Beep Beep Beep
Beep Beep Beep
A soft groan escaped from Ruby's lips as her hand slithers her way to her phone before pressing the screen to stop.
Beep Beep Be-
Ruby's fingers curled into a ball before bringing it down onto the phone making the blaring noise stop. A yawn left Ruby's mouth before moving onto her left side, slipping her fingers around her phone, and bringing it to her face.8:00. Ruby let out a breath moving her other hand to her head before moving It through her scalp. Her hair followed before proofing back into place after the hand left. Looking up at the ceiling, a soft morning light cascades from the window above her bed. Taking a deep breath Ruby felt her body twitch with movement, her legs moving over to the side of the bed.
"Time to get up I guess…" She muttered to herself before starting the new motions of being awake in a new place. Sitting on the side of the bed, she slowly put weight onto her legs as her body moved up and off the bed. A soft moan escaped her throat as she raised her arm, hearing pops and her muscles stretch with the motions. Looking around, she found her suitcase on the floor opposite the dresser where she had left it. A debate ran through her head about what she wanted to do. She could run, as that made her body and mind calmer, but she needed to start getting everything set up in this room.
Ruby's fingers wrapped around the tab on the zipper before unzipping the bag showing it full of clothing. With it being open, her hand moved inside to grab shorts and a shirtthat hadsoft material that made the shirt water resistant. Ruby straightened her back before swapping the sleeping attire she wore into the shorts and shirt. Grabbing her shoes from the other suitcase that rested underneath it she slipped them on after putting her socks on. Standing up she reached over to the side of her bed and grabbed her phone and earbuds from her backpack. Moving to the door of the room she took a deep breath, wrapping her hands around the handle to the door. Pushing her weight into the door while turning the handle the door opened with a soft creak.
It didn't sound like anyone was awake, so moving with soft footsteps she made it downstairs examining the kitchen and living room. The TV illuminated a soft glow of a show on pause, but there was no sound or light. Moving closer to the couch it was easier to see the pictures hanging on the wall, most were just of Yang and Tai. One of Yang graduated high school with a few other people. One with bright white hair, and another with raven black hair all having a smile on their face. Ruby moved to the next one, one of Yang being younger with the two women in the other photo playing video games. They sat close to the TV, Yang laughing, the white hair woman looking confused, and the black-haired woman just looking amused at the display.
As Ruby moved closer to the sofa, Tai spread under a blanket breathing softly in a dead sleep. Ruby rolled her eyes at the display before noticing a picture on the end table next to the couch. There was Tai, Yang, Her, and her mother. She could feel her mouth dry as she grabbed the picture to examine it closer. There stood her mother, Summer smiling brightly, her hair blowing in the wind as she held onto Tai. Her other hand was holding onto Ruby, she looked to be around Three years old as she clung to her mom's shirt. Tai had the same bright smile having his arm wrapped around Summer and holding an older Yang on his shoulder. She was smiling brightly missing a few teeth as she looked to be around Five. Ruby's heartstarted to feellike a hand was squeezing it tightly as she slowly put the picture back down.
She could feel the tears build up in her eyes, she could feel her heart rate quicken, and her lungs had a hard time gaining air. She looked down at Tai, who was still sleeping peacefully, a snarl escaped her throat.
'If he didn't do that… would we still be like? Happy family? With mom still here?'Ruby could feel her nails digging into her palms as angerstarted to build. Suddenly the sound of footsteps from upstairs snapped her out of her trance, quickly turning her body away from the couch. Her legsstartedto move without thought towards the door, her left arm reaching for the door.
"Ruby? What are you doing awake?" A soft voice said from the stairs, Ruby mentally cursing herself turned her head towards the voice. There stood Yang, her hair a tangled mess, her lilac eyes red from sleep.
"I'm going out." Was as she said before opening the door with her arm and stepping outside. Yang watched as Ruby closed the door behind her before disappearing into the growing sunshine from the sunrise. Yang let out a soft sigh,'I don't understand why she has such a disdain for me. Icanunderstand why she has that for father, but I didn't do anything.'Yang thought before moving to the kitchen to grab a box of cereal from one of the cupboards. Then she turned her head to notice the show that was paused running on the TV making a soft breath escape her lips. Moving her hands to put the box down on the counter, her legs started to walk over to the back of the couch. Noticing Tai lying on thecouch, she could only roll her eyes at the display.
