Two chapters, one day, because why not? I've missed you guys!
"She seems nice!"
"Mhmm…"
"I was worried we'd get some grouchy ol' neighbors," Ruby continued while tossing the last box on top of the large stack in one corner of the barren living room. "But she doesn't seem grouchy at all."
"No. No, she does not…"
Ever since meeting their new next door neighbor - who was, without a doubt, the most beautiful girl she'd ever met - Yang had been hopelessly lost in thought. Unpacking had been at the forefront of her mind before their chance encounter in the hallway, but now she couldn't seem to get the girl out of her head.
Blake. That was a great name. It suited her too. Unique and pretty. Uniquely pretty. And pretty unique.
Yang wanted to know so much more about the girl than just her name though. What was she like? What did she like to do? Last name? Middle name? Favorite movie?
"Weiss and I are gonna get dinner. You wanna come?" Ruby's question drew Yang's attention back to her little sister and the new apartment they would now call home.
"Naw that's ok. You two have fun without me," she replied as she flopped down on the sofa they'd carried up three flights of stairs just a few hours earlier. "I'm totally wiped."
Ruby collapsed beside her with a loud huff of air.
"No kidding...that was a ton of work!"
"Maybe we should have taken Weiss up on her offer to hire movers, after all."
When Ruby giggled, Yang just smiled. Weiss had offered to pay for their move, but they had politely declined. Even though the girl had more money than most governments it just hadn't felt right to make her pay for something she wasn't even remotely involved in. Plus, there was something satisfying about doing it all themselves. Satisfying and exhausting.
Although, speaking of Weiss…
"Wait - why didn't Weiss help us carry in boxes?" she suddenly asked. They'd been so busy packing recently that it never even occurred to her that Weiss could have helped them with the actual moving herself.
"She had to work."
"Ah - right - convenient excuse," Yang remarked with a shake of her head. "Guess offering to pay for the entire thing was her idea of helping."
"And you declined!" Ruby reminded her. "So no complaints."
"Yeah, yeah…" she muttered while closing her eyes and leaning her head against the sofa, exhaustion growing. "Don't think I'm gonna unpack anything today…"
It had been a dumb idea to make a competition out of carrying the boxes upstairs to the hallway. Ruby had beaten her handily and she'd wasted all of her energy trying to catch up. Now she was paying for it dearly...her arms and legs were screaming at her for the exerted effort that had been in vain from the start.
When Ruby didn't say anything in reply, it was entirely possible that Yang might have fallen asleep for a few seconds in the comforting silence. It didn't last for long though - she woke up to a strange sound reaching her ears. Lifting her head with considerable effort, her suddenly groggy mind struggled to identify the source of the noise.
"What's that?" she asked, noticing Ruby yawning beside her. Listening closely, the sound grew louder in the hallway - a rhythmic clack, clack, clack that was swiftly approaching their door. "Is that...Weiss?"
Ruby answered the question by jumping up from the sofa and flying to the front door to fling it open. Sure enough, an overdressed Weiss Schnee was standing on the other side, one hand still raised as if she'd been just about to knock.
"Weiss!"
While Ruby leapt into the girl's arms and smothered her with affection, Yang slowly peeled herself off the couch and walked over to greet the girl.
Did she say greet? She meant tease. But those words were pretty interchangeable when it came to Weiss.
"What's up with the heels, Weiss? Pretty sure the deaf couple downstairs is gonna be complaining."
Weiss tried to scowl at her, but Ruby bounced in between them and made the girl smile instead. "They're supposed to be loud," Weiss managed to quip over Ruby's boundless energy.
Yang couldn't help laughing at both the response and the scene of Weiss trying to be annoyed with her while at the same time happy to see Ruby.
"So they're like...intentionally obnoxious heels or something?"
"Yes."
"What's the point in that?"
"That way people know when the boss is coming!" Ruby answered happily, arms wrapped around Weiss from behind while nuzzling into Weiss' shoulder. "Then they can be on their beeeeeest behavior!"
"Wouldn't you rather sneak up on them and know what they're saying behind your back?" Yang asked.
"That's what the cameras are for."
Initially she chuckled because she thought it was a joke, but the serious expression Weiss returned told her the opposite. Seeing that Weiss was in no mood for playful banter today, Yang waved the two girls away and made her way back to the sofa to collapse into it once more.
"Glad I don't work for you, Weiss! Have a good dinner though."
"Yeah! Dinner! I'm starving," Ruby commented as she pulled Weiss back into the hall. "Where are we going? Somewhere fast? Somewhere fancy? Somewhere fast and fancy?"
