Weiss Schnee
I walk into the kitchen for what I know may very well be the last time. Part of me wants to cook a goodbye breakfast for Winter but I just don't have it in me. Instead I collapse into the chair, laying my packed bag down on the floor beside me and laying my head into my arms on the table.
Klein apparently landed sooner than we expected and so will be here fairly early, which is why I am up at this ungodly hour. He offered to hang around for awhile while I get everything sorted but..after what happened last night with Ruby I couldn't bring myself to say goodbye to everyone else in person.
I sent out a group text, letting everyone know that I was leaving today and probably wouldn't be back for a long time..if ever. Since then my phone has been blowing up with alerts, likely everyone asking questions. I wouldn't know since I don't have the heart to look at them right now. I'll call each of them personally once I feel like I can handle it.
So anyway, I just told Klein it might be best to just get out of here sooner than later. I pull out my phone and open up my gallery. I don't know what possessed me to do so. There was a photo of the entire gang at Yang's 18th birthday party, one of Inu and I getting our hair and nails done.
There was the time Ruby and Alan dragged Inu and I to the arcade. It was boring at first but by the end we all had a ton of fun. The..the first time I slept over at Ruby's house. Ruby and I grabbing dinner together, Ruby and I on the beach…I guess I am only just now realizing that at least half of these are just Ruby and I.
I decide it's best to stop looking at these right now when I hear Winter shuffling into the kitchen, wearing her morning robe and looking more disheveled than I think I have seen her in awhile. I guess she just isn't used to being awake this early.
"Good morning Winter." I told her she didn't have to see me off but she insisted.
"Good morning Weiss." she yawns and sits down at the table directly across from me. "Are you completely ready? Klein should be here any minute."
"Yeah I packed all of my stuff last night."
"Speaking of which, you were home much earlier than I expected last night..is everything okay?"
"Yes…Ruby and I talked about me leaving and I just decided it best to come straight home last night."
"Are you sure? Your eyes were a bit puffy."
"Everything is fine." I say, wanting desperately to just drop it. She seems to pick up on it and decides not to prod any further. Eventually a knock at the door catches both of our attentions.
I get up and answer the door. When I do I am immediately greeted by the bright cheerful smile of Klein and despite the mood I can't help but smile back at him, at least a little.
"Hello Miss Schnee."
"Klein!" I give him a big hug, one that he quickly returns. "I missed you."
I really did too. Klein…well it's complicated. He is our family's head butler back home but with Father not caring in the slightest and Mother being…well, drunk, most of the time…Klein became like a Dad to me. He practically raised all of us.
"I missed you too, my little snowflake."
"Right well.."I pull away from the hug and run back inside, grabbing my bag. "I'm ready to go if you are."
"About that…are you quite sure you wouldn't rather say goodbye to all of your friends before we leave?"
I kind of figured that question was coming. "Yeah I'm sure Klein..it'd just be too hard."
"Weiss.."
"I said I'm sure." I cut Winter off before she can interject. I know they both just want what is best for me but I have made up my mind. "Klein..please, let's just go."
"As you wish..it was pleasure seeing you again Winter." he gives Winter a slight bow.
"You as well Klein, take care of yourself."
"Do I ever not?" he says with a cheeky smile.
After they are done exchanging pleasantries, Klein and I both get on our way. I take one last look back at the apartment and see Winter sadly waving goodbye. I could swear I saw a tear go down her face but it must have just been my imagination. I haven't seen Winter cry since we were kids.
I wave back at her, rather weakly if I'm honest, as Klein pulls out of the apartment complex and onto the open road. It'll be a decently long drive to the airport, one that will likely be spent in silence as I can't bring myself to talk much. Just stare out the window and watch as the small town I had come to call my home slowly slips past me.
"Goodbye." I whisper quietly to no one in particular. I knew this day would come eventually, I just didn't know it would hurt this much.
"Weiss!" We barely make it 10 minutes down the road before I hear a familiar voice loudly call my name. At first I thought it must be my imagination, I mean how could it not be? That is, until I turn my head and I see Ruby, frantically speeding behind us on her motorcycle.
"R-Ruby!?" I unbuckle my seatbelt despite Kleins protests and turn around to face her. "Are you crazy!?"
"Maybe a little!" At least she's honest. "But I couldn't let you go, not without telling you something important!"
