Author's Note

Hello again readers! I'm back with another chapter of "Amnesiac". Sorry for the long wait but I just got a new computer so now I can update a lot faster. Also, I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I didn't. I was stuck at my school because I didn't have the money to get back home, which sucks. So instead, I worked on this the whole time I had my week off.

Anyway, thanks for the views everyone. This story finally hit the 20,000 mark! Let's try and get that to 25,000. Love you guys for stopping by and reading this story. I appreciate it. Also thanks to those who favorite, followed, and reviewed. This story is at the 100 mark on reviews and getting closer to the 100 mark on favorites. Thanks guys and keep it up!

A lot happens in this chapter. I kind of went a little overboard on this chapter. This is probably the longest chapter in this story. Heh….

Song for this chapter- Wunder – Oskar Schuster(/watch?v=Pu9dQ2fVVDg&list=UU5nc_ZtjKW1htCVZVRxlQAQ)

Amnesiac

Chapter 20: A Not so Good Sleepover

As the days went by, I just lied there and let it happen. One of the days I went back to the funeral home so they could take me to get Velvet's body buried at Vale's Cemetery. None of them said anything about her being a Faunus or if we showed any relation. They probably didn't care and only wanted my dust crystal.

Only a few people were at the cemetery when I arrived. It took a while for the men to do the burial. I watched as they put her into the hole and threw the dirt in. I wiped the light tears that were streaming down my face away. It hurt a lot to see this. Now I understand why a lot of people cry when someone they were really close to gets buried.

After that, I gave one of the men my dust crystal and then they took their leave. I stay there a little longer in silence as I stared at Velvet's grave. It wasn't much, but it meant a lot to me. I just hope she's happy now that I put her somewhere she needed to be. Though, she seemed so alone. I guess that's because there aren't any relatives around her. I should expect this though. She's one of the few faunus that end up in this cemetery. The rest of them get disposed of. You have to pay more than how much you'd pay for a human to get a faunus in here, and it cost a ton. Luckily for me, I had the dust crystal. Thanks Cat.

"Well..." I started quietly, "...this is your new home now. I'll see you again soon Vel..."

The next day was Yang's party. She told me it was going to be a sleepover so I had to bring extra fucking clothes. I strongly dislike sleepovers because of the pillow fights and all that other shit girls do at sleepovers.

I took the bus there, since it wasn't that far from the city. Yang also told me that her Dad was only going to stay there for the day and leave at night because of work. Well this will be interesting. When I went to knock on the door, Weiss answered.

I blinked.

"Hey Ruby," she greeted.

"What…"

She gives me a puzzled looked, cocking an eyebrow.

"Uh, Ruby?" She calls, waving her hand in my face.

"Why are you here?" I asked.

She scowls at me. "I'm Yang's friend too you complete dolt!"

I waved my hands as I shook my head.

"No, no, no," I started. "I mean why are you here early?"

She blushed, before saying, "Yang needed me to help her with something before everyone got here." She quickly turned around, into the house. "But Nora's here too!"

"Heeelloooo~" The said girl sings from the house.

I brush whatever I was thinking off, not finding it suspicious anymore. I follow her into the house and was greeted by the faces of Valkyrie, Yang, and a tall blonde man who seemed to be Yang's father.

"Hey Ruby!" Yang shouted. "Glad you could make it. Pyrrha and Blake should be here soon."

Seriously? She was invited too! Why Yang! Why! I won't be able to look at her ever since that little…date. Well, her lips were soft and I wish she kissed me on the lips inste…RUBY! What the hell am I thinking? Goodness my mind is acting very, very lewd lately.

"Hey Yang, hey Nora," I greeted as I put my bag off to the side.

Yang and Nora were sitting at the couch playing videogames. Weiss joined in soon after just watching them.

"We're just waiting for the others," Yang explained. "Want to play? Weiss is being a loser and not joining us in a game of Smash Bros."

"I already told you I'm not interested in playing whatever that is," Weiss shot.

"See, loooooossssseeer~," She sang.

I opened my mouth to say something but Yang's father interrupted me.

"Hello Ruby," he greeted.