"Father, I told you to stop falling asleep on the couch…" She muttered to herself before turning back towards the kitchen. As she walked back, she started to fill her bowl with cereal her mind racing as she sat there and slowly ate.
'I know what happened to Summer was terrible. We all grieved, she's not the only one that misses her. But… I shouldn't blame her.'Yang hummed before feeling a vibration against her thigh. Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out her phone to see a notification for a text making a smile tug on her lips.
Weiss said she was willing to do lunch today! And she was okay if you brought your sister know youwantedto spend more time with was from Blake; she has been friends with her for many years and a girlfriend for going on two years. She had long black hair, her skin was a darkshade oftan, and her eyes were golden sun. Yang smiled before putting both of her hands to start typing.
If I could convince her! She's only saidlike10 words to me at this rate. So, it might just be the three of us hitsentbefore clicking to exitout ofthe texting background was Blake, a bright smile while Yang kissed her cheek for the camera. Yang couldn't help but smile every time she saw Blake.
Then the front door opened and closed, Yang quickly looked up to see Ruby taking her shoes off. Sweat dripped down her face and slightly absorbed into the shirt she wore. Ruby's eyes were a dark silver as she lookedupstraight into Yang's bright lilac purple.
" Um, did you go on a run?" Yang broke the silence as Ruby blinked before looking away and towards the bowl of fruit. It seems like she bites her cheek before turning towards Yang again.
"Yeah." That was all that came out before she slowly walked towards the fruit bowl and grabbed an apple. "Is it okay if I eat this," Ruby spoke as she glanced at Yang. Yang smiled at her as her head moved up and down in a nod.
"Of course, this is your home now." Ruby jerkeda bitat the words before shaking her head, her hands wrapped around the apple.
"No. my home is gone." Ruby's voice was low, but Yang could hear what she said. Yang's mouth opened to argue to say anything, but Ruby was already walking up the stairs let out a breathshewas holding onto before looking down at the bowl of cereal she was had gotten soggy with time making Yang's appetite disappear.'What the hell just happened.'
Ruby took a chunk out of the apple she had taken from the kitchen as she entered the room that was given to her. A sigh escapedfromher throat as she closed the door behind her, the worst part, unpacking. Putting her apple on the side table she started to open her suitcase and backpacks. The next few hours were filled with folding and putting away clothing. Setting up her room with her set up and some pictures on the bedside table. The walls were still bare, but she didn't care she didn't plan on sticking here for long.
A knock on the door pulled her out of her trance she pulled herself up from her knees, walking to the door. Wrapping her fingers around the door handle she opened the door with a soft pull. There outside stood Yang with a bright smile, her hair was pulled back into a ponytail, andwasholding a black purse.
"yes?" Ruby asked as she looked up at Yang's shining eyes.
"How's the decorating going?" Yang asked as she tried to peer into the room, Ruby slightly glared at her as she closed the doora bit.
"If that is what you wanted, then leave me be."Ruby let out a bitharshas shewent toclosethe put her hand on the door to stop it from fully closing on her as she nervously chuckled.
"No silly, um I was wondering if you wanted to go and have lunch, to catch up? You can meet some of my friends!" Ruby scuffed a bit before rolling her eyes putting more pressure to close the door.
"And why would I do that? I have no interest in you or your friends." Ruby glared up at Yang as she kept her hand against the door to stop it from shutting.
"Come on! What can I give to convince you to go with me?" Yang smiled as Ruby looked up at her, before putting all her muscles into the door, finally closingfrontof Yang. Yang's smile dropped as she let out a frustrated breath. "Ruby! I can still talk through the door! Don't be like this!" Yang yelled through the door but no reply was given.'God she is so immature.'Yang rolled her eyes before taking a step back from the door. "Fine! Be that way." Yang crossed her arms in frustration before turning to her right andstarting to walkdown the stairs to the kitchen.
"Hey little dragon, where are you heading off to?" Yang turned her head towards the voice, in the kitchen her father was sitting at the kitchen table in the corner. He had a newspaper in his handswithglasses resting on his nose. Yang just sighed as she walked over to Tai before sitting down next to him.
"Well, I am going to lunch with the girls. I wasjusttrying to convince Ruby to come along. She's currently acting like a... immature brat." Yang crossed her arms as her eyes rested in a glare while staring off inInfrontof her. Tai let out a soft chuckle making Yang turn to him with that same glare.
