Chapter 14 - The Dance
Pushing open the door, we stepped inside the amazingly decorated ballroom full with people spinning their partners around. Yang stood in front of us, filling in some sort of paper, which probably had something to do with the organisation of the dance. Something I wanted to stay far, far away from. My back was still hurting because of all the boxes and other stuff I had to move, so no more dance organisation things for me.
Yang finally looked in our direction, her face immediately clearing up, a wide smile appearing. "You two look beautiful!" The corners of my mouth quirked up, pleased with the compliment I just received.
"Have you even looked in the mirror, Yang? I don't hold a candle compared to you, you look incredible."
Ruby finally fully entered the ball room too, groaning while trying to keep her balance on her lady stilts, as she called it.
While making our way to the ball room, she had more than once suddenly grabbed my arm, nearly pulling me down to the ground with her. After having three almost meetings with the floor, I had forced her to hold onto me until we had reached our destination, and Ruby did as I said, although accompanied with a lot of complaining
"I don't want Yang to see that I can't walk on these things, so let go of me." She had whispered to me when I stopped I front of the door leading to the ball room. Letting go of her, I stepped forward while pushing open the heavy door, keeping an eye on Ruby in case she fell.
My new footwear had caused me some trouble too in the beginning, but I got used soon to the strange way of walking that many people called 'elegant and sexy'.
"Can we please have a serious talk about how Weiss fights in these?" Ruby asked, carefully walking towards Yang and I, gripping my arm so tight it almost hurt.
Her fingers started turning white because of the strength of her hold, so I softly tapped on her hand. Ruby slowly released me from her dead grip, and my blood finally reached my left arm again, causing a tinkling feeling that was super annoying.
I leaned in, into Yang's personal space, immediately getting her attention. "How did your talk with Blake go? Is she coming to the dance?" Yang held my gaze, her facial expression unreadable.
"I did the best I could to convince her to take a break. Now the choice is up to her." Yang said with a sigh.
I bit my lip, an old habit that always played up when I was deep in thoughts or unsure about something. I just couldn't get rid of it, and after a long time of trying, I had finally admitted my defeat.
"Come on Elisa, she will come. I offered her a dance, who can ever stay away when you get an offer like that?" Yang winked at me, and I only rolled my eyes. Wait a second, did she offer Blake a dance? By the power of fried eggs, my ship was finally sailing.
My eyes twinkled with mischief. This was the moment to confront Yang about her and Blake.
"Sooo, at last you had the guts to ask Blake out?" I wiggled my eyebrows, savouring every second of this.
Yang quickly turned her head to the side, pretending she was writing something down, averting my gaze. However, the sudden rosiness on her cheeks gave me all the information I needed.
A blushing Yang! Ah, this was definitely one of the best days of my life. I could die in peace now.
I swung my arm around Yang's shoulders, pulling her closer to me. "Just teasing. Feel my pain, Xiao Long, this is my revenge for the time you wouldn't stop telling people all about my little accident with the toilet."
She brightened at the memory, sending me an evil grin. "It was way too funny to not tell anyone. It was my duty as a good citizen Elisa! I have to spread my knowledge and make as many people laugh as possible!"
She leaned into my shoulder, warming my side up at a rapid tempo. "And if it had been me who had caused the toilet to explode, you would probably have written a book about it, just so that it would haunt me my whole life."
"True. A very wise woman once told me I have to spread all the knowledge I have and make as many people laugh as possible. Can't disappoint her, can I?"
Yang gently punched me in the stomach in response. "You never listen to me, unless you can benefit from my words." I gasped, slapping Yang on her arm. "I always listen to you! I just don't do anything with it most of the time."
She pinched me in an attempt to get back on me, but I knew the truth. Elisa: 1, Yang: 0.
I guess I do have a bit of explaining to do: The Toilet Incident, in short TTI. It was a horrible day, for me and the staff here at Beacon though. Other people, like my friends and all the people they told the story to, think it was one of the best days ever.
That day didn't start as a bad day. I got up early, like every day, changed into my school uniform and went to the bathroom to wash my teeth.
Here at Beacon each dorm has their own bathroom, with a toilet, sink and shower. It was more than I had ever expected, and I was thankful for the fact that I didn't have to share it with annoying people like Cardin. Just imagine having to deal with him each day just because you had to take a shower, or brush your teeth.
That is what I call a nightmare.
Well, I was brushing my teeth like a good kid, watching an exhausted me in the mirror. Suddenly, I heard a loud noise coming from the toilet, and it didn't sound like a good thing.
More like a very very bad thing.
Slowly putting my tooth brush down, I slinked towards the toilet, determined on discovering what or who was making this weird sound, and hopefully being able to kill it.
The toilet came closer and closer, and a little bit afraid I lifted my head to try to find out the source of the noise and- BAAAAAMMMM.
The toilet just exploded, right in my face. And for your information: yes, it hurt.
Of course Yang had chosen that exact time to enter the bathroom, finding me standing there with my face hoovering above the completely destroyed toilet, water spilled all over me and the floor. It didn't give off a good impression I guess.
"Elisa, we need your help here!" Ruby called me from over the other side of the ball room, and I turned towards Yang with an apologetic smile.
"Seems like they need my help over there."
