I Think I Like You

Chapter 22: Heart on Your Sleeve

I feel a longwinded chill run through the air, crisp enough to make me shiver through my uniform jacket.

Bringing my hands up to my mouth, I blow hot breath into them and close my eyes, savoring the warm air bringing back what little sense of feeling I have in my fingertips.

It has only gotten colder over the past few weeks and the music festival is fast approaching. Since it's the middle of the week right now, we only have until Friday to get everything done.

The council has been on overdrive these past few days especially. There are so many things to be done, from putting up all the decorations in the courtyard, to affixing the make-shift stage with all the proper audio and lighting equipment, and to setting up the seating and food stalls.

However, this being one of the biggest school events before winter break, not only is the council responsible, but a good handful of other clubs around the school as well. Everyone from yearbook, to all the band classes, to chorus, and the multiple art clubs are working together to make sure everything is prepared and done on time.

Presently, I'm taking a rest on one of the fold-out chairs that Nora, Ren, and I have been setting up in front of the stage for the past hour, watching all the other students work on various tasks.

Some of the band kids are joking and shoving each other around, while bringing their instruments from a loaded van behind the makeshift stage that's been constructed in the center of the courtyard. Jaune and Pyrrha are with them, helping unload the vehicle.

I spot some other students helping set up some of the food and drink stalls. It will definitely help to have some warm drinks being served during the event, the dropping temperature becoming increasingly more noticeable lately.

Shifting my gaze towards the other end of the courtyard, I spot Weiss talking to a group of students. She's holding her clipboard and making large hand gestures towards the stage, as though she's explaining to them her vision of how she wants it to look. I know better than anyone how she envisions this festival going, seeing how she's explained it to me about ninety times the past few days.

She's been stressing hard about everything, which has had me worried, but she's been extremely adamant that everything is being handled fine and that she just can't help but be a little anxious. I've been helping out the best I can, however, the things is, setting up chairs and doing busy work is about the most I can do. That being said, I'm more than fine with just supporting her in any way I can, in any way I can help make her work load lighter and remove some of that stress.

One of the students she's talking to raises their hand to ask a question and she nods along before beginning to explain something. Weiss's wearing her normal uniform jacket, buttoned all the way up, with some gloves and a cute blue beanie with a small puff on the end.

How she's able to be so breathtakingly gorgeous all the time will never cease to amaze me. I feel a soft smile form on my face as I watch her.

"Whatcha looking at?"

I jump at the voice positioned directly beside my ear, and frantically turn around to see an amused Nora leaning over my chair.

"Wha-? Nora? When did you get there?"

"Oh, just a few seconds ago," Nora claims, waving me off and plopping down in a foldout chair next to mine. "You were looking at Weiss, weren't you?"

"Nora, leave her alone." Ren chimes in, walking over and setting down another stack of chairs next to us. "We should be working."

Nora waves him off too and pats on a chair next to her. "C'mon, let's take a break already, we've been at this since fourth period. School's going to end soon."

After another few jabs back and forth between the two, Ren eventually sighs and gives in, knowing Nora won't be backing down any time soon.

"I suppose a few minutes won't hurt."

"Atta boy!" Nora exclaims, giving Ren a slap on the back as he takes a seat. "I can't wait for the festival, can you guys? I heard the band composed a brand new song just for the opening show. Oh, and supposedly their gonna be selling T-shirts at one of the stalls."

Ren rolls his eyes. "Yes, and we have to wear those T-shirts. We're part of the staff, remember?"

Nora holds a finger to her chin and crosses her legs. "Oh, yeah. Kinda forgot about that part… It's still going to be fun though! Did you see them setting up the face painting booth?"

"I did earlier." I chime in, finding it hard to contribute to the conversation, since the other two members of the council are so used to bouncing ideas off each other. "Looked cool." I add.

"Right?" Nora says, enthusiastically.

The two begin chatting amongst themselves again, and I lean back in my chair to take another cold breath or air.

I hear a muffled clanging sound and look over to the culprit of the noise.

Near the drop off area of the courtyard, some burly looking students were lifting fairly large boxes off a truck, one appearing to have dropped his. The driver of the truck walks around and seems to be yelling at the kid for a few moments, right before the student waves him off and picks up the box again, rolling his eyes.

The student's eyes catch mine and as he turns around, I immediately identify him to be Cardin. He sneers at me and rolls his shoulder back.

I frown and feel a poke at my shoulder, turning to see Nora looking at me expectantly.

"So, why were you watching Weiss earlier, Ruby?"

"H-Huh?" I stutter, caught off guard. "Oh, no reason, really… She just looks so professional is all."

Not a lie – but certainly not the whole truth. I can't exactly say: Well, Nora, she looks extremely attractive to me right now and I love watching my girlfriend boss people around.

"She does have a certain grace about her." Ren agrees.

"Daww, isn't our cute and angry snowflake of a president just the best?" Nora says, holding her hands to her cheeks and resting her elbows on her knees.

I chuckle and rub my hands together to create some warmth.

"Angry?" I question with a grin. "More like… short-tempered."

"Oh, that's a good one!" Nora agrees, nodding. "You got anything, Ren?"

"A surly… mentch?"

I scratch my head and scrunch my nose up in confusion. "A who?"

"You know those contradict each other, right?" Nora states more as a fact than a question. "Regardless, we love our council dictator all the same."

I giggle and Ren rolls his eyes as Nora elbows him in the side.

It's odd hanging out with some of the other members. Sure, I see them all the time and say hey to them when we pass in the halls or enter a meeting, but we never really converse much otherwise.

The council reminds me of something like clockwork. All the bits and pieces work together to create a working machine, and with some parts interacting more than others. Even though we still have a semester left in the school year, I find myself wishing I had made friends with the people in the council sooner.

"Thanks for letting me help set up." I say, thoughtfully. "I would've been stuck on stage duty otherwise and I'm glad I get to hang out with you guys for once. We never really see each other all that much."