"Yang, as much as youjustwant to help, you must give her time. She just moved away from everything she knew and homed with us. And we know how she feels about us, especially after what happened with Summer and me, I can understand why. I know you didn't do anything to have me, and Summer separated. But she doesn't know you, thelast time she saw you out of summer death was when she was 10. So please be patient with her, you and Ibothknow what happened to Summer, and she had to see it in person." Yang took a deep breath and nodded. Her father was right, she looked over at him. His blue eyes showed regret and guilt as she stood up.
"you're right Dad, I will be more patient. I do have to go, be good dad." Yang smiled softly as Tai chuckled at the tease from his daughter.
"yeah, yeah get out of here. Be safe love you little dragon." Yang started to walk towards the door as she opened the door before turning her head back to Tai and the kitchen table.
"Love ya too Dad!" She waved before walking out of the house to the carthat wasin the driveway. It was a white pearl SUV that was made to perfection. Yang moved to the passenger seat door, wrapping her fingers around the handle before pulling it towards her. The door opened to the smell of freshly cleaned leather. Inside were black leather seats polished to perfection, and a woman sitting in the driver's seat. She had white hair that was cut off her shoulders, the ends of her white hair were straight into some curls at the end.
"Hey Weiss! I'm glad you could make it! Feels like I haven't seen you all summer!" Yang smiled as she climbed into the passenger seat before closing the door. Weiss looked over at Yang with a soft smile her obsidian earring moving with head movement. She had a dark blue button shirt that lookedto bemade of silk. Her pants were an obsidian black, with jean material that hugged her figure.
"Well, it has been an idiot. Hey wasn't your sister supposed to be joining?" She looked around to see if anyone else waswalking up tothe car. Yang let out a sigh before shaking her head no.
"No, she didn't want to come. But that's okay, you have so much to catch us up on!" The white hair lady or Weiss chuckled before grabbing a pair of sunglasses that rested on the dashboard.
"Well let's go meet Blake at the restaurant, she's already got out of normal seats."With thatWeiss put the car in reverse, then drove once in the street. Beforetaking off. After driving more into town they stopped at a restaurant named Coco's Stop and Shop. Heading inside, it was big, the first section was an item many different things to collect, to stuff animals, drinks, and much more. Heading through the shop, emerged a range of sitting areas. A hostess was standing behind a medium-sized podium, with stacks of menus. The hostess had a soft smile, her dark brown eyes rested in a high ponytail that went down to her waist. Her face was covered in freckles against her dark skin tone. She had a soft red across her cheeks once she saw Weiss and Yang enter.
"Ah Weiss, Yang. It's nice to see you guys again. Blake has already been seated in the normal seating."
"Thank you, Ilia, always a pleasure seeing you." Weiss's lips curved up in a soft smile as she started to walk past the young woman. Yang waved at Ilia before they walked over to a pair of booths sitting against the best viewofoutside the building. Blake was sitting there with a mug in her hand, her legs crossed, herhead facing the window.
"Blake!" Yang yelled as she ran up and wrapped her arms around the black-haired woman. Blake let out a sound of surprise from her mouth before red invaded her face. She dropped the mug she held in her hands, before adjusting them around Yang.
"H-Hi Yang, it's good to see you too. And there is the illusive ice queen." Blake smirked as Weiss huffed crossing her hands and moving into the booth across from the two love birds.
"I've been busy. But I made sure to make some time for this before school started." Weiss spoke softly as she adjusted the purse around her shoulderontothe booth next to her. Yang slid into the spot next to Blake moving her left hand to hold Blake's right. Blake chuckled as Yang gave a wide smile that could have gone to her eyes.
"I'm glad you could make it than Weiss! So what has been up with you for the last three months?" Weiss tapped her finger against her chin in thought at Yang's question.
"Not much learning how to take over my father's business. And you know how he is." Yang nervously laughed at the thought of Weiss's father, when Blake nodded in understanding.
"What about you Yang? How's it going with your little sister? Hope she is adjusting well." Weiss looked over at Yang whose smile slipped downwards as shelet out a sighfrom the thought of Ruby.
"Well-"Before Yang could continue her sentence a man with sandy blonde hair that was messily jelled to the side. His dark blue eyes scanned the table before a smile was plastered on his lips once he saw who was sittingat the table.
"Hello, ladies! It's been a while, the usuals?" Weiss looked up at him with a distant stare in her eyes making Blake chuckle.
"yes, it has been Jaune. But the usuals will be great." Jaune smiled before pulling out his notepad, scribbling a few things before looking up at the group of women.
