The worst part about accepting an invitation from one of the most beautiful girls in the school, if not the world, was that it made picking an outfit impossible. Nothing Blake pulled out of her closet seemed good enough. No matter what combination she put together, no matter what accessories she chose, she always looked...plain.
Eventually, she settled on a pair of jeans and a nice top and hoped she didn't stick out like a sore thumb. Showing up with Yang was already enough to earn added scrutiny, she didn't want her ensemble highlighting her as an outsider. Or worse, reflecting negatively on Yang.
The fact that Yang invited Blake, of all people, made no sense. But Blake wouldn't question Yang's decision, especially when she was excited about spending more time together. Yang hadn't left her thoughts since Thursday, which was a feat in and of itself. If this carried on for very long, she would be seriously concerned for her grades.
But this...dalliance, or whatever it was...should quickly run its course, and then they would return to their separate lives. Until then, Blake could make some time in her perpetually empty schedule to get to know Yang better. Not Yang Xiao Long, the model. Yang, the college student who wanted to become a pediatrician and was possibly too much of a people-pleaser.
So, even though acutely aware that she still hadn't chosen a topic for her capstone, Blake left her apartment behind. Since Sun was nowhere to be found - his closed door and shoes scattered across the entryway suggested another late night - she left without saying goodbye.
The hotel hosting the event was only a short cab ride away. Yang had offered to head over together, but Blake politely declined in favor of meeting there. She didn't want to let on that she was nervous, but...she was a little nervous.
The feeling was unusual - at least, for social situations. Usually, she stuck to her comfort zone and only left when Sun prodded, begged, or dared her to. She only made an exception for Yang because of that light, bubbly feeling that appeared in her chest whenever Yang smiled or laughed.
She wanted more of that feeling, meaning she had to leave her schoolwork behind for the afternoon. Besides, if she declined the invitation and Sun ever found out, he would read her the riot act about taking advantage of opportunities and experiences only available while they were in college.
With that in mind, she paid and thanked the taxi driver before taking a deep breath and leaving the vehicle behind. The line of limousines in front of the hotel weakened her resolve, but then she spotted Yang standing out front waiting for her.
As if Blake had somehow forgotten that Yang was a supermodel, that first glimpse served as a healthy reminder. With her tall stature, enviable physique, and natural beauty, Yang deserved every bit of celebrity she'd earned. As soon as her stunning lavender eyes landed on Blake, butterflies fluttered through Blake's chest. Their wings only flapped harder when Yang beamed and hurried over. Up close, she was even more beautiful than from afar.
"Hey!" Yang briefly looked like she might reach out for a hug. Her arms stayed glued to her sides, but an openly delighted smile never left her lips. "So glad you could make it."
"Of course. Thanks for inviting me."
With the pleasantries out of the way, Blake subtly took in Yang's outfit. While similarly casual yet upscale, Yang radiated beauty and poise. Her clothes clung to her in all the right places, her hair fell in perfectly styled waves, and her above-average height only added to her overwhelming allure.
"Wow. You look…" Blake trailed off and tried to think of the proper adjective for Yang's appearance, but nothing seemed good enough. Breathtaking? Jaw-droppingly gorgeous?
"Probably not even half as beautiful as you."
Blake blinked at the compliment, then blushed when she noticed the way Yang was looking at her. Rationally, the response was untrue - only one of them was a bonafide model, after all - but nothing in Yang's expression or tone implied she didn't fully believe the flattery.
"Um...thank you…" Blake mumbled towards the ground before risking another glance at Yang. Her skin tingled just looking at Yang right now, and she wondered why she never felt this way before. She'd always thought Yang was gorgeous, like everyone did, but after getting to know her a little better...now, Blake was undoubtedly attracted to her.
That tingling sensation gave way to curiosity when Yang raised one hand to cover a yawn.
"Tired?" Blake asked, now noticing the expertly concealed bags beneath Yang's eyes.
"Yeah, sorry. Late night."
Blake nearly asked about the occasion but stopped when she realized she already knew.
"That party?"