When the pair left, with the sound of Ruby's voice buzzing excitedly down the hallway to accompany the sound of Weiss' heels, Yang sighed and leaned her head back against the sofa. Zwei bumped his nose into her knee a second later, forcing her head back up in order to look at the happy puppy sitting at her feet.
"I know," she said, sending a tired smile down to him. "Ruff day, huh?"
She grinned when Zwei wagged his tail - clearly amused by her play on words. He was her number one fan, after all. Reaching down, she picked him up and set him on the sofa beside her where he promptly laid down and closed his eyes.
What a day.
In the temporary silence, her mind inevitably drifted back to the girl she knew was separated from her by nothing more than a flimsy wall.
What was Blake doing right now? Making dinner? Watching some TV? What type of food did she like to eat? Or what TV shows did she watch? Yang would definitely be a fan of anything that captured the attention of those gorgeous amber eyes.
"Ok seriously - you just met," she scolded herself. "Stop being so creepy."
Forcing herself to her feet she walked over to the stack of boxes in an effort to distract herself. But once she was standing in front of at least another two days work she found that she didn't have the energy to even pretend to unpack.
Instead of pulling things out of boxes, she would much rather daydream about the girl next door.
Groaning out loud, she walked into the empty kitchen and drummed her fingers impatiently on the granite top of the island. There was nothing she could do right now to distract herself! They didn't even have the TV set up. There was literally only a sofa and a mountain of boxes in the living room, and the bedrooms weren't any better.
Pretty girls normally didn't stay on her mind for this long - she met them, said hello, chatted a bit, then went her separate way. So this was an entirely new experience for her. They'd literally spoken for only a few seconds and yet...
"Why don't you just go ask her out?" she finally asked herself.
Her feet must have been waiting for that question this entire time because, before she could think through any type of repercussions, she was at the front door and quietly letting herself out into the hallway.
No big deal - she talked to girls all the time and often asked for their numbers. Mostly because people would dare her to, but still, she had a lot of experience asking people out.
She really didn't know why Nora found it so amusing though…
Since she talked to girls all the time, she knew just how unusual it was that her heart started beating faster the instant she stopped in front of Blake's door. And she knew how strange it was that her palms were sweating enough that she had to wipe them off on her pants before finally lifting one hand, taking a deep breath, and knocking twice.
No big deal. She just wanted to take Blake out on a date. It didn't even matter where they went, she just wanted to sit somewhere and listen to the girl talk for hours on end. Coffee, right? That was a good date idea.
A few seconds later the door opened a fraction of an inch and her heart jumped into her throat.
Definitely pretty. Even prettier than she remembered from a few minutes ago.
"Oh, hello again," Blake greeted her while opening the door fully.
Quick, Yang mentally yelled at herself. Ask her quick before your heart freaking explodes!
"Hey! Sorry to bother you. I know we just met and all, but I was just wondering if you…" her words trailed off when her brain finally processed the room behind Blake. Neat, organized...and filled with books. Floor-to-ceiling bookcases covering one whole wall were stuffed to the brim with hardbacks and paperbacks alike. There were so many books, there wasn't even room for a television in the apartment.
"Wow. Quite the collection you've got there. You like to read?" she asked instead, turning back to Blake only for the girl to divert her amber eyes towards the bookcases lining one side of the living room.
"I do...I spend a lot of time reading," Blake answered, fidgeting ever so slightly under Yang's gaze. It was difficult to tell if Blake was embarrassed or uncomfortable with the topic...like maybe she thought Yang was judging her for having so many books?
It was true that Yang had never met someone who owned so many books before...well, actually Weiss had an entire library at her house, but it was clear that Blake had read all of the books on these shelves. They weren't just there for decoration.
Unique.
"So...what were you wondering?"
The question threw Yang completely off guard when combined with those inquisitive eyes. But again, Blake only met her gaze for a few seconds before glancing away. The lack of eye contact made her feel like something was wrong. Was it her? Maybe she was disturbing Blake by being here?
When Blake shifted uncomfortably, Yang finally understood. Or thought she understood.
Blake was shy.
Oh god. And Yang was going to rush in head first and ask the poor girl out.
Clearing her throat, she thanked the stars that no one else was here to witness her attempt to wiggle her way out of this potentially awkward situation.
"U-uh, yeah! I was actually wondering if you...had any salt?"
As soon as the question came out, she knew it was the best way to take this conversation. New neighbor just asking to borrow some salt - that was a low key encounter, right? Not at all suspicious or un-neighborly. Although salt was a pretty dumb thing to ask for...who didn't have salt?