"H-Hey Mr….um…"

"Call me Taiyang. Taiyang Xiao Long." He told me.

"Oh, well, it's nice meeting you sir," I said.

He nodded. "It's been so long since I've seen you. You've grown so much."

I raise an eyebrow in confusion. I've went over Yang's house before but her father was never home. I never even met the guy. How the hell does he know me?

"What?" I asked.

"I was a really close friend of your mother's," he explained, not aware of my eyes widening. "She was a really nice woman. I heard what happened to her though…and your father. But, you seem to be doing fine now. How're you doing?"

I stared at him blankly. So he knew about Mom and Dad? It also seems that he never told Yang…or maybe he did and Yang's just hiding it. This is bad. If Yang knows that I don't have parents then she won't trust me anymore. I can't believe this…

"Um, Ruby?" He called worriedly.

Shaking my head out of my thoughts, I quickly answered, "I-I'm doing fine. Um…I'm going to talk to Yang and the others."

He nodded, saying no more. I walked back to the group and sat at the empty couch next to the TV. Weiss and Yang were sitting on the other couch while Nora was sitting on the floor. The game they were playing was something by that company, Nintendo, I think. I don't play videogames so I don't know anything about gaming companies and shit like that.

"You wanna play Ruby?" Yang asks.

I should. I need something to get off my mind from what happened earlier.

"Sure," I replied.

She then hands me a controller and gives me the basics on how to play. I waited after they were done their round so I could join. The character I chose was some dude named Pac-Man. That's probably the only game character I know because Velvet and I went to the arcade before and this guy was there.

Yang asked Weiss once more if she would like to play and again she said no. I ended up winning two games before Nikos and Blake came. I was surprised since I never played this game. Yang kept saying that I somehow cheated. I just kept smashing random buttons and somehow won two games.

"Congratulations," said Weiss.

"You should've played," I told her.

"I told you that I'm not interested in something like that," she replied, scowling.

"Yea…." I said as I watched Yang come back with Nikos and Blake.

I stared more at Nikos than Blake because…you know. They both handed their bags to Yang's dad and came to the main room where the rest of us were. Nikos takes a seat on the other couch, next to Valkyrie, leaving Blake to sit next to me. Goddammit! Why does this always happen to me?

"Sorry we're late," she said. "There was an accident so traffic was holding us up."

"How bad was it?" asked Valkyrie. "The accident I mean...if you saw it."

"Not that bad," Nikos answers. "It wasn't like a collision or anything."

"Alright guys," came Yang as she came back with stuff in her hand.

"Is that beer?" I asked. She winced guiltily. "YANG!"

"What's a party without something to drink?" There was a crooked smile on her face.

"What's wrong Ruby?" Piped in Nikos. "Afraid she might get drunk again?"

Why does this woman hate me?! I didn't even do anything but lie to her about one thing. She didn't even hate me for that though. What did I even do? She's been at it with me like this for a long time.

"Pssh, that's not going happen again," she replied. "I'm better than that now."

"What exactly happened?" Came Weiss, cocking an eyebrow.

So Nikos didn't tell her? Thank goodness because it would be very awkward right now.

Before anyone could speak, Valkyrie answers, "Oh Yang and Ruby-"

"NORA!" I cried, interrupting her. "I don't think it's necessary to tell her." I looked over at Nikos, glaring. "You too Pyrrha."

She raised up her hands in mock defense. "I wasn't going to say anything."

I turned my gaze back to Weiss, who still had a puzzled look on her face.

"It's nothing to worry about Weiss," I told her as I flashed a nervous smile.

She stared at me with the same expression before sighing and letting it go.

"Okay."

It was silent for a while before Yang spoke again.

"So as I was saying," she began, "I have the drinks, movies, and boardgames."

So pillow fights and talking about our feelings is out of the category? That sounds good to me.

"Please tell me none of these movies involve romance," I cried.

"Only two," Yang replied. "Sorry Rubes." She paused, thinking of what she was going to say the spoke, "Okay, we can watch a movie before Dad leaves and then do whatever else."

