"Now, all students please present to the auditorium for the club's final presentation."
Most of the class grunted at the announcement of the high speakers, others cheered at the imminent pause of the classes. The sounds of chairs being dragged and people walking soon filled the air. Ruby Rose walked out of the room and through the hallways now filled with teenage students mindlessly making their way to the auditorium. There were laughter, some random screams and a lot of conversations happening at the same time.
The young girl happily walked alone through the hallways, occasionally skipping on her walk. Which was weird enough to catch the glance of other students. She was so happy, she didn't even notice because today was certainly a special day. Her beloved friends were going to present live the fruit of almost 5 months of preparations. And she couldn't wait to see what one girl, in particular, had prepared.
As the hallway ended, Ruby crossed a pair of metallic doors that welcomed her with the smell of sweat, and feet. The auditorium of Beacon High School was like many others. It had the shape of an amphitheater with rows of blue plush seats arranged in rows in a half circle shape surrounding a modest stage.
Inside the auditorium, Ruby stopped on one of the rows of seats and scoped for any familiar faces. She would rather have someone to joke with if this event went as bad as she expected to. As her eyes jumped from student to student, she detected a black bow, black sweatshirt and white skirt sitting down three rows in front of her. Ruby smiled as she recognized a friend and hurriedly made her way to her.
"Blake!" Ruby said once she was close enough.
The pale brunette turned around as she heard her name and found the bubbly walking towards her.
"Hello, Ruby" Blake answered with a small wave as the younger girl was next to her.
Ruby sat down on the seat next to her friend.
"I'm so glad I found you, this is chaos?"
"Yeah, there are a lot of people here. "
Both girls observed as the blobs of teenagers flooded the rows of seats, crowding very quickly the biggest room of the school. Ruby and Blake had been promptly surrounded by fellow student a few seconds after their meeting.
"Yeah. Sometimes I forget there are so many people here."
"Too much people. "
Ruby turned to see her companion with her hands on her arm resting on the armrest and her hand on her forehead, her face in clear distress.
"You all right Blake?"
"Yeah… just, this crowd is kind of overwhelming"
"Oh."
It was very common for Blake to feel underwhelmed whenever a lot of people were involved. Crowds would usually turn the already pale girl into an almost transparent shade of white.
Suddenly Ruby opened her arms and gave Blake one of her trademarked bear hugs to the pale girl. Blake gave a squeak of the sudden motion of the redhead.
"Ruby?"
"There, there, Blake, everything will be fine. " Ruby said as she patted Blake on the back. Imitating what she had seen her sister do whenever Blake seem to be in distress.
The pale brunette blushed under the embrace.
"Ruby... this is not completely necessary"
"But it is the better way to help someone feel better." Answered Ruby as she let go of the embrace. "Any better?"
Blake looked away.
"A little."
Ruby grinned at the answer, and quickly remember a question she had for her friend.
"Say have you seen Yang today? She left extra early and I haven´t seen her since."
"She said she was going to be practicing the presentation with your girlfriend."
"Weiss is not my girlfriend!"
"Yet?"
Ruby pouted at the tease.
"Though I have to admit I´m curious about what will they present this year."
"I bet it will be great."
"I know it will, though last year was great too, just…."
"A little boring?"
"Yeah."
Yang, the aforementioned Weiss, and two other boys were the members of the Beacon Music Club. As the name would give away the club´s main activities were related to practicing and performing musical pieces. However, due to the ensemble of instruments, during last year´s presentation, the Music Club presentation had focused more on classical music. While any people would agree that the performances of the 4 members were excellent, the whole array of songs and overall environment was a little boring for a high school audience. Both girls have assured their friends that the concert had been more than adequate. But it had been pretty obvious that the audience was not even remotely interested in classic interpretations. The members of the club seemed to have brushed the comments off, but deep inside it had really bothered them that so much practice didn´t give good results.
"Did Weiss tell you anything on what they were going to play today?"
"No, they wouldn´t even let me in the practices."
