Roses and Thorns
Chapter 1: A New Beginning
High school. Blehk. Ruby despised the thought of it. Especially since she was getting ready to go to one that she wasn't familiar with. 'Beacon High, Home of the Grimm.' Ruby heard from her sister, Yang that it was a great school, and that Ruby would love it there, but that didn't stop Ruby from missing Vale Academy. She had friends there, and made her greatest memories there. She was Capitan of the Track Team, she was close to some of the teachers, and her home was located right across from it. The home she shared with her mother…Ruby didn't realize she was crying until Yang barged into her room… well, her new room.
"Hey lil' sis! You ready for-" Yang stopped when she saw Ruby quickly wipe her eyes.
"Hey Yang," Ruby hid behind a smile, "Yeah, I'm ready."
Yang frowned and moved from the doorway to hug Ruby.
"You okay?"
"What? Yeah, I'm-"
"Ruby."
"…No."
"Thinkin' about Mom?"
"Yeah…I really miss her." Ruby rested her head on Yang's shoulder.
"Me too…" Yang tilted her head so it was resting on top of Ruby's. They stayed that way for a bit, feeling comfort in each other's embrace.
"But hey, things will get better." Yang said after a while.
Ruby pulled away from the hug. "You think?"
"I know." Yang gave Ruby a warm smile.
"You two ready to go?" Their father called from the front door.
"Yes Dad!" They yelled in unison.
"Whelp, come on Rubes. Let's get to school."
"Uuuuuuuuhg!" Ruby tilted her head back in annoyance. "I'm not readyyyyyyyyy!"
Yang slung her bag over her shoulder. "I thought you said you were?"
"No, I mean, I'm not mentally ready." Ruby looked around for her backpack.
"Here." Yang said, handing it to her.
"Thanks."
"Yep. And if you want, I can stick with you during first period. I have study hall, and I'm all caught up."
"That would be great." Ruby smiled.
Yang smiled back. "Now, come on, let's go."
They ran to the front door where their father was waiting.
"About time you two got here." He said, checking an imaginary watch.
"You know, you didn't have to wait for us." Yang deadpanned.
"What? And not say goodbye to my two little honey bunches?"
"DAAAAAAAD!" They both said in unison.
"We aren't kids anymore!"
"Stop calling us that!"
Taiyang barked out a laugh. "Ha! Ha! Ha! I'm just messin' with ya'! Haha! "
"Let's just go already!" Yang groaned as she sulked out the door.
"But in all seriousness, are you going to be okay Ruby? Moving schools in the middle of the semester is tough stuff." Tai asked as he locked the front door.
"Yeah Dad, I'll be fine… I think… but Yang will be with me. That's a good thing."
"Well, I wish you luck. Oh, and Yang?"
"Yeah?"
"Don't forget, you have detention today."
"Don't remind me." Yang said flatly as she hopped on her motorcycle.
"Yang has detention?" Ruby asked as she joined Yang on the vehicle.
"You shouldn't be surprised."
Yang pouted.
"Oh, don't be like that." Tai smiled as he got into his own car. "It's your fault for starting a food fight."
"Nonononono, Nora started the food fight," Yang jabbed her thumb into her collarbone, "I just took part in it."
"Against who? And who's Nora?" Ruby asked as she put on her helmet.
"My friends. A friend."
Ruby rolled her eyes. "Real descriptive."
"I'll introduce them to you if you want."
"Sure, but… not all at once. I'll get overwhelmed otherwise."
"Well, you two have fun." Tai said as he started up his car.
"Alright."
"I'll try…"
"You'll be fine Ruby. I promise. I love you both."
"Love you too Dad!" They said together.
With that, both vehicles pulled out of the drive way, one final wave was given, and they headed to their separate destinations.
The humming of the motorcycle added to the roaring wind, making any conversation between the sisters hard to keep.
"You know, I just remembered something!" Yang shouted over the noise.
"What?!"
"I JUST REMEMBERED SOMETHING!"
"No, I meant 'what' as in 'what is it' not 'repeat yourself'!"
"What?!"
"WHAT IS IT!"
"You remember Blake?!"
"Yeah!"
"She also goes to beacon!"
"She does?!"
"Yeah!"
"That's so cool! It's been so long since I've seen her!"
"What?!"
"IT'S BEEN SO LONG!"
"Yeah! Last time you saw her you were three and she and I were five! It really has been long for you, huh?!"
"What?!"
"IT HAS BEEN LONG, HUH?!"
"I just said that!"
"I know, I… never mind!"
"What?!"
"NEVER MIND!"
"You're not making sense!"
"Forget it! We'll talk later!"
"What?!"
"What?!"
"WHAT?!"
"WE'LL TALK LATER!"
Ruby sighed, taking a mental note not to talk to Yang while on her motorcycle. 'I can't believe I'll get to see Blake again!' Ruby's smile grew at the thought.
"I can't wait!" Ruby said aloud to herself.
"What?!"
"NOTHING!"
The golden-yellow motorcycle pulled to a stop, the humming of the engine died down as Yang took the key out of the ignition, followed by a "BEEBEEP" as the alarm set.
"Alright baby sis!" Yang said as she pulled off her helmet. "Welcome to Beacon!"
