Ruby and Rafael watched Josie, as she was casting a spell to drag Landon out of his cell. The boy suddenly fell to the ground in front of them with a thud, causing Ruby to jolt in surprise and bump into Rafael.

After a moment, Landon stood to his feet and dusted himself off, before he wore a look of shock upon seeing Ruby, Rafael and Josie. Behind them, a loud party was underway in what remains of the old mill.

"Ruby? Raf?" Landon asked in surprise, as Rafael had a bright smile, and Ruby clapped her hands together happily. Ruby and Landon then embraced for a brief moment, as Ruby felt incredibly relieved that Landon was freed. Rafael and Landon then also quickly embraced, and it was clear that they were both relieved to have found each other.

Ruby turned to face Josie now, "That's pretty awesome, Jo." She admitted, as Josie flashed her a smile, "Thanks." The Saltzman replied, smiling back at the girl.

"What the hell, man?" Landon asked Rafael. "You... you all right? Josie helped me get you out." Rafael explained, motioning to the girl that stood beside him, who smiled shyly. "It's a summoning spell. Did I bruise you? I'm really still working out the kinks..." Josie explained to Landon.

Landon still looked like he couldn't believe that any of this was real, but instead of arguing, he laughed, "Summoning spell?" Rafael clapped Landon on the back and steered him toward the party, hanging his arms over Landon and Ruby's shoulders. "Let's get you a drink, Lan." Ruby spoke, with a grin.

Once inside the old mill, Rafael motioned toward a group of young men showing off their werewolf physical abilities. "Watch this— they teach it in P.E." Rafael explained to Landon and Ruby. Rafael looked delighted by the sight of his fellow wolves, and Landon was surprised by how comfortable he looked here. "You seem good. I was worried." Landon confessed.

"I was talking to these wolf dudes back here. All that stuff I've been feeling? Everything that gets me into trouble? It's normal. I want you both to meet them!" Rafael said as a smile formed on Ruby's lips, "I'd love to, Rafi." She insisted.

Landon on the other hand, looked unsurely at his foster brother, "Uh, honestly? I think it's best if I just take this opportunity to jump the fence and disappear." He responded.

Ruby blinked in surprise by Landon's statement, forgetting that Alaric had already tried to send him away. Rafael wasted no time responding to this statement, "We'll go with you." Landon sighed, "Raf, no."

"No Lan, Rafi is right— it's you, me and Rafi! Three musketeers! So, whatever we do, we do it together." Ruby announced, with a smile. Landon, realizing he wasn't going to win this argument, and not wanting to pull Rafael or Ruby away from the school, just smiled weakly and gestured toward where the party-goers getting drinks. "Yeah, we'll talk about it over a drink. Want anything?" He asked the twins.

Rafael smiled, "I'm good." Ruby showed Landon the half full cup in her hand, "Yeah I'm good too, thank you though." She said sweetly. Landon walked away, pausing for a moment until Ruby and Rafael were distracted before heading out, intending to run away like he initially suggested.

❤︎

Ruby approached Josie, with a drink in hand, though she stopped when she realised that Josie was staring at Penelope and Monica, whom she hadn't met yet. Penelope and Josie were staring at eachother, before Monica and Penelope began to walk away.

"What's your damage?" Ruby asked, as Josie looked up at Ruby, surprised. "S..Sorry!" Ruby apologised, realising that was probably a bit straight forward. "No it's fine." Josie laughed, before taking a seat on the grass. Ruby then took a seat beside the siphoner. "I just.. saw my ex girlfriend... and I'm still upset that she broke up with me." Josie explained, summarising it for Ruby.

"Oh.." Ruby sighed. "Well I'm sorry that happened... I'm sure any girl or guy would be lucky to have you." Ruby confessed with a sweet smile, before taking a sip from her cup. Josie blushed slightly at the pink haired girl, "Uh thanks... are you, flirting with me?" The Saltzman asked, laughing nervously.

