Chapter 12: Unexpected Reunion
Warning: This chapter contains some religious aspects. It is not meant to bash any or all religion, it is for the sake of the story.
Holidays. A day of respite from work and school. Days to come together with friends and family. Often holidays are good times. However, they can also be dark times. They can often remind us of how truly alone we are. They can bring out the worst in people.
To me holidays were just another day. Except for 9th grade Easter. Of all they days, it reminded me that I was just the little play thing of fate. And for what happened, I don't mind.
Before we get started you need to understand something. I was raised Catholic, and there are two types of us as there is with any religion. You have the devout follower of their faith, who attend services or Mass. Then you have the holiday goers.
I was in the middle between the two. I didn't go every weekend, but my parents did go on holidays. It didn't help I was an altar server. It was to bring some respectability into the small knit Catholic community in Pine County.
That Easter I was incredibly distracted. Weiss had been trying to get ahold of me the entire time. Messaging me, calling me, been trying to get me to look at her. I couldn't though. I just couldn't do it. If I did I would only fall harder for her, so what did I do? I tried to push her away as much as possible by trying to ignore her at first. I have to give it to her. She is stubborn. Damn stubborn. I guess you could say her attempts slowly died over time, she still tried. I have to give credit for her. It was test, a competition, which one could give up?
I thought it was going to be me. I was in a very bad spot. I couldn't though, I had a mission. Then she showed up in my life when I needed someone. I won't lie, this guilt and neglect has been eating at me for a long time.
It's these emotions, these simple things. These feelings, good or bad, bring us together in the most unexpected ways. They tend to lead to unexpected reunions.
Jaune was in the cafeteria, looking down as his tray. Salad as usual. He let out a sigh as he stabbed his fork into the green leaves. He took a bite only to be greeted with a strange taste. A lackluster taste… almost as if he were eating sand and ash. He put his fork down as he could see the brunette known as Velvet heading over to him, and boy did she not look happy.
She yanked the chair out in front of him, taking a seat right in front of him. "Jaune, I'm going to blunt with you, and you are going to be honest with me." Shit. He cursed seeing the pissed off Velvet.
Before he could even reply, she leaned across the table, slapping him across the face. "Why are you throwing away your friendship with Weiss?"
He looked at her stunned as he rubbed his sore cheek. "I… I…" She shook her head, pointing at the white haired girl sitting on the other side of the cafeteria.
"Look." She growled menacingly. "Look at what you're doing." Oh boy did he see. A girl, an innocent girl, quietly sitting by herself, head resting on her hand, as she played with her food on her tray. Where was the confident Weiss? Where was the happy Weiss? Where her smile? All of these things he took from her. Only to be replaced with the sadness of losing a dear friend. "You are ruining her. You were one of her closest friends and you dropped her without even saying a word to her except through text."
She looked him right in the eye. "What kind of man are you?"
His stare didn't waver. "A horrible one." He said calmly. He had no emotions, there was a base sincerity to that statement. A certain incorruptible truth that he believed in. It was he who put her in this situation. He was the one who had gotten closer to the girl. It was he who developed feelings for her, and it was he who was causing this pain.
He could see her glare soften ever so slightly before returning to the angry glare as she stood up from her chair. "Don't get close to her again." She whispered, her eye twitching with a certain kind of hatred that had seen before.
He inhaled sharply. "You don't need to worry about that." he muttered sadly as she walked back to sit with Weiss. He could see her blue eyes meeting up with his. She looked like she was crying.
Jaune shot up, his heart pounding in his chest. He took several, deep breaths, trying to compose himself. All just a dream. He reassured himself. All just a dream.
'Not really.' a voice reminded him. 'How can it be a dream if that all actually happened?'
Shut it. I was asleep, it was a dream.
'Yeah… you can justify it all you want. You can block it out all you want, but the truth is that you fucked over the person who cared the most for you.'
"Shut up. Shut up. Shut up." He grabbed his head, shaking it back and forth. He got up from his bed hitting the alarm clock. Jaune pulled himself out of bed, shuffling towards the bathroom with yawn.
