Teachers worry about their students. Despite there being so many, an empty seat brings a heavy heart. It's just how things are. Well… except for maybe Jaune. I don't think anyone would miss him.

I go about my day, class to class to lunch to class to class to dorm. Though, there's this nagging in the back of my mind that the empty seat between Pyrrha and I is something so out of the ordinary. For some reason, that dolt who doesn't seem to notice me or Pyrrha for that matter, her absence has such a… negative aura about it.

Oddly enough, I found it a bit more difficult to focus on the lesson when she wasn't a distraction. That isn't to say I didn't reap all there was to offer from the class, rather, it just felt… less fulfilling. Perhaps that dolt being a distraction brought about some sort of rewarding factor to me successfully focusing entirely on the lesson. Yes, I believe that's it. Risk and reward, without her there's no risk nor reward. Still… I can't help but worry. It would be inhuman to not. She is my roommate after all, and I do have feelings. Despite father's attempts to mold them to fit his own needs. Oh, I'm here.

My jaw had been clenched since the thought of my male progenitor. I had been so preoccupied with my thoughts, I had not realized where my feet had been taking me.

The quaint round table that seats six in the back of the cafeteria. Seemingly placed simply because it existed as it did not match the rhyme or rhythm of its surroundings. Why here?

Pyrrha's PoV

I do hope she is well. Maybe I should go check on her, friends do that, right?

With a sigh, I set down my pencil. Homework wasn't getting anywhere fast. An hour and only half is fulfilled.

The door opened and a snorting Nora entered, "Buh bye!" the mirth still in her eyes as she turned into the room, closing the door. "Hey, Pyrrha! How goes it?"

"To be honest, I'm distracted."

"Oh? By what?" She bounced on the edge of her bed.

How would it sound if I told her it was about my new friend? The one who didn't know me as Champion and Warrior, but as Pyrrha Nikos, a student at Beacon Academy.

"Oh hey, do you know what's up with Ruby? She's in my weapons class and she has lots of cool ideas for Magnhild but she hasn't been in to work on them with me."

Ruby, Ruby, Ruby, she just comes up everywhere. Well, everywhere outside of class… and only to those that know her… so really only- I sighed. "I haven't seen her, she hasn't been in any of my classes either."

"That settles it then!" She jumped to her feet.

"Settles wha-" Before I could finish my sentence, she was dragging me to the door.

"We are going to check on her. That's what friends do! Ren and I-" Check on her? I had stopped listening to Nora go on about her and Ren being together since childhood, oh, but not together-together.

Ruby's my friend, one of the first that I've had since becoming this Champion of Mystral. I want to be a good friend to her.

Weiss's PoV

"- I think it's this one." Prefaced the knocking on the door. The voice was loud and cheery, rather distinctive. I think I've heard it before. Oh, the door.

Stealing a glance at the other bed, I inwardly sighed, I guess I'll be getting the door then.

"-So we went to the- oh hello! Is this uh… Ruby's dorm?" now I remember, Nora. Her voice and energy levels were an annoyance.

I opened my mouth to explain that it was a shared dorm and not Ruby's, but I never got the chance. "Oh, Ruby!" Nora barreled past me. Pyrrha followed her with a silent apology.

Rrrrrumph, what is it with this Ruby girl. She isn't doing anything and it gets under my skin. Well, it's her friends that are bothersome. Mainly Nora.

The hammer-wielder let out a battle cry and threw her arms around the red blob.

Just Nora, she's the thorn. Pyrrha, I looked over at the foot of Ruby's bed, the Amazonian had concern written so plainly on her features. Strange, I know she's a compassionate person, but that's a bit much for… are they friends? Is Ruby Rose, an insolent dolt who seems to be here- at Beacon Academy, a high class school for hunters and huntresses- through a series of ridiculous coincidences, is friends with Pyrrha Nikos?