Yang laughed, a sweet and joyful sound that echoed through the ballroom, causing people to look up in surprise, trying to locate the source of the sound. Yang's laughter was one of my favourite sounds. It relaxed my muscles, untying all the knots and relieving me from small pains just for a few seconds, made me forget all my problems and worries, and encouraged me to live every second life gave me to the fullest.
She had a sort of aura surrounding her, that I could only describe as carefree, and I believe that is one of the reasons our team was able to work together that well.
Her presence reassured us, and reminded us that no matter what kind of obstacle tried to bring us down, we would be able to move past it, together. Yang was the one who was able to always calm us down and solve problems.
I prayed every day that she would never have to lose the will to laugh.
"Elisaaaa!" Ruby whined, probably because she thought I was taking way too long. How many times do I have to tell that stubborn girl that I don't have a speed semblance?
"You should better be going, you don't want to annoy Rubes." Yang grinned at me.
Her lilac eyes seemed to be dancing in the scenic lights, and combined with her white dress she resembled one of the princesses who had been told since the second she was born that her only reason for existing was to marry and give birth to children, but instead of following the path set out for her, she had decided to rebel against the expectations placed on her and break free.
I released Yang from our side hug, bowing slightly before her, and she returned the gesture with a playful smile. My side immediately chilled, and my body temperature also dropped two degrees Celsius.
That was one of the negative side effects (do you see what I did there) of cuddling with Yang: once she left, you would feel super cold the upcoming two hours. However, hugs with Yang were more than worth it, so I would gladly take this suffering. I am such a hero, I know.
"What's up?" I joined Weiss and Ruby, who were standing beside one of the many tables in the room.
Each table had their own decorations, and this one had a vase with beautiful white roses on top of it. However, one of the roses was bent, and I instantly solved the mystery of my summoning.
"Not this stupid rose." Weiss answered, still trying desperately to get the rose back to normal again. "Ugh! I give up!"
I slowly walked up to Weiss and pulled her closer to me, wrapping my arms around her shoulders. It was a simple gesture, but I knew Weiss needed this right now. She had way too much stress because of this dance, wanted it to be absolutely perfect, and when even a small thing like a bent rose occurred, she completely stressed out.
Weiss required a safe and calm place, and I was more than happy to provide a moment of peace for her.
A small pulse of aura and the rose immediately bent back to its natural form, and I gently nudged Weiss. "It is okay Weiss, I fixed the rose, it is okay." She sniffed, not even bothering to lift her head from the crook of my neck, only nodding, completely trusting me.
Weiss reluctantly let go of me, still holding my hand close to her. Ruby appeared at her side, grabbing her other hand, and the two of them shared a soft smile.
"May I have this dance?" Ruby asked, and Weiss only responded with a bright smile and a small nod.
I watched as they danced, at first a bit awkward and clumsy, but once they were used to each other's movements, it seemed like time slowed down, and only them dancing was important at that moment. The two of them made a perfect pair, and more than a few eyes were fixed upon them, admiring their bond from a far, basking in the warmth that could be called friendship, or maybe something more, who knows.
Ruby and Weiss happy and having fun? Check. Next on my list: Blake and Yang.
As if she had heard my thoughts, the doors opened once again, revealing a gorgeous Blake Belladonna, wearing a breath taking purple dress, and I swear I could hear Yang's heart skip a beat, even from this distance.
Blake was holding onto Sun's arm, but the moment she saw Yang, she slipped away from him, almost running towards Yang, who immediately pulled the corners of her mouth up in a bright smile.
Fortunately, Sun had finally discovered there existed something called a shirt, but to be honest, he looked amazing too. The formal wear really suited him, even though I hadn't been expecting that.
"Hey dude." Sun bumped my extended fist as a form of greeting that had become sort of tradition between the two of us.
Most of the time he followed Blake around at school, and Blake was always with us, so we had been kind of forced to spend time together. I soon concluded Sun wasn't a bad guy at all, he had only chosen the wrong girl to have an obsession with.
Blake and Yang were still talking, Yang sometimes sending glares to Sun, but principally paying attention to Blake, smiling a special smile that only showed when Blake was near. The latter surprised me when she suddenly extended her hand to Yang, murmuring something that sounded like 'does your offer still stand'.
Yang's eyes widened, but her face quickly lit up with joy, and she took Blake's hand with a smirk on her face, allowing her to lead her to the dance floor.
I stood on the side watching my favourite people dancing and having fun, my chest swelling because of all the happiness I was feeling at that moment. All the people I loved where right her, they were happy, which meant I was happy too.
And maybe it wouldn't stay this way forever, no, I knew it wouldn't stay this way forever, but you know, there is nothing wrong with enjoying a moment. Because these moments of joy and peace and happiness are the moments that will keep you going when life is tough.
So I watched as Neptune joined Weiss, making her laugh with silly jokes and actually paying attention to her for once. I watched as Jaune danced with Pyrrha, although I didn't understand why he showed up in a dress, but you, some things are better
I laughed as Nora spilled punch all over herself, blaming Ren in the process, but the latter only laughed at her. I laughed as Weiss and Blake forced me to dance together with them, and I loved them for the way they spun me around, I loved them for the way their eyes sparkled in the ballroom lights and I loved my life at that moment with every fibre of my soul.
Life was good.