Chapter 2

For the next lecture, Blake makes sure to show up early. She wasn't looking to make being late for class a habit.

That, and she was kind of excited to see Weiss again. They hadn't messaged since their previous class. But Blake also didn't want to come off as desperate or ruin the potential to make a new friend. Wasn't like she had many others anyways.

As soon as she sees white hair come through the doorway to the lecture hall, Blake immediately perks up.

Before she can even say anything, Weiss greets her and takes her seat.

"How, how did you know I was here already?" Curiosity getting the better of her, as she forgets her manners.

"I could smell the floral scent from what I'm assuming is your shampoo." Weiss blushes slightly as she clears her throat, setting her recorder on the desk after pressing play. "Or something."

Blake isn't sure why she is trying to hide her smile as she waves to Weiss' aid as they make their way out of the lecture hall.

After a few minutes, class begins and Blake wasn't paying attention to what the professor was droning on and on about and missed something that may have been important, leaning over to ask Weiss what happened.

"Do you remember the page numbers for the herpetology reading due next week?" She whispers, instantly getting hushed as she looks into empty blue eyes.

"Shh." Weiss gestures towards the recorder on her desk. "I will let you know later. If you talk, I can't hear my notes."

"Sorry." Blake mumbles, as she internally chastises herself for not thinking and being inconsiderate.

Before she can worry for too long, she feels a light patting on her shoulder. She doesn't take her attention from the lecture, but it was a nice and not to mention quiet way to let Blake know that it was okay.

Blake does her best to ignore the shivers that permeate through her shoulder after Weiss withdraws her hand, and pay attention to the remainder of the lesson.

When the professor excuses the class, he asks the two of them to remain behind to have a brief discussion. And Blake's mind immediately begins to reel. Did he notice her trying to talk to Weiss during lecture? Was she about to get reprimanded for talking during class? She felt like a child.

"Just something I wanted to bring to your attention, and to see if you ladies were okay with my proposal." He looks between the two of them before continuing. "As you know, this class contains a lab component. And as per the usual for any of our lab based courses, you will be expected to participate in labs as a part of your final grade." Blake notices that Weiss begins to shift in her chair. "And I was hoping that the two of you would be okay partnering up for the semester. Seeing as how you seem to get along and Blake has been forthcoming with volunteering to assist."

"Partnering with me for lab is something that is incredibly difficult and burdensome." Weiss sighs, disappointment prevalent in her voice. "I can't exactly do as much as I would like."

Much to her surprise, Blake doesn't hesitate.

"Sure. Works for me. Seems like an obvious choice."

"Are you sure?" Weiss turns her head in Blake's direction, her expression is one of concern.

"Of course. I would be more than happy, and willing, to be your lab partner. Nothing to worry about."

"Well, now that that's settled, you ladies are free to have a lovely rest of your day. And I will see you for our next lecture." Their professor quickly scuttles his way down the aisle and back towards the front of the classroom without another thought.

Blake finishes packing up her bag and turns to see Weiss standing behind her chair, bag already packed and slung over her shoulder, waiting for Blake.

"Would you like to walk with me to my next class?" There is something soft about her when she asks.

"Sure. I have time." Blake reaches out and links their arms together like they had before.

They don't really say too much for most of the walk to their destination, but something about it feels comfortable.

"Thank you."

"It's not a problem. I'll walk with you whenever you ask." Blake reassures her.

"No. I meant for agreeing to be my lab partner. It's a lot of extra work that no one needs."

"Don't worry about it. I am more than okay with it. I don't mind." Blake knows Weiss feels guilty about it, so she tries to change the conversation. "So, where exactly am I dropping you off at? I know it's the psych building, but what class?"

"Business ethics." There is a not so subtle hint of disinterest in her voice when she says it.

She assumed it was because Weiss felt some kind of pressure to pursue business because of her family. Of course, she's heard of the Schnee family before. They were somewhat well known, mostly for being wealthy.

It wasn't like Blake was one to judge either. Her family was rather influential as well, in Menagerie in particular. Her father was the Chieftain. But the politics of Menagerie never really made their way to the rest of Remnant, so it helped her remain somewhat anonymous.

She had chosen not to follow in her parents' footsteps and journey down another career path. And her parents had been completely supportive. It was probably one of the few luxuries Weiss was unable to afford. They likely weren't nearly as supportive. It was unfortunate, Blake decides. Even though she's only known Weiss for a short amount of time, she was already able to see the drive and determination she possessed.

"Would you like to have a coffee with me sometime?" Weiss' question shakes Blake from her rabbit hole of thoughts.

"Coffee?"

"Actually, you don't seem like a coffee type of person, so maybe a tea? Or something else?"

"When?"

"Any day you are free. No rush."

"Sounds perfect."

"Maybe, if you were interested we could study as well. You know, once the semester gets going. If you wanted to."