"Huh, I thought it had been only me."
"Now I´m super curious. At first, I thought they weren´t going to do anything, I´m glad they came through, Weiss didn't want to show it, but she was pretty down when they found out about the last presentation." Ruby said legitimately excited and curious.
"Yang was a little down too, and that is really hard to do."
"Fortunately, she had you to cheer her up."
"And Weiss had you to cheer her"
Blake answered with a smug grin.
"What, no… I mean, yes, as a friend and stuff."
Blake giggled amused at the suddenly embarrassed face of the girl next to her.
"You are in a teasing mood."
"I blame the crowd for that."
The small conversation went on for a couple minutes, touching trivial topics. It was suddenly interrupted when the sound of hand tapping the head of a microphone sounded through the loud speakers.
"Hello everyone!" The cheery voice of the Student Council Spokesman Nora Valkyrie buzzed in the skull of every single student in the room, ending every conversation.
"Welcome to the Annual School Club Closure Event. Also known as ASCCE. That name won't stick I can promise you that much. All of our clubs have worked really hard to show us their great presentation planned over the course of this year. Prepare for everything and anything, since this year we have some very special features. Now without further ado, please give a round of applause to our first club, the Astronomy Club."
The crowd of students applauded as the so-called "event" started. While Ruby did appreciate the courage it took to give a presentation in front of all the school, her expectations were never high on the content. It was pretty obvious which clubs had actually prepared for some time and which others had remembered a week before. Although they were some surprises here and there, the astronomy club gave tips on how to plan a stargazing date and where to look at (To which Ruby took some mental notes, no reason in particular), the math club presented a mathematician which with all and all was quite amazing, the dancing and art club teamed together and created an interpretative performance that although weird, it was oddly entertaining. Who would have said that pink tutu´s and gas mask could look so good together? As the good and mediocre presentations went on and on by the 40 minutes mark, most of the clubs had already presented and the event was coming to an end there was only one club left to present.
Nora walked through the stage as the velvet curtains closed giving an end to the previous club´s performance.
"A round of applause for the Literature Club for their dramatic interpretation of A Study In Scarlet. Love the top hat by the way. Now, for the great finale, we have our beloved Music Club performing... The Phantom of the Opera." Are we ready? Yes! Well, let´s go."
Ruby´s heart skipped a beat when she saw the silken curtains part away, giving the sight to a group of instruments already set with a microphone on the center of the stage. The four members of the Music Club walked from the backstage and took their assigned instruments, while the Schnee heiress walked to the main microphone.
Maybe it was the fact that she was about to perform live, or the lights of the stage were creating an optical illusion, but in Ruby´s eyes, Weiss looked absolutely stunning. The girl radiated with confidence every step she gave in the scenario while she was carrying her violin.
Ruby had seen Weiss perform hundreds of time, however every single time it felt as exciting as their first time. The young girl believed Weiss had a special power to simply hypnotize her when she was playing her violin.
Once in front of the microphone Weiss cleared her throat and spoke:
"Good evening student body, this year the Music Club is honored to present you the Phantom of the Opera based on the original piece by Andrew Lloyd Webber. As for instruments: Neptune Vasillas will be performing the electric guitar, Sun Wukong the drums and Yang Xia Long the keyboard. Oh, and I´m Weiss Schnee and I will be playing the violin.
As Weiss finished presenting the club, the members shared a glance to one another and nodded. The heiress moved her violin and placed the chin rest against her neck and delicately moved the bow just millimeters away from the cord. After a deep breath, Weiss nodded too.
They were ready.
Sun proceeded to hit his drumsticks together three times in perfect rhythm.
Weiss violin started the song; her bow came across the violin cords so smoothly the melody immediately took shape. The song started in a slow and peaceful form of the iconic melody. Weiss´ face maintained cool and serious as she effortlessly played her instrument. She stood in her place maintaining her pose just moving her arms as the moved the bow across the violin string. The harmony maintained the peaceful paste for a few more seconds. Then the violin went silent.
