The walk to class with Ruby was surprisingly comfortable.
The awkwardness I'd expected when paired with one of the top ranked students was nowhere to be found. Instead, it felt almost... normal.
We arrived at the next class just as the instructor walked in, he was a stern looking man.
He introduced himself as Instructor Weiss and began his lecture on combat tactics and strategies.
As he spoke, I tried my best to focus, but my mind kept drifting back to Ruby, and the time I spent with her.
I... don't think I feel romantic emotions towards her. At least, not now. But it is for the better since I don't think she holds me in that regard either, right?
After the theoratical phase was over, we needed to be a pair with somebody, and my buddies Cain and Sam, seeing the opportunity pushed me towards Ruby.
I luckily managed to not fall on top of her, and we partnered up once again.
"Looks like fate's really pushing you two together." Cain whispered as he passed by.
"Fate, my ass. It was you who pushed me f*cker." I retorded.
"Huh? Me? You are accusing me, your bestfriend, of doing something bad just to impress a girl? Tch, tch. How pathetic of you, Douglas." Cain said dramatically, but this time Sam didn't join in.
"Hey, we've done this joke enough for today. It is starting to get boring now, we can continue teasing him later." Sam said.
'How about instead of continueing to tease me, yall just stop making her and me uncomfortable' was what I wanted to say but didn't.
"I guess you are right. We'll continue this later Reverse Sam." Cain said, looking at me.
Reverse Sam? What did that mean?
Sam too had no idea what Reverse Sam meant and asked, "What do you mean by Reverse Sam?"
"Well, you are second place and he is second to last place, so he is Reverse Sam. Maybe I should call you Reverse Douglas." Cain replied.
"Please don't. Sam is just fine."
"I can't give any promises, Reverse Douglas." Cain said with a smirk.
Sam sighed and both of them went back to our table.
"Just ignore them when they are talking about us." Ruby said, rolling her eyes.
"Gladly." I muttered.
The exercise went smoothly, and to my surprise, I found it pretty easy to do, and even helped Ruby with any gaps in her understanding.
By the time we finished, everybody else was still trying to do what we did before them.
As we packed up, Ruby turned to me. "You are pretty good at thinking on the spur of the moment. Maybe we could become a good duo, huh?"
I gave her a small smile. "Guess we'll find out with time."
As we left the classroom, Cain and Sam caught up with me, their teasing grins already in place.
"So, how is the partnership going, Mr. Ho*s before bros?"
"Can you just stop giving me new nicknames every time. Also you both didn't give up, huh? Just don't start it now."
But as Ruby glanced back and gave me a small, genuine smile, I realized I didn't mind their teasing as much as I thought I would and we reached the next class.
The walk to our next destination after this class ended too felt lighter somehow. Ruby's genuine smile lingered in my mind. It wasn't the type of smile that hinted at hidden motives or judgment, it was just... honest. And refreshing.
Cain and Sam, on the other hand, were anything but refreshing. They walked on either side of me, like devils sitting on my shoulders, ready to drop another comment the moment I let my guard down.
Cain began with exaggerated nonchalance, "So, when's the wedding?"
"Cain, I will not hesitate to push you into the nearest trash can." I said.
"Hey, don't take out your frustration on me. It's not my fault The Cold Princess likes hanging out with you." he replied, clearly enjoying himself.
"Who gave her that title? She is anything but cold." I said.
"Well, she may not be cold to you." Cain grinned before continueing. "But she is cold to literally anybody else. There isn't anyone that's known to be on good terms that is not within her family except you, Mr. Exception."
I sighed before replying with, "Cain, didn't I tell you to stop making up new nicknames for me? Also, we just get along well because of a shared interest."
Sam, chuckled but added, "Alright, man, give him a break. He's actually doing well for once. Gotta admit, Doug, I didn't think you had it in you."
"Had what in me?" I asked, genuinely confused.
"You know, being normal around someone like Ruby. Most people either freeze up or act all weird around her. But you're just true to yourself." Sam said with a shrug.
I blinked at him, caught off guard by the unexpected compliment. "Uh... thanks, I guess?"
Cain wasn't about to let that slide. "First of all, why did you not get mad at him when he called you Doug? That's a nickname too. Also, don't boost his ego, Sam. Next thing you know, he'll think he's the protagonist of some romance drama show."
I sighed. "You two seriously need new material."
We parted ways as the bell rang, signaling the end of the days lessons for all classes.
I decided to head to the library to relax, hoping for some peace and quiet.
To my surprise, Ruby was there too, sitting at a corner table with a book in hand. She glanced up as I entered and gave a small wave.
"Hey, didn't think I'd see you here." she said as I approached.
"Yeah, I thought I'd try something new. Any recommendations?" I asked, gesturing to the rows of books around us.
She tilted her head cutely, thinking. "Hmm... maybe something on strategy? You were pretty good during today's exercise. You might find it interesting."
I nodded, grabbing a book from a nearby shelf and sitting down across from her. We spent the next hour reading in companionable silence.
It was... nice.
As I left the library later that evening, I couldn't help but think that maybe this new life wasn't going to be that bad after all.