In the back of the classroom, Yang was barely listening to the lecture.
While looking out the window provided great entertainment with all the squirrels wrestling in trees, she stared straight ahead instead. Directly at the back of the transfer student's head.
Her side ponytail is always perfect, Yang realized, admiring how silky smooth and pristine it looked. She's hard to get to know. She must be doing that on purpose, but why...
Right when class was over, Weiss was nowhere to be seen. Only for her to return in time for the next lesson. It was the same back at the apartment, too. Once Weiss locked her door, she didn't leave. It'd been like that for several weeks now.
I want to get to know her, Yang decided. I need to make a new plan if that's gonna happen.
Normally, Yang would not bother if someone was not interested in getting to know her. But she was mainly concerned for her neighbor. It had nothing to do with the fact that Weiss was the most beautiful person she'd ever seen. Not at all. The aura around her also intrigued Yang. Weiss was wrapped in a mystery, keeping others at a distance. It seemed Weiss tried to cut her interactions with everyone short. It's not like it was because she was socially awkward, Yang ruled out. Based on their first conversation, Weiss was just as quick-witted as her.
She seemed really approachable and nice back then. What's holding her back?
If just one person could break through that icy shell, maybe Weiss could have a better high school experience. At least that's what Yang told herself.
Yang sank deeper into her seat. She checked to ensure her teacher wasn't looking at her and nonchalantly peaked at her phone under the desk.
She still hasn't texted.
Normally, Yang would take the hint. But there was something about her that kept reeling her in. She couldn't ignore such a strong, subconscious desire.
At last, the second the bell rang.
Yang scurried to approach Weiss, but she was too late. A light blonde blur dashed out the door so quickly that it almost left her disoriented. Yang was left speechless. It was like Weiss knew she was being watched!
A hand landed on her shoulder. "Tried talking to Weiss?"
"Blake," the blonde said, surprised she noticed her intentions. "Yes and no one's gettin' in my way!"
Determined, Yang scooped her notebook into her arms and darted out the door. Blake watched her go, electing to chat with the other students before leaving the room.
Yang flowed into the sea of people, dead set on one destination. When she rounded a corner of the hallway, she stopped in her tracks.
A blue-haired boy stood next to Weiss, flashing her an irresistible smile. He used lots of hand gestures to try and get her attention. However, Weiss only focused on grabbing the books she needed from her locker. She didn't spare him a glance as he rambled.
Neptune, Yang realized as she watched from afar. I almost forgot how persistent he is.
A voice lingered into her ears, yanking her out of her thoughts. It was her sister, and she spoke mischievously over the other students' muffled voices.
"Most guys have given up, but Neptune is a special kind of guy."
Yang crossed her arms, not liking the competition. "He doesn't know when to quit."
Ruby sent her a knowing grin. "I don't think you have anything to worry about, sis."
"What makes you say that?" Yang asked, genuinely curious. "She has guys asking her out left and right. She can pick whoever she wants!"
"Except she hasn't," Ruby pointed out, hoping her sister wouldn't lose her resolve. "Think about it, most of them have thrown in the towel. And she doesn't even pretend to be interested in them."
To prove her point, Ruby nodded in their direction. Weiss still wasn't paying any attention to him. Only a nod every now and then while she grabbed her books.
"Ah, the problems of an ice princess," Yang said lightheartedly, secretly glad by Weiss' reaction to him. "I feel kinda bad for him."
"Don't," Ruby replied, keeping her voice low. "She's not interested."
Finally, Neptune walked away with a little pout. He joined his group of friends, who appeared to give him a hard time about the interaction by laughing joyously. Weiss was left to sigh and continued to paw through her locker.
"He has no chance," Ruby shook her head. "It's only a matter of time before he realizes that."
Momentarily, Yang processed her words.
"But you-" Ruby said. "She at least talks to you."
From the pep talk, Yang's confidence spiked tenfold. "Watch how it's done."
The blonde handed her sister the books she'd been carrying. Relaxed, Yang leaned onto the lockers directly next to Weiss. From her presence, Weiss closed her locker and stopped what she was doing. That was already a good sign, considering she wouldn't even glance at Neptune.
"You gotta slap him," Yang said jokingly. "That's how I got him off my back."
Weiss lightly chuckled. "I highly doubt it'll come down to that."
"The option's always there," Yang reminded with a smirk and leaned off the lockers. "You doin' anything now? The roomies and me are about to head home. You can walk with us!"