"Yeah...was out later than expected." Yang shook her head but still smiled. "Have you ever seen a group of sorority girls get ready for a party? It takes forever."
"Can't say I have," Blake replied with a small smile. Part of her was concerned that Yang went to the party even though she clearly hadn't wanted to. But another part said that this was none of her business. For all she knew, Yang changed her mind and felt like going after all.
"My roommate also takes forever to get ready for anything," Blake added.
"Does she?"
"He, actually," Blake replied with a laugh that Yang shared.
"Then you feel my pain," Yang said, smiling at Blake for a moment before motioning towards the hotel's entrance. "Shall we?"
While nodding and following Yang to the front doors, Blake couldn't escape the thought that she didn't understand Yang's pain. When she didn't want to go somewhere, she didn't. When she didn't want to do something, she didn't.
That thought was pushed from her mind the moment they walked into the immaculate hotel lobby. Being expensive beyond her means, she'd never stayed here or even set foot inside before. The overwhelming wealth was on full display, from the plush lobby furniture to the well-dressed doormen to the shining marble floors. The people, however, really drew her attention.
"Thanks for coming with me," Yang said while leading them in the same direction as the other beautiful, perfectly dressed guests. "Ruby didn't want to, and Weiss was a big 'hell no.'"
"You're welcome." Blake would have added that she didn't have plans, or that she wanted to spend time together, but lost that train of thought when they walked into the ballroom hosting the event.
The other guests looked like they just stepped out of a magazine or oozed wealth through their sharp suits and sparkling watches. A pleasant but not-too-loud hum of conversation filled the large room, which predominantly featured dozens of large, circular tables covered in spotless white linens. Some of the tables were occupied, but most people seemed content to stand and chat before flitting away to greet new arrivals.
More than a few glances landed upon Blake, but she tried to ignore the sensation of being judged by everyone in attendance. Fortunately, Yang led them straight through the small crowd by the door and over to an empty table in the corner of the room.
"Is this ok?" Yang motioned to the table and waited for Blake's nod before sitting down. "We stand in heels long enough as it is," she muttered while Blake sat beside her. "I don't know why they want to spend an entire afternoon on their feet when there are perfectly good chairs available."
When Yang waved a hand at the sea of empty seats, Blake looked around. The other women did look like they preferred to stand, for whatever reason, but she was grateful that Yang felt differently.
She was also grateful that Yang hadn't worn heels since that would only highlight their height difference even more. She already had to tilt her chin up to meet Yang's gaze. That wasn't a bad thing, but...well, now she was imagining Yang in heels, which also wasn't a bad thing.
Shifting her attention to the other attendees, Blake discovered that distinguishing between models and executives was incredibly simple. The models were so beautiful, they practically sparkled. Their grace, poise, perfect smiles, and perfect outfits set them apart from the more ordinary men and women wearing suits and ties.
Yang belonged with the models. She had all of their beauty, charm, and magnetism. She could probably smile, flirt, and win favor like they were right now. Yet...she wasn't like them. Nothing made that more obvious than how content she was sitting in the corner of the room watching the action rather than joining it.
"If you don't mind me asking…" Blake began when another observation stood out. "You said you had to bring someone, but it looks like a lot of people came alone."
Blake nodded at the young man in a tuxedo who just strode into the ballroom. He was followed by an equally well-dressed woman who immediately made her way to the bar. They added to the slew of singles Blake noticed now more than ever.
"Oh, yeah, sorry." When Blake tilted her head, Yang sheepishly smiled. "It's not mandatory to bring someone, but I always try to. The people who come alone get a lot of...unwanted attention."
When Blake made a face, Yang nodded and wrinkled her nose.
"I know. It's really uncomfortable, so I bring company whenever I can."
Honestly, if Yang had mentioned that before, Blake would have accompanied her just about anywhere for the day.
"Then I'm glad I could help," Blake replied before another new arrival drew her gaze. The young man looked vaguely familiar but not familiar enough to place - probably another model she'd seen on some advertisement somewhere.
