When one has been going to bed and getting up at about the same time for quite awhile, their body develops something akin to an alarm clock. Mine hasn't changed much over the years. Schooling programmed my body to wake up at about 6 A.M. and because of that…

Rousing from sleep, I came out from my slumber. Muscles aching to move after their rigidity and stillness from my rest. Stretching my legs towards the bed, an arm above my head, and one forwar- something soft yet firm halted my loosening arm.

Opening my eyes… I closed them for a moment, following with some blinking to make sure I'm seeing what I am.

She was turned towards me. Her face just centimeters from my own. I could feel her light breaths against my rapidly warming face. There were streaks of oils, salts, and water trailing from her eyes down her cheeks from all the crying. Her slumber didn't seem to be nearly as peaceful as mine had been, but… at least she was getting some rest.

Taking all that information in with a glance, I returned to find what my hand had been blocked by. Looking at the space between us, I saw how her hand seemed to have been grasping something when her mind finally turned in for the night. I'm sure my hand was in much the same position, and now it's… it's placed snugly against her sternum. As though I were reaching for her heart to see if it feels the same as mine.

Hurriedly, I drew back and felt the suppressed blush begin to rise up my face. What am I doing! What was I doing! What was I thinking! Stupid. Stupid. Stupid!

Slowly so as to have a chance at preserving my dignity and status, I sat up and withdrew from the bed. Honestly, why do I care so much? This is ridiculous. I shouldn't feel any need to comfort, preserve, or assist her. Yet my eyes lingered on the creases in her visage. She was resting her body, but her mind still wouldn't let her. I wonder if that's what I looked like sleeping… What? No! You're better than her. Don't even bother comparing yourself to someone as low as her.With one last look at her sorrowful sleep, I began getting ready for the day ahead.

I'm not sure what I expected. She was in the same position as when I left. For a moment, I worried she had died. Just a moment. Nothing more. Since she shuddered and let out a long sigh.

A knock at the door turned my attention away from the sorry blob. Opening it, of course it was none other than the oaf that is to say, my roommate's sister.

Her eyes raised in greeting then looked beyond me at her little sister, asking for entrance without saying a word. Who am I to deny? Stepping aside, I let her in. As she was walking past me, she suddenly froze and stood for a moment. A look of deep concentration on her face, what was she thinking?

It passed and so did she. Sitting at the edge of the bed, she gently nudged at the motionless girl. I couldn't hear her whispered words, but they brought about some reaction from the depressed one. Ruby sat up, slowly. Yang rubbed her back encouragingly and comfortingly.

Then the blonde reached about and gathered the younger one's notebook and pens. I watched as her hand scribbled down words on the page. Her movements were different from the ones I've seen through my unconscious observation. These ones were rough, harsh, like she's angry. They would then take a breath and slow down to appear more sad and mournful. I know the confusion of the two emotions, I couldn't help but frown for a moment.

She was back in class. She would sit in her usual spot at the far back and left with her hood drawn over her eyes. Out of my peripheral vision, she seemed to occasionally shudder and shake, silently sobbing.

Her notes would be wrinkled and crackly where her tears dripped onto the page, the ink may blur as well. Maybe she'll ask to see mine? As if I'd give her the honor. Why am I so… so cold to her? Is it because she didn't know who I am? What a privilege it must be to share a dorm with me? Why she has the support I wish I had when I was living at home?

With a sigh, I packed up as the bell rang. Successfully interrupting my thoughts.

I'm not sure what her semblance is, or even if it matters in this case, but she was quick to exit the room. As soon as the last note of the bell died, she was up and out. It was lunch time, maybe she just wanted to hurry to the cafeteria? You know that's not the case. Yes, I know that she is probably not eating or eating in a bathroom stall. Not a concern if mine… but why do I want to look for her then?

Pyrrha's PoV

She hasn't been to class for quite sometime, and knowing why did little to ease my worry. It encouraged it, in fact. I just wish there was something I could do to comfort her and help her so that she may sit next to me in class and lunch again.

The chair next to me scraped against the floor as it was pulled out. She was back! Well… physically. With her hood over her eyes and head down until class began, anyone could tell she was still rather depressed. Poor thing… Please… how can I help you?

