Weiss

Oddly enough, Ruby Rose's house was only a short distance from mine, located within the suburbs of the city. It wasn't terribly tall, two stories at most, and its paint was chipped in several places. However, it stood firm, strong, without any attempt to hide its injuries, yet somehow it did so without making it look… weak.

My eyes slide shut, trying to push the thoughts from my mind. Why am I analysing a house? I have more important things to worry about!

The walkway up to the front door is grey as a storm cloud, reaching up to a small set of stairs and melting into the house, belonging without a hint of rejection or difference. My feet meet it with a small clap, each step ringing out through the sky. Cars chattered away on the nearby road, cluttering the sky with their rapacious honks and grinding squeals.

I come up to the door. From within I can hear the gentle patter of feet, clangs as dishes are moved, and the gentle song of conversation, made unintelligible by the walls, yet all the sweeter for it.

My hand crashes against the wooden door, the harsh bangs intruding upon the sanctity of the home. Regret swells within me, rising to a peak as I lower my arm. Am I intruding? I've never met Ruby Rose before, yet here I am, standing at her front door, wearing a white sundress and flats. Why did I think that was a good idea? True, it was the most casual outfit I owned, but… well, that wasn't saying much.

The door swings open, cutting off any further doubt. Standing there, framed by a golden light, is a tall, young woman, with brown hair. Around her chest is a white hoodie, with "BEACON" spelt across its front. Two familiar, but darker silver eyes meet my own, curiosity warring with suspicion and doubt. Her mouth slips open. "…Hi?"

I stick out my hand. "Weiss Schnee, I'm… I wish to speak with Ruby Rose?"

Her eyes light up as I say her… daughter's name? Oddly young sister's name? "Oh! Oh you're from the school!"

"Um, yes, I am…" What am I doing? Come on Weiss; get it together! "Is she home?"

Her lips tug upwards, and she cranes her head behind her. "Ruby! Someone's here to see you!" she yells, before turning back to me. "I'm Summer, Summer Rose," she says, grabbing my hand. "Why don't you come in? Take those shoes off." She backs up, allowing me a pathway into her home.

I knew it meant nothing. I was a guest, and it was her job to provide me with hospitality. Yet… my legs are frozen, refusing to obey the command given. My skin flushes with ice water, and I feel the sudden urge to run the other way and never look back. I can't think of any reason why, except…

Except… I've never been in anyone else's house before. It seems so stupid, but it's true. This is the first time I've actually been anywhere else, and I'm having a panic attack over it.

I clench my jaw and swallow down the spit wallowing within my mouth. Schnee's do not get panic attacks.

"Thank you," I say, like fine crystal letting out a sharp ring. Without any further thought, I step inside the home, lifting my feet over the lip.

The moment my nose hits the warm air within, I'm bombarded with scents and sounds. Rich herbs waft from the kitchen, carrying rising bread and roasting meats. Sizzles and hums from cooking battle it out with beeps and voices barreling down the stairs, both given a harsh, grating quality. Some video game, no doubt. The TV is on, but only at a low murmur, and a second look shows me the local news station.

Something thumps against the stairs, like drums being played by a monkey. "Who is it?"

"Weiss—" Summer starts, before Ruby's eyes meet my own.

"Schnee," the red-haired girl finishes. Her name matches her perfectly, for that's exactly what her hair is. It's dark, dark enough that it almost looks black, but the tips shout their true colour loud and clear. She clearly must love red, as her hoodie is dripping with it, hanging of her shoulders and draping down to her legs, which are covered in blue denim. She looks like a superhero, clad in primary, contrasting colours.

"Um… h-hey," she says, her voice warbling like a duck caught in a tsunami. "You're the, uh, girl. From math. I mean, of course you're a girl, unless you're not, I guess, but then you probably wouldn't be wearing a dress—"

"I'm Weiss," I say, cutting off her word avalanche before I was buried alive. "Yes, I am 'the girl' from math. You're Ruby, correct?"

One of her hands seeks shelter within her pockets, while the other hides behind her head. "Uh, yep! That's me! I'm Ruby Rose… Nice to meet you?"

I snort, but my lips rise up anyways, beyond my control. "Well, I would hope so."

Her eyes grow to the size of small planets, and I see her arms freeze solid. "Uh, yeah! Yeah, it's, uh, great! Great to meet you! Awesome! Fantastic!"

Clearly, she's nervous, but that doesn't change the surprisingly large grin stretching her face, wide enough to show her teeth and crinkle her eyes. I'm struck by the image of a puppy.

"So, Weiss," Summer asks, stepping in-between Ruby and I, and heading into the kitchen. "Not that I mind meeting you, but why exactly are you here?"

Her words bring my actual purpose here back to the front of my mind, and a jolt rips through my body. "Right, I, well, I need, I could use…"

I take a breath. The words I need are harsh and bitter, sticking to my tongue as I try to push them out. Ruby comes down the stairs, nearing my body as if she could not hear me from above. She's shorter to me, much to my surprise and delight. It's rare that I can look down at someone, rather than looking up.

I let the breath run free. "I've heard that you're good at math, correct?" I say, calm as the earth itself.

"Um, yeah? I mean, I think I'm pretty good…"

She thinks?

"Right," I say. "Well, I… I… could, well, I could use…" Oh, why can't I say it? I need, "Help."

"Sure."

"Of course, I would be perfectly willing to pa—wait, what?"

Ruby shrugs, like what I said is nothing more than a sprinkle of water on a spring day. Her eyes catch the light, shimmering as her skin breaks out into a broad smile. "Of course I'd help. Which part?"

I blink, trying to wash any falsehood from Ruby's face, but it remains the same, grinning widely, without any attempt at misconception.

"T-the current unit," I say, before narrowing my eyes. "But I can't just… I need to pay you back. Somehow."

Again, she shrugs, blowing off my attempt at reimbursing her. "Nah, don't worry about it."

My jaw sets, hard as diamond. "I have to do something in return." I am not going to be debt to these silver eyes, still peering at me, piercing my skin and reading my soul.

…I need to stop reading those vampire books.

Summer comes out of the kitchen, ripping off a clingy oven mitt and abandoning it on the counter. "How are you at English?" she asks.

I turn to her, still near the kitchen, and let out a rare, tightly leashed smile. "Ninety-five percent," I say, letting perhaps just a smidgen of pride leak through.

Summer's smile lights up the room, showing every teeth she owns. (Seriously, it is genetic?) "Well then, perhaps there is something you can do."

I know an opportunity when I see one, and I latch to this one with the strength of Hercules."Does your… daughter?" I guess, and receiving no rebuke, continue, "Require assistance in Language Arts?"

Summer leans against the counter, and gives me a nod.

I turn to Ruby; hand supporting her head like it would fall to the floor otherwise, and feel my lips curve upwards. I stick out a hand. "I would be very willing to offer assistance to such a fine young lady."

I hear a deep sigh fall from Ruby's lips, and then she lifts her head and grasps my hand. Her love for red has clearly started to affect her body, as her skin is a perfect match to the clothes she wears.

"That would be… very, very nice," she says, my hand shaking like it's being put through an earthquake. Her grip is solid enough to be used as body armor, and I'm sure half the cracking sound is from the hair being pushed out and not my breaking bones as my hand turns to dust.

Oh yes, this is going to be lovely.