@Zaira
Ruby decided not to leave with her grandmother. She went ahead and called a cab to head straight home. It was a long ride back, but at least it would be better than a long ride back
with her grandmother that would include a lot arguing and frustration. Ruby had felt enough tension for one day and didn't want to argue right now. She knew a lot of arguing would occur later, anyhow. So Ruby headed home, watching the view slowly become more rural as she arrived back to StoryBrooke. She had the cab drop her off right at the Diner where she had some work to do, and got to it without resting as soon as she went inside.
Once her chores were complete, and her grandmother had returned home, Ruby ended up arguing with her just as she had thought. She told her grandmother what was on her mind. She didn't have to treat Thomas like that! It wasn't right to take it out on the poor guy when she was obviously mad at Ruby for something she did. As far as she was concerned, Thomas was innocent and Granny should have pulled Ruby aside to discuss why she was upset. She shouldn't have done what she did! However, her granny retorted saying that she did what she did as part of Ruby's punishment. Embarrassing her had been part of the punishment, and besides that Granny just didn't like the guy. There was something
off about him. And though Ruby wasn't happy that granny had put it that way, at least she hadn't realized what was
off about Thomas was his identity as a vampire. She just hoped to god that she'd never notice either.
The next day, Ruby worked her shift in the diner, washing dishes toward the time her shift was almost up. She had her phone sitting by the sink and continued to peer at it, nervously wondering if Thomas was going to reply to her or not. Eventually, her eyes remained focused on the dishes, and her attention drifted off her phone. Staring at it was only going to make her anxious anyhow.
After a few more minutes of working, Ruby heard a voice speak behind her. "
Hey! Have you finished your chores? You still owe me dinner and a walk," said the voice of Ruby's friend, Belle, who had picked up her phone and read from it. "What's this? Do you have a date, Ruby?"
Ruby felt her cheeks flush red and whirled around to quickly grab her phone. She was hoping nobody would see any text messages from Thomas. But, at least the person who saw it was a friend and not her grandmother this time.
"He's just... a friend," Ruby stated, quickly wiping her hands dry so she could use her phone.
Belle smiled. "Dinner and a walk sounds more like a date than spending time with a friend, but if you insist," she said with a wink before turning to leave.
Ruby frowned.
"Just don't tell anyone, okay? I don't really want the word to spread yet," she said with a sigh. She felt bad for hiding her interest in Thomas right now, but she just needed to get used to things. After all, she hadn't dated someone in a long time and her last two interests had died.
She picked up her phone and texted him back:
"I'm just about to finish my work shift. I'd love to go somewhere. Is there any way you could pick me up? I could meet you at the town line where I live," she stated before adding,
"Is that what you'd like to do? Dinner and a walk?" she asked just to make sure.