"You could have just texted or called, what could possibly be so important!?"
"I know I said that I'd be okay, with you leaving and all but…I don't want you to go!"
"Ruby…" I know that was far too quiet for her to hear but I'm stunned. This is almost everything I wanted her to say last night..but why the sudden change of heart. "Why do you feel different now?! It didn't seem like such a big deal last night! "
"I know, I was stupid! It hurt but I didn't feel right trying to stop you, but I realized something! Even if it's selfish I can't just let you go b-because…because I love you Weiss!" her face turns as red as her namesake as she screams out those last words with her full chest.
I can vaguely make out tears blowing off of her face and without checking I can already tell that they have started to form in my own eyes.
In that moment, despite everything happening, it was almost like time stopped. My heart was pounding out of my chest and I could barely breathe. That was it..that was exactly what I wanted to hear.
"K-Klein pullover, please.." I tap him on the shoulder.
"But Miss Schnee-" I know he only briefly protests out of fear from my Father's wrath, more for me than himself I'm sure.
"Klein..please." After only a moment longer of hesitation, he pulls over onto the side of the road. I immediately swing the door open, running over to Ruby who had just parked behind us and practically leap at her, wrapping my arms around her neck.
"Ruby, I love you too!" Without really thinking, I press my lips against hers. It felt every bit as amazing as that night on the beach, but even better because there was no hesitation and no confusion. I knew that I loved this girl!
She hesitates for a moment, probably out of surprise but in a matter of seconds she wraps her arms around my waist and pulls me closer, deepening the kiss. I don't think I've ever felt this happy.
Finally, we pull apart and I look into Ruby's beautiful silver eyes. There is definitely happiness but and undeniable amount of sadness seeps through.
"Weiss…please don't go."
"I…I'm afraid I have to, unfortunately I can't simply tell my Father no right now."
"Oh…" For a moment it looks like her heart breaks and she looks away but I quickly place my hand on her cheek and turn so I can look her in the eye.
"However…I turn eighteen in just a couple of months, the day that I do Father and his money can rot." I offer her a reassuring smile as a spark of hope returns to her eyes. "I'll be back, very soon."
A big smile spreads across her face and she immediately grabs my waist and spins me around. I always forget how surprisingly strong she is.
"I'm gonna miss you Weiss…but I'll be here waiting as soon as you get back."
"I'll miss you too but at least it's only a couple of months and when I get back…you can finally take me on a real date?" I blush a little at the idea. I mean I know we just kissed and everything but I basically just asked Ruby to go out with me.
"S-Sure, you bet! I'd love to go on a date with my…girlfriend?" That was probably the most awkward way you could ask someone to be your girlfriend but it was also a very Ruby way to do it, I can't help but let out a small giggle.
"Yes, your girlfriend would like that." We press our foreheads together and close our eyes for just a moment. I know it's only a couple of months but I am gonna miss this dolt.
We say our goodbyes one last time before I get back in the car and she hops on her bike. I wave goodbye at her as Klein and I make our way down the road again, not turning back around in my seat until she is comfortably out of view.
"So..that is the Miss Rose you kept telling me all about."
"Y-Yeah, I can explain all of that."
"No need, I can see perfectly fine thank you." he says with a cheeky smile. "I'll be honest I kind of had a feeling the entire time that might be the case, I guess I am just a little surprised to see just how grown up my little snowflake is."
"Klein…" I sigh and lean back in my seat. "Now comes the hard part, confronting father."
"Rest assured Weiss, no matter what, you'll have my support."
"You don't have to get involved Klein, who knows what Father will do."
"You mean more to me than this silly job Weiss, that man won't scare me."
"What will you do if he fires you?"
"I'll figure something out, there is no way I'm letting you do this alone."
"Th-Thank you Klein." I lean against his arm like I did when I was a little girl. I feel kind of guilty but I know there is no stopping him when he's made up his mind on something.
I'm still not looking forward to confronting Father but..when I think of going back to Ruby and everyone else, not to mention Klein supporting me, it seems a little less scary.
Ruby Rose
Two Months Later
"Hey." I am immediately pulled out of the game I'm playing by the sweet sound of a very familiar voice. That sounded a lot like- but it couldn't be right? I mean I'm not expecting her back for a few more days.
