A/N: Hello everyone! Here is the third chapter. We are now in November. This chapter is a bit longer than the one before. Enjoy the ride!

Chapter Three: One, Two, Turkey!

On her Sunday mornings, Blake liked to enjoy a few more minutes in bed, feeling the soft covers on her skin, watching the sun creep in through the shades. Often she would wake before her alarm at eight o'clock, enjoying the peace and tranquility of the early morning. She didn't have to listen carefully to hear the crashing of the waves, since the world was so quiet at that time. Sometimes, if she felt up to it, she'd go out on a jog to wake herself up before tackling the duties of the day. They were always invigorating, as Sundays were her days of rest.

But today she woke up at ten o'clock and a little sore.

Tired, she swung her legs off the bed, letting a small sigh escape as she felt the air bite at her uncovered skin. Her feet made contact with the floor and soon enough she was walking over to the bathroom to be rid of the awful morning breath. With her eyes half-lidded, she started brushing her teeth and soon after splashed some cold water on her face to wake herself up. Looking up, she noticed her eyes looked darker than usual, like someone had drawn on them with some… eyeliner? Then she remembered that she had gotten home later than midnight when Sun drove her home after the dance. After the dance with Yang… She stared at herself in the mirror, incredulous.

What was last night?

That dance came out of nowhere.

Shaking her head, Blake found some makeup remover—unopened, as she never had a use for it—and removed the rest of last night off her face. She hadn't had that much fun in a while, she had to admit, and she thoroughly enjoyed being around Yang. There was something about that girl that made life much more vibrant, breathing more life into the colors around her, making each song sweeter. She couldn't handle how gorgeous (sexy, really) she looked last night. And getting the chance to hold the most popular girl's hand, that in itself was—

You are definitely obsessed, Blake thought to herself, pouring herself a bowl of cereal. Strangely enough, the voice in her head sounded very much like Weiss, and she wondered if the heiress had a good time with Neptune after the dance. Those two were an interesting pair.

Today, the homework load wasn't nearly as bad as she had anticipated it to be, even with Homecoming yesterday. She finished her coursework before noon and found herself wondering what to do with her afternoon and evening. Normally, she'd find a book off her shelf to burn through with her spare time. But today, as she was doing her laundry, she found herself thinking about Yang every three minutes and wondered about the strangest of things. There were so many unanswered questions. She couldn't be sure why she was so fixated on getting to know her, but she was. She'd known who she was for almost two months now, but she didn't know her at all. So she mustered some courage and decided to text Ruby.

Quickly, she typed out a message, hoping she'd read it soon. Hey, Ruby. Last night went really well. I enjoyed it. Thank you for helping me with my hair.

Ruby responded within half a minute. Blake imagined her small thumbs dancing on the screen and smiled. No problem! Good to hear! :D So did my sister, she told me she got you to dance!

She didn't know why, but she blushed. She measured her words carefully and came up with a response. She looked really beautiful last night.

Yang always does lol came back faster than expected. You should tell her that though, haha I bet she'd be flattered!

Blake would have loved to say so, but that wasn't really an option right now. As she was trying to type something in reply, Ruby sent her another message.

I think you two would make good friends too. You should hang out with Yang more often, I think she likes you

Her heart stopped beating for a few seconds as she read over her last phrase. Of course, it wasn't the kind of like that Blake would've—wait a minute! She mentally scolded herself and texted Ruby back. I'd love to get to know her better.

While the rest of her classmates stressed about quarter grades being entered in, Blake felt no sense of anxiety, as she had studied diligently before her tests. Most students had, but some students enjoyed themselves a bit too much last Saturday and forgot that November—the end of first quarter—was this week. For the golden-eyed girl, classes weren't horribly hard, although they did prove to be a challenge. Naturally, her favorite class was English, officially titled AP English Literature and Composition. Having gone through most of the classics on her own, Blake was familiar with the books they read in class and had no trouble. She actually enjoyed listening to Mr. Port, who usually rambled on and on about the books. It was her favorite class for multiple reasons.

Today just happened to present a new reason.

"Yo, Yang!" Sun piped up from behind her, interrupting Mr. Port's long rant on how even he dreaded John Steinbeck.

Blake perked up instantly at the sound of her name. The blonde sauntered in, her textbook in hand. She sent a grin over to Sun and turned to the teacher.

