After Ruby and Pyrrha's sparring match the rest of Ruby's day had been all down hill. Now Ruby was a smart girl and no one could deny that but the obscene amount of work she was given today in her classes was absolutely ridiculous. Looking over all the work she had to do, Ruby estimated that it was going to take her at least six hours to complete it. That was if she sat down and concentrated for the entire time. Something everyone knew she wasn't capable of doing.

Ruby let out a long sigh. She had originally plan on trying to run into Pyrrha to get to know her a little better but it looked like now that wasn't a possibility. Letting out another unnecessarily long sigh Ruby turned and began the long trek back to her room.

When she made it back to the room she noticed Weiss had not yet come back from her classes. Seeing this as an opportunity Ruby pulled out all the work she had and dropped it on the desk. Looking at it Ruby immediately regretted just about everything.

Settling down she figured she would focus her attention on her math seeing as that was her most troublesome subject.

"This is gonna be a long night." Ruby whispered to herself.
_

Three long hours. Three long, excruciating, mind numbing, and hate filled hours later Ruby was not even half way done with her work. Growing frustrated and restless Ruby finally leaned back in her chair. Just as she started to relax Ruby felt her phone vibrate in her pocket. Reaching for her phone she pulled it out to she a text from Yang.

Hey Rubes Velvs and me are gonna go for some food wanna join?

Ruby took a few moments to contemplate this. She knew she needed to get this work done but she was so restless if she didn't do something soon she might explode.

Sure where are we meeting?

Ruby put her phone back in her pocket and began throwing her work in the correct binders and books. Then she haphazardly tossed everything into her bag. Feeling her phone go off again she checked it for Yang's reply.

My room. cotton tails already here just waiting for you now.

Without a moments hesitation Ruby left for Yang's room. After all she got all the work for tomorrows classes done.

Upon making it to Yang's room Ruby say Velvet talking quietly to the tall blonde.

"Oh hey Rubes about time you made it." Yang said when she noticed Ruby approach.

"Yeah yeah Yang so where are we going?"

"There is a small cafe just off campus that serves the college students here." Velvet replied gently.

"Well what are we waiting for come on." Yang said grabbing both Ruby and Velvet dragging them enthusiastically to the direction of the exit.

When they finally made it to the cafe Ruby was surprised at what she saw. When Velvet said small she wasn't kidding. The cafe looked barely big enough to hold more than five or eight customers. Nevertheless the trio entered.

"Welcome to Penny's cafe are you three students of Beacon?" Asked an over exuberant orange haired girl from behind the counter.

The three girls nodded simultaneously.

"Great take a seat and I'll be right with you."

The trio took to the table farthest in the back. Although no one was here know that was not to say someone wouldn't show up, and with Velvet's shyness and being her being a fauness it was best they thought ahead. After taking their seats and looking over the menu the girl from the counter returned for their orders.

Yang ordered a double cheeseburger with fries, Ruby ordered just a burger, while Velvet a simple salad. The server nodded and went off with their orders when they were done.

"Velvs do you still just eat salads?" Ruby asked playfully.

"Yes Ruby I do." Velvet replied simply.

Ruby deflated a little when she saw how little her teasing effected Velvet. The girl had really grown accustom to the teasing over the years she was friends with Ruby and Yang.

"Come on Rubes you know our teasing doesn't effect Cotton Tail no more." Yang said after seeing Ruby's failed attempt.

"Your right." Ruby said a smile growing on her face. "So how's that roommate of yours Yang?"

Immediately Yang's face turned a scarlet red at the question which made both Ruby and Velvet laugh.

"I-I'm not sure what your talking about." Yang said losing all the fight she had.

Ruby was about to retort but was interrupted at the arrival of their food. Immediately Yang and Ruby took to devouring their food as fast as humanly possible, while Velvet took to a more normal pace.

"You know eating that fast is going to hurt you two later." Velvet said after taking note to the girls eating habits. This just earned an unconcerned grunt from them both. Seeing it was pointless to try and stopped them Velvet elected to just quietly eating her salad.

When all three girls were finished Yang payed the bill and they began the walk back to the dorms. It was already dark by the time they got out of Penny's cafe.

"Wow dark already. Rubes what time is it?" asked Yang nonchalantly.

"Eight thirty!" Ruby said in a mix of shock and fear. "I didn't finish all my work crap." Without another word Ruby took off in a full sprint back to the dorms.