I had a train of thought that would have surely lead to a sound conclusion on the matter, but as barbarians do, it was wrecked. Yes, just on time, the older sister of that motionless stain showed up with a bowl of soup and glass of water. Announcing her presence loudly for all to hear.

I suppose seeing Nora hugging Ruby ignited something in the hot-headed brawler because she quickly set down the lunch items and joined in on the pileup. I swear, Pyrrha is the only civil one in here, aside from myself, of course.

"Hey, I heard Ruby wasn't feeling well-" you've got to be kidding me. He shows up too! Mr. Vomit, can't take a hint, doesn't know when to quit, who is the only person less qualified to be here than that attention-soaking glob. I can't handle this. I'm out.

Shoving past the blonde with a icy, "Move." cursed under my breath, I left my dorm. My dorm. I left my dorm because it was invaded by a bunch of saps. All because somebody was having a bit of trouble.

My aggravated march lead me past a large mirror. Out of the corner of my eye, it caught me. I stopped and looked at my reflection. My face was flushed, and my cheeks were glistening. Hesitantly, I touched one. I was crying. Now I understand… she's me, but has support. She's me, but I was alone. Am alone. She has friends and family who look after her and love her and try to help her get back up on her feet. She has… she has what I wished I had when I was still there. When I was still trapped inside that cage dressed as a mansion and handled so roughly by the slave-driver I call father.

Yes… now I understand why I hate her. She has more than I and she's a nobody. But I… I have nobody, and she has anybody.

I wiped away my tears and scoffed at the irony. I'm the girl who everyone gawks at whenever I enter a room. Everyone except her. I'm the girl that everyone knows and wishes to be, except her. Yet… she's the girl who has everything I want. Friends. Family. Comfort. Support.

"It's safe to come back now." I whirled around, for a moment fear seized my throat. A red cloak whispering hoarsely to me.

"Wh-what?" I cursed myself for stammering. Compose yourself, Weiss! Show no weakness. Yes, Father.

No, I'm away from him! He's not here and I'm not there!

"I had them leave, the dorm is empty now." She turned and headed back in the direction I came. I watched her drowned figure slowly make its way back to our dorm. Drowned in sadness…

If she's so miserable, why'd she ask them to leave? I found myself turning to follow her. Could it be because she felt bad indirectly forcing me out of the room? Ruby Rose… what you do to me… for me in this case I guess… I sighed and continued on my way back to the dorm. The sadness I felt, shrinking away.

Pyrrha's PoV

It was nice to see her… even if she is so unwell. Something about simply seeing her made me feel better. I can't explain it. She just makes me feel better? I guess that's the best way to put it.

"Aaahhhya!" Jaune swung his sword in a downward arc(haha funny) at me. To which I easily parried to the side, throwing his entire form off. After a moment of recovery he sighed.

I'm trying to help him as best I can. Quickly after starting our secret training, I realized we had to start from the very basics. The very, very basics.

I guess the universe has to have balance. Can't have someone as cute, quirky, and skillful as Ruby… wait… my thoughts came back to Ruby. I seem to do that as of late. I'm not entirely sure why.

I parried another stab from Jaune. It was more of a reflex than an action really. An offhand reactions to his clumsy attempt of an attack.

He sighed and took a swig of water. "Something wrong, Pyrrha? You seem distracted." He wiped his brow and leaned back, resting his weight on his arms.

"Oh… Sorry Jaune. Yeah, I just have a lot on my mind is all. Shall we continue?" I prepared myself to shake all thoughts away that are not relevant to training.

"Eh? Nah, you seem a bit troubled. Let's talk about that. That is if you want to I mean! I don't want to- I didn't mean to- uh…. Jeez…"

I chuckled lightly. "It's ok, Jaune. I know what you're trying to say." Sitting in thought for a moment I decided, "Sure, I'll tell you what's on my mind… if you're ok with it."

"Go for it!" Jaune sat up and rested an arm on his leg and motioned for me to go on with the other.

"Well, it's. . ."

