Night of the Dance
The spring dance was in full swing and everyone's having fun. The student body managed to raise enough money to book a banquet hall in a hotel.
Weiss opted not to enjoy the festivities. Instead, she manned the entrance, taking in tickets for entry. She just can't be around people right now. It was a week since Ruby slammed the door on her and they haven't spoken since.
Students kept filing into the hotel's banquet hall. Weiss didn't pay too much attention as they gave their tickets. That is until two girls held up the line.
"Hey Prez," said Miltia Malachite, wearing a short red dress and stockings that left little to the imagination.
"How's your love life?" added Melanie in an equally scandalous white dress.
"Wonderful. Enjoy the dance." Weiss stuck her hand out to receive their tickets.
"We will," said Miltia. "We need to talk about the other day. Me and my sister suffered greatly and want some reparations. I'm sure a rich girl like you can afford it."
"A rich girl like me also has lawyers. I could sue the two of you," Weiss smirked. "Or your mother. I'm sure the firm will find something."
"Whatever," the twins said.
The twins scowled and gave Weiss their tickets. They strolled past her with their heads held high.
Weiss let out a breath. She could have threatened legal action sooner but her father would know about it and would draw too much attention. Luckily those two were too afraid to call her bluff.
Weiss's shift at the booth was over so she switched with another student and entered the banquet hall.
The dance was in full swing. The dance floor was packed with students flinging their limbs every which way.
Weiss made her way to the ice tea cooler and poured herself a drink. She observed the student body enjoying themselves. The music was thumping if generic. The iced tea tasted odd but good. Weiss couldn't quite place it.
Another student in a red dress stood next to Weiss.
What does Miltia want now? Weiss thought. She looked over. "Look, I told you to…" Weiss lost her words.
Ruby looked over in shock. She hadn't noticed Weiss when she got her drink. She tried to step back.
"Ruby, wait," Weiss said. She grabbed onto her arm, much as she did a week ago. Weiss picked up on the scent of warm chocolate wafting from Ruby.
Ruby didn't fight her off like before. "What do you want Weiss?" Ruby looked tired.
Weiss didn't waste any time. "I'm sorry for everything. For the lies and leading you on and saying you're in the way." Her eyes watered.
Ruby's face relaxed but she frowned. It was a simple enough apology that told Ruby that Weiss wanted to accept the mistakes that had been made. It wasn't much, really, but it meant more than the secrets and the lies.
"Weiss I know you are but we can't just go back to the way things were. I'm not some dirty little secret to vent out frustration to," Ruby said. "I need more than heartfelt words."
The challenge was laid out before Weiss. Insinuating she was incapable of changing wounded her pride. This brat is not going to show me up. What has gotten into Weiss?
A slow jam played over the speakers and the dance floor cleared out for the couples. This was the moment.
Weiss took Ruby by the hand and took her to the dance floor. She felt all eyes on them, towards the center.
Ruby didn't know what to think 's face was red and she was breathing heavily. Her mind was too haywire to resist Weiss pulling her into the crowd. She saw everyone looking at them. Ruby just wanted to shrink down right down.
Weiss took both of Ruby's hands in hers and started swaying to the beat.
She stood there for a second, unable to muster any sort of response. Ruby wanted this, a public display, but now that they're here in front of everyone it felt too much. But if Weiss stepped up she won't back down.
With a slight shiver, Ruby found herself reaching up to touch Weiss's white hair fluttered against her skin and Weiss smiled at her,
The Huntress slowly leaned into her touch, holding Ruby back at her waist. The redhead had mixed feelings.
Both of them grooved the beat now. Enough people gawked at them and drag their partners with them.
Weiss felt great for once in her life. Everything felt clear. She and Ruby ebb and flowed with each other. She knew everyone was looking but she didn't care.
The song was coming to an end. Weiss more than proved her point with the dance but she wanted to leave no trace of doubt to everyone, to Ruby, and most of all herself.
Weiss grabbed Ruby by the cheeks, her body suddenly stiffening as she suddenly felt a tugging.
Ruby stopped as well. "Weiss?" What could she be up to now?
Weiss closed her eyes and leaned forward, pressing her lips to Ruby's mouth.
Ruby felt dizzy. She gripped Weiss's waist to steady herself as the other girl dove deeper into her mouth. Ruby couldn't breathe but this felt so good.
Weiss pulled away. Her face streaked red as her brain caught to what the rest of the body did.
The crowd erupted in applause. Some even hoop and hollered drowning out the music.
Kill me now. Thought Weiss. But she didn't regret anything. She dragged themselves out of the dance floor and into the lobby.
/-/
They came out onto the lobby once again and locked arms. Weiss leaned on Ruby to keep herself steady. She felt dizzy.
Ruby bounced from foot to foot. Weiss danced with her and then kissed her in front of everybody! She's really proud of her.
"Weiss," Ruby prodded with her free hand. "How're you feeling?"
Weiss slumped slightly dragging Ruby down a bit. They sat down on a plush couch in the lobby.
"I can't believe I did that," Weiss dropped her hands to the side. Everybody knows now. Father's is going to be livid. Weiss thought. He'll find out on social media and then-
Weiss sat up straight and alert. She looked over to Ruby, "Feeling fine Ruby. My father and whoever else can say what they want," She leaned back and hooked her arm over the couch and pulled Ruby closer. "I don't care."
Ruby's face warmed. "I'm so proud of you Weiss. Now you can get what you want."
"Actually Ruby," Weiss said. "It's not what I want but who." She turned to Ruby and looked straight into her eyes.
"Weiss?" Ruby blushed even more.
Weiss smirked and leaned in and pushed Ruby down onto the couch.
"Weiss wait," Ruby said as she fell onto the couch.
Ruby felt her face grow hot, staring at a more amorous Weiss, breathing down on her. What's that on her breath?
"Ruby," Weiss said. Her voice husky almost slurring. She lowered herself even closer to Ruby.
Ruby wanted to go public but not like this! On the other hand, she wouldn't mind going too far here with Weiss. Closing her eyes, Ruby readied herself for Weiss's embrace.
Then Weiss just dropped like a stone on top of Ruby. Her head bumped Ruby's. Then she went limp and started to snore.
"Oof" Ruby let out. She was now buried beneath Weiss in a compromising position.
I guess we're not watching a movie either. Ruby huffed in disappointment. She just remembered the promise Weiss made about their first real date weeks ago. Can't be helped. Ruby instead wrapped her hands around Weiss's waist and snuggled even closer to her snowflake.
It'd be disingenuous to say that Weiss and Ruby lived 'happily ever after' but this is where we'll leave them...for now.
/-/
It was later discovered that the Malachite twins spiked the iced tea, which explains Weiss's behavior and blackout. The twins were expelled and sent back to their mother who was not happy at all.
Done. I know it seems abrupt but I overplanned this story and got myself emotionally checked out of it. I wrote the characters as they ought to act rather than how they actually are. It makes every word contrived. I mean the locket- the very thing the story revolves around- was completely forgotten about after chapter 2. Proper stakes weren't even established. Completely went over my head.
Rather than agonize over it, I'll just wrap this story up and move on to something else.
Thank you for reading.