A/N: So close to the end! I think everything is covered, but it's been challenging- I feel like this project was more about making sure Pyrrha isn't 'the protag'; rather she's just 'a person' who's in charge of their own story, so her presence can't magically solve everything. This ain't a JRPG, I suppose.

Let me know what you think!

Thrown to the Wind

Second

Pyrrha's footsteps rang heavy through the air as she sprinted down Main Avenue, echoing along the empty campus. It was still too early to see anyone around, and in the silence that differed so much from the normally-bustling environment, the redhead felt utterly stifled, alone.

Where is he?

As she paused, taking a break to catch her breath and let her screaming muscles rest momentarily, she glanced around. The blond was nowhere in sight, though. With trembling fingers, she yanked her phone out and called Ruby, wrapping her arms around herself anxiously. "Ruby, pick up," she muttered, jogging down the road once she had recovered enough energy.

In a few moments, the younger girl's sleepy voice interrupted the dial tone. "Wha- Pyrrha, what is it?"

"Ruby!" Pyrrha cried, cursing the vulnerability in her voice, "Do you know where Jaune is?"

She heard the other girl yawn. "No, Pyrrha, it's like- 7 AM, why would I?"

"Ruby, do you know where he'd go?"

Ruby's voice grew more alarmed and alert as she murmured under her breath, "But he was supposed to go see you…"

"What?"

"Nothing! Pyrrha, did something happen?"

"No! No," the redhead fibbed. "I'm just… looking for him, that's all."

The younger hummed tiredly, yawning again. "Well, I dunno. I would text him, but…"

"But what?" Come on, Ruby. Please message him. He'll listen to you, she thought worriedly.

Ruby replied hesitantly, "Well… I think that you should talk. You haven't spoken all week, right? He's been super bummed about it. I think it's worse 'cause his sis is going through stuff too apparently, so there's a lot happening right now." She sighed, and Pyrrha could easily imagine the girl ruffling through her dishevelled bedhead in frustration. "He was really happy meeting you, y'know."

Pyrrha's heart shattered at those words. "…Message me if you hear from him?"

"Will do!" the girl chirped.

The moment she hung up the call, she had Nora's line ringing. In just a few moments, the exuberant girl picked up. She never called unless it was an emergency- knowing that the redhead was supposed to be at practice would put her roommate on high-alert. "Pyrrha, what's going on?!" Nora cried.

"Jaune came to the track during practice, and then he ran out, and I don't know what's going on." The words spilled out of Pyrrha's mouth desperately. If anyone would help her unconditionally, it was Nora.

That faith was earned. Rather than asking too many questions, Nora simply growled, "Did he do anything to hurt you?"

"No," the redhead breathed, turning off Main Avenue to make a detour into the creative writing department's main building. She jogged through the hall, but she no matter where she looked, there wasn't a blond head anywhere.

"Let me know if you need to hunt a man down. I totally will."

Despite her fear and worry, a smile broke free upon Pyrrha's face. "I know, Nora. Thanks."

"Keep me updated if you find him! I only got class at 10 today."

"Sounds good." And with that, Pyrrha finished scouring the building, running back out onto Main Avenue. From where she was currently, it would be easy to go check her favourite study spot- but why would Jaune go there if he wanted to avoid her?

Before she could doubt herself further, she hiked her bag farther up her shoulder and headed off to her department, ready to duck into the little forested area behind it. Once her heavy footfalls passed the gazebo, a blond head of hair came into view, leaning back onto the tree. When he heard her, though, the boy lurched upright, eyes wide and befuddled. "Pyrrha…?" He clambered to his feet, picking up his bag hastily. "What are you doing here?"

She dropped her bag, panting tiredly, leaning down. She wasn't used to endurance running, not like this- her sport specialized in sprints, after all. Stretching out the light stitch in her side, she walked up to him, unable to maintain her composure. "Jaune, I saw you run off- why were you at the track?" she gasped out, her nervousness making it even harder to catch her breath.

The boy stepped back, guilt and shame growing on his face. "Ruby told me you've been working really hard," Jaune mumbled, gripping his bag so tightly that his knuckles shone white. "I… wanted to visit you." Reaching into his backpack, he pulled out a small bag. "Brought snacks."

Her heart melted despite her riled-up state. "Oh, Jaune…" But she needed to stay focused. "Why did you leave, though? What happened?"

The boy ran his fingers fretfully through his hair, sighing. "That guy- Mercury? He told me."

"Told you what?!" she groaned, exasperated. "What would Mercury know about me?"

"More than me, I guess," Jaune muttered bitterly. "Why didn't you tell me?" The look of betrayal in his eyes was too much.

What is he even talking about? She wanted to cry, her eyes stinging with tears of frustration and confusion. "I don't know what you're talking about," she pleaded. "If I did something wrong, you need to know that I didn't mean it. But I don't know what I did in the first place!" When the boy didn't respond, continuing to avoid her gaze, she reached out, grabbing his hands. "Please, Jaune."

"Just… you didn't need to go that far."

It all sounded like nonsense to her. What was he talking about? What had Mercury told him? Why did he look like she had hurt him so irreparably?

She just didn't know.