After a quick shower, he made his bed and got his Sunday finest which consisted of a simple button-down white dress shirt, black tie, and a pair of khakis. Once his attire was donned, he went into his closet, pulling out his Alb, the long white robe vestment still freshly ironed by his mom yesterday, during the morning when she was sober. Around the hangar rested the cincture, the rope like belt to be tied above the waist. Closing his closet, he let out breath, calming himself preparing to put on his smile for the world to see.
A smile that was getting harder and harder to maintain as he looked at his phone from his former friend. W: Jaune. I'm getting sick of waiting. I miss you terribly. I ask myself what have I done to you to make you hate me. Four months without one of my closest friends. I don't know what to do anymore. His thumbs were itching to text back. To say it was alright, that everything was going to be just fine. He wanted to say sorry. He wanted to patch whatever this was up. He wanted to expose Neptune, but at what cost?
At this point, it would hurt her even more. Breaking up with Neptune because of him was something he didn't want to be a part of. At this point, the damage was done. It's too late, he didn't want compound the damage. Or maybe she would think that he was lying, only hurting her even more. No, at this point, it was would be best if she just forgot about him. He lamented at the cold calculations he had to make. There was no winning, only a less damaging loss.
He walked downstairs to be greeted by his father in the living room, tying his red tie, as his mom sighed, helping him with the piece of clothing. He sucked in air, pulling out his trusty smile that masked his inner turmoil
"Good morning Mom, Dad." He greeted them warmly. It was strange, when his parents were sober, he could deal with them, hell, even love them. It was just when booze got introduced, everything changes. Thankfully his father stayed relatively dry. Relatively.
"Morning Jaune." His father said he pulled down on his tie after his wife took a step back.
His mother went back to the kitchen, checking on the ham for Easter Dinner. "Good Morning Honey."
It was mornings like these that Jaune could take an easy breath. 'You know Weiss would feel so much better if you wished her Happy Easter. His smile quickly faltered. His conscience wasn't wrong, but it failed to grasp the big picture. He felt his hand reach down his pocket towards his phone. 'No.'. He willed himself.
"Everyone ready to go?" Anthony Arc asked grabbing the keys off the counter. Jaune looked at his phone, still tempted to reply before looking up. "Yeah." He said with most strained smile that he could muster.
They entered the lobby of the church. His parents went into the actual worship and sitting area while Jaune went into the Sacristy, a small resting room where the other servers and priest prepared for service.
He donned his robes which he was quite used too since he had done it since middle school, to the point where it only took about half a minute. Once robed, and his sash tied, he took out the candle lighter and walked out of the lobby.
He opened the door to the worship area, standing tall and confident. It was weird, whenever he wore something that resembled a uniform he could walk with a sense of confidence, but as soon as he was taken out of the uniform, he preferred to stay in the back, away from prying eyes.
With confident footsteps, he walked down the center aisle of the church, genuflecting, dropping one knee to the ground, and making the sign of the cross like he memorized to do so. He approached the altar, holding his right hand over his chest in the sign of humility while lighting the candles with his left hand.
Once everything was said and done, he turned down to walk down the stairs. He turned around, genuflecting again and walked down the main aisle.
His eyes caught something in the back, along the back of the pews facing on the end of the pew was a familiar person he saw back in November, her red long flowing hair in a familiar pony tail. Her emerald eyes drifted away from the cross to Jaune as he approached closer. Professional, Jaune. Professional. He reminded himself.
He gave a slight nod and a smile to the girl wearing a bright red, knee-length, dress with leaf silhouettes patterned into it, who smiled back. Her emerald eyes shined with a certain shy joy that seemed different compared to when he last saw her at the competition.
Once he left the main worship area, he opened the sacristy. The hell… He thought. He honestly believed that when he ran into Pyrrha at the competition, that would be the only time. In all his time at church, he barely remembered seeing the redhead at church.
He entered the small changing room to find the Father Sherman, donning his own robes over his black cassock. "Good morning Jaune!" The elderly' man's who looked like a feeble old monk sprung to life.
He bowed his head slightly in a sign of respect. "Good Morning Father." He greeted back as he put away the lighter. Father Sherman went to the mirror if the room, tying a particularly fine golden vestment around his neck. "Was the Easter Bunny kind to you this year?" He asked sincerely.