"Alright, that will be out soon! Bye guys, Weiss~" he winked at her before walking off to the next table over. Weiss let out a frustrated growl with the roll of her eyes.
"God he can never get a hint can he," Weiss muttered, andboth Yang and Blake nodded in agreement. "Anyways what were you going to say Yang before we got rudely interrupted?" Yang blinked a few times before nodding.
"Oh right, um, it's been rough honestly. The first night she just saidlike2 words to me before leaving to her room. When I saw her next,it had beenbefore the sun even raised fully, she was leaving the house saying she was going out. Thencamebackallsweaty like she just went on a marathon or something. I tried to talk to her before she left before I couldevenstart the conversation by asking her to join me today. And then I tried to force her to talk to me by holding the door open, but she closed it in my face. Ijustcan't get past this cold barrier she has wrapped herself in. From old photos, she was always smiling, her eyes were so warm. And now they are so cold, and I haven't even seen her truly smile once. I understand everything that has happened to her must be so hard, our parents' divorce, the separation between us, and losing mom. But it's frustrating cause I went through that as well and, I'm not holding it against her!" Yang clenched her fingers into a fist as water started to weld in her eyes, threatening to fall. Weiss hummed as Blake gently rubbed Yang's left hand for comfort.
"If you don't mind, when was the last time you saw Ruby?" Weiss asked softly making Yang sigh and closing her eyes to try and stop the tears from falling.
"Other than the funeral, it was when I was Ten. She wouldn't even give us looks when we attended Summers's funeral." Yang sighed as she opened her eyes to see Weiss giving her a soft look, while Blake lookedupat her with the same look.
"Love, she would have been 8 years 20 at the end of this year. She doesn't remember much of what the family used to be before it was just her and her mother. Her mother was probably everything she had in life, and now having to move away from there, into a new environment. I know you mean the best darling, but she doesn't. So, give it time, it won't happen overnight, nor not for weeks. But your relationship willget betterwith her,justgive her your patience." Blake spoke softly as their eyes glued together as the words wrapped around Yang's brain. She was right, she always was right when it came to this stuff.
"You're right…"Yang breathed out softly before moving her hand to wrap intoBlakeshand."Thank you, darling, and you too Weiss. I don't know what I'd do without you guys." The other two girls chuckled as Weiss smirked.
"Probably dead in a ditch. From that party a year ago saying it all." Yang gasped at Weiss's world looking at her offended.
"Wow ice princess, it wasn't my fault that my Uber driver canceled when I was drunker than a pirate. Maybe if you had answered your phone the first time I wouldn't have been in that ditch!" Yang let out a Harty laugh at the look Weiss gave her.
"You're lucky I love you, Yang, 'cause if I had my way, I'd jump over this table and choke you to death." Yang rolled her eyes at the empty throat with a laugh that left her lungs. Blake chuckled as she sipped on the coffee she had in the mug.
"All alright lady's," Looking to the side Jaune stood with three plates and two drinks beforestarting to setthem across the table. A strawberry shake with overeasy eggs, bacon, and a side of pancakes landed in front of Yang. Across from her a water with three cinnamon French toast drenched in syrup wasputsettled in front of Weiss. Lastly, an omeletthat hada mix of greens, and ham inside was gently placed In front of Blake. "Everything looking good?" Yang smiled and nodded already shoving a fork stabbed full of pancakes into her mouth. Weisswas delicately runningher knife through one of the toasts before wrapping her lips around the piece perfectly.
"yes, everything is great as always Jaune," Blake spoke for the group making Jaune nod and walk away without another word. Blake started to dive in as well, silence filled the table other than the scrapping of forks and knives. After a few minutes after the food was cleared off each other's respective plates Blake cleared her throat.
"Are we still doing that house party a month from now? To celebrate college starting again?" Blake asked turning towards Yang as she nodded.
"Yeah, Dad was okaywith itif I cleaned it all up afterward. Why?" Yang's left eyebrow raised in question as Blake shrugged.
"I was just about to start handing out invitesand suchwhen classes started next week. And so, Weiss this time remembers to bring the booze."Weiss rolled her eyes as she took a sip of her water fromthesly lookof Blake.
"Hush hush it was one time." All three of them laughed continuing what they had planned that day.
When Yang got home, Ruby was standing in the kitchen having a sandwich in hand with a small bag of chips. It was around five in the afternoon, just in time for where she had started to cook dinner.