Apparently everyone but me voted for the romantic comedy. And here I thought Weiss and Blake would come to an agreement with me because I know those two aren't interested in movies like that either. But, I don't think anyone would've chosen a very scary, graphic movie over a romantic comedy. I only chose it because I don't want to see that gross kissing and holding hands and pet names and the dramatic heartbreaks...

You're only saying that because you're jealous that those people have a good life and end up with a happy ending, and all you get is a shitty life and no happy ending.

For once, I actually agree with myself...

Near the end of the movie I get up to go to the bathroom like always when the gang is watching a movie. But, I'm not really going to the bathroom. Instead, I go off to find Taiyang to get more information from him.

He was in some kind of office room, typing something up on a computer. I cough to let him know I'm in the room. Typing coming to a stop, he looks up with a confused frown at first but then smiles as he sees me.

"Hey Ruby," he said. "Something wrong?"

"I have a question to ask you," I replied.

Nodding, he turned his body away from the computer so he could give all his attention to me.

"Okay."

"So you said you were a friend of my mother's, right?" I asked. He nodded. "What was her name?"

His eyebrows rise slightly as he gives me a shocked expression.

"Summer Rose," he told me. Now I can confirm that Rose is really my last name. "That was her name. You don't know her name?"

I shake my head. "I don't know anything about my parents except that they died from what I was told."

He mumbled something that I couldn't quite hear then said, "So you don't know anything?"

"Nothing."

"Ah, no wonder," he says mostly to himself.

"So are they really dead?" I asked.

He stared at me, not saying anything. Possibly thinking of something to say, but I already know the answer. It's obvious. I just wanted to see if there was actually hope left for them, but I guess not.

"I was told not to discuss that," he said, suddenly.

I raised an eyebrow in confusion. "By who?"

There was a quick look of nervousness on his face but it was quickly replaced with a blank facial expression.

"The doctors," he told me.

That was a lie. Something he and Yang have in common. They're terrible liars.

I wanted to ask him the real answer. No, demand it, but I didn't want to cause any trouble. I was indeed angry, but I didn't want to fuel my anger by demanding him to tell me because I know I'll probably smash something. I know I'll start yelling and lose control. I know I won't be able to stop once when I start. And after that, the others will come running in to see what all the fuss is about.

So instead, I let him get away with that and nodded.

"Did you tell Yang about this?" I asked.

He shook his head. "No," he answered. "Why do you ask?"

"I just wanted to know, that's all," I lied. "Um, thanks. I'm glad I could talk to you."

He didn't seem to notice my lie. Another thing that him and Yang have in common. They're both naïve.

"No problem Ruby," he replies. "It was nice talking to you and I hope to see you again."

Turning around I head out the room, but before I could exit, he calls after me. I stop at the doorway, not turning around to face him.

"You look just like her," he says.

Somehow that hurt more than it made me happy. Nodding, I left the room.

I came back and notice they're all sitting on the floor, staring at me.

"Something wrong?" I ask.

"We should be asking you that," says Yang.

"You were out pretty long," said Weiss, looking at me suspiciously.

Looking at Yang I replied, "Your dad wanted to talk to me for a while so I got held up."

They all look at each other as if they were discussing something. What the hell? Then, they turn back to me.

"Oh, okay," said Yang, "Well, have a seat, we were just talking." She pats the spot between her and Nikos.

Complying, I did as I was told and kick out my legs on the floor, leaning back with the support of my arms.

"So what did I miss?" I started.

"Yang was just telling us about how she got a letter from Vacuo," answered Nikos.

I look at Yang, wide eyed. She's planning on going to that college? The place is like really far from here! You'd have to take a damn plane to get there. I also got some information on that place and it was one of the top ten colleges in Remnant. I'm surprised Yang got something like that. Not to be rude but she was only in one of my honors class and that was history. Maybe it's a sports scholarship.

"Yeah, it's a sport scholarship," Yang told me. I knew it. "But, I was thinking of going somewhere a little closer. I mean, I won't be able to see you guys that much."

"I think we all won't get to see each other once we go back to school," says Blake.

"Plus, this is a great opportunity for you, Yang," said Weiss. "If I were you I'd take it."