Nora nods confidently and puts a finger to her chin. "You know what? You're right, Rubes, we should totally throw another party next semester."

"Hard pass." Ren states, crossing his legs.

"Rubes?" I question, noting the new nickname with a smile. Usually Yang is the only one that refers to me with a nickname, and of course Weiss refuses to.

"Trying it out." Nora says nodding knowingly and tilting her head towards me with an enthusiastic look in her eye. "Yep! I like it. Up top, Rubes!"

Nora jumps up and places her hand in front of me to high-five. I find myself laughing and standing from my chair as well, giving an overdramatic display of reaching my arm back and clapping Nora's hand with my own. I can feel the good-natured annoyance from Ren behind us.

Looking over Nora's shoulder, I catch sight of Jaune and Pyrrha carrying a drum kit onto the stage. Well, carry might not be the best term, it's more like Pyrrha is pushing it up the steps one at a time as Jaune helps pull it from the front.

"Agh, dammit. Who invented ten-piece drum kits in the first place?" I faintly hear Jaune complain over the crowd of people milling about.

Switching my gaze back to Ren and Nora, we all exchange knowing faces that say: Who's going over there to help the poor boy?

I find myself brushing my hands off on my uniform pants and giving a quick wave to the pair I had been previously helping, proceeding to jog over to the other council members.

When I reach them, I round over to the back of the large drum and help Jaune pull it up the stairs, while Pyrrha does most of the work by pushing and lifting it.

"Thanks for the help, Ruby." Jaune says tiredly when we set the kit down on the edge of the stage, all of us breathing heavily with weariness.

I wave him off. "Don't mention it."

"Hey, Ruby!" I hear someone call from not too far off.

The three of us walk to the edge of the stage and spot Yang, Blake and a few other seniors attempting to put the music festival banner up at the entrance of the courtyard. "Could use some more help!" She yells as they get the first pole of the banner halfway off the ground.

"On it!" I call back, finding myself, along with the other two members, jogging down the steps of the stage and towards my sister, still breathing heavy from lifting the drum kit.

"Well, someone sure is popular." Pyrrha jokes from behind me.

"Pshh, you guys only ever use me for my availability." I cheerfully wave her off.

"Sure, that and the fact that you're technically second in charge of the music festival." Jaune says.

As we reach my sister and the other students that are helping pull the banner up, I notice Penny off to the side of the operation, camera glued to her face as she snaps as many pictures as she can manage. I wave to her as we reach them but she's too immersed in her photography to notice.

"Pyrrha, can you help us with this pole? Ruby and Jaune, you guys can get the other side."

"Aye, aye." I say with a mock salute as we all move to get a good grip on the poles that are soon to be going in the ground.

It takes us a good few minutes, but with the help of about five other seniors that Yang calls over, we're eventually able to set the banner up and in place with a satisfying clunk.

"Hell yeah!" Yang exclaims, pumping her fist and then holding it towards Blake with an expectant expression. "C'mon, pound it!"

Blake rolls her eyes and weakly holds out her fist as my sister proceeds to bump their knuckles together and make a fake explosion sound as it blows up.

"You too, Sis!" She says, holding her fist out to me as well.

"How about all of us?" Pyrrha suggests, placing her fist on top of mine, Jaune following in suit.

The students around us quickly join in on our fist pile, even the ones that aren't apart of the council, and soon we have a group huddled around each other, laughing like mad.

"Aren't we supposed to say something, like, inspiring?" One kid questions.

"It's more like a declaration." Blake inputs, quietly.

"Yeah! Something like, happy new year! Or, like, go team!" Yang suggests.

"Oh, I like that!" I agree, nodding eagerly.

"It's not new year's." A student points out. "And we're not playing basketball."

Jaune scrunches his face, thinking, and scratches the back of his head. "Happy Music Fest?"

"That sounds kinda dumb." Another student deadpans.

There are some snickers, but some people shrug and look towards one another as we're squished up in our little circle, fists still held together in the middle.

A smile ghosts my face as I look between some of the students. "Okay, then. Happy Music Fest on three. One – two – three!"

We all throw our fists up and yell our chant, earning some laughs and some annoyed looks from the other students milling about, but we hardly take notice, too wrapped up in our clapping and joking to care.

"Oh, that was just wonderful! I'm going to have to clear my SD card before the real thing on Friday, just you wait." Penny exclaims, walking up to me from where she must have been standing back taking photos.

"Hey, Penny." I say, heartily, giving her a wave and a short hug.

"Someone's in a good mood. What's got you all smiley?" She asks.

"I could say the same for you, you know?"

Penny giddily turns her camera around to face me and shows me a reel of all the pictures she's been able to take today. "How could I not be excited when I finally get to work at another event for yearbook? Look how much opportunity there is here!"

I laugh as she scrolls through more of her pictures, many of which from the display we just gave to the rest of the students and teachers who are setting up for the festival.

"I suppose so." I agree.

"By the way, have you seen Weiss lately, Ruby? I haven't been able to get any good shots of her."

I shake my head and point towards where I had last seen her when I was helping Ren and Nora. "Last I saw she was helping some students by the pavilions."

Penny tsks and shakes her head. "That's too bad. If you see her tell her I would love to take some candid shots with her."

"Will do." I give her a thumbs up.

Penny looks up at me from her camera, squints her eyes at me like she's looking for something. I blink in confusion as to what she's looking at, which is when she gives me a small, genuine smile.

"You seem different." She says, plainly.

"Oh? Uh, different how…?"

"A good different – A happy different. I'm glad you got involved with the council. Do you know how hard it was to see my bff sleeping in class and missing assignments every day? The council really whipped you into shape."

I let out a chuckle that feels more like a breath of air. "Yeah, you could say that."

"Although, I am assuming that's not the only thing that has you whipped."

"Shut up!" I exclaim jokingly, punching her lightly in the shoulder. "But really, I'm glad you seem happy too, Penny. I rarely get to see you anymore with your nose stuck behind that camera."

