Chapter nine

Bookstore excitement

Weiss had been invited to go out with the sisters to Once upon a Page. Blake wasn't working today and while she wasn't keen on going to her job on an off day, Ruby wanted to go buy a few books and her older adopted sister couldn't say no to her when she precisely imitated Zwei's weaponized sad puppy look. Ruby had declared victory as Yang and Blake chuckled softly while rolling their eyes.

Blake's hand hovered over her scroll as her sisters raced each other up the stairs before she brought it out and sent a quick text to Weiss. {We're going to the bookstore because Ruby wants to get some new books. Would you like to join us?}

Blake sat on the couch to put on her shoes when her scroll buzzed with a text from Weiss. {The bookstore where you work right? Or do you mean another one?}

{The bookstore I work at. Are you able to join us?}

{I'll make it work. See you three there.}

{See you there.}

Weiss had just finished up the piece of homework that had been assigned over the weekend for her biology class when her scroll buzzed with the notification that a text had been received. She felt herself smile when she saw that it was Blake as she typed out a response to her before going to her room to change out of her pajamas.

When Weiss was dressed in an outfit that she deemed sufficiently suitable for an outing with her friends, she texted Winter to let her know where she was going before grabbing her car keys and walking out of the apartment.

Blake clicked her keys as Ruby and Yang exited the car and it beeped signaling that it was now locked. An aqua blue car pulled into a parking spot nearby and Weiss stepped out of it. "Ruby, Yang, Blake. I appreciate the invitation." She tilted her head and shot a soft smile to Blake.

"It was my pleasure. You're our friend and I thought you'd like to come to look at books with us." Blake's eyes went down to the cement for a second, trying to hide her blush, before her amber eyes met Weiss' ice blue ones and she gave her a smile in return.

Weiss also blushed as Yang tried to stop Ruby from running ahead of them. Her lilac eyes flitted between her sister and her best friend and narrowed mischievously. There was something going on between the two and Yang was determined to figure out what it was.

Blake and Weiss were both dressed similarly in jeans, jackets, and t-shirts below them. Weiss was in her usual colors of white and light blue while Blake was in black and purple.

"So, what kind of books are you three looking for?" Weiss stammered out as she broke eye contact with Blake, who was suddenly finding her ebony hair very interesting.

"I'm looking for fairytale novels or light novels of my favorite anime series. Either one," Ruby said as she bounced on her heels slightly.

"I'm not entirely sure yet but I'll know it when I see it." Yang shrugged as she steered Ruby towards the door.

"Romance or dark fantasy novels. What about you, Weiss?" Blake twirled her hair in two fingers rather than look directly at the girl she was now alone. Yang was waiting by the door since Ruby had already vanished inside.

"I like romance and fantasy novels but I don't have any new novels to read. I could use some recommendations if you're willing to offer them, Blake?" Weiss asked as they caught up to Yang who had pushed the door open and stepped inside.

Weiss was the next inside and she held the door open for Blake, who slid her hand across the door. As Weiss let go of the door, her hand brushed against Blake's and they felt the others cold skin against their own. It was only for a brief moment but each felt the faintest hint of a shock pass through their bodies.

Yang had wandered off, undoubtedly to find a book that interested her. Since Blake and Weiss had the same taste in literature, they stuck close together and ambled through the store together. "So, Weiss, have you taken any nice photos recently?" Blake asked softly as she brushed against Weiss' side with her arm.

Weiss blushed softly before shaking her head and sighing. "Unfortunately, no, I haven't."

Blake looked surprised and tilted her head. "How come? Is it from lack of inspiration?"

"Kind of, it's more along the lines that I haven't found that perfect 'moment.'"

"What do you mean?"

"I don't know if I can explain it properly. But to me, it's a moment that's one that I'll never want to forget. Like the sleepover. That's one of those moments."

Blake nodded slowly, a small strand of hair moving in front of her face. As she raised her hand to move it back, Weiss was quicker and beat her to the punch. Blake's heart started to pound with her face becoming red as Weiss moved it to the side.

Even though the whole interaction was over in the blink of an eye, Blake's heart was still pounding even as she forced her mouth to open and words to form. "I-I could've done that, you know."
Weiss slowly pulled her hand back; her eyes were wide and her cheeks were slightly red, which really stood against her pale skin.