Low-pitched accords from the electric guitar synchronized with drums filled the sudden silence as they started to raise the rhythm. When at it peeks the keyboard took over as a church organ playing the main theme of the song. Yang enthusiastically pressed the keys of the keyboard as the melody went up and down. For a brief moment, the electric guitar resounded with a sharp riff that went up and down a couple of times before Weiss´ violin started a new part of the song, the rest of the instruments followed in shape and in perfect synchronization.
The feeling of the song change completely, what started like a classical music performance suddenly had transformed into gothic rock opera, Weiss violin leading the melody as the other instruments blended perfectly creating a dark ambiance. The audience loved this new tune, people cheered and clapped, as the sudden change took place. The atmosphere completely changed giving place to a livelier one. Even Weiss´ movements stopped being so rigid and felt more and more fluid and in rhythm.
As the song went on, the violin and the electric guitar took turns in leading the melody. The difference between the leaders was obvious when Neptune took the lead the rhythm of the melody became faster and livelier. While with Weiss, the rhythm slowed down and the mood became a little more focused on the dark part of the song.
The battle between both instruments ceased with the violin taking control and started to slow down gave place to another change in rhythm. This time the melody became slower and delicate. The sound of drums and guitar disappeared, while the soft notes of the violin and the accords from the keyboard dominated the peaceful new mood.
Ruby´s eyes kept fixated on Weiss, every other person in the room disappeared; even the sound of the instruments became silence. There was only Weiss playing her violin. Ruby´s eyes captured every single movement the girl made, from the elegant movements of her hand with the bow to the almost undetectable changes in her face. With her eyes fixed on the heiress, Ruby once more confirmed that she was the most beautiful girl she had ever seen, and remembered why it had been so easy to fall in love with her.
The melody did a subtle change from peaceful into a more romantic mood, the notes from the violin and the keyboard started to slow down even more. The keyboard generated string cords blending in the background as the violin led the section of the song. Weiss maintained her cool and focused stance and much against her very nature Yang imitated her stance, moving in a very slow and peaceful manner as her fingers hit the notes on the keyboard.
The romantic and slow mood suddenly came to an end when the electric guitar and the battery barged into the song changing again the melody to more happy and joyful one. The guitar elevated the melody with a solo leading the song while the drums resonated the cymbals and the main drums. The violin and the keyboard joined up after a couple seconds firing new and more vivid notes. Weiss´s slow and subtle movements gave way to faster and livelier ones. The young violinist moved her bow across the violin in rapid successions maintaining a seemingly uninterrupted sound.
The violin and guitar joined together as both instruments launched rapid notes. Without any warning, the violin took the center role again and slowly gave the song a more delicate mood in the process. The guitar and drums became silent as quick as they emerged, leaving the keyboard and violin as the main instruments again.
The fragile melody was short lived as, the violin was close to its final notes, the church organ blasted the main theme of the song accompanied by the rest of the instruments creating a new dark and rock filled mood. Weiss kept leading the melody returning to her classy and confident stance while the rest of the performers seemed like they were at a rock concert passionately playing their instruments.
However this time the violin kept the lead of the harmony while the guitar limited itself the blend in the background. As the main theme progressed the mood set by the violin went from cheerful to sad or creepy as the violinist saw fit. The violin notes started to get acute as the rhythm slowed down and maintained the high pitch notes in loops, suddenly Weiss maintained the same note for a few seconds. And with a definite movement of her bow, the song ended.
The auditorium exploded in cheers and applauses. The once silent masses started shouting and complementing, new energy filled the whole room. Ruby immediately stood up from her seat and started cheering and applauding with all the energy she could muster, which was a lot.
The barrage of applauses continued, the four members of the club walked to the front of the stage and gave a little bow to the audience. Clearly, a Weiss imposed action. After the bow, three members waved their hand and cheerfully saluted the applauding audience.