"Oh, I am happy!" Penny says, bouncing on the balls of her feet. "After the festival, I get to start making my profile for my photography and my bestie is happy of course, which makes me happy!"

"Hey, nerds!" I hear Yang call from behind us. "Quit chit-chatting and get that camera over here to get some pictures of the finished entrance!"

I shake my head and Penny takes a breath. "Duty calls." She says, booping her finger on my nose. "We will chat later, Ruby."

"Sounds good." I say, waving her goodbye as she jogs over to a group of students by the entrance.

I'm left standing to the side of this whole operation, feeling another long, chilly wind run through the air. I grab my arms and rub my hands up and down them for warmth, feeling my teeth chatter as a particularly strong gust hits my face.

Looking up to the sky, I wouldn't be surprised if it started snowing soon but hopefully it'll hold out until the festival is over.

I wonder around for a bit, helping whenever I can, eventually finding myself walking through some of the make-shift food and drink stalls.

I look over at a table with what appears to have many plastic cups and a few of those portable stove tops. Under the table I see a familiar speck of long brown hair and I adjust my path towards my new target.

"Hey, Velvet." I say, walking up and squatting down next to where she's bent over a box, full of what looks like some hot chocolate mix.

Velvet makes a surprised noise upon my sudden presence and looks up from the box. "Oh, hey, Ruby. How are things?"

"Things are good. Whatcha you up to?"

"Oh, nothing." Velvet says, clearly bored with the task she's been given. "Have to count the cocoa packets to make sure there's enough for Friday. Can't have hundreds of freezing high schoolers without some warm sugary beverages, aye?"

I chuckle and nod my head. "That's a good point. I've just been helping around."

"I've noticed. You're quite on top of things, I'm impressed."

I shrug and help separate some of the packets Velvet has already counted. "Yeah, well, you know what they say."

"What's that?" She questions tilting her head to the side, reminding me of a look a bunny would pull.

"When the pres asks you to do something, you do it."

That earns a giggle and knowing look from the former council member.

"That makes sense. I mean, you guys are the infamous married couple of the school."

I almost choke on my saliva and it comes out as more of a gag. I attempt to cover it up with a cough, however, if Velvet noticed my actions she didn't say anything.

"T-The what?" I stutter. "People call us that?"

Velvet just shrugs and continues counting the packets of cocoa. I suddenly feel my heart like it's racing a thousand miles a minute.

"Relax, Ruby. It's just some dumb gossip people say."

"But why would they think that?" I push. Velvet only looks at me with a confused expression and I attempt to backpedal. "I-I mean why would people being saying something like that."

Velvet hands me some more packets to set to the side and I watch as she reaches under the table to sift through a new box.

"Well, that's how you guys act, honestly, and since you two are always together as president and vice president-" She must have seen the conflicted expression I was making because she waves her hand at me and smiles. "Don't worry, really. It's just some chatter around the halls, nothing serious. I'm sorry, I didn't think it would upset you so much."

"Oh, no I'm not upset or anything, just - uh - just thinking is all."

Much to my appreciation, Velvet doesn't press any further. Instead, she takes out one of the cocoa packets and a coffee one from under the table and hands them to me.

"Aren't these for the festival?" I ask, hesitant to take them.

"Oh, lighten up. We're going to have plenty, I think you and Weiss could use something to help you warm up and relax before the festival. You two have been working yourselves to death."

I look at her outstretched hand and slowly take the packets to stuff in my jacket pocket. "Thanks, Velvet. I appreciate it, really."

"Of course. The coffee is for Wei- oh, speak of the devil."

I turn around and spot Weiss looking down at her clipboard and then lifting her head and glancing around, like she's looking for something. After a moment her gaze trains in on me and she uses her arm to wave me over.

"Uh-oh. Hope I'm not in trouble."

"As if." Velvet states, like it's completely obvious. "Go on now, and make sure to take a break before the festival, I mean it. We can't run this thing with two sleep-deprived and overworked zombies."

"Noted." I wave goodbye as I begin walking away. "Later, Velvet."

As I approach Weiss, I shove my hands into my pockets, my fingers feeling numb from the cold.

She flips through her clipboard and presses her pen to her lips in thought, her beanie covering where her gaze is.

"Heya." I say, slipping my still cold hands out of my pocket and deciding to surprise attack Weiss by placing them on either side of her face, which in turn makes her yelp and look up at me. "Looking a little chilly there, Snowflake." I say, thinking about how soft her cheeks are.

I laugh as Weiss takes her clipboard and bops me on the head with it. "Your hands are freezing, you dunce!"

"Sorry! Sorry! Truce, please!" I chuckle, swatting the clipboard away, ignoring Weiss's irritated huffs. "What am I needed for, Captain?"

Weiss groans and makes some marks on her clipboard. "I wish you would take this more seriously. We have a lot to get done, you know."

"Hey, I'm taking this plenty seriously! I've been working all day."

Weiss rolls her eyes and continues making marks. "Yes, like when I saw you sitting with Ren and Nora earlier when you were supposed to be-"

"We sat down for, like, five minutes!"

Weiss shakes her head and places her pointer finger and thumb on her forehead, as though she has a headache. "I'm sorry, Ruby. I don't want to fight with you right now. I know you've been helping, I'm just kind of stressed."

She takes a deep breath in and out I feel my heart beat quicken when she looks at me, her porcelain colored skin shining in the daylight and the color of the sky reflecting in her eyes.

"It's okay, Weiss. I get you're under a lot of pressure and I want to help in any way I can. You can count on me!" I say, wanting desperately to hug her but managing to hold myself back.

"Right. Well, I called you over to make sure we're still going to your house after preparations today to work on some of the playlists and for counting the tickets."

"Oh, yeah. That should be fine." I confirm, reaching into my pocket and holding out the different drink packets I was just given. "Looky what Velvet gave me. This'll definitely get your energy up, then we can stay up all night working on those tickets."

