Chapter Text
It was only the beginning of the week but with all the late enrollments and unprocessed paperwork, Sapphire probably wasn't going to instruct an actual class until Wednesday. She wasn’t complaining though, the cool air-conditioned room was a better choice than the sweltering heat.
“Excuse me.”
A soft unfamiliar voice called out to Sapphire behind the mountain of papers she was organizing and filing. She looked up to find an unknown young woman in a sleeveless red shirt waving shyly.
“Hi, I didn't mean to disturb you but I-I'm kind of lost, can you help me?” Sapphire walked up to the front desk. When she got closer the girl began nervously rubbing the back of her neck hidden under the curls of her huge afro. Luckily, her bangs were over her eyes today because they were transfixed on the muscles being flexed underneath the girl’s light brown skin.
“Sure, what did you need help with?”
“I need to pick up my little sister from the swim camp here and I honestly didn't expect it to be so many kids.”
“What's your sister’s name?” Sapphire asked leaning on the counter.
“Reese, Reese Andrews.”
“Oh Reese!” Sapphire smiled, “She's in my group, she is such a sweetheart. I'm her junior lifeguard instructor Sapphire and you are?”
“I'm her sister, Ruby.”
The timid young girl held her hand out and softly took a hold when Sapphire returned the gesture. There was a sizeable difference when she placed her hand into Ruby’s soft palm. They were warm, and slightly clammy but she didn't seem to mind one bit. She was so lost in her brown eyes and crooked grin she didn't realize she was still holding onto her hand.
She slid her hand from the girl's loose grip and point out of the back window toward the pool.
“If I'm not mistaking she should be over on the bleachers with Ronaldo. You just walk through the dressing room right here and the other door leads to the pool. He has the sign-out sheet with him, all you have to do is sign your name and you're all set to go.”
“Awesome, thank you so much. Nice to meet you Sapphire”
“You too, Ruby… Wait, your keys!”
“Oh! Thanks, wouldn't be going anywhere without those.”
When she reached for the keys, her finger faintly touched Sapphire’s. She thanked the young lifeguard once again and went through the opened door for the dressing room. Sapphire bit her lip unintentionally as she watched the curly haired girl disappear around the corner.
How was it this complete stranger could make her smile uncontrollably?
This was the first time she had ever seen Ruby even though, Reese had been enrolled in the camp every summer for the past two years. Then again, Sapphire was the instructor for the 7 and 8 year old group with Rose last year so she didn't get to speak to Reese as much.
Sapphire was helping a parent with yet another late enrollment when Ruby was leaving out. She glanced up in Ruby's direction with a grin attempting to say goodbye. Ruby waved to her through the glass windows as she was being drug by her younger sister to the parking lot.
Once the foot traffic subsided Sapphire went back to filing papers. A few hours had passed but there the was one thing stuck on her mind…Ruby.
The week was finally coming to an end and Sapphire was ready to go home. The sun had begun to set over the summer sky and her sister was nowhere to be found. Sapphire slowly paced along the side of the grass in front of the building. The frigid air hitting her wet swimsuit made her teeth chatter slightly. She didn't bring a jacket today because she expected her ride to be on time. But it was just like her evil sister to make her wait. After ten minutes, she decided to see what was holding her sister up.
Her sister finally picked up on the third call. Sapphire began to grow irritated, she knew her sister was sitting right in front of the phone but ignored her first two calls purposely. It didn't take long for their conversation to turn into an argument, “No… I told you that I needed to be picked up today… I did! We talked about it… Sometimes you really suck, can you just come pick me up? It's getting dark and it's not warm out anymore… Twenty minutes?! Yaz, it only takes like ten minutes to get here by car… Okay, whatever… Bye.”
Sapphire plopped down on the bench. The door chimes sounded as few of the kids in the program were walking over, two of the girls split into the opposite direction and the other began to walk over toward Sapphire.
She hurried wiping away a few tears from her eyes as the footsteps got closer. They stopped alongside of her and she looked over to find Reese. She slowly walked up to Sapphire and sat next to her on the blue bench.
“Hey Miss Sapphire, what are you doing still sitting out here? Are you okay?”
Sapphire smiled softly trying to ease the worried expression from Reese, “It's nothing, just a bit frustrated. My ride is going to be extremely late is all.”
“Don't cry…” Reese placed her hand on Sapphire back and leaned her head on her shoulder. She didn't understand how someone could make Sapphire so upset. She was Reese’s favorite instructor at the pool and always so nice to everyone.
A light bulb when off in Reese’s head as a black car pulled up to the side of the of the sidewalk. “My sister could take you home!”
“Oh no, it's okay Sweetie.” Sapphire tried to protest.
“I'll ask her for you! Between you and I she has no life outside of work and has nothing better to do. So, giving you a ride home won't be a problem.” Reese stood up, grabbed Sapphire's hand into hers and they walked over to the vehicle. Ruby was standing outside of the car opening the back door for her little sister.
Just my luck, Ruby thought to herself. Reese was bringing the beautiful girl at the front desk from the other day over to her car. It was bad enough she was lost and didn't know where to go then she almost forgot her keys. It's not that Ruby wasn't excited to see her, she just didn't want to embarrass herself again.
Something about her was different today though. Her head was low, her smile wasn't radiant, she seemed so… dim. This was not the same Sapphire she met on Monday at the front desk.
“Hey Ruby!”
Reese let go of Sapphire's hand when they reached the car and ran over to her sister.
“Hey, what's up Little Mermaid!” Ruby pulled her little sister into a hug and looked over at Sapphire, “Is everything okay?”
The blonde haired girl looked everywhere but at Ruby with arms wrapped around herself shielding her body from the cold.