Weiss's PoV

I just can't figure her out. She's selfless, awkward, friendly but distant, admittedly she's… gifted. However, with all she has, she's depressed. I know that there are things that cause depression, so I'm not saying it is her fault…. But I can't… I've been sad before, a deep gloom, so I can't say I know what it's like to feel as I imagine she is.

Crying to the wall, covers pulled up around me. Tears falling freely on my silken pillow as I choke down my sobs. I have no appetite. Klein can't bring me to smile.

Facing away, swaddled in her red cloak. Slight quakes and shudders being the only indication of her life and sorrow. She hasn't had so much as a bowl of soup. Not even her boisterous sister can spark a morsel of mirth in those silver eyes and tender lips.

No singing, no working, nothing. I lay in bed day after day with no energy or desire to do anything.

Her sketchbook and pens lay untouched. Notebook tucked away, it too hasn't been loved since she's been like this. Idly, my mind thought to the beautiful picture she penned of me and felt… well I thought it was a shame such talent was not being put to use.

We're not the same. My time of moping had a catalyst and cleared up within a day or two. Hers seems to be spontaneous, though I don't know much about her, and is longer lasting.

A bell. Class is over. Blink, blink. Blink. I had been so caught up in this whole ridiculous ordeal that I hadn't so much as lifted my pen to scratch any form of notes. I spent the entire class in myself all because of that dolt… why! Why do I care! What is it, about her, that I find myself thinking about her! Why! Why am I so focused on someone who doesn't even know who. I. Am! Everyone watches me, but I'm… I'm looking at her.

I know it's wrong to look through another's notebook without permission, but I'm a Schnee and I will do whatever it takes to succeed. Besides, she was completely out and I can't find my notes from two weeks ago and a review test is coming up soon. I just need- aha! This is the notebook she carries everywhere.

Now it would be about… here. Flipping open to what would be the approximate location of the notes from the day in question, it very quickly became clear that this was not a notebook… it was a journal… of sorts.

Slam it shut and forget this ever happened… my hands remained still and my arms too. The only part of me moving be my eyes as they guiltily yet greedily look over the page.

The taboo didn't deter me. It drew me in. Much like a horror film, I can't just. Take. My eyes off. I have to know. I have to see it.

Here I lay,

In my bed.

Wondering why, oh why am I not dead?

Have I done so wrong to suffer this long?

Why oh why am I not dead?

She keeps them well out of sight

She does so, to sleep at night.

Knowing selfish hands seeking, find not

The cure to this sadness and abysmal knot

It's for their own good.

It gets better.

Grit your teeth and bare the weather.

Tomorrow will be better (knock-on-wood).

"You can do it, I know you can."

She doesn't know, my demons' are her fans.

Well out of sight, the silencer to screams

Well out of sight, savior from bad dreams.

Somewhere out of reach,

Somewhere beyond thought.

Hey, it gets better,

Believe it

Or

Not.

Her slow, deep breaths suggested she were asleep. The tip of her pen still open, ready to scar surfaces with its infinite ideas and unique style. I think it's one of her favorites. Of all the many writing utensils she has, she uses that specific pen just for that specific notebook. As though the two were meant for each other, the pen crying it's heart onto the delicate pages who openly receive it without any prejudice. Is she the pen or the paper? Which one am I? What am I thinking?! That's ridiculous. I'm just tired and pity her.

Still, I wasn't a heartless person. A Schnee helping some dolt out without so much as a thank you to be expected… well…

I was already crossing the room. Dang it! She better be grateful, making me leave the comfort of my own bed to clean up her mistake.

These were empty thoughts. No… rather they were thoughts I was forcing into my mind. Their weak and transparent form only served to mask what is real. I don't pity her, I know that. Yet I force myself to think that because… because I see myself in her. A curled up mess of sniveling and sobbing. Her own expectations of herself weighing heavily on her shoulders, heavier than anything else. Whatever nightmares plague her, she hides them inside. She keeps to herself because the moment she opens her mouth she knows that it will all come spilling out and she'll have to face the consequences! "A Schnee does not-"

Frozen, I stood in the space between us. Blink… I shakily touched my cheek. Wet. Subconsciously, my other hand rested on my scar. Tears. Ha… hahahaha! I nearly sound mad, laughing at myself this way. With a deep breath, I looked to the darkened ceiling.