As the three teenagers enjoyed their moment of fame, Ruby´s eyes were fixed on the young violinist, who seemed to be scanning through the audience, as if she was looking for someone. Once silver eyes met with deep blue irises, the search ended. Following her hyperactive nature, Ruby threw her hands in the air and cheered even harder. But to the brunette´s surprise instead of facepalming or simply ignoring her, the white-haired girl had a warm smile on her face. An honest, happy and very uncharacteristic smile.
Suddenly all the energy in the younger girl came to a stop, her body froze completely while her face turned to a very bright shade of red.
As the cheer started to die down, Weiss moved her attention from the blushing brunette to the general audience, momentarily waving at them.
Nora retook the stage microphone in hand.
"Well, that was certainly something else. Another round of applause for the music club and their amazing interpretation of the Phantom of the Opera. Wooooooo, yeah."
Clapping filled once again the room, extending the group´s moments of the fame. After a couple seconds the noise subsided before ending, Nora continued speaking.
"Now, before closing another successful event, we have some words from our very own student council president, Ren Lie."
There was a less cheerful yet still sound filled round of applause as the president of the student council walked to the center of the stage and got handed a microphone from the vice president.
"Thank you, Nora. Firstly, I would like to thank all the members of all the clubs for putting this effort for this event. I know it is not easy balancing schoolwork with this activities and I really appreciate you all putting this much effort into this. I would also like to thank all of you for your enthusiasm and support for this event too. All of this club work hard on putting on this show to you."
"Yeaaaaah, a round of applause for everyone." Nora screamed and somehow managed to get picked up by the microphone.
Everyone in the audience applauded. Feeling a little tug in her skirt, Ruby realized she was still standing up, while everyone else had already taken their seat. Ruby was the only person standing up in the audience. She quickly sat down as Blake tried to keep herself from laughing.
"Why didn't you tell me anything?"
"I mean, I eventually did."
"It took you too long."
Blake simply giggled at the comment of Ruby.
"…And well with all that said, I would like to close this event with the announcement that our generous teacher has given us an exceptional permission. And hereby, the rest of the classes are canceled for the day."
An explosion of cheering and shouting erupted in the audience as every single student jumped out of their seat and joined the celebration.
"Now get out before they change their mind! " Finished Nora. Immediately the masses of the student made their way to the exits of the auditorium.
"No pushing!"
As the rest of the students fought their way out of the auditorium, Ruby and Blake went the opposite way, walking toward the backstage of the auditorium. Both girls wandered through the hallways as many club members were gathering their belongings after the presentation. They didn't have to wonder for long, as the found the members of music Club celebrating next to their instruments. The four members were excitedly talking to one another; even Weiss seemed more cheerful than usual as she talked.
Ruby ran ahead.
"Weeeeeeeeiiiiiiisssssss!" The redhead said as she glomped the violinist as tightly as she could.
The young white head girl almost lost her balance, but by a matter of practice and will power regained her stance quickly.
"Ruby!" She said surprised as a light blush appeared on her face.
"You were amazing! The way you played the violin and the rest of the music… and the melody…it was just amazing!"
"Get off me, you dolt!"
Just as Weiss struggled with Ruby, a pair of arms surrounded Yang´s waist as she received a peck in the cheek. A smile appeared on the blonde´s face.
"Hey, kitty."
Yang answered as she turned around to meet face to face with Blake. "Did you enjoy the presentation?"
"I enjoyed it very much. You all did a fantastic work."
Yang placed her hands on Blake´s waist.
"Did you fall in love with me again when you saw me on stage?" Yang asked teasingly to her girlfriend.
Black violently blush at the question, the blonde smiled at the sudden redness on the pale girl in front of her, it made her look incredibly cute. But knowing her girlfriend as she did, Blake hid her face in the nape of her girlfriend´s neck. And whispering her answer.
Yang let out a huge smile and hugged the girl tighter.
Meanwhile, Neptune and Sun watched as the four girls interacted so lovingly. So much sugar in the air, made both boys reconsider their love lives.