"Plus," Yang added only to avert her gaze when Blake looked at her. "I, uh, I wanted to get to know you better…"
Blake's heart fluttered at the honesty, but Yang played with the tablecloth and fidgeted in her seat. The adorable display of nerves made Blake more than willing to answer anything in return.
"What do you want to know?"
When Yang finally looked up, Blake nodded and waited for the first question. Before asking, however, Yang gave her a smile warm enough to melt her heart.
"Everything," Yang breathed out before scooting closer. "But how about...how would you describe yourself?"
Right now, Blake would describe herself as a fluttering mess of butterflies. Everything about Yang - from her proximity to the intent look in her eyes to the smile on her lips - drew Blake in like a moth to a flame. But, even though the question was open-ended, she attempted a standard response.
"I guess you could say I'm a bookworm. I study and read a lot. I'm not exactly a social butterfly or the life of the party. I don't even like parties."
As soon as Yang's brow furrowed, Blake silently scolded herself for adding that last comment.
"Then what were you doing at the back-to-school bash?"
"I...made a deal with my roommate that I'd go to one party each semester. He gets to choose, and he chose that one."
Yang's acceptance of the explanation made Blake feel simultaneously relieved and guilty, but now certainly wasn't the time to bring up the lie leading them here. That conversation was best reserved for a more private setting.
"So you don't plan on going to any other parties this semester?" Yang asked, and Blake shook her head.
"Not unless I feel like it."
"Then, if you think about it, it's even crazier that we met. The chances were already slim because I don't usually...do things like that with someone I don't know. But the chances were even slimmer because you might not have even been there!"
Yang looked so enthusiastic about the remarkable coincidence, Blake attempted a thin smile and nodded.
"So if you really think about it," Yang continued unprompted. "It was like...the stars aligning or something."
"It was unlikely," Blake agreed. Internally, she used the word 'impossible' since it hadn't even happened.
Honestly, she had no idea how it could have happened even if they struck up a conversation. If she knew Yang like she did now, she would have no qualms about proceeding in the physical sense, but Yang hardly seemed like the type to take that step without some serious prompting. No wonder she hadn't believed it...and she shouldn't have.
"So, what's the point of this party?" Blake asked, trying to change the subject and ease her budding guilt. The ballroom decorations offered no clues to that answer. Everyone was well-dressed. Everyone was drinking. But there didn't seem to be a host or schedule mapped out for them.
"Oh, it's just schmoozing."
"'Schmoozing?'"
"Yeah, you know, sucking up to the higher-ups. Gossiping about who slept with who. Trying to win some work or keep others from winning it - that type of thing."
Through that lens, Blake saw a much different world around her. The beautiful young woman laughing and flirtatiously trailing her fingers down a gentleman's arm could be angling for another photo shoot. The two men whispering to each other while glancing across the room could be discussing one of the other models.
"Is this something you normally enjoy?" Blake asked, but Yang laughed and shook her head.
"No. That's also why I bring someone with me. That and, I don't know if you've noticed, but..." After looking around to see if anyone was within earshot, Yang leaned closer and lowered her voice. "The other models don't like me."
"They don't?"
That made no sense to Blake, but Yang shook her head and kept her voice low.
"It's super competitive, and they don't like the attention I get. Combined with how I don't really care, and...they're either threatened, jealous, or offended. Probably all three."
The situation reminded Blake of her experiences with her own classmates. Except she very much cared about the results of her classes and schoolwork, which was why she made it to every class on time and did her best on every assignment. If Yang didn't care as much...
"Then why show up?"
The question made Yang lean back and sigh.
"Because my agent said I should, and I didn't have a good reason not to."
That was the same excuse Yang used for not declining the invitation to that party, and again it struck Blake as odd that someone who didn't want to be here showed up anyway. Yang's reluctance failed to become action - whether because she didn't want to disappoint anyone or because she felt she couldn't act on her own wishes, Blake didn't know.
"So you don't have any friends here?" Blake asked rather than dwell on that subject. Now that Yang mentioned it, Blake noticed some of the looks they were receiving, which she'd initially written off as curiosity.