Jaune smiled. "I'm sure he was, but I won't actually know until I get home."
The elder man let out a chuckle. "Of course, of course. Don't let that spoil a delicious meal." The man gave a knowing smile as the other servers started to begin to put on their vestments.
Once everyone was ready, Jaune grabbed the heavy metal staff with a large cross affixed on top as everyone lined up in the lobby, his eyes affixed on Pyrrha who was standing with the rest of worshippers, singing their hymns. Not here. Not now. He reminded himself, as he exhaled slowly. He held the cross up, looking at Father Sharman who was singing. His eyes met Jaune's and with a slight nod, Jaune marched down the aisle and towards the altar.
Throughout the entire mass, he couldn't stop thinking of two thing, his treatment of Weiss and the feeling of Pyrrha watching him. It's weird. At one point, he believed that you should focus on Mass, you push out worldly affairs until Mass was done. Now… he was so used to the actions, the repetition, the motions of serving that he almost felt like a robot. This allowed for him to think.
No longer was the hour devoted to worship, body and mind. He worshiped through his body, but his mind wasn't with it. It wandered, church became an opportunity to think, and going to church was alway a surreal moment. A moment where he should be thankful, but sometimes became resentful seeing all those people down there. All those families, those damn happy families. He disrobed, hanging up his albs on the hangar in the garment bag. "Thank you for your service." Father Sherman held his hand out which Jaune took with a firm handshake. "Have a blessed holiday."
He took it gave a sincere handshake, smiling as well. "You as well, Father." He opened the door of the Sacristy as he turned away, a crown creeping on his face.
"Hello!" A happy and warm voice greeted him which startled him. He looked to his left, the redhead Pyrrha stood up immediately hugging him.
His eyes widened at the contact. What? Why is she hugging me? He awkwardly returned the chaste hug. "H-h-hey Pyrrha." He stuttered.
"You know, you should look happier up there." She broke away with a look of concern in her eyes.
He put on his fake smile. "Ahh, nothing. Just a marching band habit." She looked at him, still concerned, but it slowly evaporated being replaced by a small smile. Deciding to get off of the subject, he did a switch. "I didn't expect you to see you here."
She shrugged innocently. "My parents wanted to go, and I didn't really have a say." Her small smile grew ever so slightly, "But I'm glad we did. I didn't get a chance to get your number at Hershey."
He stared at her. Why is she doing this now? He asked himself staring at the redhead before him. It doesn't make any sense. He saw a blur in front of him. "Earth to Jaune?" He blinked, slightly jerking up to see two emerald orbs staring at him as he saw a hand wave in front of his eyes.
"Uhh… sure…" He stuttered. They exchanged phones, quickly adding one another in their contacts. He handed her phone back as he took his back "Thanks." She sat back down on the bench gesturing for him to join her watching crowds. He could see his parents socializing with other adults which he assume Pyrrha's parents were as well.
"I was looking for you after the competition. I couldn't find you at all. I really wanted to catch up with you" She noted as she watched coming and going.
Fuck…. come on…. now? "Yeah, I wasn't feeling too well afterward." He kept a straight face. It wasn't a lie; just a really watered down version of the truth. "What about Cardin?"
"Eh, I talked to him a little bit, but he's definitely changed. He doesn't seem like the sweet guy he was when I knew him." She shrugged, almost sounding disappointed by the fact.
"Yeah… people change." He said as he looked at his parents. "There is nothing we can do about it. Sometimes it's for the better, other times… not so much."
Pyrrha looked at Jaune, studying him closely. "That was…. Insightful. I never pictured you saying something like that"
Jaune raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms in mock defense. "Oh? And what did you picture me as?" The redhead tapped her chin thoughtfully as she looked upward
"Honestly, I can't really say." She looked back at him, giving a slight frown "I always saw you hanging out with Ian and Colten, and they were just trolls and bullies"
Jaune nodded absent mindedly. "Fair enough. I often found the two annoying though."
She cocked her head questioningly. "So why did you stick with them…?" She asked hesitantly.
