FPE Impetus AU: Grading

*Riley and RUBY enter Miss Circle's class before anyone else. RUBY was going to talk to Miss Grace, but she decided that Riley shouldn't be alone. Riley is about to sit in her usual seat. * RUBY: Riley, could you sit at my table today? Riley: Why? RUBY: I just want you to feel comfortable. Riley: Why would being around you make me feel comfortable? RUBY: Because you seemed happier when we hung out. When you smiled as you were drawing, you weren't scheming or looking creepy. You were just able to be yourself while being with someone else. Riley: I know. It's just that- *Riley thinks back to when she blushed as RUBY hugged her. "Maybe she's right" Riley thinks. * Ok. I'll sit next to you. *Riley at RUBY's table. * RUBY: Do you want to talk about what happened yesterday? Riley: I - I-I - What about our deal? RUBY: We don't have to talk about Oliver/K, but we can still talk about you. Riley: No. I - we can alter the deal. We can talk about Oliver/K, but you can't pester me about why I like them. RUBY: Okay. Riley: I still feel pain from where my tail used to be. RUBY: Speaking of that, did you go to the hospital to check that? Riley: I can't. I don't think I could afford the medical bills. RUBY: I could pay them. Riley: With what income? RUBY: I work part-time on the internet with technical support and tech stuff to make money. That's how I've been able to afford that duplicate I've been working on. Riley: Thank you. I'll accept that. *Riley realizes how differently she's been talking to RUBY. * RUBY: Is something wrong? *"Before school started, I didn't even want to talk. Now? I go out of my way to spend time with her. Is this what having a friend is like? " Riley thinks * Riley: No. I actually wanted to ask something. RUBY: Go ahead. Riley: Are we friends? RUBY: We are. Riley: *Riley stays silent. * Why? RUBY: Because I feel happy being that. Your smile makes my day better. Why your smile? You rarely have one. Actually, you do smile, but it was always when you were scheming or thinking of hurting someone. The ones you had when you were with me felt different. Riley: *Silence * Do you think I proved that I loved Oliver/K yesterday? RUBY: No. I'm not saying this because I believe it. They would never accept you. I'm sorry. Riley: *Tearing up. * Why? RUBY: You know why. Riley: *Fully crying. * I don't know!  RUBY: Think back to what I told you on Tuesday. *Riley thinks back to what RUBY said. "We care about you." RUBY told her that. She sees exactly what she meant. * Riley: I can't. I need them. RUBY: Why? Riley: They're the only one who'd ever accept me. RUBY: I accept you. Riley: *stunned. * Y- you don't. You- You only accept me when I'm acting how you want me to.  RUBY: The rude comments? Attempting to kill Robby? Being violent? Those are the only things I don't like. Both of those things drive others away. The parts that I don't like about you make your life worse. I don't even know what you have against those three. Riley: Robby kept on prank calling me. RUBY: He told me that you only did that because you called and harassed him first. Riley: Well *Flustered* yeah.  RUBY: Why did you do that? Riley: He was always annoying. He always got on my nerves. I'm glad that he's gone. *Riley realizes how that sounds. * Sorry! RUBY: Don't say things like that. Don't. You have no idea how much - *RUBY stops herself. * What about that comment towards Lizzy and Petunia? Riley: I don't have a reason. RUBY: Look! Can I- *Riley allows RUBY to hold her hands. * the only thing left is those violent urges. I could try buying a punching bag or something similar for you so you don't have to hurt anyone. I want to accept you. I want you to be happy. I promise that I do. Riley: okay. I want - I want to be loved. I always wanted someone who would be with me. Why can't I have that? RUBY: I know there's someone who loves you. Riley: ... Who would love me? RUBY: I don't know. Who do you want to love? Riley: *She thinks back to when she blushed during RUBY's hug. Her face turns pink. "No!" She thinks. "I only love Oliver/K." * I - I - RUBY: Why are you blushing? Riley: I was just thinking of Oliver/K! RUBY: After everything they did, do - Riley: The deal said that you wouldn't pester me. RUBY: Maybe we should alter the deal again. Riley: NO! I hate how you talk about Oliver/K. RUBY: I only talk about them like that because they are awful. They hurt Claire, Kevin, Bubble, Engel, and YOU. You shouldn't love them. This isn't okay. I HATE having to watch you praise someone who hates you- Riley: stop. stop it. I can't do this. *Riley covers her face with her hands. * you don't know anything about them or me! *cries * Th- T- I - I - Please - *RUBY slowly wraps Riley into a hug. *