"oh, hey Ruby, I was just about to cook dinnerifyouwantedto stay for studying cooking in college my cooking skills are through the roof." Ruby looked up at Yang, her cold silver eyes scanned Yang up and down before turning towards the stairs. Without opening her lips, she walked upstairs to her room, the sound of the door closing echoeddownto Yang. With a sigh, Yang hung her jacket she had worn, unzippedthe boots she wore, and put them next to Ruby's running shoes. 'patience'is what she told herself before hanging her purse up on the hanger next to her jacket. Noticing the TV off but the sound of one going on, Tai must have been in his room lying down. Movingherselfto the kitchen she leaned against the counter, her arms crossed and lost in thought.
Ruby sighed as she pushed the door until a click sound could be heard, resting her head against it she listened to see if Yang would follow. No footsteps could be heard, andslowly Ruby's body moved away from the door. 'Why must everyone be so persistent in talking to me? Can't they get a hint?'she shook her head before moving to the desk where she had a laptop set up with a monitornext to it. A keyboard isputin the middle with a mouse on the right side. On the screens was a pause movie, the pixels highlighted a dragon as two lines symbolizing pause. Grabbing the headphones, she had shoved to the side when she had got up, she slips them over her head to settle over her ears.
"Flame?" Ruby asked softly as she pushed a switch on the side of her headset, unmuting the mic.
"Yep, still here Red! Got some food?" Ruby let a rare tug upwards on her lips show as she pulled the sandwich, she had made with chips closer.
"Yeah, I'm ready to continue watching this when you're ready." After saying those words, the show started up again as a dragon came down breathing fire across the people who were running away. After a few hours, the movie had been completedFlamestarted to talk.
"That was…interesting in the installment of that. I didn't think it would end that way, that's for sure."
"Yeah, I wish the main character didn't have to sacrifice herself and in the end, it did not matter. Kind of lame way to go." Ruby by that point had finished her sandwich and was snacking on the chips she had neglected to eat.
"How is it going with your family over there red?"Ruby stopped moving her handthathad a chip leaned against her sighed moving the chip down back into the bag before turning to look at the door to her room.
"They keep trying to talk to me, and I don't want anything to do with them."
"May I ask why you hate them so much?" Ruby could feel her throat tighten at the question, her fingers starting to curl into the chip bag and her palm.
"Tai… my father had… cheated on my mom, with a woman at a bar. I… I don't remember much other than how depressed my mom had gotten. We had moved away and," Ruby stopped feeling her throat tighten, tears starting to weld up in her eyes. But she kept going, "She stopped eating, andgetting up in the mornings unless I was up, and she forgot how to smile for felt like a few years. My Aunt Raven helped my mom a lot during that time. With either taking care of me or both me and my mom."
"I'm sorry Red, that's a lot to go through. But it sounds like your sister isn't at fault for any of it andjustwants to have a relationship with you. And I'm not saying open up to her this second but give her a chance. I know you've been hurt… since your mother but, give her a chance. As much as I wish I could be there in person, being able to help you there, this is the best I can do." Flame had guilt in her tone as Ruby whipped the tearthat wasstarting to fall down her cheek.
"It's fine Flame. You mighthave notbeen in person, but you are always here to listen. Someoneto rely on so thanks, for being my only friend. I'm… scared Flame about letting her in, letting anyone else in. I,just… I'll think about it." Ruby had a wet chuckle escape her throat as she rubbed her eyes to stop the tears from flowing out of them. Flame let out a softchucklebeforethe sound ofrustling could be heard.
"Oh, crap it's late, I should be heading to bed.I have togetthis sleep schedulein checksince college starts back up in a do you Red, after a year of not going it's goanna suck getting into the grove of classes and track again." Ruby rolled her eyes at Flame's worry and words as shejustlaughed.
"Whatever daddddd." A laugh came from Flames mic as Ruby could imagine Flame just shaking her head with amusement.
"Anyways Red, goodnight sleep well. Remember text if you do need anything."
"Of course, Flame. Goodnight." And the call dropped after the words left her lips. Sighing Ruby closed her laptop shut and turned off the rest of her electronics.'I wish I could see what Flame looked like, or even her real name. We've known each other formore than3 years, I know so much about her, and I trust her so much, yet that's only the side she shows me. Just how it's the only side I show her. However, maybe she is right about at least seeing Yang a chance. She hadn't caused the pain to , mom, Ijustwant you here'Ruby moved herself out of the chair and onto the bed,therethetears started to flow down her she didn't make a noise, her arms wrapped around her pillow, and with her eyes closed, she forced the dark abyss to take her.