Ruby then laughed, lowering her cup now, "It's liquid courage... I decide to talk to cute girls when I've consumed enough of it." She declared, causing Josie to laugh again.

"Hey um... Thanks for your help with Landon." Ruby said, changing the subject now. Josie smiled, "Oh, yeah, of course!" Josie's smile then faded slightly as she changed the subject, "I know that my sister kind of put her foot in it earlier..." Josie trailed off before they both laughed awkwardly.

"I just really wanted you to know that we both are really are sorry about what happened to Rafael.." Josie said as Ruby offered Josie a weak smile, "I'm sure he'll appreciate it." She said, before looking away. "Cassie... was my best friend.." Ruby confessed, as Josie looked at the Waithe sadly, "Oh my god I'm sorry.. you lost her too."

Ruby nodded, "Yeah.. Cassie and I really clicked... I hadn't felt that comfortable around anyone other than Rafi, before. I actually had a huge crush on her.." Ruby paused to laugh. "Obviously she fell for my brother, and I let them be... but Cassie did mean a lot to me." The Waithe continued before she teared up, realising that she hadn't spoken about this before.

"A part of me feels empty without her." She suddenly said, feeling sadness and grief hit her as she opened up about it. "I feel like Rafael and Landon are all I have.. and I need to do everything I can to protect them." Josie reached out and placed a hand on Ruby's shoulder, "I'm really sorry Ruby.. I didn't mean to make you upset." She admitted, guiltily.

A tear rolled down Ruby's cheek, she wiped it away quickly before she faced Josie again. "No no I'm sorry... it's totally the alcohol... I should probably lay off. I uh... actually haven't told anybody that before." The pinkette admitted as Josie looked at Ruby again sadly, "It's not healthy to bottle things up like this." She said as Ruby nodded, "I know.."

"Hey... I uh know we just met.. but if you need someone to talk to.. or a friend.. I'm here for you." Josie said shyly, before offering a smile. Ruby then smiled back, wiping away the last of her tears, "You seem like a really cool person, Josie."

A few minutes passed and Lizzie got Josie's attention, dragging the ravenette away from Ruby. As the girl now sat alone, Monica peered over at her, and decided this was her chance to introduce herself.

"Hey, whats your name?" The blonde asked, taking a seat beside Ruby. "Oh hi— I'm Ruby. Rafael's sister." Ruby responded, with a smile, as she tried to seem as though she hadn't just been crying.

The pink haired girl then offered her hand out to the girl. "Monica Montgomery." Monica responded with a smirk, before shaking her hand.

Ruby couldn't help but feel eyes on them, feeling awkward. "Why are so many people glancing at us?" She asked the vampire. Monica shrugged, "I guess I'm kind of popular." She admitted, as though it was nothing. Ruby looked surprised, she'd never really been acquaintances with anyone popular before.

"How are you liking Mystic falls?" Monica asked. "It's a cute little town, I've never lived in a small town before." Ruby responded honestly. "Have you always lived in Mystic falls?" She then asked Monica.

The vampire froze for a moment, having flashbacks of some memories that haunted her, from before she moved to Mystic falls. "..Monica..?" Ruby asked nervously. Monica then shook her head, "No. I've lived here for two years. I used to live in Phoenix." She said, though her demeanour was different.

"Are you okay?" Ruby asked, noticing how different Monica seemed suddenly. "I— uh.. yeah. I'm gonna go get a drink, want anything?" Monica asked Ruby. as the Waithe shook her head, "No thank you."

❤︎

After making small talk with Ruby, Monica stood back beside Penelope, happily enjoying her drink whilst she chatted to her current best friend. Monica wasn't sure how long Penelope would last, they seemed to have been close for a while... she knew it wouldn't last, and she would eventually find the girl boring, as she did with everyone she'd gotten close to.

Penelope happily talked on about some spells she'd mastered, feeling quite proud of herself. "That's awesome, Pen." Monica replied, only half listening as she'd found herself watching Landon, hastily leaving the school. "Hey Pen, I'll be back." Monica decided, turning to face Penelope now. "Okay Mon." Penelope gave her best friend a smile, before Monica strutted away.