"All our stuff is still in boxes and I have no idea where Ruby packed it, but knowing her it won't be in the box labeled 'kitchen stuff.'" She chuckled, knowing that it was absolutely plausible that Ruby had thrown at least one mislabeled item into each box.
The request seemed to surprise Blake, but she quickly recovered.
"Oh. Um...sure. Hold on one sec."
Leaving the door open, Blake walked back into the apartment. Instinctively, Yang had taken one step forward to follow only to freeze when she realized that Blake had never invited her inside. Not wanting to overstep any bounds, she made sure her feet were still planted firmly in the hallway while waiting patiently for Blake to return.
In the meantime, she allowed her eyes to wander around the apartment. Bookcases, small sofa that looked brand new, coffee table, and another small table sitting by a well-loved chair by the window. It was all very neat and orderly and...peaceful.
When Blake reappeared, salt shaker in hand, Yang focused all of her attention back upon the girl.
"Thank you!" she exclaimed when Blake passed over the shaker. "You're a lifesaver. My unseasoned dinner thanks you."
"You're welcome," Blake responded with a quick nod and a hint of an amused smile. Yang watched intently - willing a full smile into existence with no luck.
God...she wanted to see a full smile so badly now. She could only imagine how beautiful Blake would be when she actually smiled.
"Hey, so when Ruby and I settle in you should come over for dinner sometime - I'll cook!" Yang offered, flinching when the invitation sounded a little more forward than she'd intended it to be. Backing away from the door, she tried to make a hasty retreat before making things worse.
"Oh...ok, that sounds...nice," Blake replied hesitantly. The answer was just a little more lukewarm than Yang would hope it to be, but she didn't let it put a dent in her smile.
"I'll get this back to you really soon!" She wiggled the salt shaker above her head.
"Don't worry - I won't need it until...tomorrow at the earliest."
"Got it - tomorrow it is!" she replied while turning slightly away, but not before giving Blake a parting smile and lighthearted wink.
Don't turn around, Yang mentally commanded herself while walking back to her door with legs that hardly wanted to function. Don't turn around unless you want her to know that you're still thinking about her.
But she was still thinking about Blake, so she wasn't able to prevent herself from sending a quick glance back towards the girl - who was still watching her in return. Butterflies appeared in her stomach as she smiled and practically ran back into her new apartment. Zwei immediately came bounding over to greet her, tail wagging excitedly. Giving him a quick pat on the head, she walked into the kitchen and set the salt shaker down on the island before resting her chin on her hands and staring at it like it might be alive.
Her heart was pounding in her chest, only now beginning to slow down since she'd retreated to the safety of her own apartment. While her initial mission had been a complete failure, she'd at least managed to collect some important information! And salt - can't forget the salt.
Lots of books, lots of reading, willing to lend salt to a stranger, so damn pretty, and...shy. Or, at the very least, reserved.
Shy...she really had no idea what to do with that. But she had to have some shy friends that she could ask for advice, right?
Like wasn't…?
Or maybe…?
No, she really didn't have any shy friends. They were all just as loud and obnoxious as she was.
Ok, so she had no one to ask for advice, but at least she had a reason to go over there again! The salt shaker would have to find its way home eventually, after all. Unless she chickened out and just set it in front of Blake's door or something…
No, this would work. When Yang went to return the salt she could strike up another conversation - something that wasn't too prying or personal. If that wasn't enough, she would just do it again. She could build a foundation of tiny conversations and then, when she finally asked Blake out, it wouldn't be a surprise or unwelcome advance.
The last thing she wanted to do was scare Blake away and asking someone out after speaking for thirty seconds might do just that.
With a reluctant sigh, Yang walked over and opened the door to the startlingly empty refrigerator.
"Why couldn't you have asked for real food?" she mumbled to herself while taking in the empty shelves. "Like a steak and some potatoes or something…"
Pulling out her phone, she sent a quick message to Ruby requesting some food to be brought home from dinner. Hearing little footsteps run up behind her, she looked down and found Zwei's big, begging eyes staring up at her expectantly.
"Don't worry, little guy," she said and walked over to grab the bag of dog food she'd lugged upstairs earlier. "We've got you covered."
When Zwei was happily eating, she spared one last glance at the salt shaker she'd managed to borrow before heading back to the living room to lounge on the sofa. Ruby would bring food later to satisfy the rumbles in her stomach, so in the meantime she would lay on the sofa, close her eyes, and not think about Blake.
Or she would just lay on the sofa and close her eyes...