"Man, we really need to get ourselves a girlfriend."
Hearing the comment, Weiss stopped struggling with the brunette.
"Ruby is NOT my girlfriend! I mean she is my friend"
Weiss almost screamed, with sudden embarrassment all over her tone.
"Best friend" Ruby corrected.
"And she just happens to be a girl, which might actually make sense, but we are just friends and she is just a girl... and..."
A sudden silence fell in the room as Weiss´s scream resonated through the whole backstage. Suddenly Sun gave a sly grin.
"Why Princess, I was referring to Blake and Yang over there. Are you having other ideas with Rubes over here?"
The blush in the heiress extended through her face, and into the brunette´s face. Ruby let go of Weiss.
The rest of the group laughed at the reaction of the two girls.
"Oh come on Sun, don't tease them that much. The blonde said as she lightly hit the drummer on the arm.
"It just a joke. Or is it?. Sun answered with a dramatic tone. "Who knows maybe Ice Queen over here has her sight on your sist..."
As the words were about to escaped Sun´s mouth, Neptune saved him from his doom covering his mouth and stopping him from ending his sentence.
"What was that Sun?" Yang asked with an evil grin on her face.
"Nothing," Neptune answered immediately. "That you are the greatest and most lovable person in the world."
"Damn, right I am." Said Yang with a smile as she grabbed Weiss and Ruby with each arm.
"And you two need to lighten up. We are just messing with you two." Yang explained.
"O...K."
Was all the girls could muster.
"Now let's get out of here, school is out!" Yang screamed releasing the girls and taking her place next to Blake.
All of the music club members started to put their instruments in their cases, except for Sun. Ruby stood next to Weiss as she was putting her violin in her case.
"You really were amazing "
Ruby said barely above of a whisper.
"Thank you…" Answered Weiss very low. "I´m glad you liked it. "
Ruby smiled at the comment as Weiss, who immediately took a sudden interest at observing the floor.
"Come on slowpokes or we are leaving you behind!" Yang called out.
"Maybe that´s what they want." Commented Sun.
The comment earned Sun another not so friendly punch on the arm from Yang.
As Weiss gather her case. She and Ruby started to walk with to the others. With a wide smile on her face, Ruby walked next to Weiss as they made way to the others. As they were passing next to Neptune, who was still closing his guitar case. Ruby tried to steal another glance at the girl next to her. As she turned around to face Weiss, she found another thing. Weiss was stealing a glance herself. The heiress had her attention focused on the young guitarist next to them. With a quick turn, Ruby faced the boy only to find out that Neptune himself was returning the glance to Weiss. And just as both girls passed, Neptune gave Weiss a warm smile. To which the heiress answered with a quick smile and nod.
Panic took control of Ruby´s mind.
What… the hell… was that?
In her experience, Neptune was one of the quietest and shiest boys she had ever met. It had taken her three whole weeks for Ruby to hear the boy communicate with something other than a nod or a shaking head. And it had taken a month of almost daily interactions for him to look at her in the eyes.
And now he is exchanging smiles with Weiss?!
And nodding!?
What are they nodding to!?
"Ruby, you dolt, are you coming?"
Ruby snapped back to reality as Weiss called her out. Apparently, she had stopped walking and was staring blankly. Her absent mind was earning her a weird look from everyone.
"Ah! Sorry."
"Seriously Ruby where do you have your head?" Weiss nagged.
"In some deep blue pools?" Answered Blake.
The heiress actually blushed at the comment. As Ruby walked to her friends she gave another inspecting sight to Neptune. The boy was standing next to Sun, as the blonde was commenting something to him. He had his usual semi-serious expression. Nothing out of the ordinary.
As the gang made their way through the empty auditorium, Ruby kept a vigilant eye on the blue haired boy and the heiress. He didn't even share a sentence with Weiss in all the way to their lockers.
Did I imagine that?
Weiss considered Neptune a friend, Ruby knew that much. In any other case, she considered him a good guitarist. And their relationship was just friendly. Nothing suspicious about that.