Curiosity might be one way to describe it, but disdain or annoyance might be more accurate. Imperceptible eyerolls, shakes of heads, and turned down lips - all directed at Yang. It was a far cry from the experience outside of these walls, where everyone tripped over themselves to be near her.
"Can I count you as a friend?"
Blake smiled at the endearing question.
"Yes, you can."
"Then I have a friend here," Yang replied with a smile of her own. "And I promised you good food, which it looks like they just put out - wanna grab some?"
Yang motioned towards a long table on the far side of the room, where a row of silver serving containers had just been filled with food. There was also a full salad bar and - somewhat to Blake's disbelief considering the audience - an entire table stacked with desserts.
"Sure."
Somewhat reluctantly leaving the sanctuary of their table, Blake followed Yang over to the tables covered in food. Seeing as how the other guests seemed content to drink rather than eat, there wasn't a line.
"Wanna see something funny?" Yang whispered out of the corner of her mouth while handing Blake a plate.
"Sure?"
"Ok, watch."
At first, Blake didn't know what she was supposed to watch. By the time they reached the second serving container, however, she understood.
Without regard for her image or waistline, Yang loaded her plate with more food than a reasonable person could ever eat. Heaps of bacon, towers of scrambled eggs, and a teetering stack of mini-quiches. The sight in and of itself was amusing, and that was before they reached the table of desserts.
That was when Blake realized the attention Yang had drawn. Most specifically, three nearby women stared at Yang's plate, horror written across their faces while she added several pieces of pie and cake on top of her haul.
Blake held back a laugh, but she definitely smiled when Yang winked at her. She'd never seen someone look so mortified by food before, nor had she seen a supermodel with so much on one plate. Honestly, she was more impressed by Yang's ability to stack food than the way she got under the other models' skin.
"Are you trying to make them jealous?" Blake asked while following Yang back to their table.
"They're not going to eat anyway." After setting her plate down, Yang looked up and waved at two other models who had a particularly keen interest in her. "And those two consider champagne its own food group."
When the two women rolled their eyes at Yang's wave and lifted their champagne flutes to their lips, Blake shook her head. Then she looked at Yang's monster of a plate and smiled.
"Are you going to eat all that?" she teased, her smile growing when Yang laughed and shook her head.
"God, no. Pretty sure I'd throw up if I ate all this at once." While laying a napkin across her lap, Yang accidentally bumped Blake's knee under the table. "Sorry," she said before moving further away, though Blake hadn't minded the proximity. At a huge table by themselves, sitting close actually felt more comfortable.
"I can only eat like...a tenth of this," Yang added. "I'll ask the servers to box up the rest for Ruby - she loves this sort of stuff but hates the events. They're 'too fake.'"
They hadn't been here long, but Blake understood that feeling perfectly. She didn't want to agree and hurt Yang's feelings though, so she picked up a piece of bacon and took a bite instead.
"Oh, wow." Looking down, she took another bite - it was just as amazing as the first. "This is incredible," she told Yang before breaking off another piece.
"Yeah? Told you it'd be good! Now, are you glad you came with me or what?"
"I didn't need the food to be glad I came with you." The moment Blake noticed Yang's uninhibited delight at the response, she ducked her head and mumbled, "But it certainly helps…"
Yang laughed at the attempt to downplay that moment of honesty but, fortunately, let it slide.
"Should I ask them to box some up for you too?"
In the midst of shaking her head, Blake thought about Sun, her perpetually hungry roommate.
"Actually, if you don't mind? Only if it's not a big deal. But it might keep my roommate from stealing my food for a day."
"It's not a big deal at all! Hold on, I'll do that right now."
Flitting away from the table, Yang flagged down the nearest server to make the request. The young boy was thrilled by her attention which, considering how she looked today, was unsurprising. If he was nervous, however, she got him laughing and nodding along with her request in no time. Blake watched the interaction with a smile, but her smile widened when Yang hurried back to her.