"Oh, great. You bouncing off the walls in a chocolate induced sugar rampage. Just what I need." Weiss deadpans.

"Hey, I'm not that bad!" Weiss gives me some side-eye that I pretend to not have seen. "Oh, and Penny told me to ask you to do some candid photos for her when you have the time."

Weiss sighs and pinches the bridge of her nose. "I will try my best, but right now I have everything but time."

I give her a knowing look and reach over to brush some bangs out of her eyes, momentarily forgetting about the students and teachers.

Letting my hand quickly fall, I pull at my collar, expecting to be told off. Instead, however, I watch a soft smile grow on Weiss's face and we share a look as though we're the only two people in the world. It feels like the world is a better place when she smiles and not just one of those pity smiles – but one of those watermelon smiles where you grin from ear to ear.

It's like I can see my future in her smile, in this moment meant just for us. No one else - just us - it feels like that's all I'll ever need.

"Ruby, there's something I've been meaning to tell you, actually-" Weiss begins, but is cut short by someone calling my name.

"Ms. Rose, do you have a moment?"

I begrudgingly turn my gaze from Weiss and towards the familiar voice of Mr. Ozpin, who is waving me over to one of the front tables.

"I gotta go deal with this." I huff, a cold puff of air escaping my mouth. "Text me when you're ready to go and we'll see each other later?" I say, turning to go.

Weiss briefly looks as though she wants to say something more but quickly nods and gives me a satisfied look. "Of course. I'll be helping with the band kids if you need me."

Walking up to one of the front tables, I shake hands with Mr. Ozpin in greeting and ask him what the problem is.

"Well, you see, the tickets just came in and I was wondering where-"

"Wait, these are the tickets?" I question, looking at one of the various boxes and grabbing a roll out of some wrapping. "Where are their stamps?"

"Pardon?" My home room teacher asks, looking at me confusedly, and pushing his glasses up on his nose to get a better look.

"The company we ordered them from was supposed to stamp the corners with their logo, so people can't bring in fake tickets." I say, digging through the box to check the rest of them. "Weiss said they were supposed to do that."

A few other students and teachers around the table area murmur to each other and shrug. I gulp and look through the other two ticket boxes, which, no surprise, were also not stamped.

I see a few eyes looking at me expectantly, expecting me to have a plan or something. I know I need to think quick on my feet.

What would Weiss do? What would Weiss do?

After pausing for a few seconds I slowly shake my head at myself.

What a dumb question. Of course, Weiss would scowl and do whatever she needed to do to get it done.

"Give me a moment." I say, walking away from the table and getting on my phone to look up the company's number.

A bored sounding employee picks up the phone as soon as I call and after much explaining and complaining, apologizes and tells me they can give us the stamps, but they can't put them on the tickets themselves.

After a few irritated comments towards the man, I hang up and walk back over towards a few mildly concerned students and teachers.

"I can pick up the stamps, but we're going to have to actually stamp the tickets ourselves."

"That's going to require quite a lot of people, won't it? Will you have time?" Ozpin questions.

I firmly nod, knowing we could get it done tonight. "There's only three boxes with a few ticket rolls in each. Weiss and I can probably do one tonight. Yang and Blake could do a box along with some of the other members. We should be fine."

Ozpin twirls his hand around on his cane. "Crisis averted?" He asks, carefully.

I nod and a few of the staff and students clap, some sigh with relief, but most just go back to what they were originally working on.

"I must say, Ms. Rose, I'm impressed. What ever did happen to the careless student I always caught skipping out on my lectures?"

I shrug, picking up the rolls of tickets I had taken out and placing them back in their respective boxes. "I only did what I was supposed to."

"You're acting like a leader." Ozpin tells me, staring across the courtyard. "I'm sure you've leaned many things from your time in the council, hmm?"

I close the last ticket box and stare perplexedly out where my teacher is looking.

"You know, everyone keeps telling me how much I've changed, but I don't feel like I've changed at all." I say, bothered. "I just- I just don't see it that way. It feels like I've always been this way, I just haven't been like… agh, what's the word? Like, the way I act now is just a better version of what I was before – but I haven't changed…. Does that make sense?" I ask, looking up at my teacher.

Ozpin uses his pointer finger to push his glasses up and rests his hand back down on his cane when he's done. "I can't tell you that but what I can say is when looking back doesn't interest you anymore, that means you're doing something right, Ms. Rose."

I breath cold air in through my nose and blow it out slowly, watching the faint cloudiness dissipate as it rises.

"It does feel like I'm doing something right. Working in the council has definitely helped me."

"I always thought you and Ms. Schnee would work well together."

I give a snort and scratch the back of my head, remembering how we were when we first met, how we argued and made horrid assumptions of one another. "Geez, what on earth made you think that?"

Ozpin leans on his cane and looks up as though he's thinking. "Maybe it's the matter of you being an optimist and the latter being a pessimist. When you stop thinking about what is wrong, and start being excited about what could go right, everything seemingly comes together more clearly."

"So, it was for Weiss's sake that you made me join the council?" I question.

Ozpin finally looks at me again, a smile rising in his features. "I wonder…"

There's something comforting about walking the same path you've been down a hundred times, something that makes everything just feel right.

Wheeling my bike along the cracked sidewalk, Weiss walking beside me and droning on about frivolous matters and pointless topics, the rustling of our backpacks against our jackets and the cold breeze whisking across my face and sinking into my skin - sometimes I just want to stop and take it all in. I want to let these thoughts compile in my mind until I know nothing but bliss and contentment.

We stopped on our way back to pick up the ticket stamps from a not-so-happy warehouse owner, who begrudgingly agreed to give us half a refund on our order, only after Weiss threatened that her family could have them sued, however. It was kind of hot to be honest.

Anyways, Yang took one box of tickets and is going to be spending the night at Blake's to get their share done, Weiss and I took a box, and the rest of the members split the remainders amongst themselves.