"Yang! I told you not to call me thaaaaaaaaaaaa!" Ruby's jaw dropped the moment she looked up at the school.
The view was breath taking. Instead of an ordinary, everyday high school building, this one looked like a royal, rich-man's castle from medieval times. It had a beautiful garden of healthy, fresh-cut grass that stretched around the entrance, with a small moat in between. Trees were scattered here and there, and small bushes that were neatly trimmed were placed in certain areas around the building. It also had small, stone pathways to walk on, and the walkway was decorated with light poles and flags representing Beacon. A large tower peeked over the main building, giving it a final touch. Overall, the scenery was beautiful, and Ruby found herself loving it immensely.
"Woahmygosh, Yang! Why didn't you didn't tell me the school looks so cool?!"
"I wanted to see your full reaction." Yang said as she wore her usual face-breaking grin.
Ruby was about to say something, but someone else beat her to it.
"There you are Yang! I've been looking everywhere for….Ruby?"
A tall, quiet looking girl with black hair and golden eyes approached them; quickly at first, but she slowed down to a stop when she saw Ruby. As soon as Ruby saw the little black bow resting on top of the girl's head, she knew who it was immediately.
"BLAKE!" Ruby let her backpack fall to the ground and ran towards her old friend.
"RUBY!" Blake laughed and held out her arms as Ruby jumped into them, also letting her bag fall on the gravel. She spun Ruby around a few times before setting her down.
"How have you been all these years?! I've missed you so much! Look at you! Last I saw you, you were a little tatter tot!" Blake said, pulling away from the hug to look at Ruby.
"Me?! Look at you! You could be a model!"
"Psh, hardly!" Blake laughed again, hugging Ruby once more.
Ruby sighed into the hug. "I've missed you too, Blake! And I've been good."
"Good." Blake pulled away from Ruby and patted her on the shoulder. "It's great to see you again." She smiled.
"It's great to see you too." Ruby smiled back.
"Blakey!" Yang said happily and ran towards her, ready to pull her into a hug.
"Touch me and I won't speak to you for a month."
"OHkay! Okay! Yang put her arms up in defense and backed away from the raven haired girl.
"Oh! Sorry, Blake. I forgot you don't like physical contact." Ruby said worriedly.
"Don't apologize. This is different." Blake ruffled Ruby's brown, red tipped hair. "We haven't seen each other in over twelve years." She looked at Yang with a flat expression.
"I see THAT one every day."
Yang crossed her arms with an irritated pout. "You don't need to make it sound so bad."
"We are going to be late if we don't go in soon." Blake said, completely ignoring Yang.
"Yeah, you're right. We should probably head in."
"Don't ignore me!"
"Come on, let's go inside." Blake said, picking up her bag and heading inside the building, Ruby doing the same.
"Ya'll are mean." Yang said, feigning hurt.
"Since when do you say 'Ya'll'?" Ruby asked.
Yang shrugged her shoulders, humming an 'I don't know".
After a few moments of silence Blake suddenly spoke up, "I can't believe it's already been twelve years…"
"…..Well, our family met up every summer… you could have just come along with us." Yang stated.
"Yeah, Blake! We would've loved to have you!" Ruby chimed in.
"What? No! That's your family time, I would only be intruding."
"No you wouldn't!" Yang said, surprised that Blake would think such a thing.
"Yeah, Blake! You're a part of the family, rather you like it or not!"
"… Well… still…" Blake rubbed her arm, feeling embarrassed.
After another moment of silence, Ruby softly spoke. "Though, I guess since I've moved in with Dad and Yang… we don't need to worry about that anymore…"
The atmosphere suddenly changed, causing the girls' hearts to drop. Ruby immediately regretted saying anything.
"Sorry, I-"
"No, you're right." Blake said, giving Ruby a reassuring smile. "We'll get to see each other regularly now."
"Yep. The old trio is back!" Yang fist pumped and give Ruby her killer smile.
"… Thanks guys." Ruby said, feeling better.
"Sure thing." Blake leaned towered Ruby and whispered to her, but stared Yang dead in the eyes. "Also, you get to help me keep your sister in line."
Ruby laughed when Yang made a face.
"You know Blake, you can be just as much of a trouble maker as I am." Yang deadpanned.
"Really?" Blake challenged, "Prove it."
"Ruby, you know how I have detention? Well Blake does too."
"What?! You have detention Blake?!" Ruby was in utter shock.
Blake stopped dead in her tracks, eyes wide with realization. "I forgot about that."
Yang held a mischievous smile. "Told ya."
Blake sighed in defeat. "I highly regret joining that food fight."
Yang mimicked Blake's earlier movement. "I guess you'll have to help me keep Blake in line too, Ruby." She grinned.
"I suppose so." Ruby laughed, causing the other to do the same… then the first bell rang.
"Crap! We're going to be late!" Blake started running to their first class.
"Aw man, come on Ruby!" Yang said, following in Blake's tracks.
"AH! Oh man, oh man!" Ruby ran with them, not wanting to be late on her first day. 'At least I'll be with them.' Ruby smiled. 'So I guess school here won't be so bad after all.'
To be continued