"Of course you would," she replied. "Where are you going anyway?"

"Don't go changing the subject!" Weiss snaps.

"We're still on the subject," Yang stated. "We're talking about colleges, right?"

"The University of Atlas," she told us. "I'm going there for the business career."

"So you're really going to run your father's company?" I asked. "I thought you hated to that."

Shrugging she answers, "I do, but I don't really have a choice. Anyway, if I do end up running the company, I don't plan on following my father's footsteps."

"Ah." I tried to find the words I was looking for before it became awkward but it seemed like it already was. Turning to Nikos I ask, "Isn't the place you're going to in Atlas?"

She looks shocked that I actually said something to her, other than it being something smart. I rolled my eyes.

"Somewhat," she replied. "Sanctum is basically on the borderline of Mistral and Atlas. I plan to be a physical therapist."

"I didn't ask for all that."

"And here I thought you cared," Nikos sniffed, giving me a mocked hurt look.

I ignored her. "Atlas is pretty far too, Yang."

"I know," Yang said. "But Vacuo is really far. Do you know that it takes a fucking day to get there by plane?! I can't believe they asked me of all people to go there." She paused. "Wait, never mind about that last sentence."

"You should go," says Blake. Finally she speaks! "You shouldn't pass an opportunity up like that."

"But I can't leave my baby sister," she whines.

Brows furrowing, I scowl at her.

"I'm fine on my own Yang," I told her. That was a lie and for some reason I received shifty glances from both Weiss and Blake. No one else noticed but me. Deciding to not let that get the best of me I continue, "You don't need to worry about me."

"I guess so," she finally gives in. "If that's how you guys feel." Looking at Blake, she says, "Anyway, where are you going? You never even talk that much so spill."

"Signal," Blake answered.

"That place is down in Vytal, right?" Yang asked. "Where they had the festival?"

I tried my best to push out the thoughts of Velvet wanting to go there. Come on Ruby don't let this ruin your night. You already hurt yourself after listening to Yang's dad. You can't do it again.

"Yea."

"You're not going to tell us what your career is going to be in?"

She stares at Yang boredly. "No."

Yang makes this pouty face but Blake doesn't seem to notice.

"Well I'm going to Haven for preforming arts," chimes in Valkyrie. She was so quiet that I forgot she was here.

"You're going to be an actress?" I asked stupidly.

"Well duh, why else would I go there?" She replies then blushes for some odd reason. "Then after school, Ren and I agreed that we'd move in together."

We all stared at her wide eyed. Moving in together. Like...? I feel my face start to heat up. I can't even imagine Valkyrie. I know I may joke about it but-

"Isn't that a little too fast for the both or you?" asked Weiss.

"Are you, um, sure that that's..." I say weakly.

Looking away, she replies, "Well, it's not like we've never..." Oh gods, I didn't need to know that!

"Nora!" Weiss cried, beating me to it. "That information is personal!"

"I thought girls discuss something like this at sleep-overs," she says bluntly.

Yang starts to cackle, Weiss looks horrified, Nikos terribly tries to cover her giggles while her face is red, and Blake is just...Blake. Before it could get any worse, Taiyang comes into the room.

"Well I see you girls are having fun," he says. "It's time for me to go now. You girls be careful now. Alright see you tomorrow."

"Bye Dad!" Yang shouted as he leaves.

After that, we discussed more about the schools we were going to, minus what happened earlier.

Later on in the night, after a few games and a few cans of beer going by, Valkyrie was the first one to pass out. It happened in the middle of a card game we were playing. It was her turn and we ended up finding her asleep with her cards sprawled out all over her. We also changed into our sleepwear during the night.

Weiss and I were the only ones who didn't drink. I'm surprised Blake took one, due to her calm and collected attitude. She only took one though and that was it. Yang on the other hand took more than one, along with Nikos and Valkyrie. No wonder why Valkyrie passed out just like that anyway.

The worse part of this all is that drunk Nikos is much worse than drunk Yang.

"Ruby why are you so mean to meee~?" She cried.

My point exactly.

"Heh...I don't think Rubu...likes you Pyrrha," Yang snorted.

