Abruptly, Ruby stood and slammed the book onto the table.

"Alright, partners. How are we going to conquer this monstrosity?"

The group gave her sighs.

Last week, Ms. Goodwitch assigned groups to complete a literature project. Students were supposed to read the assigned book and create an item that is relevant to the theme of the book.

While the girls in front of Ruby pondered, chatters resounded through the classroom. It was hard to think with all the noise. Each group discussed whether or not they liked the upcoming project.

In boredom, Yang put a hand under her chin and sighed. "I say we don't read it. I haven't even heard about this book outside of school, anyways."

That earned a flick to the forehead from Weiss. "I'm not going to fail this project because of your laziness."

Since Blake already heard about how bad the book was, she wasn't interested. "Let's research it online. That would save time from reading it."

"Blake!" Weiss chided her for trying to take shortcuts, which caused Yang to laugh since she wasn't the only one not wanting to read it. "I thought you liked books? You could finish it in one afternoon."

"I like books I get to choose to read, absolutely," Blake crossed her arms in finality. "I have an acquired taste."

Right after she said that, Yang adorned a smirk. "You mean like erotica-"

Yang couldn't finish her sentence when a hand flew to her mouth.

"You know it's more than that," Blake hushed her, pulling her hand away. "It's a form of art."

"Art, right," Yang repeated with an eye-roll. "Art gets me going, too."

Playfully, Blake elbowed her in the torso.

Ruby stared at the book like it was about to bite her. "It's just Lord of the Grimm. We can always DustNotes it. Lots of poor unfortunate souls already read it but were nice enough to spare us the pain. I say we don't let their sacrifices go to waste!"

Yang pumped her fist in the air from how much she agreed. "Let's do that!"

From how enthralled they were to not do work, Weiss rolled her eyes. "You guys realize that I could've finished a quarter of it while you're having this conversation, right?"

Yang's eyebrows rose. "Well, why didn't you?"

"You think I can with all this talking?" Weiss asked in annoyance, referring to the loudness of the room.

"Oh," Blake said in an epiphany. "I can talk to Ilia about it, too. I think she read it last year."

"It's settled!" Ruby announced. "We use DustNotes and Ilia as resources!"

A hand flew to her shoulder and a low, warning voice trailed into her ears.

"You will read the book cover to cover, Ms. Rose. There will be a quiz to test your knowledge of the intimate details of the book. So I suggest you complete the assignment as intended."

"Ms. Goodwitch!" Ruby yelped and hastily apologized. "Sorry, so sorry. Of course we'll read it! I didn't actually mean it!"

After that, the teacher walked across the room to answer any questions her students had.

"I'm not reading all this," Ruby whispered to the group. "I have a better idea. We each read a quarter of this thing. Sound good?"

Yang pointed at her. "That's fine. Easier, too."

Blake shrugged in indifference as she checked how many pages they had to cover.

"You're impossible," Weiss sighed and shook her head. "Is there nothing we can do to make you actually read it?"

"Nope!" Ruby happily beamed. "I'll stick to my magazines."

"We each have to read fifty-six pages," Blake informed and looked at Weiss, using a bargaining tone. "Look at it this way, we'll finish the project faster."

Weiss sighed in defeat. "I thought you of all people would read the book."

"I am," Blake said smugly. "A quarter of it."

A defeated sigh.

Yang grinned, liking how little she had to do. "Fifty-six pages is nothing! I could have that done by tomorrow."

Blake nodded to agree. "Same."

"Hey guys," a new voice wafted into their conversation. "What book did ya get?"

"Hey, Jaune," Ruby greeted and flashed him the book. "We got Lord of the Grimm. What'd you get?"

"Beowolf Farm," Jaune answered with a sigh. "It's the last book I wanted."

A guy with a pink streak in his hair slid next to him. "He already read it."

"I wanted something new, Ren!" Jaune whined. "Instead I'm stuck not doing anything!"

The group almost found it laughable that they were scrambling for ways to avoid the project while Jaune strived to focus on something new.

