Golden Thorns: Chapter Nine
That had not gone as planned. He had not meant to get so angry. He had not meant to scare her. He had lost control of his emotions and he had almost hurt a fellow student. Coran stumbled back into his dorm to find the rest of his team already asleep. Good, he did not want to involve them in his conflict if at all possible. He was exhausted. So much so that he fell on his bed, fully clothed, and was asleep instantly.
The next morning was thankfully a weekend. Coran got up fast and went to get breakfast before his teammates were up. He wanted to avoid people today. He needed twenty-four hours to compose himself. Get back in control. As he got to the canteen he saw Weiss leaving. She was alone. Their eyes locked, but instead of feeling anger Coran could only feel immense guilt. She looked down and hurried away. What have I done?
No longer having any apatite, Coran turned and went the other way. He made a beeline for the balcony at the end of the hallway. Fresh air would help him clear his head.
He stepped out of the doors and into the bright sunlight. A pair of small birds flew by as he leaned on the waist-high wall. The view from the cliff was truly breath-taking.
A voice next to him, strange that he had not heard them approach. "Wonderful view, isn't it."
Coran looked round to see professor Ozpin standing tall beside him. Over by the doorway Marie was meekly looking at the floor, holding her upper left arm in her right and shuffling her feet slightly. Coran stood up straight.
"Yes, sir. I was just thinking that."
"Miss d'Or over there said that you went out last night, and did not return until just before lockout."
"Sir I-"
"She also said that you have been avoiding your team. This is not becoming of a leader, Mr Silverthorne."
"Sir I- I just needed to sort out a personal issue."
At this point, Ozpin's voice dropped so that Marie could not hear. "Your team depends on you, Coran. You will have to share your history with Miss Schnee with them at some point."
"How do you-"
"No-one should have to shoulder their worries alone Coran."
"If you know about my past, then you know why I have difficulties trusting people. They may rely on me but how do I know that I can rely on them."
"That's just a matter of trust. Just like I trust you not to antagonise Miss Schnee again." He said. He took a sip of coffee, and walked away. Marie rushed over, her face full of concern. "Coran," she started but he cut her off.
"When we first met, what did I tell you?"
"Coran please."
"On the ship. What did I say?"
"Please, just-"
"My problems are not your problems are not your problems, Marie."
"But that is no longer true. We are partners and if we cannot trust each other then who can we trust?"
"No-one. I can trust no-one."
"Coran, wait." She caught his hand and his heart skipped a beat. "Please, you can rely on your team. You can trust me." He pulled away. And left her alone on the balcony. He couldn't do it. He tried to force himself to turn around but he just couldn't let her in. he had come so close to another person. So close to believing things might get better. But he just pushed them away. He kept on walking.