"Ah, yes, that's right, you're now part of the class! I'm surprised they waited this long to fix your schedule, Miss Xiao Long."

"Yeah, no kidding." Yang laughed.

"We were just in the middle of discussing the Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck. Perhaps you know of it? We're writing essays next week, so make sure you read the book in full to understand it. Now, as I was saying…" he trailed off.

Yang spotted the empty seat to Blake's left and set her stuff down. Just her presence was enough to make the poor girl freeze up a little bit. She noticed and gave a casual grin. "Morning, Blake."

"G-Good morning, Yang," she stammered. Control yourself. "It's nice to see you."

"Yeah, you too. It's nice to finally have the schedule I asked for," she chuckled, keeping her voice low. Port was so immersed in the "class discussion," which was, really, just another ramble, that he didn't notice the two were chatting.

"What happened?"

"The scheduling department completely missed over my request last year. Guess they were too busy? I dunno. Anyway. I'll be in this class for the rest of the year." Yang played with her pencil, twirling it around her finger. "How were quarter tests for ya?"

"Um… They were okay, I suppose. I didn't find them to be too hard."

"Oh, lucky. I haven't been on top of my game so I had to cram it all, but I bet I'll be fine," she flashed a confident smile. "That's usually how it turns out."

Blake wasn't surprised. "That's good luck. I love English."

"Yeah?" she raised her eyebrows. "I bet you could probably give Weiss a run for her money then."

"Well…" She didn't think before she opened her mouth the next time. "I can help you if you struggle in this class."

"Definitely. We'll have to study sometime or something, ya know? I'll hold you to that offer," she winked and turned back to at least give Port some of her attention.

Blake gave a weak smile, hoping she would.

As classes ended and she was wrapping up her day at school, Blake ran into Weiss on her way to the locker. Since they were headed in the same direction, Blake walked closer to her until they seemed to be together. "Good afternoon, Weiss."

"Hello, Blake," came her polite reply. She seemed to be beaming a smile on her face. That was unnatural. Every time she saw the ice queen, she was frowning, but clearly not today.

"Is everything okay?"

"Oh yes, Blake. Everything is dandy." They reached a corner and stopped. "I'm going on a date with Neptune tomorrow."

"Really now? That's very nice. I hope you enjoy it," she offered.

"Of course I'll enjoy it, it's Neptune! He's so dreamy," she drooled, her head in wonderland. But the dream only lasted so long before she realized where she was. Clearing her throat, she asked, "So, how did it go between you and Sun?"

"Quite well," but not as well as it went with Yang. "I think he's really sweet." That wasn't a lie.

Weiss smirked. "Well, Neptune and Sun are best friends. If you're interested in more, you ought to tell me. Maybe there's something Neptune and I can do for you." The fact that she referred to herself and the blue-haired boy as though they were already a couple was comical to Blake.

"I'm not interested," she declined.

The girl hummed. "So be it. I'll see you tomorrow, Blake."

"See you tomorrow, Weiss."

Blake released a groan, stretching out her arms and sinking further into her sofa. Usually, she didn't have the time to turn on the TV and watch a movie, but tonight, she could enjoy that luxury. Although living alone could get lonely—even for her, who loved to be by herself—it did allow her to do things on her own time and at her own pace. Blake, being meticulous and organized, had a solid schedule for when to do laundry, wash the dishes, shower, and more. However, for now, she could enjoy a night with Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley as she watched their vampire romances unfold on the screen. The week was tough dealing with more tests. She deserved to veg for her Friday. Just as she was getting comfortable, her phone buzzed on the coffee table in front of her. She unlocked the device and read over the text message from Ruby.

Busy tonight?

She wondered if she needed help with Calculus or something. Not particularly, why?

Her reply came within seconds. Oh thank god! I'm so bored here without a friend. Wanna watch Yang's game?

Blake chuckled, actually thinking she could relax for the rest of the evening. She forgot Yang played volleyball. She has a game?

Yeah! It's against Santa Clara. Please come! :( I have to be here before the actual game and it'll be so boring if I don't have a friend with me! I'll buy you something at the concession stand if you do! Please :( It's districts!

Blake sighed, knowing she couldn't say no. Ruby and her sister were worth much more than a TV night anyway. I'll be there soon!