He let out slightly saddened sigh looking at the ground. "Yeah…. I just didn't want to be a loner." The irony behind that statement was almost to much to swallow. It was all just a show to hide the fact that he was truly a loner and now Weiss was starting to find out. "I just wanted to fit in…" He saw her fidgeting as he looked over, she was awkwardly rubbing her arm looking away from him. It was starting to flood back now "Shit, Pyrrha. I'm sorry. We were dicks to you, weren't we?" He frowned realizing the torment that he caused. Oh God, Oh God no.
She shook her head, a thin line on her lips. "Not so much you, it was more Colten and Ian."
"I'm sorry Pyrrha." Jaune frowned looking at his trembling hands. He felt a gentle yet firm hand on his shoulder. He looked up at the redhead hesitantly. He expected to see a sad or vengeful Pyrrha.
But there was none of that. There was no sadness, no anger in her eyes. "Don't worry about it Jaune, the past is the past. It's what you do now." She gave a small smile. "But if it helps, I forgive you."
I don't deserve it. But I'll make it up to you. I promise. "Thanks, Pyrrha. It means a lot."
She nodded as she stood up looking over to the couple he assumed were her parents. "Well I need to get going but text me tonight if you get a chance. We still have a lot of catching up to do."
The thought only made him smile more. Odd how when you think you're out, things suddenly change. "Will do. Happy Easter Pyrrha."
"Happy Easter." She returned with an even larger smile. He lingered behind trying to process everything.
He brought up his Springfield, aiming down the sight. The windmill gave perfect protection and cover. He could see the tan round doughboy helmet of a sniper up along the ridge line. He adjusted his sight, aiming upward. He pulled the trigger.
Headshot! Jaune smirked. He could see the turban of a medic running to him. He revived the sniper as Jaune dropped the medic, recycling the bolt, he pulled the trigger. Triple kill. Not bad
In the end it didn't matter. He couldn't prevent his team from losing. He sighed as he turned off his Xbox One. He quietly opened his door, halting at the sound of conversation downstairs. "We can't afford it anymore. It's not covered by insurance." He could hear the exasperation in his father's voice
"That's why I'm going to ask her tonight." His mother countered.
"We are doing just fine, we don't need to beg for money." The anger was starting to rise Jaune's father's voice.
"Ever since you been laid off, you've been nothing but lazy. All you do is sit around the house and do nothing!" His mother shot back angrily.
*SMASH* Something crashed causing Jaune to jump back. "That's bullshit and you know it! I could be saying the same damn thing to you! All you did is sit here and drink while I was out working. You've done nothing."
"I'm the one who makes sure the house is clean. I'm the one that makes all the food. I'm the one that does all the laundry. I do more work in a day then what you've managed in three months." His mother countered, almost with a hint smug satisfaction. It was at that moment that Jaune knew what he had to do.
He quickly went back to his door, slamming it shut as if to announce he knew nothing of the argument. His assumption was spot on, the fighting stopped as he walked down the stairs. He walked through the living room where his dad was reading the paper. His mom was in the kitchen preparing the ham. Act like everything is fine and dandy. Pretend you didn't hear a thing. He rehearsed mentally. "Hey guys." He sounded calm and relaxed as if nothing happened.
Jaune's dad peered over his paper. "Hello, Jaune." He could hear the strain in his voice. He continued to the kitchen, Inhaling deeply to keep control.
"Smells pretty good." He hugged his mom which was returned with a kiss on the forehead.
"Aww, thanks honey. Dinner will be ready in about fifteen minutes."
*Knock Knock*
Everyone looked towards the front door. "I got it." Jaune said as he moved down the hallway. He opened the door to reveal Aubrey and Scooter.
"Hey, Jaune." His sister hugged him as he returned it. They broke away as he moved aside
"Sup Jaune." Scooter offered his hand which he shook.
He closed the door behind to let the family… festivities begin.
The dinner was quiet and civil. A far cry from Jaune's earliest memories of the massive family get togethers, it was a little awkward. Jaune remembered a time when he was close to his siblings, back when they all lived under the same roof, now though… they were spread across the country, forgetting him to this hell hole. Except for Aubrey.
