James pushed his backpack over his shoulder as he left the small bathroom upon his home. "Are you ready?" he looked up at Ruby.

She sat down on his couch putting lip gloss on he smiled "yeah, just gotta get my helmet, Eric insists I wear it whenever I bike".

Ruby stood up "oh you don't need it" he frowned deeply "uh and why's that?". She smiled as she grabbed her purse "I'm taking you".

Part of him had forgotten about last night, Ruby had no intentions of them hiding anymore.

Her car stood outside, it's boldness standing out, normally she'd park far away. Hoping no one would notice it, but now it rested upon his lawn.

He couldn't help but smile as he got into the passenger seat. "Don't you normally pick your friends up for school?".

She started the car "I told them I couldn't today" he laughed as they drove down the road. "And I get the honor of it now, surely they'll pounce on me the second they see me in your car".

He leaned back "don't worry, I'm sure they'll like you" she pushed her purse over her shoulder when she parked the car.

"They'll absolutely loathe me" the harsh whispers of students entered the air. The second Ruby grabbed hold of her car keys, everyone looked.

James pushed his backpack over his shoulders as he got out of the car. In the distance he saw Otis putting his bike helmet onto his bike.

Across from him Eric did the same, although he refused to even muster a single glance towards the boy. James figured something happened between them, he knew everything was falling apart.

He wrapped his arm around Ruby as they walked towards the doorway. He felt the glares of everyone jabbing into his flesh making him smile.

"I was thinking we go on a date tonight, of course if you have the time for it, I mean last time you've ditched me for your friends".

"Well this time I'm not gonna postpone it, and I didn't ditch you, I just got busy". He smiled as he stopped at his locker putting his books inside.

"Perhaps we'll see a movie or I could muster up a very lovely dinner, all you need to do is show up". He closed his locker and she smiled "what time are you thinking then?".

He hummed as they walked down the hallway, "seven I think that's a perfect time". She kissed his cheek "I'll see you at seven then".

He went to say something but stopped at the sight of Eric looking rather upset. "I'll be right back" he walked toward Eric.

"What happened to Tromboner?" Eric paused for a moment "I think he's going for that prison chic". James went to say something but gasped when Eric turned around and punched Anwar.

"Eric" James ran after the boy when he began running. "Eric!" he walked into the bathroom touching Eric's shoulder.

The boy turned around fast his fist colliding with James face. He groaned at the suddenness of it blood dripping down his nose.

"Oh my god! James! I'm so..." James moved back slightly "Christ, I think you've broken my nose" Eric let out a shaky breath "I didn't mean too".

James laughed lightly as he held onto his nose "it's alright mate, don't even worry about it".

"Eric Effiong to Mr. Groff's office" Eric sighed sadly "I'm really sorry James, I didn't mean too". James patted his shoulder "all's forgiven E-Man, I'll uh be okay, it's probably not even broken".

He pushed the bathroom door open turning slightly to look at Eric "call me if you need anything, I'm here for you Eric, I'll always be here for you".

James walked into the hallway holding his nose hissing in discomfort. He stopped walking leaning into the wall "James! what happened?".

He looked up at Ruby who was walking towards him "oh I think I've broken my nose, it hurts a lot". He leaned into her when she gripped onto him.

"Who punched you?" he laughed lightly "Eric, but it was an accident, total misunderstanding".

He blinked "your friend punched you?" he nodded weakly groaning "I think I'm gonna pass out Ruby, help me too the nurses office".

Ruby held onto him helping him down the hallway the best she could. "Bloody hell, I'm starting to feel rather loopy, Christ I hope my nose looks normal after they fix it".

Ruby couldn't help but smile "your nose will be alright James, let's just get you too the nurses office before you pass out".

He gave her a thumbs up letting out a heavy breath "first day of us being together in public, and I've gotten punched, this'll be a lovely story one day".

—

James huffed in annoyance when he walked out of the nurses office. He paused at the sight of Otis standing across from him.

"Come to apologize for being an ass yesterday?" Otis sighed "I've come to see if you were alright". James couldn't help but laugh "you've come to see if I was alright? You should be checking on Eric".

James went to walk away but was stopped when Otis began following him. "What is it Otis? Get it out already before I die of boredom".

"I saw you with Ruby this morning". James sighed deeply "what exactly is the point of this conversation? Me and Ruby being together shouldn't bother you Otis".

"No it's not a problem, I was just saying I saw you two together and you seemed pretty happy. I uh suppose I'm glad you've found someone".

James nodded briefly "thanks I suppose" he turned around walking off down the hallway in a fast manner. He pushed his bag over his shoulder.

—

James leaned into his kitchen counter, a cigarette in between his lips, the end of it lit. The ashes falling along his floor as he waited.

It was eight thirty, his mind kept wondering about whenever he heard the distant sound of movement outside. Surely Ruby had changed her mind.

Maybe this was all a sick joke and she'd call him and say she didn't actually wanna be with him. The door opened but he didn't look, he couldn't.

He sighed to himself as he let the cigarette he held onto fall into the trash bin. Ruby's high hells were loud making his ears ring.

"Sorry I'm late, something came up at home" he looked at her, "everything alright?". She nodded as he walked towards her.

"So what did you manage to muster up for our first date" he smiled as she walked towards his microwave. "I myself happen to be a very excellent chef, and I made you a beautiful meal".

He grabbed hold of a small bowl letting it gently fall before Ruby. "Fish and chips" he smiled brightly as he grabbed hold of a chip.

"They're slightly cold, but I promise they're good" he sat down beside Ruby wrapping his arm around her. "I'm sorry for being late James".

He looked at her "it's alright Ruby, you could be ten hours late and it'd still wait for you".