Yang

After Weiss leaves, I don't see her again until the next day, after school. Blake forgot some of her books, so I gallantly decided to fulfill my ancient girlfriend duty and retrieve them.

Of course, I brought Bumblebee, because I know when Blake says books, she means, library.

The airs warm, and the city's quiet, so it doesn't take me long to zip over to the school. I roll up right against the sidewalk, lean my bike off to the side, and step off. A cool breeze brushes against my now uncovered head, a welcome sensation after the ride over.

Birds chirp out their colourful songs as I stride across the sidewalk. The school resembles an n from where I'm standing, two long arms stretching off from a narrow body. I'm right in the middle of the arms, heading towards the body.

If I remember correctly, Blake's locker is near the entrance of the school, so it won't take me long to find it. After all, I've done this before. Many, many times.

However, as I'm entering the building, I nearly run into a giant cloud of white. I jump back and dodge to the right, crashing my shoulder into the wall. Its rough surface is oddly cool to the touch.

My obstacle raises her head, revealing a very annoyed looking Weiss. Without a dress. That doesn't sound that notable, but every single time I've ever seen her she wore a dress. Not always a fancy dress, sometimes it was as simple as the white get-up she had yesterday. Now she's got a blue shirt and jeans, and…

She… doesn't look that bad.

Not that I'm staring, but her clothes are just a tiny bit too tight. I'd still say they fit, but… well, let's just hope she doesn't grow anymore. T

Weiss doesn't seem to recognise me, and starts spitting out a furious response to our near collision, "What do you think you're—"

I fight a growing growl, instead raising a hand as a peace gesture. "Slow down Snow queen, it's me."

I wish I had a camera at that moment, because Weiss's face shifts so quickly she must have pulled something. "O-oh, right. I…" She pulls in a breath and sticks out her hand. "Yang, wasn't it?"

I give said hand an odd look before grabbing it. It's cold, a little clammy, and feels way too official for a chance meeting at school. "Um, yep. That's my name. Don't wear it out."

My attempt at humor falls flatter than her lips, although after a moment they do curve upwards. "Ruby's sister. And…"

She drops her hands and lets out a sigh. "May I apologise again for what I said last night?"

I rub my hand against my shirt as discreetly as I can, and cross my arms. "Don't worry about it."

Weiss nods. She looks off to the side, exposing something on her face. I can't get a close look before she looks back. "Well, I suppose I should be going."

I lean against the wall, and let a small smirk slink out. "Got a hot date to get to or something? Someone promise to melt your legs out from under you?"

Now Weiss's scowling like a banshee. Her face turns bright red, making her look like a Christmas light after a blizzard. "For your information," she spits, clearly wishing that she had something fierier to use. "I am going—I mean, I am—I h-have an activity planned for—w-with your sister." She grimaces, aware of how jumbled her words came out.

I, meanwhile, go from inwardly laughing at her stutter to connecting sister with activity. I take a step forward, increasing the gap between the top of her head and my own, and hold up a hand. "Wait, like, a not-studying thing?"

Weiss rolls her eyes, like I just noted that fire was hot, and brushes past me. "Yes, a "not-study" activity. Now if you'll excuse me…"

I grab her arm, hard enough to earn a startled yelp and a serious wince. I find I don't really care. "Hold up, what activity?" Why is this the first I've heard of it, I want to ask, but I really don't want another eye roll.

Weiss scowls harder, and wrenches her arm away. She rubs at the now red skin. "I don't know. Ruby hasn't told me yet."

Oh wonderful. Guess that explains the whole not telling me thing. Or mom. Or dad, for that matter. Heck, Ruby didn't mention anything about Weiss the previous day, not even when she was driven home in a taxi.

Which made no sense. I mean, she didn't get a taxi for herself, why would she get one for Ruby. Not that it was a bad thing, even with the taxi Ruby got home pretty late last night, but…

Reality intrudes on my thoughts with all the grace of a monster truck. Weiss's mouth is flapping away, spewing out words. "—and I have to meet her after her track, which will end soon, so I should go now—"

She moves to walk away, but I'm not one of the best lacrosse players in the school for nothing. It's child's play to jump in front of her.

Weiss tilts her head up, and scowls so hard I can see teeth. "You're in my way," she growls, like a pampered Chihuahua yipping at a bloodhound.

I keep my face as impassive as I can, while I dip my voice in enough sugar to kill a bear. "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't realise you'd be in such a rush to see her. You know, considering you accused her big sister of… how'd you put it? Studying under desks?"

Weiss's entire act deflates. Her shoulders slump, her chest shrinks, and let she lets out a long breath. "I said I was sorry."

"You still did it, though," I mutter. I look down at the cracked pavement, watching an ant scurry by.

"…I know."

A moment passes.

I take in a breath, and stare into Weiss's eyes. "Look, it's not that I don't want you and Ruby to be friends or anything, and I get that you don't like what you did, it's just…" A groan falls from lips, hits the ground, and shrivels in the sunlight. "Ruby's my sister. She's part of my family, and, no offense, you're not."

Weiss's eyes cloud with something dark. When she speaks, I can feel something boiling under the surface, "So you worry."

I wait for a moment, expecting her to say more. "Uh, yeah. Of course I do. Part of the job."

Weiss's shoulders lock up. Whatever flash I saw in her eyes vanishes, replaced by a dull stare. "Indeed."

…There's something here I'm not getting, but I can tell she doesn't want to share. It's not really my place anyways. I'm sure Rubes will drag it out of her at some point.

Weiss turns those dead eyes on me. It's… startling. Somewhat like looking at a dead body. Her lips move, but I swear the rest of her face remains perfectly, statue still. "I promise you, I have no ill intentions towards your sister."

…I'm sure I could make some wonderful puns out of that, but it's not the right time.

I shake my head. "That's not it. Ruby… she doesn't have many friends, okay? Never has. But the one's she does make?" I take a step towards Weiss, watching as her eyes regain some life. "Sometimes she… forgets about herself. Makes their problems, their goals her problems, her goals."

Weiss raises a brow. There's a thin line through it, just barely visible against her pale skin. "That sounds somewhat… unhealthy."

Quirking my head, I rewind through what I just said and wince. "Um, yeah, no kidding. I'm making it sound like a mental condition." I back off, raising a hand to my forehead. Sweat sticks to my palm. "Look, point is, she's a very nice girl, and if you screw with her, I'll break you in two. Then my parents, who used to be spec ops agents, will have a go. We clear?"

I don't enjoy the gulp of fear Weiss gives. Not a bit. In fact, I dislike it so much, I don't even think about the camera I have at home, just begging me to take a picture.

Not even a little.

Weiss recomposes herself, and stares at me with… not quite a glare, but something with the same intensity. "I understand."

"Uh… cool." I throw my thumb towards the school. "Well, I got to grab some books, so… I guess I'll see you at my house later?"

"Most likely."

Again, I feel like somethings not quite right here. Still, I actually do have to grab those books before the school closes for good. So I give Weiss a final goodbye, and then turn back towards the school.

She doesn't say anything in reply.