“Miss Sapphire needs a ride home, so we're dropping her off.” Sapphire looked at Reese in shock. That didn't sound like an ask at all.
But Ruby was just smiling, “Okay, give me your bag so I can put it in the trunk.”
Reese handed Ruby her duffle bag before she hopped in the backseat and closed the door.
“Want me to put yours back here too?”
Sapphire nervously rubbed her arm, “No thank you, I'll hold onto it.”
Ruby nodded her head with the duffle bag slug over her arm. She walked up the side of the car and to Sapphire's surprise Ruby held the door open for her too. She thanked Ruby as she got in hoping she didn't notice the blush on her cheeks.
While Ruby was putting the bag trunk Sapphire turned to the backseat, “Reese! I-I thought you said you would ask for me, that sounded more like a demand.”
“It's okay, she knows what I meant. See, that's just how I communicate with her. It didn't faze her at all.”
The trunk slammed shut and Sapphire turned back facing forward in her seat trying to act normal. Ruby got into car, buckled her seatbelt, and began diving away from the pool.
As soon as the car pulled off, Reese leaned up resting her arms on the center console. “How was training today?”
Ruby kept her eyes on the road. “Harsh, coach was on my ass all day. The workouts weren't gentle either, I'm going to feel it tomorrow.”
Just thinking about the workout she endured made her bones ache. The constant suicides up and down the court, the planks, and pushups. Her coach ended practice a few minutes early and Ruby was thankful because she wasn't sure her body was going to be able to take anymore.
“What are you training for?” Sapphire hoped she hadn't overstepped her boundaries but she was curious.
Ruby was pulled out of thought by that thick soothing voice echoing through her ears. Her finger nails tapped rapidly against the steering wheel. Why was she always so nervous when she spoke to this girl?
“Huh, oh, I'm practicing with some of the college basketball coaches for next year.”
“I can't wait to go to the games! Ruby is really good!”
Ruby nervously chuckled at her younger sister's excitement, “Don't listen to her, she is exaggerating.” Her cheeks began to get a bit rosy when she glanced over and saw Sapphire smiling at her.
“No I'm not, she is being modest. She is starting point guard in her first year at a D1 school. She is honestly one of the best basketball players I've ever seen in my life. Miss Sapphire you have to come to the games with me!”
She loved how enthusiastic Reese was about her sister, it was cute. She turned to the younger girl before looking up at Ruby, “Yeah, I guess I will have to see for myself.” Sapphire didn't know much about basketball but if Ruby was playing she was willing to get to know the sport a bit better.
She agreed to come to my games. Ruby clinched the steering wheel slightly and swallowed the lump in her throat. She was already a nervous mess thinking about playing on a college team. Now, the most gorgeous girl she had ever met would be at there.
Aside from Sapphire giving Ruby direction, the remainder of the car ride was mostly silent. They pulled up to Sapphire's house, the sun had completely set and the street lights flickered casting little to no light on the sidewalk.
“Ruby walk Miss Sapphire to the door for me, it's cold and my clothes are still wet.” Reese said focused on whatever was on her phone screen.
Ruby unbuckled her seatbelt. “Sure.”
“You don't have to do that.”
“Yes she does, its dark out here and those trees are kind of sketchy.”
Ruby followed her sister's request. She met the shorter girl on the passenger side and waited for her guidance. The walk to the door was silent, Sapphire walked ahead of Ruby with hands holding the strap of her bag staring at the ground. She smiled, she could feel Ruby was staring at her even though she couldn't see. When they reached the door, Sapphire turned to Ruby.
“Thank you, for the ride and walking me to my door.” The afro haired girl quick averted her gaze to the dark sky, she hopped Sapphire didn't know she was looking at her.
“You're welcome, if I didn't Reese probably would have choked me in my sleep.”
Sapphire giggled and it was music to Ruby's ears, it was soft and just as smooth as her voice. It was a sound she would love to hear more often.
“No she wouldn't, she love you way too much.”
“I know… uh I don't mean to be all in your business…” She looked down at Sapphire with softened eyes, “But are you okay… from earlier?”
Sapphire quickly waved it off, “Oh yeah I'm fine my sister was basically trying to get revenge on me for a fight we got into a few nights ago.”
“Oh, okay. Siblings can suck at times.”
“Yes, I agree. But you and Reese seem like you have a very loving sibling relationship.”
Ruby smiled goofily and looked down to hide her blush, “Yeah, she's my best friend.”
Sapphire could feel the smile creeping upon her face and her heart was fluttering in her chest. There was no way one person could be this cute. “Well I'll let you get back before she thinks I'm trying to take you away from her.”
“Okay, Goodnight…Sorry your sister was being a jerk and I hope you feel better.” Ruby closed the gap between them and pulling her into an unsuspected hug. Sapphire’s body stiffened at the sudden warmth she was wrapped in.
Ruby was about to pull away, she realized she probably made her uncomfortable. But Sapphire brought her arms around Ruby's back and squeezed gently into the fabric of her gray long sleeve shirt. Her heart started to race she couldn't believe the shorter girl was hugging her back.
Ruby was so warm and she smelled refreshing, it made Sapphire want to stay in her arms longer. Sapphire just seemed to melt into her muscular form.
Just as quickly as the hug happened it was over. Sapphire cleared her throat, “Thank you so much, it's been a long day and I needed that… Goodnight, thank you again for the ride.”
“You're welcome.” Ruby began rubbing the back of her head, “-And if she doesn't want to pick you up again just let Reese know. We'll give you a lift home.”
“Okay, will do… Goodnight Ruby.”
Ruby's stomach jumped at the way her name rolled off Sapphire tongue.