In the short time I've known her, she's somehow wormed her way into my thoughts and made herself at home. It's annoying. And yet, the distinct click of the spring being released, and pulling the nib back into the safety of the body sighed to the night.

In less than a heartbeat, she was erect and trembling. Her hand slowly relinquished its hold on the instrument of words. Crying. Silently. So as to not let anyone know your pain. She covered her mouth and lurched forward. Entire body, shaking periodically as she choked her sorrows like how her demons choke her every night.

I felt a frown crease my features. What am- a hand reached toward her. Wait! For just a moment, I halted, having stopped my own undoing. Just- Nevermind. I lightly rested my hand on her shoulder.

It took me a few moments to realize something was wrong. A tight grip around my wrist and a sudden oblique object inches from my eyes. Blinking a few times to make sure I'm seeing things correc- ow. Her grip was solid. In an instant it was like a feather and the intruding fist out of sight. In the still air, a pained whisper, "I'm sorry."

Yeah! You better be- No, stop. I'm exhausted. Battling with myself all day over… over her! And now… now I'm here. A hand on her shoulder and the other resting beside her as she resumed her inaudible sobbing. I'll just let myself do what I feel I should do. I'm too tired to fight it.

Crawling into bed with her, I found myself gently reclining us both. Uhm. I wrapped an arm around her and my hand found hers. They matched quite well. What am I- "Mirror, mirror. Tell me something-" I'm... singing? As the melody sang from my rehearsed voice, her shaking became less violent and her sobs less hiccuping. This is wron- my thumb began drawing sweet circles around her's knuckle. The other was tickling along her back and shoulders. Eventually, she stopped all together. When I sang the last note, I swear I heard her say, "Thank you, I'm sorry."

My own tired eyes closed slowly and opened reluctantly. I think… I'm almost certain I felt her squeeze my hand for a beat. With a long sigh, her frame slumped and her breathing was peaceful.

I wasn't smiling. Ok, maybe a bit. Only because I was admiring my fine work.

I shifted my head in her pillow- wait… I'm still in her bed, and- my arm was still draped over her body and my hand still mingling with hers. I had apparently pulled her closer while comforting her. How can I get to my own bed without disturbing her? That thought had no weight. I had adjusted myself further in her bed, with her in my arms, no real intention of getting out and away. This is wrong. No one was there for you. You're- No one was there for me, but everyone is here for her. I might as well be too. A yawn sealed my eyes and I relaxed into the bed. She's obviously special in some way or another and, well… she likes me for me and not my name. At least I think she likes me? No- well… I think- there was that time- a sigh cleared my jumbled head.

Like stars, my thoughts aligned for one last go. The pain is terrible, I would know. And despite an army of friends who come to quell her sorrows, she remains plagued with these monstrosities. They don't have the same effect as I do. They haven't experienced the same level of trauma.

For some reason, we were put together and our hearts seem to fit. I can- stop! My eyes shot open. You're letting her in. But I can help her. No one helped you! That doesn't mean anything. It means everything, you're strong and superior because you can do things alone! But she doesn't have to be- you don't care. You don't care about her! She's just some nobody who doesn't even know your name and the prestige you carry! Clenching my eyes shut, once again, insomnia took hold. My thoughts fought and screamed, keeping me awake- and it's all her fault! Everything about this is wrong. You should just- "Thank you again, Weiss."

Clarity. The pessimistic fog that loomed over my head immediately dispersed. The pain is horrendous and no one should fight it alone. My eyes closed peacefully. This isn't wrong. I smiled for just a moment. No, I lightly ran my thumb over hers one last time. No, this is… so, so right.