As I'm walking, listening to Weiss talk about preparations for the hundredth time, I feel a small droplet on my nose and move my hand to wipe it off. Looking up at the sky, I spot many small white specks beginning to fall.

Weiss's rant is quickly cut off as she notices. "Oh, great. Now we have to worry about snow too. It's hard enough keeping the courtyard clean as it is, now we have to get someone to-"

"Weiss." I say, holding out my hands and catching a few of the fairly small white specks in my palms. "Look."

Weiss looks at me and then to my hands with a raised eyebrow. It takes her a moment before she realizes I'm not telling her to look at anything in particular.

Look around you.

I claim through my eyes.

Look at how happy I am.

I say with my smile.

Look at what's happening right now.

I convey through the flurry of white that moves around us.

Don't focus on the negatives, look at me.

I assert, using my presence as an instigator.

Look at what we have.

I watch as her eyes go from my hands, up to my face, and from me to all the small specks beginning to float around us.

It's like we're in a snow globe, our own little world, our own little bubble. We're caught up in a swirl of emotions that come naturally and twine together like liquorish, something sweet and savory.

We share another smile and I begin wheeling my bike beside her once again. If she wasn't carrying the ticket box I would have grabbed her hand and stuffed our intertwined fingers into my pocket to protect them from the cold.

But for now, watching her look up at the sky with that wistful and awe-struck gaze, I can't help but feel more gratified.

When we reach my house, I set my bike in the garage and quickly fiddle with my keys to get the door open.

"It really is freezing out. We better hope there's not ice on the ground by Friday." Weiss says, following me through the garage door, setting the ticket box down and beginning to untie her shoes.

"I'll say. Let me get the heat going."

After kicking off my sneakers, I walk over to the thermostat and crank the heat up higher. Looking back at Weiss, I notice her struggling to get her jacket off.

"Here, let me help you." I say, quickly twisting the knob the rest of the way up on the thermostat.

Getting a running start, I stomp across the hardwood floors, before sliding on my socks the rest of the way back to her.

"I swear, you act like you're five years old." She says as I help her slip out of her jacket and hang it on the coat rack by the entryway. She takes off her beanie as well and hangs it on the same hook as her jacket.

"Oh, you love it." I wave her off, trying to ignore the slight messiness of her hair and how cute I find it to be.

She helps me out of my jacket as well and hangs it next to hers. "I just don't understand how it's possible for you to be the most important person in my life, yet also be the bane of my existence." She sighs, putting her hands on her hips.

"Aww, so honest. Weissy thinks I'm important?" I chortle.

An incriminating finger is pointed my direction "I retain the right to take that statement back at any second, I'll have you know."

I hold my hands up in mock surrender, making Weiss roll her eyes.

A muffled thumping noise catches our attention and we both turn to the stairs to see an excitable corgi bounding his way towards us, nails scratching on the wood creating a clickety-clackity sound.

Weiss squeals and brushes past me to meet Zwei halfway through the hallway. "Aww, sweet boy! I missed you so, so much!" She drawls in a high-pitched voice as the furry bundle of energy reaches her and eagerly starts licking her face, wagging his tail and jumping up and down with excitement. "Who's a good boy? You are! Yes, you are~"

"Geez, Weiss. I'm starting to think you only like me for my dog."

"Not the only reason, but it's definitely a bonus." She says, without even a moment of hesitation, not even looking at me and continuing to let Zwei run around her.

I huff and cross my arms, making my way past the disgustingly affectionate scene happening in my hallway and into the kitchen. Mumbling words of annoyance at myself, I take out the coffee and hot cocoa packets to begin preparing it before we get to work on the tickets.

Weiss scoffs and starts scratching Zwei behind his ear as he curls up on the floor in front of her. "Please don't start the whole dog jealousy thing again." She pleads. "It's ridiculous and you two are similar enough as it is."

I look down at Weiss from where I'm pouring the coffee mix, eyes narrowed. "Are you kidding me? I don't act like a dog."

Zwei begins padding his paws in her lap and nuzzling against her forehead, which she giggles about before praising him again and turning to me with an I told you so look in her eye.

"He's a dog. He can't event count!" I insist, holding my hand out in exasperation.

"If you think dogs can't count, try putting three dog treats in your pocket and then giving him only two of them."

Zwei barks and tilts his head at me, his cute little Corgi ears flopping over one another.

"Ugh, fine! You win. I act like a freaking dog, now could you help me with the coffee maker, please?"

Weiss smirks at me with a triumphant look, but stands up all the same, brushing all of the dog hair off her uniform and sauntering towards me.

We prepare both the mixes, Weiss fixing the hot cocoa, while I make her coffee. As she is stirring the mix together, I feed Zwei and reach on top of my fridge to the spot where I know Yang hides marshmallows. I plop a few in my drink and ask Weiss if she wants any, which she politely declines, looking out the window at the flurries beginning to fall and sipping from her mug.

"It's really starting to come down out there." She says between sips. "I hope your dad will be safe getting home?"

"Hmm?" I question, bringing my mug up to my mouth and blowing on it to cool it off. "Oh. He told me before I left for school that he's going to be out for work tonight. I hope the roads aren't icy in the morning."

Weiss nods and we begin making the trek up to my room. She takes both the mugs of hot liquid as I grab the ticket box by the front door and carry it up the stairs, Weiss helping guide me on the steps.

I apologies for the mess as I push open the door to my room, noting the few piles of clothes and random clutter scattered about.

"It's bright in here." Weiss gripes when I bump the switch on.

"Oh, sorry." I say, dropping the ticket box down on my bed and reaching over to flip on the lamp on my bedside table. I turn the lamp on my desk on as well as power up my computer monitor, before flipping the light switch back off. "Is that any better?" I question, earnestly.

Weiss nods and moves to set the mugs down on my desk as I start picking up a few articles of clothing off the floor. When I reach my closet to drop the clothing in my hamper, I notice a small fold out table I keep in the back of it, usually only brought out when we have a family game night.