"Ok," Yang said while sitting down. "They'll box up a bunch of stuff for us."
"Thank you."
"No problem." Yang waved off the gratitude. "Can't have your roommate stealing all your food!"
"I appreciate that," Blake replied with a soft laugh.
Yang took a few bites of the mini quiches and nodded. "That's pretty good too," she said before moving on to the scrambled eggs.
While the two of them sampled the food on their plates, Blake used the opportunity to people watch. With her lack of experience in this realm, she could spend hours trying to figure out the social norms and hierarchies of the other guests. Who sought favor from who, which models or executives had the highest status, who were the most or least liked...
The more she learned about Yang, however, the less this atmosphere seemed to match Yang's personality. But that could be an assumption on her part. She didn't know Yang very well, and she didn't know why Yang decided to become a model. But she could always ask.
"How did you get into this?" she asked, gesturing around the room so Yang understood what she was referring to.
"Oh, that's a good story. It was like something out of a movie. I was...discovered."
Eyes sparkling, Yang waved one hand through the air as if highlighting the word and smiled when Blake laughed.
"Discovered where?" she asked, knowing there was much more to the story than that.
"At the gym," Yang answered before settling in to tell her tale. "This random guy walked up to me while I was lifting weights. I thought he was just another creep, but he was wearing a suit - who wears a suit to the gym? Anyway, he handed me his card and said he 'really' wanted to talk to me about modeling."
"So you did?"
"Hell no!" Yang replied with a laugh. "That sounded like a great way to find myself locked in the trunk or something. I said thanks and threw the card in my bag, figuring I'd toss it later. But I showed Ruby first, and Ruby looked up his info and was like 'this looks legit.' That's when I thought I should check it out."
"At least you don't set up meetings with men you don't know," Blake pointed out.
"No, but apparently I'll make out with women I've just met." Yang winked at Blake, successfully drawing a blush, before continuing. "So, after a lot of research, I decided to check it out. And, as any super independent, mature adult would do, I made my dad come with me."
The idea of Yang dragging her dad to something so important made Blake chuckle, but she was also grateful that Yang took precautions under the circumstances.
"And it was legit," Yang concluded. "They set up this big, fancy meeting in their big, fancy building and convinced me and my dad it was worth a shot. I thought it sounded cool - like, they're going to pay me a ton of money just to take pictures of me? And I'll get treated like a celebrity? I couldn't sign fast enough."
Sticking a grape in her mouth, Yang thought about the memory for a moment before shrugging.
"You know what they say though - be careful what you wish for."
"Then...it's not what you thought it'd be?"
"It's pretty cool," Yang replied, her gaze moving around the room before returning to Blake. "Especially at first. There were all these new terms to learn, and everyone treats you really nice because they want to get on your good side. After a while though, you realize it's all just really...fake. And the pressure to be perfect can be unreal; everything you do is under a microscope. They don't tell you that going into it though."
When Yang looked down at her plate, Blake had no idea how to respond. After several seconds of silence, however, Yang regained her signature smile.
"But the money's great so that kinda makes up for it. Paid off school for me and Ruby, helped my dad with the house. Now I'm saving up in case...in case I'm not doing this forever."
More than anything, Blake hoped that Yang wouldn't do this forever. It sounded stressful in a way few would ever experience, and she got the feeling that Yang hadn't even mentioned the worst parts yet. Constantly watched, constantly judged, constantly graded based on nothing more than appearance...Yang could be the sweetest person on the planet, and the people in this room wouldn't care. They only cared about how she looked.
Yang was beautiful, but there was more to her than that.
"I've heard pediatricians make good money," Blake pointed out, and smiled when Yang laughed.
"I've heard that too!" The sparkle quickly returned to Yang's eyes, and that sight alone warmed Blake's heart. "They get to hand out lollipops to kids and make good money doing it - where do I sign up?"
"Med school, I'm pretty sure…" When Yang groaned at the answer, Blake raised her hands and laughed. "Hey, you're the one who wants to be a doctor of handing out lollipops."