I tried to sit with her at lunch, but she wasn't in her usual spot. She was nowhere in the cafeteria. I asked around, but most people just brushed her off to talk about me. I don't want to talk about me! I'm tired of it! I just want to be normal! I want friends that aren't friends because of my name. I want friends not fans, and so far, I have three or so. And one of them is suffering.

Finally, I found someone who saw her. He pointed to the girls restroom. My heart dropped. If she's in there, she doesn't want anyone. She wants to be alone. With a sorrowful sigh, I returned to the cafeteria feeling powerless. I am the champion of Mystral and here I am feeling powerless.

Weiss's PoV

Seriously, she's fast. She had evidently been in our dorm for a bit of time since the last class ended as the crumbled pieces of paper in the trash bin gave away. That, and the shower was running. Shower…. Water… depression…

Winter picked the lock to the bathroom door and pulled me from beneath the water. I'm not sure what I was doing under it, all I remember is that I was sad, lonely, and oh so tired… and perhaps that is why I found myself opening the door to the bathroom.

We stared at each other. Her dull, silver eyes hardly even registering the situation. Mine… traveled without command. I saw the muscles from training, the scars from the monsters in her head- both old and new.

Neither of us said anything. The only noise being the water hitting the tub. We stared at each other. I don't know what hers were saying or what she was thinking. I hardly even knew what I was thinking. Slowly, so slowly, did I realize she was not endangering herself nor was she going to… great… good job Weiss. Awkwardly I backed up and was just about to close the door when she spoke for the first time in such a long time. "Do you want to go first? I don't mind." She reached for her clothes.

I spoke without meaning to. "No, I was just checking you out- er- you. Uhm, checking on you… making sure you weren't doing anything stupid." Why was I so flustered? Is it because she's… yeah probably. Having a conversation with a naked person you burst through the door on is understandably awkward.

Realization was slow on her part. "... Thanks."

I closed the door on her quickly and let out a sigh as I rubbed my temples. Why do I let this dolt do such things to me? Since meeting her I've been all over the place. But… an image of her smiling at me suddenly popped into my mind. I guess it's not so bad sometimes… Agh! Ruffling my scalp aggressively, I made my way over to my bed and flopped down onto it. She's so confusing! I'm so, just… urgh!

"You will need a partner for this assignment." Professor Goodwitch surveyed the classroom as though she were debating something. After a moment of pondering, "You are free to choose your own partner for this one." Her eyes seemed to cast a look at the red-cloaked girl to my right. Something seemingly apologetic.

With the words just out of her mouth, a majority of the students stood from their chairs and rushed towards us, meaning Pyrrha and I. A few preferred friends over the smartest and strongest two in the class. I guess since we don't know what the assignment is, it wouldn't be bad to stick with someone you're close too.

Our table was swarmed and the cacophony of requests began to bombard me. People fighting over each other trying to shove to the front of the crowd to make themself more prevalent than the others. This is how it should be. A smile crossed my lips, but I already know who I want to partner with. It doesn't matter what assignment Goodwitch gives us if I'm partners with Pyrrha Nikos.

Turning away from the babbling crowd, I saw Pyrrha had her own fans desperately trying for her attention. She paid them no mind. Instead, she looked puzzled, worried, and… a bit disappointed? Her body was turned towards me, but she was looking for someone else. Someone who sat between us… a grimace replaced the smile I had. An idle thought did cross my mind however, where did she go?

The crowd began dispersing now, seeing that their vain attempts were the least on the two girls' minds. Now that we weren't surrounded by the boisterous crowd of fans, I turned back to Pyrrha. "Ms. Nikos, we should be partners. We are the top of the class after all. Together we will undoubtedly ace whatever the assignment may be." I couldn't help the pride from seeping into my voice.

Her attention was elsewhere, the front of the class. Following her sight line, I saw what she was looking at. Ugh, why is she so fixated on that dolt? At the front of the class, talking to the professor was my… odd - to say it nicely - roommate. I could only guess at what she was asking about.

Goodwitch listened carefully to whatever it was the young huntress had to say to her. After a moment of thinking, she solemnly shook her head and placed a gentle hand on the girl's shoulder, apologetically. A sigh that shook her frame came from my roommate as she nodded in understanding.

Taking her seat in between us, Ruby stared without focus at the classroom. Wait… why am I so focused on her? Agh, whatever. I'll ask Pyrrha again. She was still fixated on the slumped over Ruby. Her face contorted, her mind was fighting itself. With a resolute expression, she lightly tapped the spaced-out girl.