For a moment Yang thought about going after her but realized it was Pointless. Ruby had always been the fastest of the group no one even came close to her speed.

"So Cotton Tail anything else you wanna do?"

Velvet shook her head in a mix of amusement at Yang's nonchalantness and a bit of distaste for the nickname.

"Yang will you ever quit calling me cotton tail?"

"Probably not. Unless of course it actually does bother you. It doesn't does it?"

It was surprising sometimes that someone like Yang, who is so careless and seemingly oblivious, could care so much for one's feelings and actually care enough to change how she acts around them. If it was anyone else in the world it would have bothered her, but she had come to enjoy the nickname over the years. Velvet let out a small sigh.

"I suppose it doesn't."

"I knew it. Now come on Cotton Tail lets head back to the dorms."

When Ruby finally made it back to her room it was around nine. She stopped right outside her dorm door to catch her breath. Just on the chance Weiss was in there, Which she probably was, Ruby didn't want her to get suspicious.

Finally returning her breathing to normal Ruby entered her dorm room. What she saw was not a pleasant sight. Weiss Schnee stood in the middle of the room arms crossed and a nasty scowl on her face. This could only end badly.

"Oh hey Weiss." Ruby said trying to act casually.

"And just where were you at these past two and a half hours. You know we have to finish this project and we still have no idea what we are gonna do." Now there was a lot of ways to piss of Weiss. Get in her way, hit on her, talking with your mouth full of food, and calling her princess where a few among them. However almost nothing compares to how mad she gets when someone effects her grades.

"I-well I was working then I couldn't concentrate and Yang texted me asking if I wanted to go out and eat with them I was really really hungry so I said yes and I didn't even realize it had gotten so late and when I did I ran back here as fast as a could." During this awkward explanation of the whole night Ruby manage to not take a single breath.

"I swear you are the most irresponsible dolt I've ever meet." Weiss let out a long sigh. It was obvious she was having a pretty bad day and was not in the mood for arguing. "Just let's get to work." She finally said moving back to the desk.

"Yeah let's do that..." Ruby mumbled out glad she was no longer getting yelled at.

Over the next few hours Weiss and Ruby worked in mostly silence. This silence was only broken by the occasional tossing of an idea. After about three hours Weiss couldn't take it anymore. She looked down at the desk. They had a few good ideas but nothing concrete.

"I'm going to bed. My eyes are burning and my head is throbbing." Weiss said as she made her way to her bed.

"Alright. Sleep well Weiss." Ruby said softly from her bed.

Weiss replied with only a grunt as she slipped beneath her covers. Almost instantly she fell asleep. Ruby decided to follow in Weiss example. Moving to cover herself with her blankets Ruby laid down.

"Well tonight was a step backwards on the friend meter." Ruby quietly whispered to herself.

Once again Weiss was woken up by an infernal beeping. Sitting up Weiss slammed her hand down to shut up her clock.

"If only mornings could just not exist." She mumbled to herself.

After a few minutes of trying to wake herself up Weiss decided it was time to take her shower. After gathering her clothes she moved to the bathroom door, but stopped with her hand on the knob. Weiss would prefer to avoid another walk in mishap, so before entering she looked for her idiotic roommate. Weiss' eyes fell upon Ruby's bed where the dolt was still sleeping. It was weird how she slept. Ruby was curled fully into a ball with only her head sticking out from under the covers. Weiss almost half expected to see Ruby with her thumb in her mouth.

Satisfied that she wasn't going to walk in on Ruby in the shower Weiss entered. Stripping out of her clothes Weiss turned the shower on. Weiss unlike most people preferred colder showers in the morning so she really didn't have to wait to step in. Feeling the cold water run over her back Weiss was immediately jolted to full awareness.

Weiss let her mind wander as she normally did in the shower, And for some unexplained reason her thoughts went to her sleeping roommate. At every turn the girl had given Weiss a reason to dislike her, however Weiss couldn't help but feel that there must be something good about the girl. Also another thing that threw Weiss off about Ruby was the fact she seemed so young. Weiss was Twenty-one. As per the norm age of beacon. so Ruby couldn't really be that much younger could she? And what was that last night. Before Weiss was fully asleep she could have sworn Ruby mumbled something about a friend meter or something.