Within twenty minutes, the golden-eyed girl found herself walking into Beacon Academy's impressive, spacious gym. This was the first time she had been in, since she wasn't taking physical education or playing a sport. Enormous and well-kept, the gym sat more than a thousand people on the home section, parents and students alike ready to cheer on their team. It was, arguable, the best facility to house the large competition. She glanced up at the bleachers to find Ruby, meeting her eyes after a few seconds. She made her way up and took her seat next to the girl. Fortunately, they sat close to the court, making for a good view.

"Ooohh, thank you so much for coming!" Ruby exclaimed as she hugged her friend tightly. "Now I won't be so bored!"

But Blake wasn't sure how she could ever be bored at a volleyball game. On the floor, Beacon's finest set of girls warmed up, setting the ball to one another and practicing their bumps. The opposing team wore bright red and contrasted greatly against the forest green of the prestigious academy, reminding her of Christmas. The guests nearly filled up the opposite side of the gym, eager to watch the two best teams in the district to face off for a chance to compete on the state level. In the sea of color, Blake spotted Xiao Long on the girl's back, number 9 out on the floor. Yang stretched out her calves, her look determined and intimidating. Her hair was tied back into a ponytail, although even that didn't seem to contain her wild, thick, golden hair very well.

"There she is," Blake mumbled to herself, a small smile creeping on her face.

"Y'know, of all the things Yang does, I think volleyball might be her second favorite."

"What's her favorite?"

Ruby shrugged. "Boxing? I dunno, you'd have to ask her."

"Huh." No wonder her arms are so toned. "This is my first time watching her in a match."

"Really? Well, I guess you always stay home to do homework," Ruby laughed. "You sure are in for something! Yang is really, really good at volleyball."

As if she heard her sister, the lilac-eyed girl looked over to the stands and saw the two sitting only three rows up. She sent them a playful wink and a thumbs-up before turning back to her teammates. Blake felt her heart race again. She really wasn't sure what on Earth was going on with her, but she knew that it was not normal.

Then, the announcer came onto the speakers, signaling the beginning of the match. The two teams huddled, encouraging one another to play their very best. Beacon's girls let out a cry of excitement and adrenaline, getting in their positions. Santa Clara lined up, appearing more cautious than thrilled. Blake watched Yang move into the attacking zone, taking her place as the center forward. She might not have been the tallest person on the team, but somehow, Blake figured that wouldn't be an issue.

"Go get 'em, Yang!" cried out Ruby.

Soon enough, the match was underway. The volley began as Santa Clara's setter breathed life into the game, sending the ball over the net. Blake watched Pyrrha gracefully bump the ball into the air for Nora Valkyrie to set it in place, letting Yang jump and attempt a spike. Easily, her hand made contact and resulted in a kill. She yelled out, scoring the first point of the match. Blake had never seen a person with that large of a vertical, and suddenly she knew why the coach had put Yang near the net. She saw the ball go up, watch the server's hand strike it, and watched the volley begin. Although Santa Clara set up their attack efficiently, Pyrrha was quick to meet the ball before it could touch their court. This time, Santa Clara met Nora's attack, now understanding how aggressive Beacon's girls were, but failed to launch the ball over the net. Another easy kill, another easy point.

The game progressed in the same manner, with Beacon winning the first set by a seven-point lead. Yang was on fire, having scored almost half of the points. All the while, Ruby was cheering her sister and her teammates on, yelling their names and shouting other encouragements. Blake remained quiet throughout most of the match, but occasionally she'd whisper aloud the times the ball had been touched on Beacon's side, her golden eyes never leaving the ball. After five minutes, the next set started. Blake noticed something, someone, new on Santa Clara's team… and gasped at the sheer height of the girl.

"It appears Santa Clara has switched out their center forward to make room for Miss Brenda Hazel!" announced Mr. Oobleck, clearly excited by the substitution.

Mr. Port continued the commentary. "Hazel is known to be one of the finest volleyball players in the state, having made the state volleyball team to compete in nationals two years in a row and helping bring her team to victory. This is the first year she is playing for Santa Clara." The Santa Clara crowd roared, keen to see their power-player change up the game.

