Ruby & Clint
Ruby was still having a hard time believing they were finally at prom. The spring had flown by and graduation was only weeks away, but tonight they were going to celebrate with the last dance of their high school careers. It didn’t skip her mind that they weren’t all there, that people were missing that shouldn’t be missing, but she did her best not to think about it. Not tonight. While Ruby often enjoyed a more alternative look, tonight she’d gone the opposite direction in a baby blue spaghetti strapped dress, the bottom all flowy while the top was covered in beaded flowers. She felt like a princess and Clint, looking as dashing as ever, was her prince.
When they’d first hooked up all those months ago, Ruby would have laughed if you’d have told her she’d still be with Clint by prom. She’d never stuck with a guy that long, or they’d not stuck with her, and the last thing she wanted was a serious relationship right before they all left for college. But Clint had turned out to be a sweetheart and she’d found herself attached. She didn’t like to think of how much longer they might have; she just wanted it to last while it could. It was only May and they still had all summer. As they walked into the country club for the first time, Ruby squeezed Clint’s hand, a smile beaming on her face. “I never thought I’d be this excited about a school dance,” she laughed.
Ruby wouldn’t have been the only one laughing -- Clint definitely hadn’t expected the impulsive fling with Ruby to turn into a relationship, much less a long-running one. And now here they were, months later, still together. Some of his friends had given him shit for a while about catching feelings like a sap, but Clint didn’t care. Ruby was fun and bright in mind and personality, and he’d really come to care about her. He loved her, even, though they hadn’t really ventured into saying that out loud to each other yet. He didn’t know what their future held, but whenever he thought about leaving her behind to go to school, he got a bad sinking feeling in his stomach.
Clint was determined to put that out of his mind for tonight, though. Ruby looked gorgeous, his heart had skipped a few beats when he first saw her, and he was determined to show her a really good night. He’d brought her a corsage and matched his tie to her dress -- corny, but girls liked that kind of shit -- and he thought he looked pretty hot in his tux. He grinned over at her as they arrived, squeezing her hand back. “Well this like, the dance,” he said. “Senior prom, the last one, setting for countless teen movies throughout all time.” He tittered a bit and rolled his eyes playfully. It was too much pressure to put on one night, that whole ‘best night of your life’ thing, but it was still going to be fun. “You want a drink? See anybody yet?”
"Let's aim for the romance-comedies, okay?" Ruby teased. "You didn't bet anyone you could dress me up all nice, did you? 'Cause if so, that's some serious dedication." It was the kind of stupid prank boys did in movies and Ruby might have thought Clint capable of it before she got to know him. Now she knew better. He could occasionally be a dumb jock--but what boy wasn't dumb on occasion? Most importantly, he was a sweetheart and she enjoyed his company more than she could've ever imagined. They still didn't run with the same crowds, but only a few more weeks and that wouldn't matter anymore. "Still kinda scouting out the room. It’s a little harder with everyone wearing a mask," she smiled. "Let's get a drink first.”