"Yeah, yeah…" Yang playfully grumbled. "Just what everyone wants is more school."
"I think it'd be worth it." That was Blake's opinion, but she felt Yang needed to hear it. Yang needed to know that someone - even someone as insubstantial as Blake - supported that future over the one leading to bags of money, popularity, and stress.
"Besides," she added to lighten the mood. "Then everyone will call you Dr. Xiao Long."
"Dr. Xiao Long," Yang repeated with a huff of amusement.
"It sounds good to me."
When Blake shrugged, Yang considered the name and eventually nodded.
"I guess it has a nice ring to it."
"It does."
Honestly, imagining Yang as anything other than a supermodel was difficult. The more Blake thought about it, however, the more she realized that pediatrician actually fit Yang's personality better. Kind, considerate, taking care of others - those traits matched Yang more than modeling ever would.
Before they moved on to a new topic, since a new topic never seemed far away, Blake noticed some of the hotel staff congregating near several large panels resting on oversized easels at the front of the ballroom. Thin, black cloth covered each one, making them seem significant somehow. As soon as the first one was revealed, she understood why.
They were larger-than-life posters of upcoming or current advertisements. Each featured a model that Blake assumed was represented by this agency, lending more purpose to this event. They were celebrating the people on those giant boards, but also the company representing them.
"Oh great..." Yang whispered while the advertisements were revealed one by one, starting at the outer edges and working towards the center. Blake nearly asked what was wrong, but the centermost photo answered that question for her.
The advertisement featured Yang wearing one of the most revealing-yet-classy ball gowns Blake had ever seen. The front plunged deep down her chest and, from her slightly-turned posture, it was easy to see that the back revealed just as much. Her hair fell in waves across her bare shoulders and down her back, a glass of champagne adorned her hand, and an amused-yet-inviting smile played at her lips. Based on the headline, the advertisement sold perfume. But, to anyone who looked at it, it really sold Yang - not a difficult sell in that outfit.
The photo looked fantastic, but Yang put her head in her hands and groaned. "Damn it…" she muttered before shaking her head and sending Blake an apologetic smile. "Sorry, I had no idea they were doing that."
"It's fine…"
"Is it?" Yang asked before glancing at the line of ads and shaking her head again. "Because it kind of looks like I brought you here to show off."
Blake hadn't even thought about that, so she was surprised that was where Yang's thoughts immediately went.
"I don't think that at all. Besides, it - you - look fantastic."
Yang appeared both happy and embarrassed by the compliment, but Blake felt her cheeks warm when she looked at the advertisement a second time. It was surreal that the girl in that photograph was the same girl sitting beside her - the one worried about unintentionally flaunting her abundant beauty.
Yang continued to be a pleasant surprise - one Blake felt compelled to come back to time and time again just to see what happened next.
"I'm, uh, glad you think so," Yang finally replied. After Blake's reassurance, she looked a little more relaxed and willing to discuss the unexpected topic. "It's a new one going up soon."
"You must be excited about that."
"Eh, not really. I'm a little worried what my classmates will think when they see that." Yang waved her fork towards the picture before shaking her head. "Guess it'll be the same as the others. It's just a little more...mature."
"Everyone will love it, just like the others." While Yang looked dubious, Blake nodded. "I'm serious. People love seeing your photos everywhere."
That might not apply to the people in this room - some of whom could be more than a little jealous - but it applied to everyone Blake knew around campus. They loved their claim to fame, which Yang most definitely was, and seeing her in more advertisements only made them feel more special. It wasn't exactly true support, but it was a version of support, at least.
Fortunately, Yang seemed to somewhat believe it too. And, after a second passed, her eyes brightened and she scooted closer.
"You know what's funny?" she asked, failing to notice that her proximity made the hairs on Blake's arm stand up with excitement and nerves. "It took hours to get that one."
"That...doesn't sound very funny."
"You have a sense of humor then," Yang replied with a grin. "I like that."
The simple sentence took Blake's breath away, but Yang leaned closer - close enough that Blake could see every tiny freckle dusting her cheeks and nose - and continued her story.