"Do you have a partner yet, Ruby?" What! No, no, no!

"Huh? Oh… no…"

Pyrrha gave the introvert a reassuring look, "Want to be mine?" No! This can't be happening!

I didn't need to see her face to know she was confused. "Uhm… no offense Ms. Nikos, but are you messing with me?"

"What? No, I really do want to work with you." It looked like she was going to say some more but a memory must have crossed her mind and stopped her. The same thought caused her to look saddened for a moment, but only for a moment.

"Are you sure? You'd have much better luck with someone else…"

She was absolutely firm in her affirmation, "I am sure. I want to be yo-"

"Ms. Rose." Glynda motioned for the girl to go over. Saving grace maybe?

Curiously, I began counting heads… an odd number! My eyes lit up with glee. That must be why Goodwitch wanted to see her! There's not enough people, she has to be solo! Which means…

"Hey Pyrrha, seems there's an odd number of students. Want to be my partner instead?" She's smart, she can piece it all together.

"Uhm, actually I was planning on working with Ruby. Sorry." I hid my smile, I had already won, she just hasn't seen it yet.

"Sorry Ms. Nikos, Professor Goodwitch told me I have to work alone since there's an odd number of students." Ruby gave the disappointed Amazonian am apologetic bow. "Thank you for your generous offer. Perhaps next time."

"O-of course… good luck." Why is she so downtrodden about not being able to work with a dolt? Doesn't matter. Emerald eyes met mine and I smiled in victory. There's no way we could possibly fail this assignment! Perfect score guaranteed.

"Alright, all of you should have a partner now. The assignment is to go to the Emerald Forest and collect honey-sap from the cherry-leafed trees. The buckets are up here, bring back 4 full buckets. The faster you do it the better your grade. The higher quality the syrup, the better your score. Of course, the better syrup is deeper inside the forest. Be careful if Grimm. Dismissed."

They just used us to resupply their stock for free… Whatever, an A's an A, and now we are having pancakes tomorrow for breakfast. I guess it wasn't so bad. Though, there was something strange about the assignment, there were almost no Grimm. Some other students must have encountered some because there were gunshots, but Pyrrha and I only came across a handful no matter how deep we went. Sometimes we would come into a clearing and find the remains of Grimm dissipating, but there was no one in sight. Once a single rose petal drifted in the wind before vanishing beyond us.

Clearing my mind with a quick shake of the head, I got back to writing my essay on the Beowulf's Anatomy and how knowing it's weaknesses is beneficial.

Sometime well into my paper, the door stealthily clicked shut. There was the sound of booted feet trying hard to be quiet on the carpeted floor shortly after. She's coming back rather late. Where has she been? No. It doesn't matter. I don't care. … with a sigh of resignation, I closed the laptop and set it aside. She has this… ability to disrupt my thoughts and make me lose my train of thought. Without even knowing! It's so frustrating! Urgh!

Giving in, I looked for her in the room. She was on the far side of her bed, presumably taking off her boots. When she sat up fully, her arms reached towards the ceiling. Something was on them that usually isn't there… what is it? The dim light of dusk made it rather difficult to see clearly.

All movement ceased for a second. "Uhm. I'm going to- er- rather have you- uh I'm shower now- you have? What's she trying to say? Dolt can't even speak right. Hah.

I pieced together that she was asking if she could shower first. As to why she's having a hard time conveying it well- I felt heat rise to my cheeks- last time she went first, events turned out rather… interesting. "I do no care what you do. Don't take too long and don't take up all the hot water!" I yelled after as she gave a nod and already through the bathroom door. That was rather contradictory… I said, "I don't care." and then gave commands to meet my preferences. Oh well, just a small musing.

As the water hit the tile in the other room, I briefly thought about finishing up my essay. That thought was dismissed rather off handedly for as the reasoning behind not completing it was rather foggy.

What am I to do then? All my other work is completed. I've already performed maintenance on Mynestar and such. Suppose the only thing left to do before bed is shower. Unconsciously, my eyes flickered to the bathroom door at the thought of showering. They trailed to her bed, where she was sitting. Her weapon lay on the bed next to where she was. I don't even know what her weapon is. Probably something as dull as she is, I'm sure. Still…

Before I knew it I was already crossing the room to get a closer look. It seemed like a bulky gun. Maybe it unfolds into something? The bottom and top half suggest that there is more to it than just this.

