The way she took charge like that…
A blush rushed to her cheeks when Weiss thought about what happened in Yang's room yesterday. Her heart thudded against her ribcage so loudly that she became paranoid Blake could hear since she sat right next to her.
To compose herself, Weiss took a deep breath as she watched another student walk into the classroom. By this point, most students trickled inside and waited for the lecture to begin.
For while, Weiss kept to herself since her mind insisted on thinking about her frustratingly beautiful girlfriend.
Of all people, she wants to be with me, Weiss thought. It's official. I've run out of luck in this lifetime.
Behind her, Yang noticed her spacing out since she wasn't chiming into any conversations. Lightly, Yang tapped her shoulder to grab her attention. Weiss turned around and smiled widely upon realizing it was her girlfriend, who leaned down next to her ear.
"You're blushing," Yang whispered with a smile in her voice. "Thinkin' about yesterday?"
Rattled by her sudden flirtatious tone, Weiss stammered. "T-that's not even remotely what I was-" she paused, rethinking her own validity before continuing. "You're not-"
"Don't bother with the excuses, ice princess," the blonde said smugly. "I'm thinking about it, too."
Since other students could easily hear their conversation, they were vague intentionally and used low whispers. The muffled chatter around them was more than enough to mask their words.
Slightly annoyed by her perceptiveness, Weiss crossed her arms. "How am I supposed to focus today?"
Of course she knows exactly what's on my mind, Weiss thought. How is her confidence always justified?
"I'm the one behind you," Yang reminded and smirked. "How am I supposed to focus when that cute ponytail of yours is begging me to pull it?"
This was a brand new aspect of their relationship that they loved. Yesterday, they crossed new boundaries. It felt like a new level was unlocked in their relationship and they were elated to take that next step together.
From the innuendo, Weiss tried to suppress her blush. "Please, your ponytail is far superior."
Since Blake was close to them and had enhanced hearing, she could hear their flirting. She felt the strong urge to tease them and chimed into the conversation.
"Hey, lovebirds. Hate to break it to you, but my ponytail is the best since it's elusive."
Not bothered by her friend pitching in, Yang replied in disbelief. "I've never seen you in a ponytail. Not even during practice or our games."
"It's elusive," Blake repeated and met both of their gazes. "That's what makes it so great. When you see it, it's like wow," she gestured to her brain exploding for emphasis.
While Yang found that humorous, Weiss quipped in mild annoyance.
"Oh, quiet you."
"When you flirt like that, someone has to tease you," Blake replied coyly and yanked out a notebook from her backpack. When she looked back up, she was met with frowns. "Don't look at me like that, you know it's true."
Weiss sighed in defeat. "I imagine you and Ruby aren't much better."
Blake shrugged, indifferent. While they flirted a lot, it's not like either of them were masters of the complicated art form.
"She has a way with words sometimes, believe it or not," Blake said about her girlfriend. "Leagues better than what you two were spouting earlier."
"Rude!" Yang almost yelped. "I'll have you know that I know a lot of words! I can give you some words right now. For free!"
Blake smugly smirked from her tiny outburst. "Free, you say? How tempting."
From Yang's raised voice, Ruby's attention was nabbed and she whirled around with interest. Previously, she'd been talking to Ren, but now the boy was engaged in conversation with Jaune.
"What're we talking about?"
"About how you're a poet," Blake said solemnly.
The comment caused the freezerburn pair to chuckle lightly. While Ruby sometimes had her deeper moments, she mainly rambled or went off on a tangent when she got excited about something she was passionate about. She turned adorably childish.
Ruby almost snorted as several giggles slipped out. It appeared she agreed with her sister and Weiss.
"Call me Edgar Allen Po while you're at it," Ruby said sarcastically.
From her choice of poet, her friends were perplexed and glanced amongst each other.
"That- what?" Yang shook her head in disagreement. "You could've picked Shakespeare or someone romantic and you chose a guy who writes creepy stuff?"
From her tone, Ruby raised one eyebrow. "I'm sensing some judgment."
Yang crossed her arms. "That's accurate, yes."
"If you could give me some space, that'd be great," Ruby replied seriously. "Your negativity is killing my vibe here."
"I'm killin' your vibe?" Yang asked like it was the end of the world, which earned a nod. "I am the vibe!"
In feign shock, Ruby gasped and leaned back in her seat.
It was then that Ms. Goodwitch stood in front of the class and cleared her throat.
"Students, quiet. I know it's Friday but bear with me."
When she empathized with her students, they fell quiet and returned to their respective seats. The sisters only rolled their eyes at each other.
There were only a couple more hours left of school. Then, they could go home and prepare for the upcoming party. They felt revitalized when they looked forward to it. So far, they'd spent many nights indoors distracted by academia or games within their own social circle. It was time to expand their horizons.