“Goodnight, Sapphire… Alright, for real this time” Ruby smiled as she brought her hand up into imaginary guns and pointed them at the Sapphire before she began walking backwards to her car.
Sapphire couldn't help but smile, “Goodnight.” She entered the front door of her home releasing a small laugh, she could no longer hold in. The butterflies swirling around her stomach won’t stop. Maybe she would take Ruby up on that offer, after all, it would give them a chance to spend more time together.
“Hey, I was just on my way to pick you up.”
Sapphire looked at the top of the stairs to see her sister coming down slowly. She rolled her eyes, the smiled once etched on her face disappeared. She kicked off her flip flops in front of the door, “Yeah, thanks a lot.”
It is completely normal for siblings to fight and bicker but Yaz took sibling rivalry to a new level. She was always mean to Sapphire when they were young and nothing has changed since. Yazlene was only a few years older than Sapphire but always acted twice her age. She and Sapphire looked exactly alike, except Yaz had deep brown hair without bangs and her eyes were hazel. Yaz was also slightly shorter and thicker than her younger sister. They could easily pass for twins if one didn't know their age difference.
“You're welcome.” She stood proudly in front of Sapphire with a smug grin on her face, “…Wait who dropped you off?”
Sapphire brushed past her older sister avoiding her question. She darted up the stairs trying to hurry to her room but Yaz followed behind her like a hawk, “… Sapphire, you hear me talking to you.”
“That doesn't mean I have to answer.”
“Who dropped you off?” She grabbed Sapphire by the arm spinning her around so that the faced each other.
Sapphire didn't understand why her sister kept pressing the issue. It wasn't like she wanted to pick her up anyways. She was beginning to grow tired of the interrogation and mimicked her sister's attitude trying to ward her off.
“None of your business, it wasn't you so don't worry about it.”
“So you just hop in cars with strangers now.”
Sapphire closed her eyes and rubbed her forehead trying to ease her frustration. “Just get out of my room.”
“Fine…” Yaz stood in front of her arms crossed, eyes narrowed, and one hip cocked to the side, “two can play that game…” She turned on her heels flinging her long locks over her shoulders. “Mom!” Sapphires eyes grew wide and she followed behind her sister as they made their way back down stairs to their mom.
Yaz ran to living room and stood in front of the TV, “Mom! Sapphire is being a little hoe and having random people drop her off at your house!”
“HEY!” Their mother jumped from the couch shooting daggers out of her blue eyes at her daughter, “You watch your mouth, I don't care if you are nineteen. You will not speak like that in my house and you will respect your sister. Do you hear me?!”
“Yes” She answered lowly. “But I didn't pick her up and she doesn't want to answer my questions about how she got home. And don't try to lie because Lapis doesn't have a car either.”
“Leave me alone Yaz, you’re not my mom!” Sapphire yelled as she dropped her bag moving closer to Yaz.
“But I am…” Their mother stepped in between the two of them trying to not let the argument escalate any further. She turned to face Sapphire, “Who dropped you off, Sweetie? … Sapphire?”
“Can we talk about it in private please?”
“Okay…But first, Yazlene apologize to your sister.”
“…Sorry.” She grumbled.
“Now go upstairs to your room until I call you for dinner.” Yaz stormed off up the stairs to her room and shut the door.
Mrs. Inocencia gestured for her daughter to follow her to the kitchen. The smell of garlic chicken wafted her nose when she entered. Sapphire stood near the sink while her mother stirred the pot on the stove. Her mother turned to her and leaning against the counter with a dish rag wiping reminisce of dinner off her hands. “So…Who dropped you off my love?
Sapphire sighed, “One of my student’s older sister dropped me off because Yaz was being mean and wouldn't pick me up. She told me I had to wait twenty minutes until she'd come get me.”
“Why didn't just tell Yaz that, you two got into an argument for nothing.” Mrs. Inocencia quirked an eyebrow and crossed her arms.
“Because mom, I didn't feel like playing twenty-one questions with her. She’s always trying to control me and when I don't give her the answer she wants, she tries to get me in trouble by making something more than what it is. I'm just tired of her thinking I have to bow down to her!”
“Okay, okay, no need to get worked up…” She walked over to her sobbing daughter and embraced her. “She was just concerned about you, I know she comes off strong all the time but it's only because she cares… I'll tell her to back off, okay?”
“Thank you… may I go get in the shower now, please?” Sapphire asked quietly.
“Yes, dinner will be ready in a few.”
“Okay.”
“Hey”, Mrs. Inocencia held Sapphire’s face in her hands, “I'm proud of you baby. You keep standing up for yourself, even if she is your sister.” Before letting her go she placed a kiss on Sapphire’s forehead.
Sapphire went back to the living room to pick up her bag and headed up the stairs. Of course, Yaz was waiting in the doorway of her room across from Sapphire's filing her nails. She and Sapphire never broke eye contact, “This isn't over…”
Sapphire rolled her eyes and continued to her room, “…Bitch”, The blonde haired girl slammed the door shut so her sister didn't have the chance to say anything else to get under her skin.
She went straight to the bathroom and turned on the water and her bluetooth speaker. A nice hot shower and some tunes would melt away her stress and anger. When she put on her Pandora station the melodious beat of one of her favorite songs filled the room. The chorus started and Sapphire’s mind began to conjure up thoughts of a certain curly haired girl.
I feel a little rush
Her adorable face and her gentle voice…
I think I've got a little crush on you
…The way her brown eyes twinkled in the light…
I hope it's not too much
…How great it felt to be held in her toned arms…
But babe when I'm with you, I hear it
…The intoxicating smell of coconut from her shampoo mixed with the citrusy sent of her perfume…
My heart is singing
…That one dimple on the right side of her face when she flashed her charming smile…
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la-la
“La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la-la…” She found herself singing along and grinning gleefully as she scrubbed the chlorine from her scalp.