Blake could see Yang's lips twitch up into a smile, obviously interested in this new challenge. Pyrrha, the team captain, cautioned them before allowing Nora to serve the ball. Blake watched the right blocker save the ball from touching the floor, setting up a spike for Brenda Hazel. Pyrrha went up to defend the ball, but it was too late, and Blake saw a streak of white rocket towards Beacon's court. The referee blew the whistle and waved the flag to Santa Clara's side. Pyrrha apologized to her team, amazed that the star-player missed, but they rotated and continued the play. The next time, even though it was Yang this time who spiked, another girl from the team in red played the ball over to Brenda and the ball found its way to Beacon's floor again.

"It's like they have a Yang of their own…" Ruby murmured to herself, worried.

It was Santa Clara's time to cheer as they won the set, Beacon trailing a sore nine points behind. Beacon's crowd never silenced itself and only shouted for the girls to keep up the effort, but Blake could feel her chest cave in a little. She watched as Pyrrha, Invincible Girl as they called her at school, gather up her girls and watched her mouth move, no doubt in efforts to increase the little morale they had left. Her eyes caught sight of Yang's for half a second before the power player tore them away. She swore they were red again.

With Brenda Hazel out on the floor, the game changed significantly, as Beacon struggled to find tactics and ways to handle the new, more aggressive, plays. Blake found herself immersed in the game, leaning forward and occasionally cheering at different points of the night. The only person she yelled for, though, was Yang, as she put her complete faith and trust that Beacon would win tonight in her. She was, after all, their star. She followed the way her body moved, the defined muscles in her legs, the growl she'd emit each and every time she'd attack, the blaze in her eyes. After suffering another lost set, Beacon was worried their team would lose district and fail to advance.

But when they played the fourth set, Beacon changed their tactics. With a new found sense of determination, the girls played excellently, their passes well received, their attacks targeting the weakest areas of the opposite court. Santa Clara lost by five points, a significant victory for the girls in green after their embarrassing loss two sets ago.

"If Santa Clara wins this next set, they advance to state," Ruby sighed.

"If we win this next set, we advance to state. They can do it." Blake nodded. "I feel it."

The girls went into a fifth set. Unlike the previous four, however, this set would be played to fifteen points. Blake watched Yang whisper something to Pyrrha, who gave her a suspicious, unsure look. They both moved into their respective positions, Yang in the center and Pyrrha standing directly behind her. Soon, the set was underway as Santa Clara served the ball first. Velvet Scarlatina called out and the first point went to Beacon on account of an easy mistake. Reminding her team not to get too cocky, Pyrrha tossed the ball over to Nora, ready to serve. She sent the ball flying to Santa Clara and Brenda Hazel returned it, powerfully spiking and hoping for a kill. But Yang was quick, and her slide saved the ball from reaching the floor. Velvet dug and Pyrrha took the liberty of scoring the next point for her team.

Although Santa Clara put up a good fight, Yang instantly found their power-player instead turned to be their greatest weakness. The defense would set the balls to her each time in hopes that her killer strikes would produce more points, but Beacon read each and every single move. With the match-point on Beacon's hands, they served the ball. One… two… three… and the ball found itself back in their court. And just as they had before, Pyrrha dug, Nora set, and Beacon's very own Yang Xiao Long leaped up into the air, her arm drawn back, before releasing a vicious snarl. The ball met her hand and kissed Santa Clara's court. The buzzer went off, the referee blew the last whistle, and Beacon's girls were victorious. They were going to state.

Amid the ensuing chaos, Ruby and Blake managed to find Yang before her team retreated to the locker room. Beaming up at her sister, Ruby threw her arms around her neck, shouting excitedly.

"You guys did it! You're going to state!" she wailed.

"I know!" Yang laughed, setting her down. "I've gotta shower though, I smell horrible." She looked over at Blake, her tired smile seeming appreciative. "Thanks for watching me out there, Blake."

Hearing her name roll off her tongue sent her heart to cloud nine. She smiled. "Of course. You did really well. You should be proud."

"I sure am!" Nora Valkyrie squeaked, hugging Yang tightly. "Come on girl, we've gotta get changed!"

It took twenty minutes for Yang to emerge from the women's locker room and wander back into the gym. The place had cleared within that time and there were only a few people left besides Ruby and Blake. With her hair let down and in a pair of comfortable sweatpants and a tank top, she met the two, visibly exhausted. "Oh man, I am going to sleep like a baby."