When Ms. Goodwitch began speaking about the lesson, Weiss instantly zoned out. It wasn't intentional, but her mind was preoccupied with other things. She strived to be an aggressively average student., so paying attention was optional with her strategy.
I wonder what a high school party is like, Weiss thought in anticipation. It sounds like everyone plans to drink besides Neptune.
She internally debated whether or not she should drink alcohol this weekend at the party. Due to her mother's alcoholism, she tended to avoid it. Although she didn't have many opportunities to drink while in Vale, she had plenty in Argus.
The temptation was never there. In fact, Weiss disliked alcohol. She only had one sip of red wine less than half a year ago. The bottle was already open and she happened to be right in front of her. She spat it out.
But more than anything, she wanted to get the full high school experience. She couldn't exactly attend a party while sober and call that the full experience. Especially if her girlfriend and all her friends planned to drink.
She didn't feel pressured, rather, only nervous. If she was honest with herself, she wanted to try new drinks. She didn't want to let her mother's alcoholism affect the way she decided to socialize.
I'll have enough to be tipsy, Weiss decided, content. I need to be careful of my limit since I don't know it. I suppose Yang can help with that. She acted like she had some experience.
Since her friends knew what they were doing and getting into, Weiss felt safe enough to try different drinks in their company. Especially since there was a designated sober babysitter. That doused most of her anxiety.
Now that she was content with her decision, Weiss honed back into the lecture. It was then that Ruby stood and read a paragraph in a foreign language for the whole class.
Momentarily, Weiss translated it in her mind.
"The only man who never makes mistakes is the man who never does anything."
That quote sent Weiss back in time. It threw her for a loop that her brain insisted to remind her of the flashback.
…
"Mom, how are you fine with doing nothing? Doesn't it bother you?"
After Weiss asked that, she tossed another skirt into her suitcase. While she packed, her movements were a tad hasty and rushed. Gradually, Willow watched her suitcase fill to the top.
"It's the way things are, snowflake. I'm sorry, but I can't do anything."
From her words, Weiss became aware of the cold air in her room. How it pricked her skin and sent goosebumps up her spine.
"You're fine with it?" Weiss questioned and held her braced wrist in emphasis. "You've given up on life just like that? That's it for you?"
From her serious, long-term injury, Willow frowned. It was all her husband's fault. Most of the problems in the family rooted back to him. Yet, this was another useless argument Willow and her daughter shared.
Weiss was convinced that Willow could do something about Jacques. His gang. Maybe change their lives somehow. Divorce could be an option, but that would more than likely put Willow's life in danger. So she felt she was trapped in the marriage and her life.
Now, Weiss wanted- needed- to leave her house immediately. Convincing her mother to leave was a last resort. Recently, Weiss was ordered to ambush an enemy gang member. She refused. And that was strike three in Jacques' book. He had yet to find out, so Weiss needed to jet out of Argus. Luckily, she planned this carefully and covered her tracks and mapped out her destination for weeks.
Willow put a hand on her suitcase to stop her from zipping it. "Where are you going?"
Determined, Weiss clamped her suitcase shut and zipped it all the way. Willow backed away and noted her lack of reply.
"You're not going to tell your own mother?"
"It's not that I don't want to," Weiss replied solemnly. "It's that I can't."
If no one knew where Weiss planned to go, her chances of eluding her father dramatically increased. Although she trusted her mother, she didn't want to take any chances. And a plethora of other reasons.
"Why not?"
"If you know, who knows what father will do to you to find me."
Shocked by her words, Willow said. "Your father wouldn't torture me-"
"He killed Win," Weiss deadpanned and dragged the suitcase off the coffee table. "You don't know what he's truly capable of. You're not involved with The Dusts, and that has allowed you to sink into denial. Who knows what new lows he'll succumb to. So no, mother. I won't and can't tell you where I'm going."
From her words, Willow swallowed the bile in her throat. She picked up the bottle and tapped her fingers against the glass. "Will I ever see you again?"
The question forced Weiss to pause and stiffen. If things went according to plan, this was their last interaction. Calmly, Weiss grabbed the bottle and took a light sip and grimaced in disgust.
"It's terrible, mother," Weiss said and handed her back the bottle. "When I return, I hope your taste improves."
Despite her reply, Willow knew better. Her daughter had no plans to return to Argus. Weiss wanted to desperately make the permanent parting easier on both of them.
Willow reeled her in for an unexpected hug. They hadn't embraced since Winter died about two years ago.
"Please be careful…" Willow murmured. "And try to live. Make friends. Enjoy yourself."
"I have no choice," Weiss replied and returned the hug. "I made a promise."
…
"... excellent read, Ms. Rose."
That's when Weiss zoned back in.
Ruby sat down, smiling from the praise she received.
The class felt like an eternity, but eventually, it ended and they were allowed to go home.
Lyrics used from Redo: "Wind back the tape and remember the love that you once held close- hold it tight and don't let go."
Stay dandy,
~Toto