Chapter 1 - The Ship Sales
The sound of footsteps meeting puddles was muffled by the noises of rain hitting the ground. Gray clouds encompassed the sky, sheltering flashes of lightning and thunder that rumbled louder than the rainfall. A girl dressed in her now soaking wet red hoodie sprinted towards shelter, her sneakers drenched by the puddles and her jeans clinging to her legs. She let out a heavy sigh of relief as she ran towards a conveniently located convenience store. How convenient for her! The girl slowed her pace as she allowed the automatic doors to part open for her as she walked in, drops of water falling from the red-dyed tips of her brown hair onto the entrance mat. The store was small, no bigger than perhaps two living rooms combined into one. The girl stomped her feet on the mat to dry the bottoms of her sneakers before making her way around the store.
I could use an umbrella... and some paper towels.
She turned her head, her eyes landing on an entire shelf that seemed to be dedicated to cookies.
And DEFINITELY cookies!
She jogged over to the cookies and picked up two packages. She cradled them in her arms before continuing to the back of the store in search of something to dry herself with.
"Welcome!"
The girl heard someone call out, unsure of where the voice came from.
"Uh-um, thank...s!" The girl mentally facepalmed.
Thanks? Is that something that people respond with to 'welcome'? I actually don't know! Why am I even talking to myself? I mean thinking to myself! I'm still doing it! Aggh!
She was so caught up in her thoughts that she hadn't even realized she already picked up paper towels.
I guess that's enough. Good work Ruby! Ah darn, I keep doing it!
Ruby made her way back to the front of the store and to the check-out counter. She glanced around in search of the voice that had called out to her earlier.
Where are they…?
Ruby shifted around for a few moments, patiently waiting for the person to hopefully come to cash Ruby out.
"I apologize for the wait Miss."
Ruby quickly turned around when she heard the voice nearby. Her view was met with a girl perhaps a few years older than she was. The girl wore a light blue skirt and a white varsity t-shirt that looked familiar. Her apron neatly hugged her front. Ruby's wide eyes followed the girl as she walked behind the counter. Her long white hair swayed as she walked, held up in a side ponytail.
"Did you find everything you were looking for today?"
Ruby stared into the girl's vibrant crystal blue eyes that seemed to entrance Ruby.
She's so pretty…
"Miss?"
The girl's voice broke Ruby from her thoughts.
"Oh-I-sorry! Um… what was the question…?" Ruby laughed sheepishly.
The girl's lips formed the smallest smile, barely noticeable to Ruby.
"Did you find everything you were looking for?"
Ruby nodded. "Yeah, I did!"
Ruby gently placed the cookies and paper towels on the counter. "There we go." Ruby softly said.
The girl dipped her head before beginning to scan each item. Ruby glanced up and down between the cookies and the girl, trying to be discreet about admiring her beauty.
Gah! Why is she so pretty? Why am I so awkward? I should talk to her. Or maybe I shouldn't, I might embarrass myself… BUT I WANT TO TALK TO HER! AGH! Okay Ruby, you can do this. Just…just say 'How are you today?' Simple, easy, even Zwei could do that. Alright, here goes nothing.
Ruby held her breath and blurted. "Nice weather we're having today huh?"
The two girls stared into each other's eyes, Ruby's eyes wide at what she had just said and the other girl's in surprise. Ruby gave an awkward smile.
AW SH-…OOOT! COME ON!
The girl averted her eyes to the automatic doors, looking outside. The rain was falling even heavier than before, trees swaying in the wind. She stared out for a few moments before returning her gaze to Ruby.
"I'm not certain 'nice' would be appropriate for the weather today. After all, you've gotten soaked because of it, Miss."
Ruby raised an eyebrow before looked down at herself. She was still dripping wet.
"Oh. I totally forgot! Wait."
Ruby turned around and looked at the floor. Everywhere she had walked left a trail of water drops.
