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*It was a dark and cold night in Oceanside. But as chillingly cold and pitch black as it was outside, the Gillman residence was sleeping rather peacefully… Everyone except Chelsea. It has been about two months after the whole Trident debacle, and even though Chelsea had been swayed by Ruby to let go of her vengeance and even been practically adopted into her family after everything was said and done, she still had this lingering guilt inside her. It’s gotten so bad that she even started having nightmares about the battle, wherein said nightmares she defeats the Gillman family and… She doesn't even want to think about it. Nor does she want to experience those nightmares anymore, even if she needs to get the sleep. She looked up at Ruby, who was sleeping in her bed. Chelsea was given a cozy little mattress of her own on the floor, with her own blankets and pillows as well. That's what pained her the most, was how generous the Gillman’s were to her as if she'd been a part of the family the whole time, even after what she had tried to do. She decided to get up and wake Ruby to have a little talk.*
Chelsea: Ruby?
*Chelsea taps Ruby’s shoulder a bit. Ruby simply shrugs it off in her sleep.*
Chelsea, tapping a little harder: Ruby.
Ruby: Huh! Wh- what? What’s going on… Huahhh… Chelsea? What’s wrong? Why are you up?
Chelsea: …I can't sleep. I was wondering if I could talk to you…
Ruby: Okay… Sure. Come on, you can sit next to me and talk.
*Ruby sits up at the side of her bed and Chelsea sits down next to her.*
Ruby: What’s on your mind?
Chelsea: …I wanted to say… I really am sorry… about everything.
Ruby: What do you mean?
Chelsea: What do you think? Betraying you, lying to you, manipulating you, even trying to kill you and your family… I lived my whole life thinking you guys were monsters that needed to be… purged from the ocean, and I blamed you guys for my mother’s death… and yet you didn’t give up on me… you took a chance on me… I had you RIGHT there, and I could have…
*Tears start to form in Chelsea’s eyes.*
Chelsea: You could have died, Ruby! You just stood there, because you were convinced I would finally see reason after being given the harsh reality about my mother…
Ruby: I’ll admit, I could have been a little more easy on you while saying all that stuff…
Chelsea, tears still in her eyes: No… I needed to hear it. I needed to let go of her… But… I really am glad I found a new family in you guys… I’m just… I’m just so mad at myself for being so stupid… So naive… Before I came to Oceanside, I used to constantly experience nightmares about her death… They’ve been settling recently… But now I've started to get nightmares about what could have happened that night… I see you… I see you standing there, waiting for me to strike you down, and I… I-
*Ruby suddenly hugs Chelsea. Chelsea, tears rolling down her cheeks, closes her eyes tight and wraps her arms around Ruby in return, sniffing a bit.*
Ruby, holding back tears herself: …I don't care about what happened between us back then… I care about what happens NOW… and right now… You’re family…
Chelsea, still crying somewhat: I’m so lucky to have you in my life… I always wanted a sister… I couldn't be any more thankful to find one in someone like you…
Ruby: Same to you… I love you, Chelsea…
Chelsea: I love you, too…
*The two let go of each other and both wipe away their tears.*
Chelsea: Hey, uh… I know this might be dumb to ask but… could I sleep in your bed? I think it might help me sleep better…
Ruby: Of course… If it helps, then sure thing.
*Ruby lets Chelsea settle close to the window on her bed. She rests her head on the starfish pillow. Ruby settles in next to her on her regular pillow.*
Ruby: Night, Chelsea-
Chelsea: Wait. One more thing… Would it be alright if I held your hand too? Maybe also chat a little bit before we go to sleep?
Ruby, smiling: Sure.
*Ruby holds Chelsea’s hand gently.*
Chelsea: How are things going with you and Connor? I heard it’s his birthday in a couple of weeks, what are you planning for it?
Ruby: Oh, something special! I’m gonna order this awesome skating-themed cake, get him a new skateboard, and then spend the day at the skatepark!
Chelsea: Hmhm, sounds nice!
Ruby: What about you? I’ve noticed the way you eye up at that girl working at the food court at the mall~
Chelsea: Hey! I did not “eye her up”!
Ruby: But you're so obvious with it, you're crushing on her big time!
Chelsea: Shut up!
*The two share a light laugh.*
Ruby: Well… It’s probably best if we get back to bed soon. Want to get our “beauty sleep”, know what I mean?
Chelsea: Hehe, yeah… Hey Rubes…
Ruby: Hm?
Chelsea: Thank you. I really needed this. I guess I have been a bit hard on myself. I’m glad to have you to talk to.
Ruby: Anytime, Chels… Get well rested for me, okay?
Chelsea: …Sure thing.
*The two leave it off there, still holding hands. Ruby drifts off to sleep first. Chelsea still has her eyes open and looks at their hands together. She gently smiles, and then closes her eyes too. Soon she drifts off as well, with a little more peace and conviction in herself, knowing that she has Ruby by her side to comfort her when she’s feeling down.*