Why does she have to be so adorable?… Maybe she was thinking too much, there's no way a serious crush could develop in two conversations… Right?
***************
After a long muscle relaxing bath, Ruby was finally in her room playing a few rounds of Team Death Match with Amethyst and Jasper online. Since the summer started she didn't really get a lot of time to play games anymore with all the practices for basketball. She was going to enjoy the fun while it lasted because she wasn't sure when she'd get another chance to.
“So-” A voice came from the shadows.
Ruby nearly jumped out of her skin hearing her sister's voice in the darkness of her room. “Reese don't sneak up on me like that, what's wrong with you!” She sat in her chair clutching her chest in one hand and controller in the other.
“I just realized something…” Reese finally emerged out of the darkness in her pajamas with her toothbrush hanging in her mouth and quickly flicked on the light switch.
“Do you honestly need lights to explain your revelation, cut that off.” Ruby shielded her eyes from the bright lights above her head.
“I never introduced you to Sapphire. How do you know her?”
“That's because I meet her already.”
“What, when was this?”
“Oh, on Monday when I picked you up. I asked for help at the front desk and she told me where I could find you.”
Reese nodded, “Ahhh I see… She's pretty cool huh?”
Ruby swallowed hard trying to stay calm, “Y-yeah she seems pretty chill.”
“Pretty chill indeed…” She stared at her sister for a while before nodding her head. “Well, I'll let you carry on with your little game. Goodnight.” And just like that she was gone in a flash leaving Ruby in the darkness once again.
“Night” Ruby mumbles as she turned back to the game on her TV. She was confused, why was Reese was interrogating her about Sapphire?
Ruby didn't dare bring up the hug they shared in front of Sapphire’s home. It's not that it was anything serious but the last thing she wanted was Reese to be upset with her thinking she was trying to flirt with Sapphire. Or Reese saw everything that happened and was playing dumb. She began to freak out internally thinking about her impulse action. She wasn't trying to push up on Sapphire, the hug was purely out of kindness.
“Ruby you still there?!” Ruby was brought back to reality when Amethyst began screaming in the mic.
“Yeah, I'm back, guys.”
“Finally.” Jasper huffed, “Pick your class so we can get this match going.”
“Sorry…Reese is acting weird”
“Why?” Amethyst asked as she was smacking loudly on sort of snack into the headset.
“I honestly don't know…”
Saturday night dinner at the Andrews residence had been a tradition for Ruby and her friends since middle school. After their games or during their sleepovers Ruby’s parents would whip up their favorite meals. Ruby stopped at the grocery store with Jasper and Amethyst to pick up a few items for the dinner her mother was preparing. All three girls usually ate twice as much as everyone else so her mother wanted to have more than enough just in case they wanted a second serving.
“I'm telling you Ruby, she almost gave me her number but Amethyst thought it would be so funny to tell her that my girlfriend was calling my phone.”
Amethyst clutched her stomach and held onto Ruby's shoulder laughing historical. “I wish you could have saw all the color run out of Jasper's face! Priceless!”
Ruby shook her head as they zigzagged through the aisle throwing all the items her mom wanted in the cart. She made sure to go grab allergy medicine for Reese before finding what looked like an empty checkout line.
She hadn't been paying much attention. While her friend placed the items on the conveyor belt she was twiddling at the game on her phone near the pin pad waiting to pay for everything.
“Hey Ruby.”
She turned her head to find a familiar blonde haired girl smiling up at her. Her heart nearly skipped a beat, Sapphire's beauty was too much for Ruby to handle. That lovely chocolate skin looking just as radiant as ever, and perfect set of teeth behind her full lips.
“Sapphire, hey how's it going?” Just seeing Sapphire painted a goofy grin on her face.
“I'm good, is Reese okay? I haven't seen her in a bit.”
Reese had to take a raincheck on swim camp for the past week. Her eyes were swollen and all the mucus build up gave her the worst sinus headaches.
“Yeah, she is okay, her allergies have been bugging her. So, she hasn't been feeling good lately, I'm actually here getting her some medicine.” Ruby held up the box of medication as she blushed nervously.
She was so caught up in Sapphire and how amazing she looked in her gray fleece short shorts and red lifeguard hoodie, she forgot that her friends were with her. Until Jasper jabbed Ruby in her side impatiently waiting to be introduced. “Oh, these are my friends Jasper and Amethyst, guys this is Sapphire, Reese's lifeguard instructor.”
“Hi” Sapphire waved to the two girls beside Ruby, “Well I just wanted to say hi… and check on Reese. I uh, I have to get back before my friend starts whining but I'll see you around?”
“Yeah of course, Reese should be back in the water on Monday.”
“Okay, give her a hug for me.”
“K, I will.”
Sapphire pushed her hair behind her ear and walked over to hug Ruby, “Bye.”
It wasn't as long as the first hug they shared a few weeks ago but Ruby was grateful to have Sapphire pressed against her and in her arms again.
Sapphire quickly grabbed her bags and exited the store blushing like crazy, smiling from ear to ear.
Ruby was placed the Claritin box on the belt and went right back to her game. She could feel her friends burning a hole in her face with their stares.
“You are so selfish!” Jasper said with her eyes narrowed and arms across her ample breast.
“Huh?”
“Why haven't you told me about this instructor?! Are all the other instructors as hot as her?!”
Amethyst mimicked Jasper's posture. “Keeping the bay watch babes all to yourself, what kind of friend are you?”
“I don't really know her, I asked her for directions once and gave her a ride home one day because Reese told me to.”