And she promised she wasn't going to drink a lot. The little lying bitch(kidding about the bitch part).

"But whhhyy~?" Nikos whined.

I tried my best to ignore the two and talk to Blake and Weiss instead. Since I'm annoyed right now, I'm fine with talking to Blake. The kiss isn't on my mind right now anyway.

"So now what?" I asked. "Those two are obviously drunk and I don't know what else to do."

"Nora looks...dead...hehe," says Yang, poking sleeping Valkyrie. "Oh Nora~. Wakey, wakey."

"Yang, leave her alone," I commanded, then turned back to the girls.

"Didn't Yang say the she wasn't going to drink a lot?" Weiss asked.

"That was obviously a lie," Blake replied.

"That stupid oaf."

"I was thinking that we should go to sleep but I don't trust those two," stated Blake.

"So we're just going to sit here and be entertained by these two?" I asked, brows twitching in annoyance.

"Pretty much."

She takes out a book and starts reading. Are you serious?!

"H-Hey you can't just…GAHK!" I was interrupted by something slamming hard into my side, causing me to fall over.

"Oops, sorry Rubu," said Yang. "I was tossing that to Pyrrha."

"Tossing?!" I snapped, breathlessly. "You pegged a fucking board game at me!"

That hurt like hell. I hope I didn't break something.

"Are you okay?" asked Weiss, staring at me incredulously for my colorful language.

I just had a whole board game box pegged at me. Do you think I'm okay?

"Y-Yea," I lied. "It didn't really hurt."

"You shouldn't lie about something like that," Blake says, looking unamused.

I forgot that she could see past my lies really well. Curse her. I rubbed the side of my arm and smiled at her nervously. Her facial expression never changed.

"God I feel sick," said Yang as she clumsily stood up, looking like she had sobered up from being sick. "I'll be back." She left with some tilt in her step.

"I-I think I'll go make sure she gets to the bathroom okay," I told the others quickly and left.

As I was walking down the hall to find Yang, I ended up bumping into her. She was standing at the door of the bathroom, hand grasping on the knob. She didn't even make an effort to turn it. She also had a blank expression on her face. Is she okay?

"Yang," I called, worried. "What's wrong?"

"Ruby, do you know why I decided to have this sleepover?" She asked suddenly, sounding more sober now.

I stared at her, confused. "Um, no?"

"Today was my mother's birthday," she told me.

My eyes widen in shock. Why is she having this sleepover when it's her mom's birthday? I heard that she died by a car accident from Nikos, but even then she has never spoken about her. It was always her dad but never her mom. Did she have problems with her mom?

"I had this party so I could forget about it but that failed," she told me. "I drink and party a lot because my mother was never around. She ran away for some odd reason and never came back. The only time I did hear about her was when she died from a car accident. I can't seem to ever forget her so instead I just drink it down with a beer."

"I…I don't know what to say," I replied, honestly.

"I just wanted to tell you because I trust you," she said.

In an instant, a sudden stinging came in my chest. You can't trust me because all I do is lie to you. I should say something. I should…I should tell her. If not, this will end up as a problem later on.

"Yang, I need to tell you something," I announced.

She turned around and looked at me, "I'm listening."

"I…" Why is this so hard? "I don't have any parents," I managed, "They were never with me when I grew up."

A lie springs up in its place. I could tell her that I live with someone else or live in my own apartment.

"I've never lived with my parents," I choke.

She frowns, looking confused now, "What do you mean? You told me-"

"I lied," I state flatly, "I've never met my parents. At least I can't remember them."

She draws back looking apprehensive. I should stop, I know. But it's too late to go back. I sigh and stand my ground, feeling older than I've ever felt in my life. My attention catches onto a large box leaning on the wall.

"I used to live in one of those," I told her, pointing to the box. Swallowing the lump in my throat, I continued, "I shoplifted, pick-pocketed, dug through dumpsters- anything to survive. I hacked onto Beacon's server to get into school and I've been committing fraud since the age of fourteen. Everything I've told you about my life outside of school has been all a lie. I've been homeless since I was thirteen."