Shaking her head to clear it Weiss prepared to finish cleaning and get out. She was wasting to much time thinking about pointless things.
_

Ruby awoke to the sound of running water which told her that Weiss was already up and taking her shower. Instead of waiting for Weiss to step out of the shower Ruby elected to just change her clothes and brush down her hair. She would have a shower later, but for now breakfast.

Ruby left the dorm to head to the school's mess hall Sure the food wasn't the best but Ruby really didn't feel like going off campus so early for something. Nearing the mess hall Ruby noticed two people just outside the door.

The first one was a girl with orange hair. she wore a pink skirt and plain white shirt. Next to her was a boy bent over with his hands on his knees. He's hair was pulled back in a long pony tail with a small pink strip in his bangs. He wore a dark green hoodie that fit firmly to his body. To go along with the hoodie he wore a simple pair of white pants.

"Come on Ren we are gonna miss the pancakes! PANCAKES REN!" The girl yelled tugging on the now identified boy.

"Nora just wait." Ren called out still trying to catch his breath. It was to late however because Nora had already rushed into the mess hall leaving her friend behind. When he was finally able to breath again Ren calmly went after the over excited girl.

"Well that was interesting." Ruby said quietly. Shrugging she to moved into the mess hall. Grabbing a tray of pancakes she looked for a place to sit. Scanning the room she saw only one familiar person. Sat in the back right corner was Coco, Yang's roommate. Ruby approached her as she knew no one else here.

"Mind if I sit here?" She asked.

"Not at all Ruby."

Taking her seat across from Coco Ruby began to eat.

"So I'm guessing Yang isn't up at this time."

"No I couldn't wake her up even if I blew up half the dorm."

"Yeah that sounds like her." Ruby said laughing.

When the conversation died down Ruby got an evil idea.

"So you know she's really interested in you?" Ruby said.

"Is she know?" Coco said with little to no surprise.

"Yeah and I was just wondering if you...you know..." Ruby let her voice trail off leaving the question open ended.

"Swing that way? To answer your question Ruby no I don't." Coco said politely.

"Ah man Yang's gonna have a hard time hearing that." Ruby said sheepishly.

"So Ruby since you asked me it only fair I get to ask. So do you bat for the other team like your sister?"

Ruby wasn't expecting this question but if she was being honest it was fair like Coco said.

"Yeah I do." She said Rubbing the back of her head.

Coco simply smiled and nodded at the information she was just given.

"No comment about it?"

"Ruby if you were expecting a negative reaction from me I hate to disappoint you. You'll get no discrimination from me."

"Thanks Coco you wouldn't believe how many people still hate on people like me."

"Indeed. So what classes do you have today Little Red?"

Ruby was taken aback slightly at the newly given nickname but shrugged it off once she decided she liked it. She thought a moment and when she realized she actually didn't know she pulled her classes scheduled to check. To her amazement she discovered she had none.

"It would appear I don't have any." She said surprised.

"Not that uncommon." Coco said. "I don't have any tomorrow."

Ruby nodded as she returned to eating her breakfast. It wasn't long before Coco announced she had to leave. Saying their goodbyes Ruby was left at the table alone. Ruby wonder what to do with her day seeing as she had no classes. She could go back and work on the project. Though without Weiss she wouldn't get very far. She could go to the martial arts workout room maybe she would run into Pyrrha again.

Settling on that Ruby finished her breakfast and quickly ran back to the room for her exercise equipment. once she had everything she made her way to the workout room. Entering she was excited when she saw Pyrrha in the back corner doing pushups. Ruby moved to the changing room to get her workout gear on.

Finishing by wrapping her hands so she would hurt them on the bag she walked out.

"Why hello Ruby." Pyrrha said.

"Hey Pyrrha. Getting your early morning workout done?"

"Well actually I'm waiting on a friend of mine." Pyrrha continued. "I'm actually training him. He hasn't much experience in fighting."

"So where is this friend of yours?"

"He should be here by now." As if on queue the room's door opened and a young blonde boy stepped in.

"Speak of the devil and he shall appear." Ruby said.

Pyrrha laughed lightly.

"If he is the devil we have nothing to worry about."

Ruby was just about to ask why when they both heard a loud thud come from behind. The boy had apparently not seen where the mat rose up. Successfully tripping him up and making him land squarely on his face.

"Jaune are you okay?" Pyrrha asked rushing to the boys side.

"Ah yeah just didn't see the mat." Jaune said rubbing his face.

"Well Ruby this is Jaune. Jaune this is Ruby." Pyrrha introduced the two after helping Jaune up.