"I would love to." Blake shakes her head at her eagerness. "I mean, not that I love studying. But it would be nice to study with you. It definitely wouldn't be as bad if you were there."

"Great." Weiss' posture straightens and a smile creeps across her face. "I um, I need to get to class."

"Oh, um, of course." Blake unlinks their arms and opens the door for Weiss. "Have a good rest of your day."

"And you do the same, Blake Belladonna." Weiss doesn't miss the lofty sigh Blake releases before she turns and makes her way towards her classroom.

—

The first few weeks of the semester go by.

They had begun to meet up either early in the morning before classes or sometime in the afternoon after classes for coffee, tea in Blake's case.

Blake walks to and from class with Weiss whenever she can. Truly enjoying the time they spend chatting and the company.

They would also text frequently, though Weiss wasn't an avid texter for obvious reasons. And she was incredibly absorbed in her studies. Which was also understandable.

Though she isn't sure why, Weiss is always so surprised by the amount of patience that Blake displays with her. And Weiss does her best to never let it go unnoticed and unacknowledged. Though Blake dismisses it, saying that it's nothing.

"Do you mind if I ask you a question?" Blake is glad that Weiss can't see her as she fidgets in her seat in the campus cafe.

"Depends. What exactly would you like to know?"

"Um, you don't have to answer if you don't want to. I mean, I would understand if you don't. Because that is your business. And it's also not my business. So if you don't want to tell me it's okay-"

"Blake." Weiss can't help but laugh as Blake fumbles through her words. "Just ask me. I'm sure isn't anything bad."

"If it is, or it's rude, promise me that you will say so."

"Fine. But just ask."

"How- how did you lose your eyesight?" Blake recesses into her chair, pulling her legs up underneath herself as though to try and hide. "Or has it always been this way?"

She sees Weiss chew on her bottom lip for a moment, contemplating her answer.

"It wasn't always this way, no." Weiss sighs deeply, eyes drifting to look off towards the area where the baristas prepare their drinks.

"Oh." She hears the regret in Blake's voice.

"I was in an accident when I was nine years old." She hears Blake draw in a quick breath, and it makes her sigh. "It caused some damage to both of my eyes, eventually leading to me losing my vision in them both. Also, it gave me the scar over my left eye."

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't-"

"No, no. It's okay. It's not like you could've done anything about it. And at this point, I've lived more of my life without my sight than with it."

"Do you remember?"

"What it was like to see?"

"Yeah.."

"I do. I can still see some light and shadows. I can't see much else. But, I do remember what it is like to see."

"I'm sorry that you had that happen to you."

"It's not always bad."

"No?"

"I can still see when I dream."

Something about that makes Blake smile, even though she has no reason to. Maybe it was just the thought of Weiss dreaming. She didn't really know.

As they make their way towards the cafe door, Blake hears Weiss groan, like she is upset by something.

"What's the matter?"

"It's raining." Blake looks outside and sure enough, a steady rain has begun to fall.

"How did you know?"

"I can still hear, you know." Weiss nudges Blake's shoulder, tugging her arm closer to her body, pulling on Blake's arm.

"You could hear the rain?"

"I can actually smell it too, if you really want to know."

As they walk out of the door, Blake notices that Weiss' driver, Klein, is waiting nearby.

"Lucky you, it looks like your chauffeur is here to pick you up."

"Ha, ha." Weiss still rolls her eyes. "Would you like a ride home?"

"Oh, no it's okay." She quickly dismisses the offer.

"Blake, it's raining."

"I know."

"Do you have an umbrella?"

"No."

"So you would rather walk home in the rain than let me take you home?" Weiss says, and Blake can't tell if it's worry or annoyance laced in her voice.

"It's nothing against you. I greatly appreciate the offer. It's just… I actually like walking in the rain."

"You're a weird one."

"There are worse things to be weird about."

"I suppose you aren't wrong." Weiss looks downward, smiling softly. "Are you sure you don't want a ride home?"

"I'm positive."

"Okay, well, can you at least text me to let me know that you made it home safe? And please don't get a cold."

"I will do my best to avoid any illness." Blake says as she begins to take a few steps backwards. "Have a safe trip home. And I will text you soon."

"Goodbye. And thank you for having coffee- tea with me."

"Anytime. Bye, Weiss."

Blake continues her short trek across campus back to her car. She did have to drive to school, but preferred to walk anywhere she needed to go for the duration of the day. Rain or shine.

And today it was definitely more rain than shine. But today, the rain kind of felt like shine. Even as the rain falls, soaking through her jacket and the bottom hems of her jeans, Blake can't shake the feeling she has floating through her chest.

When she gets home, she sends Weiss a message, but doesn't await a response.

She does find herself wondering what exactly Weiss dreams about at night while she sleeps.