"Mom, Dad." She started, her voice trying to cover up some trepidation as the pie was served. "I have an announcement."
Jaune continued to eat his pie, stuffing his mouth so he wouldn't have to partake in an awkward conversation. His parents looked at her expectantly, with a hint of concern. "After talking, Scooter and I have decided to move up to New York in the next month."
His dad put down his fork, bringing up his hands to his mouth as if to hide something. His mother stared at her daughter and her finance. Jaune just heard the last member of his family was now leaving. Leaving him to deal with the ocean that was known as home.
Traitor. Traitor. Traitor. You are condemning me to hell. He shot a glare at his sister. They made eye contact as his sister's frown only grew. Bloody fucking traitor. He spat mentally. He was now alone. All alone.
"Aubrey…" Her voice low.
"No." His dad held up his hand. "Not now."
"Honey we need it." She shot Jaune a quick glance which didn't go unnoticed. "He needs it."
"No. We're fine." His dad insisted.
"But."
He slammed his fist down on the table. "No, we are fine." He brows furrowed looking at his wife. Jaune and Aubrey looked at each other, exchanging looks. Probably something with that insurance issue… He thought to himself. Anthony Arc stood up with his plate. "Thank you, honey." Everyone could feel the tension in the room as he left.
He felt a vibration in his pocket. He looked to see the message. Pyrrha.
P: How's your Easter going?
Really shitty how about yours? He couldn't help but to chuckle but decided on a more neutral approach. He texted back J: Not too bad, how about yours?
It wasn't a lie, just the really, really watered down truth.
P: Pretty good. So I'm going to be a little forward, what's been going on with you? Let's catch up.
Jaune looked at the table, feeling the tension. He looked towards him mom. "I think I'm full. Would it be alright if I lie down?"
She gave a warm smile "Sure."
Yes. I lost my family on Easter. I lost my last blood relative, I was to be forgotten in a hellhole. I lost the one friend I felt comfortable with. Sure I had Cardin and Russell, but what could they do?
In exchange. I met Pyrrha again. I won't lie, it was a shock to me. I honestly didn't think I would be seeing her again. Yet we met up again in church. I don't know if it was divine providence or something.
Often we are blind to others around us when we are wrapped up in our emotions. It often takes someone to shake us out of it, heck even a bunch of people. Yes, throughout the rest of the semester, I was talking to Pyrrha. I still hadn't told her about Weiss or any of my troubles, but it helped just to catch up with a new friend.
I started to think that things were going to look up. I had hope. Until everything changed. One moment to change the course of my life. To fundamentally change me. To create a new, foreign world that I could not possibly comprehend.
A/N
Hi guys! Been awhile! Sooooo… I won't lie, last chapter a lot of people left some interesting reviews…. And someone wasn't too happy with my portrayal of Neptune *Shrugs* oh well. Not my problem.
This chapter, I know seems a little scattered and disconnected from the story, but I feel like you guys didn't want see like 20 chapters of Jaune ignoring Weiss and Neptune being a conniving jerk face. That being said, this is to advance the second arc of the story Year 2 which oddly enough starts during the middle of summer with a 'bang' BAHAHAHAHA
Let's get into it shall we? Soooooooo….Weiss… and Jaune…. Not speaking to one another, and Velvet is starting to get into his case. Must be eating at him on the inside. What's the cure for that? Obligatory Church just as most parents make their children go to. But he seems to also take it somewhat seriously with serving. Keep in mind this isn't a big church, it's a relatively small community, and we'll see that as the story progresses.
Pyrrha! Oh my gosh! She's back! And not with Cardin! She has seen the error of her ways xD and we'll see why later on as she and Jaune start to connect even more. Speaking of which, another sore spot for Jaune… realizing that he wasn't the nicest person as a kid during Sunday School. He seems to have matured just a tad…
Then family. The last bit of his family is moving out of state. Effectively leaving him alone with his parents who have their moments. Seems like things are tense and money seems to be an issue for medicine. Now Jaune is stuck… truly stuck in a bad spot. Let's see where things go and if he can get out of this hot mess…
So I want say something as into regards of shipping. Nothing will seem as it appears. Ships will change as in the nature of relationships in the real world and considering how this is a real world A/U, I feel I have an obligation to portray that cause you know high school and college can be pretty confusing. Worry not, we haven't seen the last of good old Weiss, or Cardin, or Russell, heck even Neptune. Of course we'll be seeing more Qrow and Raven as well as Jaune's parents. Oh but we'll meeting a few new people this time! Remembering nothing is certain, everything is a possibility.