Jasper rolled her eyes, “She hugged you like she's been knowing you for years…”
“…She's just friendly.” Ruby shrugged and tried to act nonchalant. They finished paying for the groceries and headed to the car.
“Well maybe she and I should get aquatinted too then.” Jasper suggested as she placed one of her massive hands on Ruby's shoulder.
Amethyst somehow snuck one of the chip bags from the cart and was already munching away, “She could give me some CPR lesson after pool hours.”
“Next time you go to the pool we are tagging along, no if, ands, or buts.” Jasper demanded.
The last thing Ruby needed was for one of her friends to mack up on the girl she liked. Not that her friend would do anything to hurt her but would if Sapphire ends up liking one of them more? Then again, she hasn't even made a move and couldn't just call dibs that would be rude. They put the bags in Ruby’s trunk and got into the car.
“Well I was thinking about going for rec swim on Friday, but I don't know if she works that day.”
Amethyst instantly jumped up from the backseat, "Then it's settled we're going to rec swim on Friday!”
Friday night recreation swims at the pool became a popular attraction for teens and young adults in town. Sapphire saw Ruby but she didn’t go over to say anything because she was hanging with her friends. She stayed a reasonable distance away and watched from the staff lounge as the three girls played rough and wrestled each other around the pool.
Sapphire’s mind became foggy and discombobulated when her crush exited the pool. She figured Ruby would have a nice body but she was in for a surprise, all her expectations were exceeded. Every muscle on her physique was toned and well sculpted. Sapphire had never seen abs so defined, they could probably grate cheese. She wondered how it would feel to run her fingers along the muscles of her taut stomach and the water droplets trickling down her body only made things worse.
Sapphire was too busy staring she didn't see Lapis was relieved from her post and standing next to her, “Who is that?”
“You scared me, you know I can't see on that side.” She stalled trying to buy herself some time.
Lapis apologized, they been friends for years but she occasionally forgets that Sapphire is blind in her right eye.
“I was just trying to figure out who were you staring at?”
“Huh? Oh, that’s umm, Reese’s older sister Ruby and those are her friend Amethyst and Jasper.”
“You've become quite the socialite these days. Out making friends without me.” The slender girl joked.
Sapphire gave her a small nudge, “Not even, I saw her in the market the other day, we said hello and she introduced me to her friends. We didn't really get to talk.” She let out a sigh and turned back to the pool.
“So, are you just going to stare at her like a creep or are you going to ask her out?” Lapis asked as she threw a towel over her shoulder.
Sapphire nearly choked, “What?!”
Was it that obviously that she was into Ruby? How did she know who she was staring at when there were sunglasses covering her eyes?
“You've been looking at her for the past seven minutes. I saw you while I was at the post, so go shoot your shot.”
“No way, I can't date Ruby. I'm her sister's instructor that would be weird…” Sapphire leaned against the entryway.
Lapis threw her hands up, “For Pete sake Sapphire, it's not like you’re her sister’s school teacher. You can totally date her, she's not off limits. Reese likes you and I'm sure she wouldn't mind you becoming her sister’s girlfriend.”
“Yeah?”
“Yes!” Lapis nodded in excitement, “If it works out then great, but if it doesn't then at least you can say you tried it out.”
It's not a bad idea but Sapphire has never been one to take risks and asking someone you've only had three social interactions with was risky. But then again, Ruby was easily to talk to, made her laugh and smile, and gave Sapphire a funny feeling in the pit of her stomach every time they've seen each other.
She thought about all the possibilities with Lapis beside her as they watched Ruby and her friends continue to horse play in the water.
“Okay, but I'm not going to do it while her friends are with her.”
The kids were given free swim for the rest of the day, there wasn’t a need for all the lifeguards to be on deck. Sapphire and Lapis decided to work the front desk, both girls wanted to get out of the unforgiving heat emitting from the sun.
The chimes on the door sounded and Sapphire was greeted by her favorite crooked grin. “Hey, here to pick up Reese?”
“Yep.”
“You don't have to worry about walking over to sign her out. The sheet is right here with me, Ronaldo had to leave early so I'm on sign out duty.”
“Oh okay.” Sapphire handed Ruby her pen.
Sapphire knew Lapis was staring her down waiting to be introduced. “Ruby this is my best friend Lapis, Lapis this is Reese's sister Ruby.” It was in her best interest to take matters into her own hands before Lapis said something embarrassing.
“Hello.”
“Hi.” Ruby smiled and waved over to the other lifeguard. She scanned the clipboard for her sister's name and scribbled in her signature. Out of the corner of her eye she caught a glimpse at the show Sapphire was watching on her phone. “Are you watching The Amazing World of Gumball?!”
Over the past couple of years, the show became a guilty pleasure of hers, “Y-yeah, it's one of my favorite shows…You've heard of it?” Sapphire nervously asked.
“Mine too!” Sapphire let out a breath she didn't know she was holding in. She wasn't expecting that, “I swear I could watch it all day! Who’s your favorite character?!”
She couldn't get Lapis to watch ten second of an episode but here Ruby was just as hype as she was about the show. “I love Anais! She's smart and adorable, what about you?”
“It's a tie between Gumball and Nicole. I wish my mom could kick ass like her”, Ruby rapidly covered her mouth “… whoops sorry, forgot about the kids.”
The two went back to their discussion about the show while Lapis sat with her feet up on the desk across from Sapphire. She may have had the magazine up to her face but she watched them carefully. They laughed as they recapped their favorite episodes and discussed theories. Time was ticking away but neither of them were paying attention. Everything around them was nonexistent, their eyes stayed glued to each other.
“Granny JoJo started to grow on me after a while.” Ruby reached out and placed her hand over Sapphire's smaller hand. “But do you know who is the absolute worst?!”