My eyes wandered across the crimson steel on their own. Not looking for anything but searching for something. Something happened. Her arm. What happened? Idly, my gaze rested on one spot. It had some scratches in it. Not particularly odd for a weapon, but something was - she was performing maintenance on her weapon during lunch. The freak that she is about her weapon, she would never let it have a scratch on it. Did she get into a fight? Could it be… she couldn't be the only reason there were no Grimm. That's ridiculous. Not even the Grim Reaper could kill that many in such a short time… heh… Grimm Reaper. Good one Weiss.

The bathroom door opened and she stepped out holding her folded clothes in both hands. A towel wrapped and tucked around her. Water dripped from her hair as she walked to the dirty clothes basket. That was a rather fast shower. Looking into the bathroom, there was hardly any fog on the mirror. Did she not use hot water?

Shower, alright the last thing I have to so before bed. I passed by her and gathered my own shower materials. Unlike her, I prefer to dress in the bathroom after a shower so I bring my clothes with me. With nightgown in hand, I closed and locked the bathroom door behind me.

From my experience with showers, there's always a bit of water still in the pipe when one first turns it on. Turning it on so soon, I should be able to get a feel for the temperature as to which she cleaned herself in. Fixated on her again. Ugh. Yet, I felt for the water. Warm but on the cool side. Granted the water may have dropped in heat as it does, but it wouldn't have dropped that dramatically. The mirror was hardly obscured. The water isn't hot. Did she… Doesn't matter. I don't care. Adjusting the nozzle to my liking, I let out a sigh as I felt all my knots and tightness melt away.

That was refreshing. After getting dressed, brushing my teeth, and combing my hair, I stepped out into the colder bedroom. Seems she just finished maintenance on her weapon. It was polished and gleamed in her lamp's light. I couldn't help but watch as she put her tools neatly away and throw the towel she wore out of the shower into the dirty laundry. She was using it as a makeshift table so as to not make a mess. I smirked, I seem to have quite the dominion over her. But I felt hollow inside. There wasn't that burning flame of victory that accompanied the satisfaction of accomplishing supremacy over someone. Maybe it's because I'm just not certain that's the case.

As she clicked her toolbox shut, I caught a glance at her arm. It was wrapped in gauze. Wrapped all the way up to her elbow. Up until now I hadn't paid much attention to her body since she hopped in the shower so quickly. She had a padded, cotton eyepatch over her right eye, a splint around her index finger on the same hand, and what I can only imagine is a bother bunch of gauze on her left leg.

Before I could stop myself it was already out there, "What happened to you?" Why was my tone so hostile? Disgusted? Why do I seem to hate her so much?

"I ran into some Grimm. Lots of 'em." She seemed happy at the mention of fighting the beasts of darkness. Could it be she just likes fighting?

Automatically, I scoffed and threw out my next condescending statement, "And you got this beat up over, what, 8 Grimm. Surely if that's the case, you shouldn't be at Beacon." I almost winced at the cruelty of my words.

The fire and light went out from behind her eyes. Why can't an apology fall from my lips as easily as my insults? Especially to her, she's done nothing wrong! "58." It was a mumble with her head down. I couldn't hear what she said.

"What?" Even that sounded so full of poison.

"58. 58 Grimm in total. Most were beowulves, some were boarbatusks, there was a snake in there somewhere. All in all, I got 58 of them."

Grimm disintegration time varies depending on their size and type. Maybe… maybe the fading Grimm we came across were her doing? If that's the case she must have sprinted through the forest to find them. Even still, she couldn't have killed them that fast. Pyrrha and I weren't leisurely strolling, we were walking at a brisk pace. "What's your semblance?" it would have to be speed related for any of this to make any sense.

"Mobility. I leave behind rose petals that disappear after a couple seconds, too. Uhm. I think in having a conversation I should ask what yours is?"

Pathetic. Her social skills are truly lacking. "As if I'd share it with you. I'm going to bed now so be quiet and turn off that light." … mine don't seem to be all that great either.

The light faded out, but I heard her pull out her journal and pen.

Ruby's diary

Haiku

Fifty-eight Grimms gone.

Gone they may be, still just me.

Zero friends I gain.