"Shoots usually don't take so long, but this one took forever. Apparently, my smile was 'too nice' or 'too gentle' or too something. When the evil mastermind calling the shots finally let us take a break, I overheard the crew saying how they all wanted to go home. So I said 'give me one more try,' thought of something genius, and we got that one."
"What did you think about?"
"I imagined the cameraman holding a giant, double cheeseburger."
When Blake laughed at the unexpected answer, Yang grinned.
"You're serious?"
"I'm so serious!" Yang replied, looking delighted by Blake's response. "They wouldn't let me eat all day because they didn't want anything getting on the dress, so I was starving. And I really, really wanted a cheeseburger."
With that additional information, Blake looked at the advertisement again and laughed.
"I think you just ruined the 'sultry' aspect the advertiser wanted."
"Good."
Yang's simple response piqued Blake's curiosity. As did the way she smiled before taking another small bite to eat. If Blake thought about it too closely, she might think that Yang just ruined the photo's allure so that Blake didn't see the mirage. Now, she didn't see what the advertiser wanted her to see. She didn't see Yang Xiao Long - seductress with beauty, grace, and sex appeal. Instead, she saw...Yang. A normal person who was really hungry after a long day at work.
It had a humanizing effect on the person sitting beside her. Sure, Yang was beautiful. Sure, she was popular, widely recognized, and on everyone's watchlist. But she was also just a normal college-aged girl trying to figure out what her life would be like.
Sneaking a glance at Yang out of the corner of her eye, Blake knew, without a doubt, which version she liked more. Before she had a chance to say anything, however, a waiter set two large brown bags by their feet.
"Per your request," he said before heading away. Glancing into one of the bags, Blake found it stuffed with takeout containers, which were themselves stuffed with food.
"This will feed Ruby for like...two days," Yang joked before pushing the other one Blake's way. "And hopefully your roommate will share with you?"
"Maybe I'll let him eat my boring food while I eat this," Blake replied, instantly smiling when Yang laughed. Yang had a really great laugh - a really real laugh. Blake's heart fluttered every time she heard it, which only made her want to make Yang laugh more.
"Oh shoot."
Noticing Yang's gaze trained on someone over her shoulder, Blake turned around and spotted the tuxedoed man who'd just entered the ballroom.
"That's my agent," Yang explained while scooting her chair away from the table. "I need to talk to him real quick, if that's ok? But I'll come right back."
"It's fine." Blake motioned for Yang to do what she needed to do. This was a work event for her, after all - as such, some work might be expected. Her concern for Blake's wellbeing, however, was very sweet. "I have more than enough to keep myself occupied," Blake added with a wave towards the food they still had yet to eat as well as the people she could watch.
"Ok, thank you." With another sincere smile, Yang walked over to her agent. Blake's gaze followed her across the room, noticing the way her posture straightened and her smile grew even brighter - yet somehow more fake - as she greeted the man.
Only a few seconds into their conversation, however, Blake's smile faded. Yang kept glancing at her hands while speaking, suggesting that she wasn't being entirely truthful even though her smile implied otherwise. Still, she nodded, and laughed, and willingly followed her agent across the room to meet two other men in suits.
The first one lifted her hand to his lips and kissed the back of it. The second man, who she seemed a little more familiar with, received a hug and kiss on the cheek. Both gestures made Blake frown, especially when Yang immediately took a big step away from them while the conversation continued. Even though she smiled, even though she laughed at their jokes, she looked...uneasy.
When Yang motioned to the table, however, Blake pretended she was more interested in the advertisements at the front of the room. She didn't want Yang to know she'd been staring, and she especially didn't want Yang to know the conclusions she'd drawn from it. Catching a flash of gold out of the corner of her eye, she finally turned back as Yang returned.
"Hey…" Yang said while taking a different seat than before. The way she sat at the very edge announced that she didn't plan on staying long, much to Blake's disappointment. "So...this could take a while and will definitely be boring. I don't want to make you sit around and wait, so maybe I can get you a cab to take you back to campus?"