Monica walked through the forest, eventually reaching Landon, "Hey! Curly!" She called out. Landon flinched in surprise, before he turned to face her, "Hey." He responded taking a step back as the girl came closer. "You're the girl that threw me against a wall." Landon admitted, sheepishly. Monica just shrugged, "And I'd happily do it again if you were to get in my way." She declared, not at all comforting Landon.

The blonde held out her hand, "Monica Montgomery." She introduced herself. "Landon." Landon responded, shaking her hand. "Landon Kirby."

"I'm getting real hungry, and I can't help but notice you trying to leave the school.. wanna go get a bite with me? I'm sure there's a restaurant or something still open in town." Monica admitted, though she kept glancing down at Landon's neck, hoping to feed off him once they were far enough away from the school. "Uh actually I was going to escape and never come back." Landon confessed, causing Monica to laugh.

"Oh.. wait you're being serious?" Monica admitted, as Landon nodded. "Well.. can I offer you a last meal before you leave?" The blonde asked as Landon shrugged, "I guess.." He decided, not sure if he would enjoy the girl's company. He felt quite nervous around her.

The pair suddenly heard a growling noise behind them and turn around to investigate. A gray wolf with glowing gold eyes, stood there and snarled at Monica and Landon menacingly. "Oh fuck—" Monica blurted, her eyes widening, as she knew very well what a werewolf bite could do to her.

Monica and Landon took off in the opposite direction as the wolf chased after them, Monica used her vampire speed as she held onto Landon. They eventually come to a dead end, and stop.

"Oh god.. this can not be the end for Monica Montgomery." Monica grumbled before she and Landon turn around to face the wolf. It leapt into the air to tackle Monica, who quickly hid behind Landon in fear. The wolf the turned into a person before landing on Landon, as they both fell to the ground.

Before Landon could process what happened, the person ripped off Landon's coat and used it to cover themselves up. Once Landon was able to get to his feet, it was revealed that the person was Hope, who was running in the woods in her wolf form.

Hope looks at Landon and Monica, incredulously. "Are you crazy? I almost killed you both!" Hope snapped at the pair. Landon's head was spinning, whilst Monica let out a sigh of relief, "Mikealson." She huffed in annoyance.

❤︎

Monica and Landon were wandering around the school library, looking at all of the display cases full of various objects. Landon seemed surprised by them all, and asked Monica what she knew about the objects, but truthfully she didn't know much of their history, all she knew is that each and every one of them were considered important.

Landon stopped and stared at an ancient-looking knife for a moment before reaching out to open the case. "Don't touch that!" A now clothed Hope scolded the Kirby, as she entered the library.

Hope then deadpanned Monica, "Monica, I told you to watch him." She said, sternly as Monica just frowned, "I'm not a babysitter." Landon backed away from the case and started to ramble defensively. "I didn't. I-I mean, I wasn't." Landon panicked, visibly anxious.

Landon then decided to change the subject. "Where are we?" He asked. "The Stefan Salvatore Memorial Library. All the artifacts in here have a supernatural history." Hope explained as Landon pointed at the knife in the case. "What's the story on that one?"

Monica just groaned impatiently, "While you two nerds, nerd out, I'm going to the after party. Toodles." She decided, turning on her heels to leave before they could even respond.

❤︎

"God where are the snacks?! I'm so hungry." Ruby complained, as she rummaged through the cupboards. Penelope was seated nearby, on the counter, eyeing the pink haired girl.

Ruby turned to search another cupboard, only for Penelope to raise her foot in the air to block her way. "What's your name, gorgeous?" The ravenette asked, flirtatiously. Ruby blushed, as she wore a look of surprise. She wasn't used to being flirted with.

"I'm Ruby." The dormant werewolf answered. "Nice to meet you, I'm Penelope." The Park responded, with a smile.