"Dad's going to be so happy to hear about tonight!"

As they were making their way out of the gym and to the parking lot, Yang turned to Blake. "How did you get here?"

"Huh? Oh. I walked here."

The evening sky had already blanketed them, though, and the stars were starting to shine above them. The last rays of the sun vanished, leaving them in the dark. Concerned, she turned to the raven-haired girl. "How are you getting home then? It's already dark."

She hadn't thought that far.

Ruby hummed, trying to find a solution. "Maybe she can find a ride? Oh! Isn't Pyrrha still here?"

Yang nodded. "Yeah, she hasn't left yet."

"Oh, but I don't know Pyrrha very well…" Blake's voice was soft. Even though the red-head was always polite to her and they shared a few classes together, she didn't feel comfortable enough to ask her to take her home.

"No biggie. I'll take you home," Yang chuckled. "Pyrrha won't mind taking Ruby."

Blake protested. "Are you sure? That's a lot to ask. I know you want to get home."

"I want to take you home," the blonde replied. "There's no way we'll let you walk in the dark like this!"

"Yeah! And Pyrrha is super duper friendly. I think she likes me enough to take me home," Ruby argued. "Just ride with Yang, she'll get you back soon. Pyrrha knows where we live too!"

Defeated, Blake hugged Ruby. "Thank you. I'll see you on Monday, then."

This was the first time Blake had ever been alone with Yang. She walked over to Yang's parking spot with her, and, much to her surprise, saw a yellow motorcycle instead of a car. Yang pulled her helmet over her head, sitting down on the vehicle.

"Sorry Blake, but you've gotta ride without a helmet."

"That's okay," she responded, taking her seat behind her. "I didn't know you drove a motorcycle."

She heard her snicker. "Yeah, most people are pretty surprised when they find out." She paused before starting it up. "Uh… You're going to have to wrap your arms around me, unless you want to fall off," she chuckled.

Blake blushed and leaned forward. Shyly, she wrapped her arms around the girl's waist and held tightly onto Yang, hugging her from behind. The blonde kicked and the engine grumbled, coming to life in less than a second. "Where do you live?"

"Coastal Heights."

"Huh! By the ocean! Alright Bumblebee, let's go!"

Leaving Beacon in the dust, the two zipped to the outskirts of town. Initially worried about her lack of a helmet, Blake felt grateful later on as she leaned her head onto Yang. She felt warm, even with the rush of the air around them. Somehow, it felt natural to be holding her like this. Even if it was only for a few moments, she could enjoy the soft fabric of her jacket, her heat, her scent. As Yang took the last turn, she smiled to herself, feeling Blake breathe into her back. Her motorcycle came to a slow as they stopped in front of Blake's beach house.

"Whoa… This is your house?" Yang wondered aloud in awe, turning Bumblebee off.

"Yeah," Blake blushed, climbing off and reluctantly letting go of her. "Thank you again for the ride."

"Nah, it's no problem. See ya Monday." Yang grinned and got off of her motorcycle to watch her go inside her house before leaving. Blake followed suit and walked to the steps of her front porch. But before she could open the door, Yang spoke. "Hey Blake?"

"Yes?" she turned around in an instant.

"Uh…" She seemed at a loss for words. "Weiss… told me about your situation."

She didn't even have to ask. A pang bit into her heart, her smile fading away as she looked at Yang's small frown. "Why did she do that?"

"I… I kind of asked." Lilac eyes met gold, apologetic, shiny in the moonlight. "I'm sorry. I should've just asked you, huh? But you weren't around and I was curious, so I asked Weiss, because I know you two are friends." Walking over to her, she held her hands, just like she did at Homecoming. "Listen. I asked because I wanted to ask you something."

She swallowed thickly and her breath hitched at her touch. "What is it?"

"Since you're going to be alone… Would you want to join my family for Thanksgiving dinner?" Yang watched as Blake's eyes widened and she gave her hands a squeeze. "I'm sorry! It's just, y'know, with how nice you've been to my little sister and me and you being alone, I thought I'd extend the invitation, and it's fine if you don't wanna—"

Blake noticed that Yang, like her sister, rambled when she was in a panic. Without thinking, she pulled her into a hug, her head resting just over her shoulder. "Yang, I would love to eat dinner with your family." Tears threatened to spill out her eyes, but she fought them hard. "I'm grateful that you'd invite me."