Without hesitation they both leaned in closer and blurted out simultaneously, “-Tobias!”
Sapphire was laughing historical but Ruby just stood there grinning. It amazed her how beautiful Sapphire looked doing something so simple. The way she hid her luminous smile behind her dainty hand and the cute little crinkles on her nose. Her laughter filled Ruby with warmth and a sense of pride washed over her knowing she brought joy to Sapphire momentarily.
“Hey Ruby”, Both girls snapped their heads to the doorway of the dressing room when they heard Reese's voice. “I was wondering where you were. I saw you park your car but you didn't come over to get me.”
Ruby looked over at Sapphire then glanced down at their hands. She hadn't been aware her hand was still laying on top of Sapphire's. She slid her hand from Sapphire back onto the cold desk top.
“Oh, umm sorry, I was talking to Sapphire about The Amazing World of Gumball.”
Reese shook her head, “…Goodness another one of you.”
“Hey!”, Sapphire and Ruby spoke again in unison. Ruby looked back at her and Sapphire turned away biting her lip to contain her smile.
“Are you ready?” Ruby nodded her head, “See you later Miss Sapphire and Miss Lapis!”
“I have to go but I'll see you later.”
Sapphire was still slightly flustered, “O-okay see you later.”
Reese grabbed her sister's hand and headed for the exit. “Nice to meet you Lapis.” Ruby waved before she and Reese left the building.
Sapphire, who was now a blushing mess, went back to watching her show. Lapis threw down her magazine when Ruby was out of sight and jetted to Sapphire's chair. She spun her friend around and grabbed the arm rests on both sides of her. “Sapphire, seriously?!”
“What?”
“You two are a match made in heaven.”
“Here we go…” Sapphire huffed, “Lapis, it wasn't that serious.”
“You both of you just stood here for fifteen minutes talking about a cartoon with a little blue cat boy and his family.”
“We both like the same show, big deal.” Sapphire waved her hands up sarcastically.
Lapis jumped up onto the desk and sat in front of her friend. “You didn't see what I saw…”
Sapphire threw her hair over her shoulder and quirked an eyebrow over her sunglasses, “… And what was that?”
“There were fireworks going off over your heads and you both had hearts floating from your eyeballs. Plus both of you have flushed faces redder that Ronaldo’s sunburn. For the love of juice, you guys finished a sentence in unison! TWICE!”
“Lapis…”
The tan girl slid off the desk landing firmly on both of her feet, “Alright”, she walked back to her desk and plopped down in her chair. “All I'm saying is, you can be in denial all you want but that little whatever that was that JUST happened in front of my eyes tells me otherwise.”
Sapphire was getting a headache trying to decipher what Lapis was trying to communicate. “You really need to stay out of the pool. I think all of that chlorine is starting to go to your head.”
“You know exactly what I’m trying to say Sapphy.” She snatched the magazine off the desk and brought it back up to her face.
She didn't want to admit it but Lapis was probably right, she should take her chance. Torn between emotions, Sapphire tapped her pen against the cool surface of the granite and ran her fingers through her hair. “She could be with someone, I don't know if she is single.”
“Well… I guess we'll just have to find out.”
Sapphire didn't have to have x-ray vision to know that her friend was grinning mischievously behind the flimsy book cooking up ways to get information about Ruby.
What did she get herself into?
The clock struck noon and the swimmers were dismissed for a much needed lunch break. Most of the kids sat under the canopies over the bleachers trying to escape the summer heat. There were a few that sat on their towels with their friends picnicking by the pool. Each instructor sat with their class, playing games and having conversations. Sapphire and Lapis stood in the sun alongside the waist high (for Lapis at least) chain linked fence watching over the kids and drying off their swimsuits in the sun.
Lapis closed her eyes and sighed deeply as she bit into her sandwich, “I had to fight Katie for the last two slice of bread this morning, but it was worth every scratch I got because this ham and cheese sandwich is really hitting the spot!”
“At least she didn't lick yours, Yaz ran her tongue through my PB and J Tuesday morning. That's why I was late, we got into a really big fight.”
Reese sat across from the two instructors slightly horrified with her apple slices in hand, “Wait your sisters really treat you like that? That sucks.”
“There have been worse things done. My oldest sister Anjelica, locked me in the basement and left me stranded at the mall a few times.” Sapphire shrugged.
“Katie cut my hair in my sleep, but luckily Sapphire’s mom saved my life with this beautiful bob cut. It's just what older siblings do to the younger ones.”
The young girl shook her head. “Not Ruby! She would never.”
“So, you mean to tell me that Ruby doesn't steal your stuff, beat you up, or mercilessly pull pranks on you from time to time.” Sapphire asked.
“My sister may be all muscles but she wouldn't hurt a fly. We argue sometimes but she doesn't get mad enough to hit me or anything. Most of the time she just walks away to go calm down. Then I have go apologize to her because ten times out of ten it was my fault and I find her somewhere crying. But after that everything goes back to normal and we are laughing and cracking jokes like nothing ever happened.
She has always taken care of me, our parents work a lot but she has never pushed me away. When I'm sad she takes me out to cheer me up, or when I scared she makes me feel safe. I can go to her for anything, advice in my melodramatic teen life or we just talk about a whole bunch of stuff. She's my support system and I don't know what I'd do without her.”
Sapphire brought her hands up and rested them over her heart, “Wow, that's really sweet… I wish my sisters were that nice.”
“I got lucky, she's practically a walking teddy bear. If she heard me saying any of this right now she'd be crying her eyes out.”
