"Mom… I didn't have the best day today." A young boy sat next to a small gravestone atop a hill. He wore shorts and a red hoodie that was just a little too big for him. He ran his hand through the soft grass, the blades tickling his palm as he felt the cool earth at his fingertips. A gentle breeze wrapped around him and the midday sun bathed his skin in warming light.

"I- I don't really know how to get along with the other kids in my class. I try but, I get so uncomfortable and no one seems to want to be my friend." He sighed, looking up to the sky, the sunlight shining off the tears pooling in his silver eyes made them sparkle.

"Big sis is there but… she helps but, her friends are kinda scary to me too." The boy fell into the grass, laying on his belly, his head held in his hands, propped up by his elbows as he stared at the marker. "I miss you mom…"

"Garnet... Dad wants us…" A small, soft voice called from behind her. The young boy jumped up, his heart skipping as beat as he turned around in a blur. Behind him, in the trees, was a young girl, taller than him. She had long, bright blonde hair and lilac eyes.

"Y-yang, I didn't see you… how long were you standing there?" Garnet asked nervously, unable to make eye contact with his sister.

"Not long… come on, we should go home." Yang's voice was gentle and tinged with sadness, and that only made it harder for Garnet to face her.

"Yeah… okay." His voice was week and absolutely defeated. He walked slowly to his sister, his head down and his eyes glued to the ground. Everything about his body language said more than his tone… he was hurting.

It was a quiet and awkward trek through the woods back to their house. Yang tried to brighten the mood with small talk but the pressure, the tightness of depression in Garnet's chest, it just wouldn't go away.

I try… I really do mom. I want to make friends, I want to fit in and be normal but… I get so scared around the other kids. I wish I were brave like Yang, or Dad, or Uncle Qrow… or you. He could feel tears building up in his eyes again as he lamented his weakness. His jaw clenched tight and the path before him became clouded through a haze of tears.

"Garnet, stop." Yang called from behind, her hand falling gently but firmly on his shoulder, snapping him out of his spiraling thoughts. With unsurprising ease his sister spun him around, despite his struggling against her pull.

"I've been trying to make you better this whole walk but all you wanna do is mope around! I'm sorry my friends scare you, I was just trying to help you get more used to people!" Yang's voice became equal parts hurt and anger and she spoke, her eyes reflecting her desperation and helplessness to protect her little brother.

Guilt swept over Garnet as he tried setting his gaze anywhere but on his sister. His heart was racing, he didn't want this, he felt that same anxiety he always felt when people confronted him, he just wanted to… run away, fast.

"Look Garnet… I'm not mad at you I just, I just don't know how to help you." The anger and frustration in her voice melted away, leaving only helplessness and love.

"You can't Yang. I know you want to but, I just can't do it. I'll never have friends." His words were choked by a tightness in his throat, he wanted to cry, cry and run away.

"That's not true!" Yang shouted, grabbing her brother by both his shoulders and shaking him hard until he had no choice but to look her in the eyes. "You're sweet and strong and sensitive. You always try to think the best of everyone but yourself. You see a problem, you see someone hurting and you want to make it better!"

"Y-Yang…" Garnet was awestruck by the passion and hurt in his sister's eyes.

"Garnet, there's so much good in you and someday, you'll see, you'll find friends who love you for exactly who you are!"

"Do you… really think so Yang?" Garnet could feel the depression sweeping over him again, his heart felt like it was made of ice.

"I really know so. Someday, I'll get to say 'I told you so'." She released his shoulders and gave her signature, cocksure smile. "Come on, if we don't hurry, Dad won't save us any cookies."

Without another word, Yang took the lead, leaving little Garnet Rose trailing along behind her. Normally… the knowledge of freshly baked cookies waiting for him would have made his happy but right now, all he could do was sink further and further into depression.

How can I find friends that love me for who I am when… I don't love who I am?