Weiss adjusted the backpack on her back. "I appreciate the offer, but I'm actually going to the library to work on some assignments now."
Yang didn't let that deter her and steered the conversation elsewhere. "Ah, like that math homework Ms. Goodwitch just gave us?" a nod. "I'm hopeless at that stuff. Are you any good?"
"You could say that," Weiss replied like she was confident. "Maybe if you paid attention in class, you would learn something."
Since that was unexpected, blonde eyebrows rose. A sly smirk formed on Yang's face.
"I take offense to that. I happen to find math fascinating. Nothing gets me going like some exponents and letters. Can you tell me who the hell threw in the alphabet?"
Weiss pinched the bridge of her nose like she tried to suppress a laugh. "A masochist."
"Had to be," Yang agreed, glad she was going with her jokes. "Want me to come with you to the library? I can be a great distraction. Free, too."
"I work better alone, but I'll keep that in mind," Weiss playfully rolled her eyes. "Goodbye, Yang."
After Weiss twirled around to head to the library, Yang flirtatiously called after her.
"Bye, psycho."
With a lighthearted tone, Weiss glanced over her shoulder. "It's true!"
"You have yet to prove it!"
After Weiss huffed in annoyance, Yang was left to laugh.
Not a single person was in sight as Weiss left the school.
Normally, she stayed in the library until the sun almost flickered out. Nothing waited for her at her apartment, so her routine was to stay at school for as long as possible and finish any assignments while she was there.
The sky was painted an orange hue. Despite the beauty around her, she didn't enjoy it. She spent almost every minute looking over her shoulder. After what felt like the hundredth time, she heavily sighed.
He won't find me now. He won't find me for a while, Weiss repeatedly told herself. I covered my tracks to be here for a while. I'm safe, for now.
After telling herself that, her right wrist flared in pain. It felt as though she would never be safe. As she walked, she recalled how she received the injury.
…
"You will never disrespect me again!"
"You can't keep doing this," Weiss raised her voice in defiance. "It's not right-"
A rock-hard fist slammed into the side of her head. It was such an unexpected sucker punch that she was knocked to the floor and saw stars. Before she could gain her bearings, a powerful force crushed her right wrist into pieces.
"Agh!"
Bones audibly shattered under the immense weight. Pain exploded through her body as the infuriated man towered over her. All she could do was writhe in agony.
"I am your father and you will do what I say without question!"
…
Weiss held her right wrist like that'd ease the physical and mental pain of the memory. The injury required several surgeries and eventually, she was told it would never heal properly. He was the reason she was left-handed now.
Since then, and way before then, she struggled to break free from his chains. It was like she was a bird trapped in a cage with no hope of escape. But now, she had her freedom.
For now.
"Heya, Weiss!"
From the call, Weiss jumped in surprise. She was so trapped in the memory that she failed to notice she was already on the fifth floor of her apartment building.
"Yang," Weiss said in a fluster and tried to think of a normal conversation. "W-what're you doing?"
"I took out the trash," Yang said slowly and happily approached her. "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare ya there. Is your hand okay? You were holding it for a bit."
"I'm fine," Weiss replied, trying to calm herself.
It'd been a while since she was caught off guard like that. It seemed like only Yang had this effect on her. Weiss fell quiet from the realization. From the silence, Yang got a chance to examine her and noticed the backpack.
"Did you just get back from school?" Yang asked, a little concerned.
Weiss adjusted the heavy bag. "I ran a few errands."
No normal person stays at school this late, Weiss thought. She must think my reply was strange.
"Ah," Yang said, deciding not to question her since she could tell Weiss was still a little flustered. "Just so you know, you're making me want to be your friend even more when you're all mysterious like that. Makes me want to try harder."
Is she always such a tease? I think it's her personality, Weiss deduced, thinking nothing of it. I do like talking to her, though. I can't deny that.
"You should walk with us to school tomorrow," Yang suddenly said with a contagious smile.
That was so unexpected that Weiss was left scrambling for an excuse not to join them.
"I-"
Before Weiss could get a word in, Yang quickly added.
"Cool, see you at seven sharp," she said in finality before closing her door.
Weiss was left standing there, speechless from the suddenness of it all.
She did that on purpose! That insufferable blonde brute!
Lyrics used from Redo: "my nails claw against the night but I am struggling to break free from repeating every mistake I've made in my life. Cuz it would seem I'm living on repeat."
Stay dandy,
~Toto