The group of teenagers reached the final hallway before they had to dissolve to their respective lockers. Ruby glanced at Neptune again. The boy had his attention dispersed to the rest of the gang. But suddenly their eyes met. Ruby felt like a deer in headlights. Fortunately, the shy boy simply looked away.
"Neptune and I are heading to Crowbar Burgers, anyone coming?"
"Sorry, Blake and I have our own plans. "Yang said pulling Blake by her waist closer to her.
"O…k. How about you two?"
Ruby was about to answer that it sounded good.
"I´m sorry, Ruby and I had planned for a little shopping after school" Weiss interjected.
Ruby had completely forgotten about said plans.
"You can come if you want." Ruby blurted not knowing why.
Damn it. I ruined my alone time with Weiss.
"Nah, girls and shopping are a terrible combination. Well then, since we are girl free, we might have a chance to getting a getting some digits." Sun Said as he turned around.
"Ha! The only one with a true chance is Neptune." Yang said in the distance.
"I take that as a challenge. Let´s roll Neptune."
Sun said as he made his way through the hallway.
Neptune gave a small sight, and wave at everyone.
"See you later then." He said and then turned around.
As both boys made their way through the hallway, Ruby looked closely at Neptune one last time, as the boy started to talk with the blonde. It was clear Neptune was more talkative with Sun since they had been friends since childhood. As the duo turned and disappeared from sight, there were no last second glances or hidden glances. Nothing.
Maybe it was nothing. Weiss and Neptune are jus a little closer after the presentation. Like friendly.
"Ruby!"
The brunette snapped violently out her thoughts as Weiss called her out.
-Yeah? She answered sheepishly.
"Did you listen to anything I said?"
Ruby didn´t have to answer, her confused face said everything.
"Seriously, where do you have your head today? You are more distracted than usual. And that is saying a lot."
"Sorry."
"Are you all right?"
Ruby stared at Weiss. It was in rare occasions that Weiss ever made that question to her. Usually, there was something wrong with Ruby when the heiress asked that, and it always made the brunet happy. It showed that Weiss really cared about her.
"Yeah, just a little distracted. Nothing to worry about." Ruby answered with a smile.
Weiss analyzed her for a second.
"Let´s go, I would prefer to leave school today. "
"Sure thing. Ruby answered."
Both girls made their way through the empty hallways to their respective lockers.
/
The couple made their way through the snowy streets of Vale. Little lights shined in every window store, as it was clear that the holidays were approaching. All around the streets merry jingles were accompanied with a bright combination of red. white and green. To wrap up the perfect holiday atmosphere, every sidewalk was covered with snow. The scenery was the closest thing to a postal card there is. Ruby and Weiss walked next to each other, each of them wearing a red and white coat respectively with black boots to combine. The girls made their way through the snowy sidewalk, as Ruby admired every single front shop´s decoration so much, bright lights almost emerged from their eyes.
"It´s so pretty!" Ruby exclaimed as she literally jumped to the next shop front.
"Ruby calm down!" Weiss said. "We were here just last week!"
"Yeah, but not all the stores had their decorations on!" Ruby answered as she gazed in awe to another store´s decoration.
"Still, that is no excuse to be jumping around in the snow you are going to…"
As the words were about to leave the heiresses' mouth, Ruby jumped again to another front window. However, during the landing, the redhead´s boot slip on the icy sidewalk.
"Oh, wow, wow, wow." The young girl tried to balance herself, by moving her arms in circular motions, but that proved worthless as she ultimately started falling on her back.
Ruby was ready to take the fall, ready to feel the pavement against the back of her head, but suddenly two firm arms hold hers and prevented her from falling. Realizing she wasn't on the floor, she turned her head around, only to meet the stare of Weiss holding her almost effortlessly.
"… Fall." Weiss finished her phrase. " Seriously you are like a little child."
Noticing the sudden closeness between the two of them, Ruby´s face suddenly started to turn red. She quickly regained her balance and found herself back on her feet.