"I'm so sorry! I didn't realize-oh my gosh, I'm really sorry, I'll clean it up!" Ruby frantically waved her arms around.
The girl shook her head politely. "It's alright, no need to worry. Please wait here a moment."
Ruby watched as she walked away and disappeared into one of the aisles. Ruby put her head in her hands and let out a quiet sigh.
Of all days, I just had to be extra stupid today.
After a while, Ruby felt a presence behind her and turned around. There the girl stood, giving Ruby a small smile. In her hands was a towel, presumably one of the items found on the aisle shelf. The price tag seemed to have been removed too.
"I'm sorry I didn't realize you had gotten wet from the rain earlier. Please use to this dry yourself."
Ruby grinned. "Thank you! I um, I can pay for it first."
The girl shook her head. "You don't have to. Allow me to pay for your items."
Ruby's mouth dropped. "N-no, no that's okay! I can-"
"I'd like to. Please allow me to."
Ruby stared at her in shock. The girl returned her gaze with a soft smile.
What is going on? Why is she so nice? She's an angel!
"I'd… I'd feel really bad. I have the money to pay for it!"
Ruby fished into her pocket, searching for the lien she had stuffed in there this morning. Seconds had passed and Ruby still couldn't seem to find the lien. That's when she remembered she had put it in the pocket of another pair of jeans she had. If Yang hadn't spilled orange juice all over them, Ruby would have been able to pay for her things!
Ruby dropped to the ground in defeat. "Orange juice…"
The girl let out a small laugh. Hearing the girl's laugh made Ruby forget about wanting to punch Yang for a brief second.
"Orange juice? I'm assuming you forgot to bring lien?"
Ruby frowned and sunk even closer to the ground. "Something like that…"
The girl crouched beside Ruby and carefully placed the towel on top of Ruby's head.
"Then allow me to pay for it."
Ruby whined. "I'm sorry… how can I repay you? You've been really nice, um…"
"Weiss. Miss…?"
"Oh, I'm Ruby!"
Weiss dipped her head again. "Well Miss Ruby, you don't have to repay me. I am happy to help."
Ruby pulled the towel down from her head and grasped it in her arms. "Just Ruby is okay! At least let me owe you a favor sometime?"
Weiss looked thoughtfully at Ruby before nodding. "Alright."
The two girls stood up, Weiss returning to behind the counter to finish scanning everything before using her own card as a payment method. She had taken the tag off the towel prior to giving it to Ruby and scanned it. She placed everything in a bag and handed it to Ruby.
"Here you are, Ruby."
Ruby reached over to take the bag from Weiss, their hands brushing ever so slightly against each other's. Ruby blushed before gripping the bag and retracting her arm to her side.
"Thank you, Weiss! I'm really grateful."
Weiss smiled in response.
They both looked outside through the doors. The rain had passed and the sun peaked through the clouds, shining on the dew on leaves, glistening.
Weiss laughed, making the most beautiful sounds ever.
"Now its nice weather."
Ruby grinned and laughed along with Weiss.
"You're right!"
The two locked eyes again. Ruby coughed.
"I guess I should get going now… I hope I see you around Weiss! I still owe you one!"
"I'll keep that in mind Ruby. I hope so too."
"Well… see ya!" Ruby waved to Weiss as she headed out the doors.
"Have a good day Ruby." Weiss waved after Ruby, her gaze tender.
Ruby arrived home to the Xiao Long-Rose house half an hour later. She ran straight to her room to change her clothes, setting the bag and towel down. She slipped into some gray shorts and a red tank top before picking the bag up once more and emptying its contents onto her bed. The cookies and paper towels fell out, as well as a long, thin piece of paper.
Must be the receipt.
Ruby held it in her hand and examined it. On it had Weiss' name labeled as the cashier, along with the items Weiss had purchased for Ruby. She felt an indentation on the back of the paper and turned it over. Ruby gleamed and collapsed on the bed, covering her face with her hands.
"Come again soon :) – Weiss"