"Oh, I forgot about this." I say, reaching back and dragging the flimsy thing out of the closet. "You could use the extra work space, Weiss."

I plop it down on its top and unfold the legs from under it, before setting it up-right and pushing it against my bed.

Realizing that Weiss hadn't responded to my previous comment, I glance over at her and realize she's staring at a picture on my desk. More specifically, the picture of the council at our celebration party that Penny had given me when I helped her decide what photos to use in the yearbook.

"It's a good picture, isn't it?" I ask, walking up beside her.

She looks surprised and turns towards me, before nodding and picking up the frame to run her finger across the entirety of the council.

"It is… I'm really going to miss this, you know?" She quietly admits.

"Miss what? Staying up late and having to stamp rolls of tickets? Skipping class to work on festivals? Having to approve and read through endless amounts of student suggestions and paperwork?"

She elbows me in the side, making me grunt, and shakes her head. "No- I mean, well, yes. That's part of it, actually. I just- I never thought I would care this much."

"About what?"

"This." Weiss not-so-helpfully clarifies, motioning at the council picture once again. "The members, the hard work we put into events, the nights spent scheduling and rescheduling activities to make everything fit, even the times when you guys were goofing off, all of it." She finishes, complacent.

"It's been a good year hasn't it?" I agree, soundly. "I mean if it wasn't for the council you wouldn't have met me, right?"

A modest smile appears on Weiss's face as she looks over at me. The way her eyes find mine is effortless and the amount of feelings she sends to me without even opening her mouth is endless.

She switches her gaze back down to the photo as she brushes her thumb across the two of us standing in the front. "Right…"

"Anyways, let's get working on those tickets, shall we? They aren't going to stamp themselves!" I exclaim, plopping myself down in my desk chair.

Weiss looks away from the picture and blinks, like she had blacked out for a moment. "Yeah." She acknowledges. "Let's do that."

She sits down on my bed and pulls the fold out table closer to her, before getting the ink and stamps out of the ticket box and beginning to set the items up. It's easy for me to see she's somewhat distracted as she robotically moves to set the equipment out, but I don't push it.

She gives me a stamp and an ink pad, so I can sit at my desk and help out as well.

We begin working for the next hour or so, chattering needlessly and listening to different Spotify playlists on my computer I could find that we both agreed on.

Every now and then, I would look over at her from my desk, my gaze captivated by her delicate movements and swift hands. She seemed to be really on top of things, which makes me happy, however, something about the look in her eye has me worried. She seems distracted.

"Hey, Weiss." I softly say, earning an expectant look my direction. "Is… Is everything, like, okay? You look… conflicted."

Weiss quickly snaps out of her work trance, something about the way she looked deep in thought changed to recognition as she hears me speak, and she looks over at me, guiltily. "Does it appear that way? My apologies… however… yes, actually. There is something I've been meaning to tell you."

"Oh? Well, what is it?" I ask, confused as to why Weiss would refrain from telling me something.

"I-I had intended on telling you earlier, really. It wasn't in my intentions to lie to you or anything- It's just something that I'm not sure how to put into words- or, better put, something I'm not really sure about. It's not bad I promise, It-"

"Hey," I cut her off gently, pushing myself away from my desk and wheeling over to sit beside Weiss on my bed. I lean over and use one of my hands to faintly brush some hair out of her eyes, pulling some of it behind her ears and resting my hand on her cheek, cupping it. "Whatever it is, Weiss, you can tell me. I won't judge you, not for a second. You know that."

Weiss seems calmed by my hand and rests hers on top of it, before taking a deep breath. "Well, that goes without saying, of course."

We share a comforting look between us and I can practically feel my heart melting from the way she looks at me.

"I got into Beacon University."

My mouth drops slightly, and my mind reels, attempting to process the information she's told me. "You… what?" I ask, my eyebrows rising.

"I got in." Weiss repeats, more promptly than before. "I passed the entrance exams and they accepted my application just last week. I received a formal letter in the mail and everything, signed by the Headmaster himself. I got in, Ruby. I got in." She whispers the last part to herself in incredulity, as if she has trouble believing her own words.

She looks to me with an expectant expression, a tug upwards eminent on her lips.

I feel myself slowly standing from my seat next to her, my eyes widening the more my mind understands what I'm being told.

"You got in." I say, slowly turning and looking down at Weiss still sitting on my bed.

"I did."

"You got in." I say, my voice rising.

"Uh, Ruby?" Weiss asks, face turning into concern. "Are you Oka-!?"

"You got in!" I can't help but squeal with delight, grabbing her shoulders and jostling her around. "My girlfriend's going to University! I'm so proud of you, Weiss!" I finish, wrapping my arms around her head and squishing her face into my chest in an uneven hug, resulting from her still sitting on my bed as I bounce up and down with joy in front of her.

"Why would you keep something like that from me?"

Weiss wheezes into my chest and attempts to pry me off of her. "Well, I wasn't sure when to-"

"Oh, it doesn't matter." I say, squeezing her tighter against me. "All that matters is that you're the most brilliant person I know and I feel like I could jump over the moon with excitement for you!"

"That's great, Ruby." Weiss wheezes once again. "Really great - but can I have my head back now?"

I look down at the struggling Weiss in my arms. "Oh, sorry." I giggle, letting her slide out of my grip and bring her hands up to fix her pony tail.

Bouncing on the balls of my feet, I clasp my hands behind my back and look down at the girl in front of me with the most earnest and loving expression, thinking about how my smile just might crack open my face if I let it grow any wider.

I hear a click and a small pause, right before another song begins to play on my Spotify, this one I easily recognize.

"Oh! I love this song!" I say excitedly, bounding over to my desk and turning the knob up on my speakers.

After a moment of listening and watching me sing along to the lyrics, Weiss laughs and looks at me in disbelief.

"I didn't know you liked Duke Ellington?" She questions, putting a hand to her chest.