"I'm sorry. … I´m just… really excited."
"So I´ve noticed, but please, be careful, streets are icy and become dangerous…" she flicked Ruby´s forehead"… so don´t be a dolt and walk carefully."
"Ow. " Ruby answered to the light hit, rubbing her forehead.
Weiss resumed her walking towards the stores. As she did, Ruby notices the way the white haired girl seem to effortlessly walk through the icy sidewalk maintaining her oh so delicate sway.
The brunette walked as carefully and quick as she could to catch up with her friend.
"Hey, Weiss…" Ruby started as she caught up with the heiress.
"Yes?" The older girl answered.
"How come you can walk so easily in snow, even without snow boots?" Ruby asked genuinely intrigued.
Weiss seemed confused by the question, she immediately turned her gaze to Ruby and analyzed the girl´s face. Clear intrigue was all over her face. The question was legitimate.
"What do you mean?" Weiss questioned back.
"Well,…When you walk you always have your super fancy posture, and well, you never lose it, not even in the snow. I struggle to walk without falling even without snow, but you never lose your posture." Ruby explained. Meeting Weiss gaze, she notices the heiress' face was filled with surprise.
"Huh. I didn't think you would… whatever. To answer your question; firstly I have been trained since I have use of memory, to maintain my posture in any kind of situation and in every kind of shoes. In business, posture is very important. And secondly, I´m from Atlas, it snows almost every single day, it is very basic for us to learn to maintain our posture in snow. The real challenge really is doing it while wearing heels.
"I can´t imagine walking with heels in snow. I walk like a gingerbread cookie with those." Ruby answered remembering the few times she was forced to wear heels during some of the school dances.
"Yeah, but you look very pretty in them." Weiss blurted.
The comment caught Ruby by surprise and she felt her own cheeks furiously reddening.
"What?" Ruby blurted back as she turned to Weiss, whose cheeks were as red as her.
"What!" Weiss responded realizing what she had just said.
The heiress furiously avoided Ruby´s eyes, finding an incredible interest in the store far from a brunette. The atmosphere around the couple suddenly got incredibly awkward. Weiss´ mind raced as fast as it could to give an answer.
"We are here!" Weiss shouted as she realized they have arrived at the store she was looking for.
Ruby realized they were in front of an electronic store. In an instant, Weiss ran inside the store, leaving Ruby outside wondering for a few seconds, what had just happened.
Did Weiss call me pretty?
Did she mean the heels?
No, she said I looked pretty!
What!
Ruby finally processed the compliment her friend had given her. A compliment in her opinion was bordering with flirting, but a compliment nonetheless. It was clear that the comment had slipped through her mind, and while the brunette would like to interrogate further, judging by Weiss reaction, she wasn´t willing to add anything to her comment… at least not voluntarily. The young girl decided to let the compliment slip without further comments, at least for now.
Ruby walked into the electronic store, hoping her flustered cheeks had died down. A bell rang as soon as the girl entered the store. The store was mainly composed of rows of shelves filled with all kind of electronic devices: computers, tablets, memory cards, and cameras. All the shelves were surrounded by a white wall with blue stripes. It gave the store a very clean feeling.
As Ruby walked through the hallways, she quickly found Weiss in the memory cards and external hard drives section. The white haired girl hadn't noticed Ruby yet, mainly because her head was buried between her hands as she held a mysterious package in one hand and she mumbled something to herself.
Ruby didn´t want to make the heiress feel more embarrassed than she already felt. So witty comments and more teasing were out of the question. For now. Acting like nothing had happened, not the best yet not the worst possible solution.
She just had to approach Weiss in a very subtle way.
"Weiss!" Ruby called from the other end of the hallway.
Weiss jumped in her place, startled she turned to the origin of the noise. Once she saw a particular brunette with a red coat walking towards her, all made sense in her head.
"Ruby! Don't scream in the middle of the store, I´m right here."