"I-I know that. I-I just thought to do it first. T-That's all I meant, you silly kitty.

Blake smiled and put her hand on her hip. "Kitty huh? Did you just give me a nickname, Ice Queen?"

Weiss mirrored Blake's posture and nodded. "You know I did, Kitty Cat."

They stared at each other before they both broke out in quiet laughs. "In all seriousness, I am sorry I didn't ask before I did that. I apologize, Blake. Please forgive me."

Weiss looked down before she felt a touch on her hand. She looked up to see Blake's hand on hers again. "It's alright; I was just surprised. Just tell me next time you do that. Okay?"

Weiss nodded, not even bringing up that Blake said the words 'next time'.

"A-anyway, shouldn't we go looking for books?" Weiss stammered softly.

Blake pulled her hand back and nodded before leading the way just like she did the first time that she and Weiss met. This time though, Weiss kept pace with her but was careful not to get ahead of her.

The pair walked through the store in a slightly awkward, slightly comfortable silence until they came to the fantasy section. "So, Blake. Do you have any favorites? I can offer my recommendations for what I like if they're available."

Blake nodded slightly and started to almost dance her way through the stacks that spilled off the shelves and onto the floor. She kept her steps light and tiptoed across the carpet like she was a ballerina.

Once she stopped moving, she looked at Weiss who immediately looked at the floor. "Wasn't expecting me to be so light on my feet?"

"N-no, that's actually what I was thinking. You seem like a dancer."

"I am actually. I was in dance all throughout high school. Yang says I remind her of a cat with how light on my feet I am."

Weiss nodded slowly. "I was in dance… back in middle school in Atlas." Her voice was quiet and her eyes clouded a bit before she shook her head and gave Blake a smile. "Sorry, didn't mean for that to happen."

Blake shook her head. "I'm sorry if I accidentally made you relieve a bad memory. I understand better than anyone that sometimes memories can be painful."

"They can be, but they can also save you," Weiss muttered softly and Blake nodded.

"Yeah, that's certainly true." Blake sighed slightly before turning her attention to the stacks of books.

Seeing that the conversation had ended Weiss did the same and looked at the book spines. After a couple of minutes of silence, Weiss looked at Blake with a book in hand.

"Hey Blake, have you ever read this?" Weiss asked and held the book out to her which Blake took. The book's cover was of a magnificent tower on a plain. The structure reached into the sky and it silhouetted against a shattered moon. Below the tower in a flowing purple cursive was the title, "The Girl in the Tower."

Below that in the same flowing font was the name of the author, "Salem Elphaba."

Blake shook her head, turning over the book that she had in her hand as she did. "I don't think so. I've wanted to but I haven't gotten the chance to yet."

The book she was holding had a dual-colored cover, half was a dark forest green and the other was a metallic grey. Other than that, the cover was bare save for the title, "The Man With Two Souls" and the author's name, "Ursula Berpdioloo."

"This sounds interesting. I think I made my choice," Blake murmured as she opened the book and gave the first page a brief skim.

"As have I. Hey, I have an idea if you don't mind hearing it."

"What is it?" Blake said absently, her mind turning to the words on the pages and the background just seemed to fade away. She had learned many years ago that she tended to tune things out when she was reading and that had apparently happened again when Blake felt a small push on her shoulder to see Weiss looking at her curiously.

"I-I'm sorry, Weiss. I got absorbed by the words… can you repeat that?" Blake asked an embarrassed blush all over her face.

"If you want, once we're both done with our books why don't we switch? I'll lend you The Girl in the Tower and you can loan me The Man With Two Souls. How's that sound?"

As Weiss repeated her questions, she tilted her head a bit. It was both fascinating and just the tiniest bit unnerving how Blake was able to seamlessly switch between completely zoned out and back to herself. After a half-second of thought, she decided it was that it was just one of Blake's quirks.

"It sounds nice. Like something friends do." Blake gave a small, genuine smile that Weiss returned.

"Well, unless you want more, I'm ready to find your crazy sisters." Weiss made an attempt at humor which only made Blake chuckle.

"They certainly are crazy in their own unique ways," Blake agreed before she started to wander once more through the stacks. Weiss followed her as she tried to hide her smile.