"Are you into girls?" Penelope then asked, as Ruby's jaw dropped at how straight forward this witch was being. Penelope smirked and decided to push further, "Oh come on, there's no judgment. I love girls."

Penelope then got off of the counter and took a step closer to Ruby, as the Waithe took a moment to process what was going on. "I'm a lesbian, so I guess you could say I do love girls." Ruby responded.

Penelope's eyes looked Ruby up and down before she smirked, "I'm sure any girl would be lucky to have you." She said, keeping her eyes now on the Waithe's brown ones. "Uh thanks?" Ruby chuckled before she then grinned slightly, not expecting this conversation to go this way at all.

Penelope just laughed, before she leant forward and crashed her lips into Ruby's. Ruby was completely surprised, but didn't have a chance to react as Josie, who they hadn't heard enter the kitchen, let out a gasp.

Ruby and Penelope broke apart, and turned to Josie as they noticed the hurt look on her face. Ruby felt a guilty feeling rose in her chest as she realised by the look on Josie's face that this girl who kissed her was her ex girlfriend.

"Jo... I'm so—"

Before Ruby could finish her apology, Josie was quick to turn around and leave with tear filled eyes. The pink haired girl looked to Penelope, noticing the smirk on her face, which made it clear that all she'd wanted to do in the first place was mess with Josie.

❤︎

Ruby sat on the bed of her new dorm room, feeling a little stressed and disappointed as she thought about the night's events.

The pink haired girl was embarrassed that she'd become so vulnerable in front of Josie... the girl seemed lovely, but Ruby hated talking about her feelings, especially to people she didn't know.

She then thought about Penelope... she was cute... but extremely sly. Ruby thought about the kiss, and how betrayed Josie looked by it.

Ruby laid on her back, and covered her face with her hands. She didn't know that Penelope was Josie's ex girlfriend, but that didn't make her feel any less shitty about it.

Suddenly the door to Ruby's dorm swung open as a smiley Hope entered the room before closing it behind her. Ruby turned to face the tribrid, "Hey Hope."

The Waithe then raised an eyebrow, "You look really happy." She confessed as Hope sat on her bed. "I've been hanging out with Landon.. and he kissed me." Hope blurted out, as Ruby's mouth dropped open in shock. Shock because she didn't expect Landon to muster up the courage to kiss somebody.

When Ruby finally got over her shock, she offered hef roommate a smile. "Aww, that's cute."

Hope blushed for a moment, before she sighed. "Oh well.. it's not like he's going to remember it tomorrow." The tribrid then approached her own bed, as Ruby frowned as she remembered that Landon was leaving tomorrow.

❤︎

Penelope drank from a bottle of bourbon, with a grin on her lips, as she thought about the earlier events. Monica approached her friend, noticing her smug demeanour. "Hey Pen." The Montgomery greeted, as Penelope looked to her right, noticing the taller girl. "Hey Mon." Penelope responded, still holding her grin.

"What has you so smug?" Monica asked, holding her hand out so Penelope would hand her the bourbon. Penelope handed her the glass bottle, "Have you met that Ruby girl?" The witch asked.

The blonde nodded, "Yeah I met her tonight.. pretty girl. Very friendly." Monica confessed, before taking a swig from the glass bottle. "I kissed her." Penelope admitted, causing Monica to practically choke on the liquor. "For real?" The vampire asked, once she moved the bottle away from her lips. Penelope nodded, letting out a proud laugh.

"Wow. You move on fast." Monica replied, as Penelope shook her head to disagree. "I originally did it to get back at Josie... but now I kinda can't stop thinking about Ruby. She's cute." Penelope confessed.

Monica eyed Penelope curiously, before taking another swig from the glass bottle. She then handed it back to her best friend. "Cmon, lets go to bed. I'm exhausted." Monica decided, before Penelope linked her arms with the vampire, and the girls head to their shared dorm.

❤︎

AUTHORS NOTE

I'm curious, do you guys ship Ruby or Monica with anyone yet?