"Oh, yeah. My favorite of his is Take The A Train. My dad used to blare it in the car when he'd drive me and Yang to school." I say, shrugging and walking back over to her with a skip in my step. "I guess when you hear a song every day for weeks on end - it tends to catch on."

Weiss lightly chuckles and views me reaching her as her cue to stand up as well.

"I suppose that makes sense. Doesn't seem like jazz would be your taste, though."

I wrap an arm around her waist and intertwine our fingers with my other hand, swaying lightly back and forth. "Oh? Then what does seem like something my taste?"

Weiss chuckles and reaches up to put an arm on my shoulder. "I don't know. I was thinking something more… fast-paced."

"Who says jazz isn't fast-paced?" I question, mischievously.

Moving back over to my speakers and turning it up once again, my room is filled with the jazzy beat and lyrics of It Don't Mean A Thing.

Once the beat for the song hits, trumpets and saxophones blaring, I move us closer to the middle of my room and release Weiss's waist from my grip to spin her around. Her skirt flows out around her as she twirls once, before giggling and beginning to dance with me again.

Most of our 'dancing' consists mostly of us bouncing around and grabbing each other's hands as we move to the music. We both sing along to the familiar tune, Weiss doing the main voice with me repeating the chorus, and it hits me after a minute that I've never really seen Weiss like this before, not only willing to jump around and dance with me - but singing.

During a slower part of the tune, when the instruments take over the beat and the singing comes to an end, I pull Weiss back towards me and grin as I rest my forehead on hers.

"I knew you were able to sing, but I didn't know you could dance."

"I would hardly call that dancing." Weiss says, sighing and using one of her hands to thumb the collar of my shirt. "With the way you were hopping around, it looked as though you could be either dancing, or having a seizure."

I open my mouth and make a noise of disbelief. "Wha-! That's so mean!"

Weiss rolls her eyes and leans towards me to rest her head under my chin. "It's somewhat charming… I'll give you that." She mumbles into my collarbone.

I give a breath of a laugh and pull away to go sit down on my bed, all of my, apparently seizure-like, dancing leaving me considerably breathless. Weiss soon follows me and sits beside me, placing her hands underneath her skirt as she sits down.

I tilt my head towards her and feel a grin brandish my face.

"Weiss," I murmur, my voice hoarser than I expected. "Your voice is gorgeous."

Sitting next to her now, I feel her body heat radiate towards mine as I move my hand to run back and forth along her thigh. We're close enough that when she turns to me to speak, we could bump noses if I turned completely towards her as well.

"You're being dramatic…" Weiss shakes her head, even though there is a small smile etched on her face. "It's really nothing special."

"But it is." I press, tilting my head towards her in a playful motion. "You're something special."

The bed creaks as Weiss shifts off her hands to place them in front of her, one being placed over my hand that's now resting on her knee and running a gentle thumb over it.

I notice the flickering screen of the computer monitor as it cast its fuzzy light across Weiss's features, outlining the side of her face as she watches me as well.

It begins at her forehead, where her hair is messily hanging over it, like a shield. From there, it dips onto her brow and highlights the marred skin running down her eye, making every trace of the mark visible. It then reaches the curvature of her nose and drops down onto her anticipating lips.

After a moment, I feel the hand covering mine give a small squeeze and I turn my gaze back up to the pair of piercing blue eyes that look into mine.

It's not as if a question is being asked – we both know what is happening – it's more of a declaration. An acknowledgment of our feelings for one another.

I raise her hand in mine and bring it up to my lips, closing my eyes and dipping my head to place a kiss on her finger tips.

The look she's giving me tells me that I'm hers and she's mine. It says, to hell with the council and this dumb festival and these tickets and to everything else important in our lives.

It says, to hell with that because you're all I need.

And it's exactly that.

Weiss pulls her hand back towards her and flips it around, so that mine is on top, and she places her soft lips to my fingers as well, looking up at me through her eyelashes. I find myself grabbing her hand and using the shift of my body to push her back on my bed, crashing my mouth onto hers.

My bed creaks loudly and thumps against the foggy window sill, but I barely take notice as I use my grip to pin Weiss's hands beside her head.

She tastes of coffee and something herbal, something sweet. She kisses me back just as forcefully and with just as much vigor, pressing her lips against mine, opening them and closing them with the rhythm of our heads, tilting in an attempt to be closer.

I ask myself how our lips seem to fit perfectly together. It could be asked the same for questions such as, why do birds sing? Why does snow melt and rose pedals unfold?

Well, the answer is simply because those things are meant to happen.

And Weiss and I are simply meant to be together.

Her beauty is luminary, glowing with the energy of combustion and a heated spark. The flame of her allure seems to only shine brighter when I'm near, when I can be with her, like this. She makes me look like rusty old penny in a sea of gold and riches that have been thrown down a well as wishes, waiting to be granted.

A long time ago my wish would have been for her to be mine. Now, however, I would only wish that moments like these never end.

Who knew that a star could catch the attention of someone who shines as bright as the moon.

I slant my head and drag my tongue across her soft lips, like I'm knocking on a grand palace door and awaiting entry. Weiss tugs against my grip and I let her go in favor of cupping her face in my hands beneath me, like I'm holding a baby bird or a precious flower in my palms.

I feel my head start to spin as she wraps an arm around my neck and glides her fingers through my hair with her hand. She runs the same hand from my hair down to my scalp and across my back, making my shiver.

She drives me absolutely crazy. Her taste, her scent, her touch – everything – and as much as I try to ignore the urge, sometimes it becomes so overwhelming I can't help but picture her in a compromising state.

Wanting to run my hands across her body, wanting to see what she looks like when she's caught up in pleasure, it's something that drives a desire deep inside me, something that sparks a match, flips a switch in my behavior and makes me feel something purely instinctual.

I understand love is a spice of many tastes, a dizzying array of textures and emotions. Lust is one of these feelings, and I'm honestly scared of what I'll do once I get a taste.

The more I feel our mouths move together, the more I can't bear to pull away. It's like drinking salt water. The more I drink the more my thirst for her increases.