She gapes at me incomprehensively then frowns again.

"Then what about Velvet?" She asked. "Who was she then?"

I looked at her guiltily.

"She was just another homeless person I found a few years back," I answered. "We lived together ever since then, in a place I found." I looked down for a moment the stared back at her, my stomach and chest cold. "Do you understand what I'm saying, Yang?"

There was a cold, vicious laugh. It wasn't that loud but the others could probably hear her from the other room. She looks straight at me and I'm shocked by the look in her eyes.

She was furious.

"Yea, I understand," she said softly, "I understand that you've been lying to me this whole time when I trusted you. You're the fourth person who's lied me. You all must think I'm stupid, huh? Even my mother lied to me before she left." She runs a hand through her hair. "You know, I thought that you wouldn't do a thing like that. I really trusted you. I just can't fucking believe it." She laughed again but it was more of a small chortle.

I frowned back at her.

"What was I supposed to say?" I ask angrily, but it's not me talking because it can't be. I wouldn't say anything like that to Yang. Hell, I'm not even angry.

"What the fuck was I supposed to say?" I repeat, starting to shake. "'Oh, by the way, I'm a fucking hobo!' That's bullshit and you know it!"

She looks just about as shocked as I feel and it hurts, but I can't stop.

"You- You can't just go out and say stuff like that!" I continue furiously, forgetting the fact that the others can probably hear me. "You- You're the first person I've ever told, you know! The others…the others found out. Weiss, Sun, Pyrrha, I don't know about Blake but I'm sure she did too, but I've never actually had the nerve to tell someone."

I'm nearly shouting now and it's stupid, and I know it's stupid. I know Yang's only saying this because she's in shock. I've done nothing but hide things from people and lie to people-

-and myself-

-because it looks like she didn't have any suspicions. But even so, I shouldn't be yelling at her because she's really upset already, and me telling her stuff about this didn't help. Because this isn't some stupid T.V. show where two friends yell at each other and then are suddenly okay again. And more than being angry (which I'm not) or being stubborn, I really, really don't want to lose Yang.

She stares at me a little longer before her features softened and looked down.

"Th-This isn't about you," she says and she almost sounds guilty, "It's about…it's about me and how I can't- shit Ruby- I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have-"

"No, you're right!" I say loudly in that angry tone that is killing me, "It is about you, so…so-for now- just ignore all the other stuff, okay?"

She just looks at me for a while and doesn't seem convinced. The sound of footsteps comes from the other room and I automatically look over and remember that there are other people in the house. And they probably heard my tirade.

Fuck…

"Still, I can't believe I never…noticed," she said, laughing to herself. It was a sad, dry laugh this time. "There were so many signs and I was just too stupid to even notice. I-"

"Don't say that!" I hiss and suddenly I really am angry, "Don't you dare say that! I'm-I wasn't…Ma-Maybe I exaggerated a bit there, but I was okay…mostly…"

-liar-

"Winters wer-were hard, but I was-I am alright. It wasn't as bad as you're thinking, I'm sure…"

-liar-

"I wasn't…there are people out there who are much worse than I am. I-there's people starving in other places! I wasn't like that! I wasn't-"

-LIAR-

Yang wants to believe me, I can tell, but she doesn't. She gives me this look that Weiss gives me when she's worried about me.

Stop looking at me like that! I told you that I'm fine! Stop it!

"This isn't, this shouldn't be about me, because-" I don't even know what I'm saying anymore, all I know is that I have to get that goddamn look off her face. "Because…you just have to be happy, okay? There isn't-it's not, you…you just have to, alright?"

She snorts and smiles sadly at my words.

"Yeah," she says, rubbing the back of her neck, "Sure, I'll try."

And it's sad, but I know that's all I'm going to get, all she can promise.

"I guess I ruined this sleepover, didn't I?" I asked.

Yang laughs and shakes her head.

"It was pretty much the both of us," she told me. "And Pyrrha."

I nodded. "Definitely Pyrrha."

We shared a laugh.

"So….you good?" I ask.

"Yea, I'm good, we can go back."

