A/N: If I'm being honest, the biggest challenge in this entire fic has been writing conflict between Pyrrha and Jaune. I'm such a straightforward person that miscommunications rarely happen in my life. What do you mean, conflicts happen because people are not on the same page? Talking to me, you'll always be on the same page, whether you like it or not. I tend to over-communicate.

This chapter's just a tad long, but I figured that one chapter breaking the word limit wasn't a big deal. Also, yes, the call is inspired by the training videos.

Let me know what you think of this chapter!

Thrown to the Wind

Vertigo

"It's my fault," Ruby explained Saturday afternoon, pushing around her macaroni glumly, not even commenting on its toppings of breadcrumbs and extra cheese, just how she liked it. "I noticed something happened between you guys- he never talked about you after he said you weren't having lunch together anymore since you were busy, but he sounded like he wanted to see you so I thought… maybe he could come during practice?" Her eyes were wide, regretful, plaintive throughout her ramble. "I told him to. I didn't think anything bad would happen."

Pyrrha shook her head, smiling gently at the girl, who had found out about Jaune's Wednesday appearance through the grapevine. The boy wasn't responding to her, either. "Don't blame yourself, Ruby," the redhead said kindly, although her macaroni was being treated with about the same level of engagement as Ruby's.

"I hope you make up soon," the younger mumbled. "He thinks you're pretty cool, I promise."

"I'm sure Jaune will calm down eventually." But Pyrrha wasn't. Judging by the furtive looks Nora and Ren traded by her side, they knew it, too.

She was right. They cornered her in Ren's room after dinner under the pretense of giving her some study snacks, Nora closing the door behind them while Ren guided Pyrrha to take a seat on his one chair. "What is it, guys?" she muttered nervously.

Nora propped her hands on her hips. "Look, Pyrrha, you need to tell us what happened on Wednesday," she insisted firmly.

"It's clearly causing you distress," Ren added, his worry evident on his face.

The redhead sighed. "You're… not going to let me go until I tell you, huh?"

"Nope!"

"No."

She hung her head. They really were a perfect match- once they latched onto an idea, they'd ensure it succeeded at the expense of all else.

So, what else could she do? She explained the situation- Jaune's lack of a response to her messages last week, the situation with Saphron that resolved itself entirely without Pyrrha's involvement, Jaune's doubts after coming to her practice, and Mercury's mysterious meddling. "What did he even mean, saying that I already liked Mercury? I told him already, we're not friends!" she groaned at last, tipping the chair back tiredly.

Ren answered first. "Perhaps he thinks you weren't genuine," he said slowly. "Think about it. You work multiple jobs to make ends meet, your sister is stalked by an unsavoury individual, and then, you meet someone nice at work. They visit you a lot. You spend time together. But then, you find out that they're much more… traditionally successful than you." He shrugged. "Maybe he thinks that you pity him? Or that you hung out with him only because you live with Ruby, and you didn't want to insult her friend?"

"Or maybe," Nora murmured, appalled, "he thinks you were making fun of him for not being… like you?"

Pyrrha just gaped at the two, slack-jawed. Was that it? There was no way. She had never made any move to tease him- hell, she admired his work ethic! How could he feel that way?

But everyone calls me Miss Invincible. Everyone knows me. Maybe… maybe the titles got to him after all.

It was a harrowing thought. Ren clapped her on the shoulder as Nora guided her back home. "Think about it. Give him a call. He doesn't seem to be the brightest."

Nora hissed, "Ren!" but the boy merely shrugged again.

Nora dropped Pyrrha off in their room. "I'm going to go grab our costumes from the club room," she explained, leaving Pyrrha to the one, singular thought that had burrowed itself into her brain:

I want to see him.

Before she could talk herself out of it, she called his number and brought the phone to her ear. However, the call went straight to the boy's voicemail, and she floundered until she heard the telltale beep, signalling the start of her message. "Hey, Jaune. It's me- Pyrrha." Sigh. Nervous breath- unbecoming voice crack. "If I did something wrong, then I want you to know that I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you."

Pause. Deep, staggering inhale.

"I'm not sure what happened, or what Mercury said. But… I want you to know that I'm proud to be your friend. I've never met someone so determined to take care of the people they love. It's so admirable. And I know that you'll do great things."

Shuddering exhale. "Jaune…" she whispered, "I-I…"

I love him.

The realization struck her like a sack of bricks. She didn't know if the word was right- 'love' was such a heavy concept, after all- but Jaune had carved a special place in her heart, more than anyone truly had the right to.

"I want you to know that I'm just happy to have been a part of your life. I'll always be here for you, Jaune." One final, deep breath. She added, "It's been a lot fun. I really like hanging out with you. So, if you want, I'll be at the party tonight. I'm going with Nora, but… it would be wonderful to see you." She hung up, dropping her phone on the bed.

And so, it was done. She had given it her best shot. Please respond, Jaune.

As she waited for a response, she sat out in the lounge, watching people zip back and forth throughout their floor. The air was ablaze, everyone's excitement for the night's festivities rising. The pre-drinks likely helped, too, as people popped in and out of the lounge to take shots from the communal stash in preparation for putting on the flimsy outfits that the party's theme invited.

Finally, Nora was back, costumes prepped and makeup supplied. Ren had already hid himself away, stacks of unmarked midterms surrounding him, the boy's grimace betraying his own personal hell. They wished him luck, then headed to their own room.

"Nora, I can't wear this," Pyrrha pleaded, looking at the scant material spread across her bed, face red and flustered. It was all just a mess of green, vines, and were those fishnets? "I- I can't. I'm sorry."

"Nope. No buts. You've worn less for track," Nora commanded, standing her ground authoritatively. "Your hair is the perfect colour for this character. You'll look, like, super hot."

But… I don't care how I look. I'm not trying to impress anyone.

Unless Jaune comes, a little part of her whispered. She ignored it. What were the chances that her message would actually reach him?

Nora grinned. "Just trust me."

So, regrettably, Pyrrha did, slipping out of her comfortable sweatpants in exchange for sheer, shimmering green silk and suede. It was going to be a long, cold night.