Ruby

It is Saturday. Which means I do not get to see CJ today. It has been a little over a month since CJ and I started dating and I have enjoyed every second of it. So far we have gone on numerous dinner dates, seen many movies, and we have gone to the park a few times to watch the stars. Everything is perfect.

The reason I do not see CJ on Saturdays is because he has to work all day and does not get off until eleven at night and I need to work out to keep myself looking healthy and happy. It makes me sad that I can not see him everyday, but I need to learn to get used to it.

I am in the park when I hear music. It is so beautiful. Like a thousand birds singing their songs. I turn to see who is playing this wonderful music. That is when I see CJ.

He sings, "oh Ruby, I love that spark in your eyes,
Oh Ruby, without you I'd die,
Oh Ruby, you make my world go round,
Oh Ruby, I love having you around,
Oh Ruby, oh Ruby, oh Ruby, oh Ruby."

My heart is pounding in my chest. That was the sweetest thing any boy has done for me.

I run over to him and give him a huge hug. When we separate we still have our hands intertwined. I can not believe he did that.

"What are you doing here?" I ask.

"Do you not want me here?" he teases.

"I do! But I thought you had work."

"Boss got sick so we're closed for the day, so I came to the park, where I know you run, and mentally prepared myself to sing the song I've been writing for you."

"You are the best boyfriend ever."

"Only because I have you."

We lean in for a kiss, but before we could...

"This can not be happening!"

We both turn with shocked expressions to see Spinel standing a few feet away from us with anger written all over his face. I can not believe he is here and saw CJ and I about to kiss.

"Spinel?" I question.

"Who else would it be!" he yells, "now come with me Ruby! Now!"

I just stand there and do not move. Before I can react, he grabs my wrist, tightly. I whimper and squirm to try and get out of his grip as he begins to pull me away from CJ.

"Hey!" I hear CJ shout.

Spinel lets go of my wrist, forces me behind him, and turns to CJ.

"Shut it, Silver, before I make you shut it!" I yell.

CJ starts towards Spinel and pushes him out of the way then stands in front of me.

"She is old enough to make her own choices, Spinel!" he shouts, "she doesn't need you making them for her!"

"She does not know what she is thinking dating someone like you!" I yell.

"Oh! I'm a someone now?!"

"You know what I mean!"

"What do you mean?! What am I like?!"

"You are the lowest of the low! Lower than any Silver, or anyone, that has existed! You look like it too with your hippy hair! You do not deserve my sister!"

"No matter how pathetic you think I am, I will always be better than a stuck up spoiled brat like you!"

BY the look on my brother's face, I can tell that was the last straw. No one has ever spoken to him like the way CJ just did. The next thing I knew, Spinel punches CJ square in the face, causing him to fall to the ground unconscious. I am speechless and, before I can see if he is okay, Spinel grabs my wrist again and starts dragging me away. I fights back harder than ever; however, he just pulls me harder.

"Spinel stop!" I shout, "we cannot just leave him!"

"Watch me," he hisses.

"Let me help him!"

"He deserved it, Ruby. All Silvers are good for are hurting Gems and I will not let him hurt you. Ever!"

"He is not hurting me! He has never hurt me! He will never hurt me! He has been nothing but kind to me! The only one hurting me around here is you!"

He immediately stops; however, does not turn around. Now I know my words have gotten through to him. I feel his grip loosen around my wrist so I slip my wrist out of him hand and sprint back towards CJ. As I place his head in my lap and pour a little water on his face to wake him up, I know the words I said to Spinel hurt him. I look back to where he stands and see him watching CJ and I. He looks heartbroken. I am sorry for that my words hurt him; however, I do not regret saying them because that was the truth. CJ is not hurting me. My friends and family were. But is my happiness really worth losing everyone important to me?

CJ begins to coming to. I help him up and over to a bench where I help him clean some on the dirt of and realize his eye is starting to bruise. I am the worst girlfriend ever.

"I am so sorry," I apologize.

He looks at me and smiles. I have no clue what is going on. Why is he smiling?

"It's not your fault," he explains, "besides, this isn't the first time I've had to deal with an angry brother."

I smile back at him. We laugh and joke about what just happened.

"I really don't blame Spinel," he says.

"Why is that?" I ask.

"Because he's just trying to protect you. I would do the same thing for my sister if she was dating a guy I didn't trust."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Guess it's a dumb big brother thing."

"I am glad you do not blame him. He really is a nice guy."

"I can tell," he admits, "I feel like we'd get along."

I see his expression take a complete turn. He looks like his heart is breaking.

"What is wrong?" I ask.

"I just," he pauses, "I feel as though if I was a Gem-"

"Stop. Do not talk like that."

"But if I was a Gem, it would be so much easier to be with you."

"CJ, you do not need to be a Gem to be like me."

"But-"

"Hey," I interrupt again, "you are perfect. Do not change for anyone. Especially me."

He looks at me with those big blue-gray eyes. I would not change those for anything.

"You are amazing," he says.

"Obviously," I tease.

He kisses me on the cheek. I do not want this moment to end. However, we get up and start to head home. It takes us about twenty minutes to get back to my house.

"How mad do you think Spinel will be when you get in there?" he asks.

"I do not think he will be mad," I assure him, "he looked more sad than mad when I ran back to help you."

"Sad?" he asks, confused, "why would he be sad?"

"Because we have never fought like this," I confess.

"And it's all because of me."

"Nonsense," I kiss him on the cheek, "I will see you tomorrow."