I quickly turn my head and a big smile spreads across my face.
"W-Weiss!?" There she is, to my wonderful surprise, standing right infront of me.
"Hey Ruby, sorry I didn't call ahead, I just wanted to surprise y-" I end up cutting her off when I throw my arms around her and pull her into the biggest hug I can give her.
"I missed you so much!" She wraps her arms around me, returning the hug.
"I missed you too Ruby, I came back as soon as I could."
"S-So you're really back, for good?" I ask, almost in a whisper. Afraid to jinx it.
"Yes, I'm back." she slowly pulls out of the hug.
I can see a faint blush on her cheeks. She seems slightly embarrassed, I guess I did get a little carried away considering how many people are around. She grabs me by the hand and leads me outside.
"Anyway, Father wasn't particularly happy about it.."
—-
A Week Ago
Weiss Schnee
"Father?" I open the door to his study and peer inside. He is at his desk, as usual, typing something away on his work computer.
"What is it Weiss, can't you see I'm busy?" I take a deep breath, stepping inside and closing the door.
"Indeed I can, but this is an urgent matter." he seems a bit taken back that I didn't just apologize and leave like old me would have.
"This had better be, for you to be interrupting my very important work."
"I have made a decision about my future Father."
"I see, have you finally decided to start making sense and attend business college?" He leans forward and locks his fingers together. "Otherwise I don't want to hear it."
"I frankly don't care Father and no I will not be attending business college." I say, my face and tone conveying more courage than I really have. It's taking everything I have to not start trembling, especially when he shoots me that disapproving look of his.
"If you still insist on defying me like a petulant child then we have nothing further to discuss." he almost waves me out the door but I speak up regardless.
"Father, I don't know what I want to do with my life yet. However I know I don't want to go to business college and I know I don't want to live in this 'home' anymore, I wish to return to my real home."
"That little town that your fool of a Sister moved to?" His tone is now much less calm but I stand firm. "I only let you go there because I thought it would help get this rebellious phase out of your system, you will NOT be going back."
"I turn eighteen tomorrow Father, you can't stop me. I WILL be going back to be with my Sister and my friends!" I raise my voice a bit to show how serious I am. "It's what I want!"
"Young lady, I frankly don't give a damn if it's what you want or not, you need to wake up!" he stands up and slams his hands on his desk, which does make me flinch slightly and my right hand starts trembling. "If you go back there I will cut you off and you will end up just like your Sister, working yourself ragged just to support yourself. No, with you it'll be worse, not only will you not receive a penny but I'm cutting you off from all family assets and you can forget about inheriting the company!"
"I don't care, F-Father, it is MY life and I will do with it as I please!" I turn to walk out of his office but I stop for a moment when he slams his fist on his desk. Right now he is showing his true colors.
"If you walk out that door right now then you are done, you will end up broke and worthless do you hear me!?" This is the side of him the world never sees.
"Goodbye Father." I ignore his ranting and rambling and speed my way down the hall. Trying to put as much distance between him and myself as possible. I am crying and trembling because I know that side of my Father all too well. The damage he has done to me…some scars never fade.
I round a corner and bump into Klein.
"Miss Schnee, are you alright?" I immediately hug him super tight and cry into his shoulder.
"Shh, shh, it's okay." he hugs me back, knowing full well what was happening, he's seen this reaction plenty of times. He knows the effect my Father has on me. "As soon as possible I am taking you back home, he won't be able to hurt you again."
"Thank you Klein.."
—-
"What a jerk, if I could get my hands on him I'd-!." I put my hand on Ruby's shoulder and gently lower her back down.
"..it's okay though, I realized while living here with you all that I never really wanted that anyway." She smiles at me as we both take a seat on a nearby bench. "I still don't know if I'd rather pursue singing or cooking or maybe something else I haven't even thought of yet but…running some stuffy company wouldn't have made me happy, I see that now."
"What about being cut off, won't that make things more difficult?"
"Sure, it'll definitely mean I'm going to have to work much harder but…if it means not only getting away from my father but also getting to live nearer to the amazing people I've met here" she grabs my hand and twines our fingers together, resting her head on my shoulder. "then it's worth it, one hundred percent."
"That means a lot to me to hear you say that Weiss." I lean my head on her head. "I promise that no matter how hard things get, I'll be right there with you all the way."