even know you well enough, but from what I know now, I'd like to get to know you."

"You want to be friends?" Sapphire asked, she flooded with warmth. She didn't expect a friendship out of this.

"I wouldn't have been this nice to you if I didn't." Ruby answered, and pretended not to notice Sapphires blush. Sapphire lunged and hugged Ruby tightly, Ruby tensed as she did before.

"I understand If this makes you uncomfortable, and I apologize If it does, but you deserve it. You deserve so much more than you have gotten." Sapphire was answered with a small laugh and Ruby's arms gripping around her tightly. She blushed when she realized how much she enjoyed the others touch, and how safe she felt.

Sapphires pocket began to vibrate, she wasted no time in answering the call. "Hello?"

"It's mom, look outside." Her and Ruby both looked outside, a inch of snow was covering the ground, and the snow didn't look like it was going to stop anytime soon.

"Oh no."

"Please tell me your at home."

"I'm sorry to tell you I'm not."

"Where are you?"

"Eating with a friend right now."

"How close are you to the house?"

"Not close at all..."

"Okay. See if you can spend the night with her, or one of your friends. They are short one person tonight at the nursing home."

"Y-you won't be home until morning?"

"Yes I'm sorry hunny. But I'll get you as soon as I'm done tomorrow."

"Okay."

"Okay, night, I love you."

"I love you too mom." With that she hung up. She looked at Ruby and paused for a moment. This is too soon, and too much to ask. But what better way to get to know a friend than a sleep over? If she even lets me stay. Sapphire thought, and finally gained enough courage to ask. "Ruby?"

"Yeah? Hey you think we should get going? Snows coming down fast."

"About that..." Ruby finally looked at her and listened, "I need to ask you a favor."

"Okay, what is it?"

"Would you mind if I stayed the night?" Ruby paused and thought it over.

"Yeah you can, how far away do you live?"

"Out by the lake."

"And your mom is?"

"Working an all night shift." Ruby laughed.

"I guess I have no choice." Sapphire felt awful after Ruby said that.

"I-I don't want to be a burden, I shouldn't have asked such a favor."

"What? Burden?" Ruby looked at Sapphire, "We're friends now right?" Sapphire nodded, "What kind of friend would I be if I didn't let you sleep over?"

"A sensible one."

"No, a shitty one," Ruby looked at Sapphire and looked outside again, she took off her jacket and handed It to Sapphire, "It's only a short walk to my house, plus you need It more than I do." Sapphire looked at what Ruby was wearing without her jacket on, It was just a simple tight fitting black long sleeve, but what Sapphire noticed was Ruby's arms and back. She could see every detail, every curve, every muscle, and oh did she like that. Sapphire put the thick jacket on and followed Ruby outside. Immediately Sapphire was thankful for Ruby, she could hardly feel her legs, the cold seemed to slowly creep up her legs the more she walked, but with Ruby's jacket on, she seemed to forget the cold. She seemed to forget everything except the red girl whom she was so happy to be with.