Lapis tossed the last bite of her sandwich in her mouth, “So, I totally up for a sibling trade. If you are in let me know when-”
“Oooh Miss Lapis!” All three girls turned and looked to the pool. A young brown haired boy was flailing his arms in the air dramatically as he thrashed in the water. “Help me I'm drowning!”
Lapis palmed her forehead, “Nathaniel! This is the last time I'm going to tell you to stop pretend drowning. You are literally standing in the water!”
“Something is coming over me, I think I need CPR,” He continued with a wide grin showing all his teeth covered with braces.
She closed her eyes and shook her head. “If you needed CRP you wouldn't be able to talk to me. But do you want me to have Ronaldo make sure.”
They all looked over at Ronaldo who was stuffing his face with a tuna sandwich. He waved at Nathaniel with food stuck in his teeth.
Nathaniel gasped audibly then looked at Lapis, “NOOOOOOO!”
“Alright then, cut it out and go play.” The young boy swiftly swam away from the side of the pool to his group of friends. Lapis and Ronaldo gave each other a thumbs up.
Sapphire turned back around laughing as she leaned her back against the warm metal of the fence, “Doesn't he know boys aren't your type and that you have a girlfriend.”
“People always want what they can't have.”
“You could say that again” Reese chimed in.
“What about you Reese, do you have a boyfriend or girlfriend?”
“Nope not ready for all that stuff, just enjoying my life while I can. Are you in a relationship Miss Sapphire?”
“No… I can't seem to hold anyone's attention.”
“No because they were shitheads” Lapis interjected.
Sapphire smacked her tan arm, “Language…”
“Let's just say Sapphire has dated a few jerks that weren't sweet like Ruby… your sister's girlfriend is a lucky girl.” The blue haired girl added in slyly fishing for answers. She saw her opportunity and capitalized.
“She's not with anyone, the last girl she was with kind of broke her heart. She was just using Ruby and the girl before that did the same thing… Superficial materialistic girls are the worst.”
Sapphire shook her head and hummed, “Wow, that is so messed up. Some people are just shallow.” She played it cool and tried not to act too eager, she didn't want to seem like she was preying on Reese's sister. But on the inside, she was jumping for joy.
“Yeah, sometimes I worry because she's so selfless and nice. She always tries to see the good in people but not everyone is as kind as her. A lot of people just don't realize how awesome she is under all her awkwardness, it's their loss…” She looked up sincerely at her instructors, “I just don't want her to meet someone and they turn her cold, ruining her for someone that deserves her love.”
“Seriously, can your mom adopt me?” Lapis asked. “I want to be your sister.”
Sapphire peeped at her wrist watch, “Alright little guppies, let’s get back in.”
The kids placed all of belongings back against the fence and cleaned up all their trash. Lapis and Sapphire directed the kids back toward the pool. They followed behind the children, Lapis made sure Reese was out of listening distance. She dropped back and held on to Sapphire's arm so she would follow suit.
“Sapphy, did you hear that?! Ruby is single you have to make your move!” She whispered loudly.
“I know but would if… would if she's not into me? Would if we don't work out…”
Lapis stopped Sapphire, placed both hands on her shoulders, and looked into her glasses, “You're young, beautiful, and smart, how could she NOT fall in love with you! You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. She is perfect for you, come on, take a chance while the universe is giving you the opportunity.”
Sapphire couldn't help but smile with her excited friend, “Okay, okay… I will. The next time she comes in to pick up Reese, I'll ask her.”
The day had gone by slow as Lapis and Sapphire were stationed at the front desk again. Most of the kids had went home, there were only a few left with the extended care program. Once those kids were signed out, they were free to go.
The lifeguards turned their attention to the door hoping it was the last few parents there to take their kids home but they weren’t graced with the presence of parents.
“Hey Ruby, what are you doing here?” asked completely confused.
“I'm here to pick up Reese of course.”
Sapphire flipped through the roll sheet to make sure she wasn’t losing her mind. She was sure Reese had left not too long ago.
“Oh, your mom picked her up twenty minutes ago.”
“Dammit” Ruby slid her hands down her face, “I feel like an idiot. Totally forgot she was picking her up today, I'll see you later.”
“Okay Bye.”
She went back to filling out a few reports for some of the maintenance workers to check out. Out of the blue her papers were snatched from under her pen.
“Sapphire!” Lapis was stood on the side of her desk and pointed the papers to the door. “Go!”
The short girl shook her head at her friend. It had only been three days since they discussed asking Ruby out. Sapphire knew she needed more time, she couldn’t just throw herself out there like that. “What no, it's too soon-”
“-If you don't get your ass up and go talk to her I'm going to drag you by your bangs!" Lapis snarled through her teeth, "Go!”
There was a look in her friend’s eyes she had never seen before. “Okay. Okay!” Sapphire got up from her seat and lifted the desk freeing herself from the enclosure, and bolted out of the door.
“Ruby. Ruby!” She caught the afro haired girl just before her car. Ruby stopped when she turned and saw Sapphire rushing to her.
“Oh, hey Sapphire… Did I forget my car keys again?” She patted the pockets of her red basketball shorts.
“No, you didn't forget anything.” Sapphire stopped a couple feet in front of Ruby moderately out of breath. “… I just…” There was so much she wanted to get off her mind but her mouth was failing her. The ball of nerves rolling around her stomach was beginning to make her feel queasy. Sapphire closed her eyes and took a deep breath… “Can't believe I'm about to do this but…I wanted to know if you'd go on a date with me?”
Ruby’s face was contorted into one of confusion. “Alright, where are the cameras? Jasper this isn't funny.” She panned around searching for her friend.
Sapphire cocked her head and frowned. “Cameras, what cameras?… Ruby it's just me and you out here.”
“Wait… So, this isn't a cruel joke created by one of my evil friends?”