Yang looked and sounded so apologetic, Blake's disappointment melted away. She briefly considered offering to wait, because she was enjoying their time together that much, but she did have schoolwork to do - most importantly, her capstone. Plus, she didn't want to rush Yang by waiting around hoping to spend another few minutes talking.
"Sure." She made sure to smile as she stood up, hoping that eased some of the apology from Yang's expression. "I can get a cab though -"
"Please let me," Yang quickly said as she stood too. "I already told them I'd be a few minutes."
Realizing Yang wouldn't take 'no' for an answer, Blake nodded and followed Yang out of the room. Yang's hand brushed her elbow as they walked, but the touch was so light and disappeared so quickly that she couldn't tell if it was real or if she just imagined it.
"I'm really sorry about this…"
"Yang…" Blake shook her head as they crossed the hotel lobby. "It's fine, really. I know you're busy, and I should get home anyway - I have plenty of homework to do."
"Should I really be grateful that you have homework?" Yang mused while walking outside and motioning to one of the valets, who immediately jumped to his feet and hailed the nearest cab. "But...thank you. And thanks for coming with me."
"Thanks for inviting me. I had a great time." After glancing at the hotel, Blake gave Yang a worried look. "Will you be alright by yourself?"
It might be an unnecessary worry, but after what Yang told her...Blake didn't want to leave Yang in a compromising situation. Fortunately, Yang didn't seem concerned about that, which she displayed by nodding and giving an easy smile.
"I'll be fine. They just want to meet about work stuff, then I'll head home."
"Ok."
When a cab stopped beside them and a valet hurried over to open the door, Blake glanced that way before locking gazes with Yang. Honestly, she didn't want to leave but knew Yang had more important matters to attend to at the moment. From the way Yang shuffled her feet and looked at her hands, it felt like she didn't want Blake to leave either. Unfortunately, it also didn't feel like they had much of a choice.
"So, uh...I'll see you around sometime?" Yang finally asked, and Blake quickly nodded.
"Of course. Whenever you're free."
How could she make it sound more like an open invitation without appearing too eager? She didn't want to come right out and ask 'when can we see each other again?' at the risk of making too much of the situation. Maybe Yang didn't even want to see her like this again.
But it felt like Yang wanted the same thing. She even looked like she might say something else - maybe extend another invitation. But then she simply smiled, nodded, and added a quick "Have a good day!" before hurrying back into the building.
Although a mildly disappointing way to end their time together, Blake got into the waiting cab and told him, "Vale University," before sitting back to the short trip. Her thoughts, however, remained on the girl she just left behind.
If Yang didn't feel the same way - if that was the last of their time together - Blake enjoyed it greatly. The fashion industry was a world unlike anything she'd experienced before. It was fascinating to peek behind that veiled curtain and see what it was really like. From what Yang said, however, it was probably best viewed from afar rather than as a fact of life.
Leaning against the window, Blake sighed and tried to refocus on her own life. Now that her time with Yang was over, she needed to get a solid jump on her capstone. An idea still eluded her, but hopefully she figured that out soon.
Doing so might be harder with Yang taking up at least half of her mental capacity, but Yang wasn't what Blake expected, and she loved that. Sweet, smart, funny, considerate, but...it worried her that someone so open and genuine worked in a world focused on image. She knew Yang could handle it - she seemed perfectly adept at doing so. The real question was...did she want to?
That was where Yang's struggle appeared. If Blake sensed it, couldn't others? Or was everyone else too focused on making Yang the next big star - the next 'it' girl - to care about her hesitance and uncertainty?
Sun was wrong - Yang's life wasn't perfect, but she made the best of it. Blake admired that, but at the same time wished it was different. She wished she could help Yang answer the questions they all grappled with. And she wished people would take a second to see beyond Yang's outward beauty - learn who she really was, what she really wanted, and be as surprised by her inner beauty as Blake was.
But Blake couldn't change the world, and she couldn't change Yang's life. She could only offer her opinion or her support if Yang wanted it.