We came back to find that Nikos has finally sobered up, Nora's still asleep, and Weiss and Blake are looking at us suspiciously. I shouldn't blame them though. Yang and I were loud.

"So are you going to explain what just happened back there?" Blake asked, glaring at the both of us.

"Yang and I sort of got in a fight," I told them, "but we're alright now. Sorry that we were so loud. Mostly, me."

"Gods Ruby," Nikos started, "you're yelling took me out of my drunk state. I'm surprised Nora's still asleep."

I frowned at her.

"Alright so since most of us are still up, why don't we continue where we left off?" Yang announced.

We all decided to continue to play games for the night until we eventually passed out.

I was the second one to wake up in the morning. The first person up was Blake, who had turned on Yang's T.V. She was watching some cartoon on T.V. with ninjas and shit like that. What show was that again? I've only seen it once at Arc's house before. Naru something.

She spots me now awake and smiles.

"Good morning, Ruby," she says, "Sleep well?"

For some odd reason, I slept like a log. This carpet floor is more comfortable than the floor back at the warehouse. Maybe because that floor was concrete.

I sit up a little more and nodded at her.

"Yea," I replied. "When'd you wake up?"

"Around seven," she answered.

"That early?"

She nodded. "I get enough sleep but you still look tired."

Well, I do still feel tired. The T.V. just woke me up.

"The T.V. woke me up," I told her.

She chuckles. "Sorry about that, but this show comes on every Saturday at this time."

"Oh."

She pats the spot on the couch next to her.

"Sit up here," she says, "The couch is a lot more comfortable than the floor."

I was too tired to say anything about that and complied, sitting next to her. I was too tired to even realize that I'm sitting next to the girl who had kissed me (on the cheek) on our little "date".

"What show is this called again?" I asked, watching as the main character gets beat up by some girl.

"Naruto," she answered. "This is an old episode though."

Oh, that's the main character's name also. I don't watch T.V., so I don't know. She seemed so into it like how she was at the movie theater. I guess she likes stuff like that. It's obvious because her book deals with ninjas too. I bet secretly she's a total geek when it comes to things like this.

"So are you okay?" She asked.

I stared at her puzzled before realizing that she was referring to last night.

"Of course!" I answered quickly. "I already told you we worked things out. Everything's alright."

She frowns at me. Then what the hell do you want me to say?!

"You didn't sound alright," she mumbled, looking away from me.

"I told you I'm fi-GAH!" My sentence gets interrupted when an arm suddenly pulls me down.

My head lands on something soft and it was then I realize that my head's on her lap. I feel my cheeks start to burn.

"Bl-Blake, what are you doing?!" I cried.

"You should go back to sleep," she says, rubbing at my head, still staring at the T.V.

I don't say anything else because I know the look she'll give me if I do. Instead, I do as I was told, trying my best to stay comfortable even though it was really embarrassing. Anyone of the others could wake up and see me like this. God that would be even more embarrassing.

So, instead of lying there like an idiot, I closed my eyes and went back to sleep.

I woke up around eleven this time while everyone else was now awake. Blake was still in her spot on the couch while my head was still lying in her lap. I could hear the sound of the stove on and talking in the kitchen. Well, more like bickering. Nikos and Valkyrie were in the room with us and did not seem fazed by my current position.

That's surprising.

Nikos spots me and smirks.

"I see you slept well," she teased.

I spoke too soon.

"Ruby's up?" Came Yang as she walked into the main room.

"Why are you not in the kitchen?" Blake asked.

She laughs, "Weiss kicked me out because I 'fooling around'." She looks at me and smiles. "Good morning Rubes. How'd you get up there? I could've sworn you slept on the floor."

Nikos snickers.

"Aren't you the oblivious one Yang," she says.

If I could, I would throw a pillow at that damned woman, but I can't. The only pillow I have is Blake's lap and I don't think I can throw that, even if I tried.

Yang gives Nikos a puzzled look before saying, "Anyway, I wanted to talk to Ruby for a sec, if you guys don't mind."

"I don't thin—" Blake tries but I interrupt her.

"It's okay Blake. I don't mind." I told her.

She gave me a look saying, are you sure?