"Oh, good," Yang sighed, visibly relieved. She looked at Blake and smiled, pinching her cheek. "You sure are a cool cat. I'll catch you on Monday. I'm so happy you're my friend."

She watched as the lovely girl put on her helmet and climbed atop Bumblebee, leaving her after throwing up a peace sign. Blake sighed, wishing she could be that close to Yang more often. She smelled like citrus: sweet, tangy, irresistible.

Blake never had so much trouble deciding what to wear. The outfit for the evening had two contestants: a little black dress used for all sorts of occasions and a deep maroon dress specially meant for parties and dinners. After spending fifteen minutes just looking at both dresses, she opted for the maroon, deciding that black seemed too grim and mournful for such a fun celebration. She smiled to herself, excited to see how the evening would go. In the past two weeks, Blake and Ruby had spent a significant amount of time with one another. They decided to study together after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and more often than not Blake would see Yang as well. She hadn't ever been spent time with either of them outside of school however, with the exception of the volleyball game three weeks ago. This was her chance to really get to know Yang.

The Rose-Xiao Long family lived on the opposite side of town, more than four miles away, so Yang offered to pick Blake up and drive over. Nervously, she waited on her front porch for the girl, sitting on one of the chairs she set out there for the times she'd read outside. Something was going on in her head and her heart concerning Yang. It wasn't normal. She would never feel this anxious waiting on any of her friends and, even with how awkward she could be, Blake never rehearsed conversations in her head. But she did for Yang, and when she showed up, she thought she'd panic.

Instead of Bumblebee, Yang drove the family car, an older Honda Accord. Blake opened the door and sat down, looking at her.

"I figured you'd be wearing a dress, knowing you." Yang chuckled, dressed in a casual pair of jeans and a yellow, v-neck shirt.

Blake felt overdressed. "Is it too much?"

"Nah. You look cute," she complimented.

A rush of heat attacked her cheeks. "Thanks…"

She stayed silent the whole way there, occasionally looking at Yang. The blonde was mouthing the words to the song on the radio, leaving Blake to wonder if she sang a lot when she was alone. Yang parked the car in the driveway of a normal, suburban house. Rose bushes surrounded the outside of the house and adorned it nicely, giving it bursts of colors here and there. They lived in one of the newer parts of Oxnard and Blake realized these houses couldn't be older than ten years. The two exited the car and made their way into the household.

The house was warm, cozy, and inviting. As the savory smell of turkey wafted through the air, Blake observed the furniture, the paintings, the many pictures around the house. She could tell that this love filled this household and it made her miss her own parents and her family. Yang noticed her eyes and pulled her into the dining room, ornately decorated with the finest set of china for the evening. "Dad doesn't ever take out the china unless it's for a holiday," Ruby commented as soon as she saw Blake. "Thank you for coming!"

"It's a pleasure," she returned.

Walking into the room came a tall, middle-aged man, with a head of blonde hair and a kind smile. Blake imagined he must have been very handsome in his youth, although the years have given way to wrinkles and a thicker figure. "You must be Miss Blake," he greeted her and held his hand out.

She shook his hand with both of hers. "Yes, sir."

"Oh, don't call me sir," he chuckled. "Tai is fine. You're a friend to Ruby and Yang, so you're like a daughter to me as well," he smiled. "You've been kind to both of them."

"On the contrary, they've been the ones to show me great kindness. I'm so happy I could be here for Thanksgiving," she said truthfully.

"You're more than welcome to come here whenever you'd like, Blake."

"And I'm sure she will!" Yang piped up, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. The gesture almost made Blake blush again, but she followed it up with, "But I'm hungry. Let's get dinner going, yeah?"

"Yeah dad," Ruby said from around the corner, bringing in the turkey all by herself from the kitchen. " We need to eat!"

"Okay, okay, you hungry monsters."

Dinner consisted of multiple dishes that proved difficult to select between. Taiyang, Ruby and Yang's father, took a leg of the turkey, some cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, and extra stuffing. Ruby, being a huge fan of pasta, took almost a quarter of the spaghetti and some turkey. Yang hungrily took a leg of the turkey and mashed potatoes for her first plate. Blake settled for some of the turkey, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie. The family ate their hearty meals and let the radio station playing in the background fill in the silence whenever they weren't talking. Over dinner, though, they all covered many topics: which folks at school were applying to which colleges, volleyball, grades, and more.