"Hehehe, sorry." The brunette answered as she walked towards the heiress.
"Jeez, you scared me terribly. Seriously, did you needed to do that? I was barely 5 meters from you." Weiss commented harshly as Ruby stood next to her.
The young girl didn´t take too kindly the nagging her best friend gave her... so she changed a bit her teasing policy on the spot.
"But Weiss, you suddenly ran into the store I lost you. And all after you gave me such a nice compliment." Ruby said with a fake innocence.
Weiss once again, found her cheeks blushing violently at her friend's remark, her emotions quickly changing between terribly angry and embarrassment. She found a better answer by simply turning around.
"I… mean…it´s... I... who... I don´t..." Not a single coherent sentence left the heiress's mouth.
Ruby could only smile smugly at the clear inhibition on her friend. Happy with the results, she walked past her.
"Oh, it is all right Weiss. The good thing is that I found you. So, did you get what you were looking for?"
Weiss didn't answer right away, she slowly tries to figure out what had happened. Putting the pieces together, the Ice Queen realized that the brunet had just messed with her. And she wasn't too happy about it.
Weiss catch up to Ruby and properly flicked her forehead in revenge for the teasing.
"Yes, you dolt, I found what I was looking for."
"Ow!" Ruby said as she rubbed her now hurt forehead, again. "What were you looking for?"
Weiss showed the packaged she had in her hand. The package was an 8 GB USB memory, however, it had a unique shape. The device was shaped like a snowflake with a complicated pattern on the plastic plate and painted with white a blue
"Oh, my Dust Weiss! That looks amazing! And so you!" Ruby said excitedly as she walked towards the heiress and looked closer at the USB memory.
"Certainly, it is quite befitting to my style."
Ruby smiled at the comment, but a question popped into her mind.
"I thought you had like a million of this at your house."
"Don´t exaggerate, there are probably around 20 around my house."
" What do you need so many memories for?"
"Well, my father has been handing me a lot of the company´s administrative files for my training, and they are quite numerous."
"That must be tough."
"A bit, but I must accustom to it if I want to run the company."
"Still, you are only in high school, you have all college to worry about that."
"Maybe, but I prefer to prepare myself fittingly for such endeavor."
"But if you take it easy, you can spend more time with all the gang and me."
Ruby replied launching a hug at her friend.
Weiss could have given one of her trademarks cold replies, but instead, she gave a small smile.
"That doesn't sound too bad" Weiss said barely above a whisper.
"What?" The brunette asked.
"Let go of me you moron I need to pay this" Weiss answered lightly pushing Ruby off her before proceeding to the register.
Ruby smiled, she had clearly heard what Weiss had said, and she´d be lying she said it didn't warm her heart to see the once cold and distant Ice Queen open up not only to her but to a group of friends.
She raced after her friend and waited for her to finish her transaction. Once the money was handed and the USB memory sat safely in a plastic bag, both girls exit the store back into the snow-covered streets.
"So, is there anything else you want to see?" Ruby asked curiously.
"Yes, a few more things, is there anything you want to see?" Weiss replied.
"Hmmmmmmmm, I don't think so." The brunette answered.
"Well, in that case, would you like to grab a coffee before more shopping? I think this climate would be perfect for it."
"If I can have hot chocolate instead of coffee sure. Hey, I´ll make my treat, a celebration for your great performance today."
"You don't have to do that Ruby."
"I know, but I insist, today is special for your amazing performance" Ruby answered one of her characteristic warmer than the sun smiles.
Weiss was ready to reply the brunette's comment, but as she watched her smile, the possibility of any further discussion immediately disappeared; instead, the heiress could only help to smile back.
"Thank you." Weiss decided to answer.
"You are more than welcome."
Both girls walked together towards the coffee store a few meters away in silence. No words were needed.
/
Thank you for reading.
I´ll be sure to have the next chapters as soon as I can, but I really can´t give specific dates of release, because I probably won't make them.
I appreciate all type of reviews and comments.