Yang watched him look genuinely upset. "Wow, we're two different breeds of students."

"What the heck does that mean?" Jaune asked, curious.

Blake whispered so the teacher across the room wouldn't hear. "I don't think any of us are reading the full book."

Jaune looked surprised by that. "You're not worried about the quiz?"

Yang nodded and crossed her arms. "I think less work for us is more important than a little quiz. Plus, we'll fill each other in, right?"

"Right!" Ruby agreed.

Weiss shook her head. "You're all horrible influences."

"Don't you forget it," Ruby replied.

While her group and the boys conversed, Weiss zoned out. Her hands rested on the desk in front of her. Abruptly, they flashed bloody crimson before warping back to the normal pale pallor. Since that was unexpected, she was left speechless.

I need space, Weiss thought as her heart beat rapidly. I need to breathe.

"I'll be right back," Weiss addressed the group. "Try to behave while I'm gone."

When she turned to leave, Ruby called after her. "No promises!"

Since this was class downtime, Weiss was free to leave the room without permission.

It was going so well, Weiss thought. I don't know what the trigger was this time.

Quietly, she rounded a corner of the hall.

That wasn't supposed to happen again.

While she walked in the empty hallway, she took several deep breaths to compose herself. She intended to go to the restroom but instead hid in a corner beside a vending machine since it was closer.

Hesitantly, she looked down at her hands like she was afraid of what she'd see. Blood splatter burned into her vision again. She paused to stare and her hands began to shake from the memory.

"Father said to use necessary force, so he had to die."

The low, eerie voice shook Weiss to her very core.

He didn't have to die. He wanted an excuse to-

Abruptly, a strong hand lightly grabbed her arm. The touch provided an anchor to reality. It grounded Weiss, which caused her to glance up and see a twinkling smile.

"Hey, Weiss. Are you okay?"

"Neptune," Weiss greeted in surprise and slowly pulled her arm away. "I'm fine."

Those words weren't strong like she believed in them. Neptune took note of this and steered the conversation.

"I noticed you seemed distracted earlier," Neptune commented, occasionally glancing down at her hands. "What's up?"

Before Weiss realized it, a scowl formed. "Were you watching me?"

"Can you blame me if my eye wanders to the prettiest girl in class?"

Weiss crossed her arms and leaned onto the wall behind her. "Neptune, I'm not interested."

That was the fifth time she told him that, so Neptune was well-aware. Casually, he used a suave voice.

"I'm simply stating facts, nothing more," Neptune informed with a grin and then mumbled. "I figured that I lost to her…"

When he trailed off, Weiss barely caught the end of his sentence.

"What are you talking about?" Weiss asked. "Lost what to who?"

"I lost the one in a million chance I had of you ever being my girlfriend," Neptune said and sighed in defeat. "And I lost to Yang."

"What are you blubbering about?" Weiss asked, confused. "Yang and I just hang out sometimes."

We do, Weiss told herself. But do I want it to be more?

Did she like Yang as more than a friend? She certainly thought about it. Especially since their date, but her mind was constantly distracted by other things.

Neptune shook his head. "Why do I find that hard to believe? Weiss, I have the perfect view of the entire class in my little corner. I see her look your way, too, you know."

Weiss almost seemed surprised to hear that. "I'll keep that in mind. Hey, Neptune?"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks for letting me know."

Like her words gave him life, Neptune dramatically put a hand over his heart and smiled wider. Did his teeth just sparkle?

"No problem," Neptune said as he began to walk away.

Weiss only watched as he yelled over his shoulder.

"When the two most gorgeous girls in school get together, be sure to give me credit!"

We all have mixed feelings about Neptune, but he's a good guy under that stupid cool guy facade.

Yes, their book is Lord of the Flies but Remnant edition. It has 224 pages = 56 between the 4 of them. Animal Farm = Beowolf Farm. DustNotes = SparkNotes (a literal lifesaver in high school).

These are very high-effort and quality jokes.

Stay dandy,

~Toto