If you guys like the chapter please leave a review, pm, fav, or follow. We love to hear from you! It means the world. Have reactions, predictions, thoughts, feelings, questions, critiques, ideas, and and all, please leave a review! It makes our day!
ALSO: Due to unforseen circumstances, Brandon will no longer be on the team. That being said, I feel bad for Shaded because he has more work...
REVIEWS! (OH BOY! I'M EXCITED!)
Artanisrose: HEY BUDDY! Long time no see! How have you been?! Neptune…. Yikes…. Yeah…. I don't think the two are going to be friends…
AlNation: My dear friend! How have you been!? Unfortunately, I can't catch all of them, but I try my best, but thank you for the support, it truly means alot.
Xerzo: Oh my oh myh my friend…. Yeah… a lot of people have been on the recieving end of something like that. Yeah it seems that Jaune is in a real low spot. As for spacing, I agree with you, but the first semester was meant to develop characters and the environment. The latter half is establish a normalcy of getting into a routine (good or bad) Usually routines don't have very eventful things.
Rest assured that the upcoming arcs, we will multips chapters that cover a day or two, or a chapter that cover a day within a particular month beyond that, think of as routine of school. Chapters are meant to establish the routine and relationships, while another chapter throws a variable to change the routine. That being said, I will be adding some chapters that show normal days. That was an oversight I will have to look into if I do rewrite, Unfortunately, there is a lot of time to cover in 8 years and I don't want to get bogged down.
Yukas: YUKAS! *Hug* How have you been?! Yeah….. It seems you aren't the only one to hate Neptune lol. Well this isn't going to be like those fics with Neptune and Weiss… this is… different… Jaune and Weiss… yeah they seem pretty good together don't they xD. Hey man there's light at the end of the tunnel… maybe! PERSEVERE!
As for hope and on a hint: It's not WeissxNeptune xD bahahahaha! No of course I can't tell you, that would ruin the surprise. How about this… it'll be with someone we have or have not already met.
Cpt. Lynx: LYNX! *HUG* *Shrugs.* Maybe. Yeah Neptune is a jerk… I think a lot of people came to that conclusion lol. PyrrhaxCardin? Psht nah I was just trolling… no we'll see why that doesn't work out. Cheers mate, here's to more good times bud!
Convix: Convix! I agree with you mate, he's a jerk. Yeah think of this… Weiss would be hounding him, extremely saddened, and well that's when Velvet comes in. You are right, she isn't one to drop something, and we'll see that in the second arc. Well let's just say next chapter is going to be pretty intense.
Guest: Hi buddy! Frankly, I'm a little hurt that you couldn't just pm and bring your concerns to me so I can address to you privately. But hey, I'll be waiting. If you haven't noticed…. A lot of the people characters aren't canon, but hey I don't anything. Next time, msg me with concerns and I'd be more then happy to discuss them with you privately, this… this just get me salty.
Suzaku21: I'll just say this, there are going to be a lot of ups and downs in this story as is the case of life, which I'm trying portray. Being realistic, this is a down moment, but things will climb up, but that takes time.
Wes217: Won't lie, it was challenge to write mate, realy damn hard challenge.
Yakom: A fellow band person/percussionist possibly? Originally I wanted to use the Top Secret…. But they're in Switzerland… and I don't see a regular American highschool teacher going to Switzerland to try out xD (I don't think Raven can speak Swiss) But valid point. I've been partial to the Cavaliers myself, but I wanted to mix it up.
Last NOTE:
If you reached this far congratulations xD. But for real, next Arc will be dealing with very serious topics. There will be one warning. The Opening chapter for Arc 2 will actually be a two parter. Be prepared, you have been warned. xD