Shook her head giggling, “No, it's just me…”
It took a few seconds for Ruby's brain to process everything. “Oh… Oh! Sorry…” She was completely blown away, “I-It's just dweebs like me don't get approached by the pretty girl in town for a date…”
The lifeguard looked away holding back her shy smile with her hands clasped in front of her as she swayed from side to side, “You think I'm pretty?”
“I think you're so much more than pretty…You’re prettier than pretty…” I didn't take long for her to realize that her thoughts were spilling from her mouth. Way ta Ruby… “I'm just going to stop talking now because I'm only making myself look like an even bigger nerd.”
“Well I-I think you're really cute and sweet. And Reese is always bragging about how amazing you are. I wanted to see for myself and get to know you better…”
Her mom always told the eyes would always give away someone’s emotions. But It was hard for Ruby to know if Sapphire was being sincere when she staring at her own reflection in the multiple color sunglass lens Sapphire had on.
“Are you sure this isn't a joke?! Because I'm going to be highly upset if it is…”
Sapphire stepped closer to take a hold of Ruby's hands. She sprung onto her tiptoes and captured her lips. “…See, it's all real.” She said softly
“…It sure is.” Ruby’s heart melted into a puddle in her chest. The kiss was short but Sapphire’s lips were the sweetest thing she had ever tasted.
“So how about that date then?” Sapphire asked as she thumbed away the lip gloss from Ruby’s mouth.
“Yes, a-absolutely.”
“Good… May I see your phone?”
Ruby’s hand shot down into her pocket fishing for her phone. Sapphire typed her number in and sent herself a message to make sure their contact information was exchange. “I'll text you later tonight.” She handed Ruby her phone back and kissed her on the cheek before turning on her toe in the direction of the building.
“O-okay.” Ruby stuttered, still shaken up from that kiss.
“Goodnight.” Sapphire looked back over her shoulder and gave her a teasing smile.
“Goodnight…” Ruby practically jumped through the window of her car. When she finally unlocked her door, and sat in the seat with all the windows up quietly trying to regain her composure.
“HOLY SHITTTTTT! She kissed me!! TWICE!” She joyfully screamed. Her breaths came out short and rapid, she couldn't stop laughing. She ran her hands through her curls slicking them back. Once her hands were no longer holding them, her hair poofed back into her usual afro.
When her breathing patterns returned to normal, she pulled out of the parking lot and headed home.
Ruby burst through the front door of her house. She ran through the hall accidentally passing the stairwell, she slid across the polished wood floor trying to catch the railing. “REESSE!!!!”
“Ruby, is everything okay?”
She stopped dead in her tracks when she saw her mother peep her head out of the entryway of their living room.
“Oh, hi mom I didn't think you'd be home until-” She trailed off, realizing Sapphire just told her their mom picked up Reese. “…Never mind that, where is Reese?”
“She's upstairs in her room.”
“Okay, thanks.” She ran up the stairs but didn't get far. Ruby hadn't seen her mom in weeks and a quick hello wasn't the type of greeting her mother deserved.
She rushed back down the stairs to the living room. She ran over to her mom and swooped her up into a hug, “Welcome home.” After gently placing her back on the floor she gave her a peck on the cheek, “I like your haircut you look really pretty. Dad is going to flip out.”
A soft laugh escaped her mother, “Thank you baby.”
After properly welcoming her mother home Ruby made her way back up the stairs, skipping over every other step like a stone over water. She crashed into her sister's door jiggling the locked handle, “Reese! Reese!”
The door flew open, “What?! What's wrong with you?” Reese scanned the hall frantically for danger, only to find her sister.
Ruby pushed her sister into the room and closed the door behind her, “What did you tell your swim instructor- Sapphire about me?!”
“I didn't tell her anything embarrassing. The other day we were just talking about siblings and I was telling them how you are always nice to me no matter how upset I make you and you always take care of me.” Reese sat down on the edge of her bed and grabbed her book, “Why?”
“Because she came up to me out of nowhere and asked me to go out on a date with her this weekend, that's why!”
Reese looked at Ruby face blank and rolled onto her stomach to continue her reading, “Great, so everything is going to plan then.”
Ruby’s excited pacing across the carpeted floor came to a halt. “Wait… plan, you planned this?” Stood in front of her sister's bed.
Reese licked her finger and turned the page of her book, “Yep, you are probably one of the lamest people I know. So, the probability of you finding love on you own is slim to none. I thought that I'd help you out. I saw the way she looked at you the day we went for rec swim.
I'm 13 but I'm not an idiot. She was looking at you like you were slice of apple pie and she wanted to devour you. I may have bragged about you a bit to get her attention during our random story sessions. You did the work but for the most part, this is all my plan to make Miss Sapphire my future sister-in-law.” She glared at Ruby, “So, don't mess this up for us.”
Ruby stood there, stuck. All the curve balls being thrown at her today was taking a toll on her. She was certain her face the dumbfounded expression molded on her face was going to last a while.
“I don't know if I should thank you for helping me get a date or be scared of how well devised your ulterior motives are.”
That's all it took for Reese drop her book and leaped off her bed. “You can start by taking me to the mall for ice cream and we'll discuss a few other things I want.” Before Ruby could say anything, she was putting on her shoes. “We also need to find you something nice to wear, I can't have you embarrassing me.”
“Thank you, you are the best…” Ruby embraced her little sister.
“…You're welcome, you're not too bad yourself.”
“Can we get out of here, like now? Dad will be home any minute and you already know when he walks in that door and sees how nice mom looks they're going to be like horny teenagers.”
Reese’s eye shot open wide and she shivered in disgust. “Say no more, I'll grab my stuff and we are out of here.”