After an hour of eating, the four of them slouched in their chairs. Blake tried her best to sit up straight, but after eating two plates full of food, she felt tired. Taiyang rose from his chair and started clearing off the table. "Ruby, help me with the food, will you?"

The girl pouted. "Why can't Yang do it?"

"I'll help, geez," she answered.

"Me too," Blake offered.

Ruby and Blake help to put the leftovers in containers while Taiyang and Yang worked on dishes for the evening. In less than thirty minutes, they had the entire dining room back in order and the dishwasher going. Taiyang retired to his bedroom before saying goodnight to Blake, citing his old age and a full stomach as good reasons to sleep early.

"What do you wanna do now?" Ruby asked.

"Let's pop a movie in and chill," Yang suggested, looking at Blake for her input.

"That sounds good to me."

"Ooh, Harry Potter is probably on!" Ruby rushed over to the living room, dragging both of them behind her.

Soon, the three settled on the sofa, Yang in between the other two. Ruby flipped through the channels like a book until she found Harry Potter, shutting up quickly to enjoy the movie. But in less than twenty minutes, the girl had passed out, laying her head on her sister's lap. Affectionately, Yang stroked her brunette hair, red on the tips, as she slept. Blake looked over and giggled a bit, finding the scene too sweet to be true. Yang felt her gaze and snickered.

"I've always wanted a sister," Blake confessed.

"Ruby is a really good one," Yang sighed. "Even if she is a half-sister."

"She's only your half-sister?"

"Yeah." Her lilac eyes returned to the screen. For a moment, Blake thought she'd drop the conversation right then. "My mom left when I was really young. I don't remember much about her, but my uncle Qrow doesn't really want me knowing too much. But Ruby's mom? Summer was amazing. She was like, super-mom. Ruby was too little to remember when she passed away, but man, I miss her everyday. That's why her last name is Rose. It's to honor her mother. At least we both have our dad. He's really good to both of us."

Blake frowned a little. "I see. I'm sorry about your mother."

She shrugged. "It's whatever. I mean, dad's here and I've got a cool uncle too. He couldn't be here tonight, though. He's off on a business trip, even on the holidays." Ruby stirred and Yang thought she'd wake, but she remained asleep. She poked her nose. "Ruby's pretty much everything I have."

"I understand." Luckily for Yang, she still had everything.

"I'm sorry for you, Blake. Your situation is rough."

Again, tears formed in her eyes and she watched Harry as best as she could. "It's okay."

"Well." She grabbed her shoulder and made her look at her, lilac eyes gleaming. "You've got us. You're family to us now, especially with how good you've been to my little sister. She's pretty awkward, y'know? It's tough for her to get to know people because we're so… different.

"I know what people say about me and all the things they've got for me, but they really don't get what it's like, being so popular and stuff. Ruby's got it tough. She's always being compared to me, when in reality, she's just… Ruby. That's why… You're special to both of us. You can see who we are for who we are, not because of what people tell you."

Blake wanted to smile or frown, just something, but her lips remained parted, her golden-eyes wide and staring at the blonde as she pushed her locks out of her face. She thought about Weiss and what she had said two months ago, their initial run-in, the anger on Yang's face, the way she laughed at Homecoming.

"Blake, honestly, you're such a cool girl," Yang gave a lopsided grin. "I know our first uh… time meeting each other was pretty bad, but I mean, here you are now, part of my family!"

"It's really… really nice, to be part of a family again," she whispered.

"Yeah! Yeah…" Again, she was at a loss for words. "I think we should spend some more time together, y'know? You're always around Ruby and I hardly get you to myself," she smirked.

"I would love to spend time with you, Yang." She prayed the girl couldn't read her mind.

I would love to love you, Yang.

A/N: Ah, volleyball. I apologize if my jargon was all over the place. As much as I love to watch it, I'm total trash at playing. Thank you for joining me for the third chapter of Honeybee! Please leave a review to let me know what I should do better. Chapters four and five will cover the month of December. It's a bit too long for just one chapter lol. Thank you again, and see you soon!