"Hey Jaune it's nice to meet ya." Ruby said extending out her hand.

Jaune hesitantly took it with a nod.

"So Pyrrha what's today?"

"Well I was planing on showing you some simple counters to punches." Pyrrha thought for a long moment. "Hey Ruby sense you're here mind helping me?"

"Sure." Ruby said with a smile. "Wait I'm gonna be the practice dummy aren't I."

Pyrrha only sheepishly grinned.

"Fine."

The two girls moved on to the mat.

"Now Jaune we are going to demonstrate a few moves then I want you to try them okay?"

Getting into position Pyrrha nodded at Ruby she was ready. Faster then one could have thought Ruby took a swing at Pyrrha's head. The green eyed girl side stepped left grabbing Ruby's wrist with her right hand. Using Ruby's own forward momentum Pyrrha swiped the feet from under the girl. using her left hand on the back of Ruby's shoulder to send her down faster and keep her penned to the mat.

This is gonna be a long training session, Ruby thought.

It was just hitting midday before Ruby decided to leave Pyrrha and Jaune in the work room. She had told them she had to leave to meet up with Weiss for the project, but in reality her shoulder just couldn't take anymore punishment. Checking the time again to confirm it, Ruby contemplated heading back to the room to wait for Weiss. Unfortunately that plan was quickly thrown aside when Ruby's stomach gave a pretty loud roar. Seeing as it was lunch time Ruby decided to head back to the mess hall.

Grabbing a sandwich Ruby quickly scanned the room for anyone she knew, However the only other people that was there were the couple Ren and Nora from breakfast. So Ruby elected to sit in the far back of the cafeteria alone.

Ruby quickly started to eat her lunch. She hated being alone it made her feel all weird inside. She was about half way done before she heard a voice behind her.

"You better slow down dolt or you're gonna choke."

Spinning around Ruby saw Weiss standing there with a tray in hand. Without even asking Weiss took her place next to Ruby.

"Oh Weiss I was just hurrying so I could get back to the room and work on that project of ours."

"Well you wouldn't be any help dead so slow down." Weiss said using a very motherly voice.

The two girls sat eating in silence. Neither of them comfortable enough to try and spark a conversation. That is until the awkward silence almost drove Weiss mad.

"Ruby I've been wondering how old are you?"

"That was sudden but I'm 19."

Weiss was once again dumbstruck by the smaller girl. Almost everyone at beacon was twenty-one or older. It had practically became a requirement to be that age seeing as the two years a prepping courses most took to get in.

"How are you so young?"

"Well you see when I was in my last year of high school I was recommended to attend Beacon. I didn't really think I was going to so when I graduated I got a job and just worked that way, but when Yang said she was going I thought I might at least try it. So I took the test expecting to take the two prep years like everyone else but they just came to me and said it wasn't necessary." Ruby shrugged as she said the last part.

How? How could someone like her get into beacon with out taking the prep years? Weiss couldn't believe what she was hearing, and to think all this just cause this Yang character decided to go here. Weiss shook her head. She was about to do something she absolutely hated.

"Well then Ruby maybe I was wrong about you." She said with a heavy hand. Weiss Schnee had just admitted she was wrong.

"Wrong about me?" Puzzlement evident in her voice and on her face.

"I thought you a complete idiotic dolt. A dimwit incapable of actually doing much. It seems... I might of been wrong."

If Ruby felt any hurt in Weiss' words she didn't show it. Instead she had a big dumb smile on her face.

How could that be I just admitted to calling her a complete dimwit, thought Weiss.

"So does that means we can be friends?" Ruby asked.

In that instant Ruby reminded Weiss of an excitable puppy. Weiss was sure if the smaller girl had a tail she'd fly away from it waging so much. Weiss almost smiled internally she had always liked puppies.

"I didn't say that dolt. All I said was my opinion may have been wrong." standing up Weiss turned to walk away."Come on we have work to do."

Ruby obediently followed Weiss back to the room. Not because of the work but because she could of sworn that Weiss' tone was slightly softer then normal. Not a dramatic change. One that could really only be heard if you listened very closely. For Ruby it was enough.

Yes, stepping forward on the friend scale.

I just wanna take a quick sec and say thank you to those who have followed and favorited this story it truly means a lot guys. Also to those who care Trouble with Kids will be updated either the 7th or 8th of this month. Thanks again for the support guys and gals.

Ser deg senere
-Roctan