Day 7: Free Day

Yang Xiao Long was at the top of the food chain. She was the most popular girl in school, had tons of friends, and was the captain of the volleyball team. Everyone loved her because of her kind heart and willingness to help others. There was a running joke within the walls of Beacon High that compared her to being "the mom of the high school," all because of how much she genuinely cared about everyone's wellbeing.

She was superb at making new friends and being the light that brightened up everyone's day. Her best friend, Blake, and her sister, Ruby, always said she could have whomever she wanted from the school if she would only show interest in them. Yang always thought they were exaggerating, greatly.

Regardless, Yang did not just want anyone from the school. She wanted the right person for herself. Someone special that was complex and interesting, who has more to them than can be seen initially. She believed she knew exactly who that person would be after first meeting her at the beginning of this year.

No one could say they were surprised that she managed to make nice with the infamous Ice Queen of Atlas. Yang always hated that nickname.

It was not the poor girl's fault she was a little shy; aloof, even. Just because she never spoke to anyone and kept to herself, she had gained the reputation of being a cold loner. Rumor has it she curses everyone's name behind their backs and has been plotting against them ever since she transferred from Atlas Academy for Girls.

Yang had debunked these rumors early on. She had never believed them to begin with. After talking to the girl for a few weeks, she had learned much about her. She learned she was not a hateful person with a personal vendetta against everyone, but a normal, teenage girl who was trying to find her place in the world like the rest of them. And her name was Weiss Schnee.

But, despite knowing more about Weiss, she still remained as mysterious as the origins of that scar over her left eye.

Yang could tell, ever since they started talking, that Weiss had a hard time growing up.

She would always try to change the subject when their conversations steered towards that time of her life, and she always became really uncomfortable when the topic of family was brought up.

It was after that when Yang decided to make it her personal mission to make Weiss laugh at least once a day. Many days, she was successful, but there were still days where she could only try her best. She was almost certain she was Weiss' only friend, even after the several months they have been in school so far.

That broke her heart.

Such an amazingly complex person like Weiss deserved more compassion in her life, and Yang wanted to help as much as she could. As time went by, she found herself spending more time by Weiss' side. She would feel happy when Weiss was happy and sad when she felt forlorn.

Soon, the signs showed themselves and Yang realized what was happening. She had developed a massive crush on Weiss.

Recently, Yang had become awkward around Weiss, which was completely foreign to her. She was always confident in everything she did, but this? The strange feeling in her stomach and the sharp increase in her heartbeat were two things she was not used to.

She wanted so badly to delve deeper into Weiss' story; to be there for her when no one else has, and she knew just the way to get started.

"I'm going to do it, Rubes," Yang huffed as she walked down the hallway with her math textbook in hand, "I'm going to ask her out."

Ruby grimaced, "Are you sure that's a good idea?"

"Yes."

"I'm not trying to burst your bubble or anything, but have you ever considered that maybe Weiss actually is as nasty as everyone says she is?"

"Have you actually talked to her?" asked Yang.

"No," Ruby rolled her eyes, "But only because she refuses to speak to me. I've been her lab partner for this whole semester, and I still don't know what her voice sounds like."

Yang stopped and faced her younger sister, "That's just because she's… reserved."

"Yang, you could've had literally anyone! Why did you have to choose her?"

"I just really like her, okay?" Yang pouted, "Can you just trust me on this one? Please?"

Ruby bit her cheek and sighed, "If you really think Weiss is a nice person… I'll trust your judgment."

Yang smiled and patted Ruby's shoulder, "Thanks, Baby Sis," she said as they resumed walking, "Now… What the heck do I do!?"

"Can't you just, I don't know… ask her out?" Ruby asked, "Just be straight up with her."

"No way," said Yang as she shook her head, "Weiss is classy. This needs to be something special, or it won't work."

"Um… Give her a flower, too?"

Yang sighed and dragged a hand over her face with a loud groan, "This isn't going to work, Rubes."

"Man, when you said Weiss was different, I should've believed you," Ruby chuckled.

"This isn't funny, Ruby. I want to be with her so bad, but I don't know if she wants the same with me."

Ruby pressed her lips into a thin line, "Yang, you are the strongest person I know. Whenever you set your mind on something, you can get it done. If what you said about Weiss is true, she's just like any other person. For all you know, she could be building up the courage to ask you out too. You just have to shoot your shot, and take that leap of faith."

Yang let her sister's words sink in as a wide smile found its home on her face, "Wow, Ruby. That… actually made me feel better. When did you get so good with words?"

Ruby shrugged as Yang let out a chuckle.

"Okay! It's settled then! I will ask her out!" said Yang, triumphantly as she spotted Weiss organizing things in her locker, "Tomorrow!"

Yang swiftly turned on her heel as the anxious tension in her chest began to expand exponentially.

"Yang," called an angelic voice from behind her.

Ruby snapped Yang a swift salute and disappeared with the crowd.

Yang cringed and turned around with a toothy grin on her face, "Hiya, Weiss!"

Weiss closed her locker and smiled as she walked the short distance to Yang, "You didn't come to my locker before first period today. Is everything alright?"

"Oh! Yeah, everything's cool," Yang chuckled nervously as her hand instinctively combed through her hair, "I just hit snooze on my alarm too many times."

Weiss giggled as she reached into her bag, "My calc teacher gave us some candy today. I'm not really a fan of sweets, so I thought I'd take some for you."

"Oh, cool! Thanks," smiled Yang as she accepted the candy.

"No problem," Weiss smiled back, "I have to head to chemistry. If I don't see you later, I'll see you tomorrow."

"Wait!" Yang blurted, causing Weiss to turn back, "U-um… Before you go, I just wanted to ask you… something."

Weiss looked up at Yang with a curious twinkle in her eye, "What is it, Yang?"

Yang chuckled nervously as she timidly placed her hand on the back of her head, "I was just wondering if… If you would— um… If you would maybe want to go with me… on a date… on Friday?"

Weiss' mouth fell ajar as she scrambled for a response, "Oh! Um. Uh…"

"Y-you don't have to say 'yes.' I completely understand if you don't want to," Yang added a little too quickly.

"No!" Weiss nearly shouted, "I mean yes! I do want to go on a date with you… But I can't."

The brief spark of joy in Yang's heart was snuffed out.

"Oh… Okay," she mumbled as she turned to leave.

"Wait!" Weiss called out this time, "Are you free on Saturday? Could we do it then instead?"

Yang's eyes widened for a moment, "I think we could… Oh, wait. No, I promised Ruby I would watch her track meet on Saturday."

Weiss looked at her shoes, "Oh…"

A thick fog of quiet formed around them as the rest of the students in the hall flooded into their classrooms.

"Well… Are you busy today after school?" Yang asked.

Weiss flinched, "Um… No, I'm free for the night."

"Great," Yang chirped, "So… I'll pick you up at seven?"

A wide smile slowly formed on Weiss' face, "That works for me."

"Awesome," Yang grinned, "It's a date!"

The two girls laughed together as the bell indicating classes have started rang loudly.

"Uh oh. I should probably get to class now. I'm already late," Yang chuckled.

"Yeah, me too," said Weiss as she tucked a lock of her white hair behind her ear.

"Okay! I'll see you later!"

"Bye…"

As Yang turned to walk away, she made sure to wait a few moments before leaping in joy.

"She said yes!"

Little did she know, her date had heard her cry, and could not contain the smile that it enkindled.