Time passes like it never existed in the first place. I'm unaware of my surroundings, of the slight rattling of the fogged-up window, the creak of my bed, the hot chocolate left sitting on my desk and the coffee on Weiss's makeshift table.

It's only until I can't help but come up for air that I pull back slightly.

Weiss looks up at me, breathing heavily, our ragged breaths mingling together in the almost nonexistent space between us. She runs a thumb over my cheek as I run mine over hers.

"You taste sweet." Weiss whispers onto my lips.

I pull my mouth over to the side of her head, hovering over her ear. "Not as sweet as you." I reply, before bringing my mouth down to her collarbone and lewdly dragging my tongue across the supple skin along her neck, all the way back up to the tip of her chin.

I hear Weiss let out a muffled groan and shift her legs together underneath me. Knowing fully well what she's doing, a smirk makes its way across my mouth as it finds its way back to hers.

Our lips collide in a heated and frantic manner once again, Weiss opening her lips and allowing me to ravenge the inside of her mouth with my tongue. Each time I briefly bring my tongue back, she takes the opportunity to bite my bottom lip between her teeth and tug, making me practically see stars before I eagerly let our mouths meet again.

I sloppily swipe my tongue throughout her mouth, lazily slitting my eyes open and watching Weiss's flushed face as she shows no restraint towards letting her true feelings show, a rarity for her. This was never a fight for dominance, as she clearly wants to give me control.

And what can I say? I'm a people pleaser.

I trace my mouth away from hers, placing a trail of kisses from her lips. Slowly but surely, I make my way to the side of her neck, clumsily but hastily unbuttoning the first few buttons of her uniform as I go.

Pulling the material aside, I'm faced with skin as milky white as a field of cotton or dandelions, soft and welcoming.

The marks I had left in the council room were long gone by now, making me feel an impish smirk run across my features.

I depravedly take the skin between her neck and collar bone and begin sucking on it, listening to Weiss as she lets out muffled moans and twitches. She wraps one hand around my back and uses her other to grab the back of my hair in a death grip, shuffling her legs once again in search of purchase.

Briefly pulling away from her lips, I fumble to get the rest of her shirt buttons undone.

Weiss must have noticed my shaking hands as I struggle with her clothing, causing her to reach out and use her fingers to brush some hair out of my eyes, then moving her hand down to cup the side of my face.

"Ruby… have you ever, uhm, done this before?"

I make an audible gulp and feebly shake my head. "Huh? Uh- y-yeah. I've been nervous before."

Hearing Weiss chuckle, I immediately feel my face redden with embarrassment.

"Dolt… that's not what I meant." She says with an affable smile.

I almost smack myself for being so dumb, but instead of dwelling on it, I sheepishly look away. "Well, then ah, no… you would be the first for me."

Noticing I'm still looking away, Weiss gently uses her hand cupping my cheek to move my head back to face her.

"Ruby, it's okay. It's mine too... We can stop whenever you want, and I'll help guide you if you're having any… trouble."

She offers me a soft smile when I look down at her, making my nerves subside and my feelings for her bubble up to the surface, along with the confidence I get from hearing her reassurance. Thinking about how this is the same Weiss who berates me on the daily for being late to a meeting or having a wrinkled uniform makes me want to see more of this vulnerable side of her.

I move back over Weiss and place my hands on either side of her head.

"Do you want me to do anything, uh… specific?"

"I'll let you know when we get there." She says warmly, tucking some loose hair behind my ear. "For now, I want you to kiss me."

I do as she says, not finding any reason to argue, and feel our lips meet once again, heated, feverish, and undoubtedly sensual.

Using my tongue to outline every corner of her mouth, I notice a trail of saliva connecting us as I briefly move away and tilt my head into hers, kissing her deeper, more passionately.

It hits me that expressions of affections like this, to holding hands, to putting an arm around another's shoulder, or to giving a kiss goodnight, all involve the same principle. The principle of honesty.

And with honesty comes uncertainty.

I grab the hem of her uniform shirt in my hand, fingers still slightly shaking as I break our kiss. "Weiss, is it okay if I…?"

She looks up at me with lidded eyes and nods.

"Yes?" I question once more for confirmation, my hand continuing to hover on the hem of her shirt.

"Ye- ah-" Weiss's speech falters as she involuntarily bucks when I bring one of my legs up between her thighs. "God- yes. Ple-ease, Ru-Ruby." She croaks in broken and breathy words.

I quickly decide that this voice of hers is my favorite.

Although, I could normally find something to joke about with the way she's reacting right now, I'm still far too nervous and overcome with this sense of desire. There's a sense of devotion and infatuation that consumes me, turning me into another person entirely. I want nothing more than to please Weiss and watch her writhe underneath me.

We continue our feverish kissing for a few more moments, hungrily, clumsily, like I can't get enough of the taste of her lips and the feeling of her body against mine.

I finally pull her shirt apart and toss it off my bed, revealing her lacey white and blue bra, covered with a flower pattern that I recognize.

"Amaryllis?" I question knowingly, running a thumb over the pattern. "Cute."

All Weiss can do is nod as I slide a hand around her arched back to grab the clip.

Beginning to unhook her bra with one hand, I use the other to run fingers up her milky white chest, eventually coming up to grope her.

Weiss squirms and bucks once again against my leg, letting out soft moans and muffled sounds of pleasure.

"Don't hold back, Weiss. No one's coming home tonight…" I murmur breathily into her ear.

Finally getting her bra undone and tossing it to the side as well, I run my hands down her bare back, feeling the smooth, pale skin that rarely sees the sun.

And as I slowly move my hands around to her side, to caress her stomach, I feel Weiss shiver. "Ruby, it's cold..."

Bending my head down and glancing up at Weiss's glazed over eyes, eyes dusted in love and want, I place a kiss just below her breasts.

"...Then let me warm you up."

(To wear your heart on your sleeve isn't a very wise decision. You should wear it inside, where it functions best.)