I nodded at her and got up from her lap. To be honest, it was really comfortable there. I'm disappointed that I had to get up. For some reason, it seemed like she was also disappointed. Weird…

I follow Yang into the kitchen where Weiss is.

"What is it you want to talk about, Yang?" I asked. "Is this about last night?" She gave me a guilty look causing me to sigh. "Why don't we just forget about that? I know it's a lot to take in, but it doesn't matter. What's happened, happened."

"You seem to say that a lot when something does matter," says Weiss.

"Come on," I cried, "not you too."

"I'm sorry Ruby, but I overheard everything you said last night. Well, yelled basically."

"Why are you guys so concerned about me?" I asked.

"Because we're your friends Ruby," answered Weiss, flashing a trying look. "Stop acting like this is a bad thing."

"Please just hear us out for a moment Rubes," says Yang.

I shook my head. "No, I didn't come here to talk about this so drop it."

I know they're worried, but how dare they? Don't they know I don't like talking about this? It took all of my strength to talk to Yang about this. I'm not in the mood to talk about this again. I don't want them to hear everything I go through. I don't want them to hear what I do or did. I haven't told Yang everything but I did tell her most of it. No one knows what I did.

"Would you stop being so stubborn and just listen?" Weiss asked as an annoyed look appeared on her face.

"I'm not being stubborn! I just—" I stopped myself before I got any louder and cause another scene, so instead, I just comply. "Fine…alright. What do you want?"

"Yang and I discussed a few things over in here while you were currently sleeping," she started, "and we were thinking if there is some way…we can help you with…all this."

I furrowed my eyebrows and scowled at them. "I don't need help," I told them.

I do…

"I'm fine on my own."

I'm not…

"Ruby just," Yang pipes in but I interrupt her.

"Look, I'm done with this," I said, turning around to walk out. "We can talk about anything else, but not this." And with that, I left, with them not bothering to call after me.

What hurt the most about this is that I was lying. I was lying to the both of them and myself. It was easy to see through, of course. No one is ever fine when it comes to being homeless. I know that and other homeless people know that too.

Velvet too…

How this party ended up like this, I don't know. I was so focused on everything else that I hadn't notice how this turned out until now. I feel like I ruined the whole thing.

You did…

And I keep pushing everyone away when I know they're just worried about me. I know I don't want to lose them, but here I am doing just that. Why can't I just be honest and let them help me? Why can't I just listen to them?

Because you're too stubborn…and afraid…

Near the end, while everyone was getting ready to leave, already changed back into their clothes, Yang and Weiss ended up apologizing to me. It hurt a lot to see that they're apologizing for something that isn't their fault. I should be the one apologizing. I'm the one that was being so stubborn. I'm the one that ruined this party. They shouldn't be the ones apologizing.

But, I ended up staying silent.

I was also asked if I was going to the Summer Festival at Vale's park by Nikos, who was completely oblivious of the odd atmosphere along with Valkyrie. My answer was no. I have been thinking about it for a while, but now I don't feel like going. She didn't ask anything further.

Blake had asked me if everything was okay. When I said yes, she didn't give me that look like she always did which was surprising. Instead, she just nodded and said nothing else.

I take my bag from the wall and swing it over my shoulder. After that, I said my good-byes and quickly left.

I should apologize to them.

Author's Note

And that's it. Yea that angst man, I just had to add that in there. So yea, a lot happened here. First Ruby finding out information on her parents, then Yang talking about her mother and finding out that Ruby's homeless, and lastly, Ruby being that stubborn little girl again and pushing her friends away. Why do I do this? Well, at least I added some ladybug in there. I'm still trying to find a way to build up this romance while not trying to rush things. A lot will get developed on the next act with Ruby and Blake and also the White Fang since you don't hear much about them. Also, Ruby's memories will get more involved in the next act and the last one also.

Anyway, how was this chapter? Good? Bad? How's the story so far? Any likes? Dislikes? Let me know what you think by reviewing. Any questions please review or PM me and I'll kindly answer them.

Next chapter is the last chapter of this act. More angst and stuff happening in that one also so stay tuned.

Till next time! Ta, ta!