Chapter Two-A New Journey
It had been a week since Ruby showed up, and things hadn't changed much. Early in the morning, Ruby would go on her runs till she felt adequate to come back. Yang would be up eating breakfast when she came back in and the two siblings would pass pleasantries. Yang said good morning, and Ruby gave a muffled morning beforeheading backto her room. Most of the time Ruby would be in her room, doing whatever she coulddoto keep herself busy. The only time she came out was to use the bathroom, to take a shower, or to grab food. As everyone suggested, Yang gave her the distance Ruby had wanted and everyone fell into a grove. Until today, the start of classes.
Ruby yawned as she skipped her run that morning, she had tossed and turned most of the night not getting much sleep. The clock on the side read 7:03 after her alarm woke her up a bit back. Cursing under her breath, her legs were swayed to the end of the bed, her body moving with her legs. She moved to sit on the side of her bed while her fingers wrapped her phone to the side of her. When she opened the picture on her phone there was Ruby and an older version of Ruby holding her and smiling. Ruby closed her phone with a deep breath before moving off the bed and onto her legs. Grabbing her usual attire, she started to put it on. She wore normal dark blue jeans and a scarlet-colored sweatshirt over a random shirt she put on. Grabbing her backpack, she pulled the two ends apart to inspect the inside of thebackpack. Inside were some notebooks, folders, and some pens gently put in the pockets inside.
The sudden sound of knocking on her door made her body jerk, head twitching to look up at the door. Sighing Ruby closed the backpack with the taps, before walking over to the door and opening it. There stood Tai with his usual smile, his hair a mess of tuffs on his head.
"Morning kiddo, justmaking sureyou were up and getting ready!" Ruby looked up at him with a glare while she scuffed.
"First don't call me kiddo, I'm not your kid. Secondly, I'm not a kid. I can take care of myself." Ruby moved her teeth against each other as she slipped past Tai and into the bathroom, before slamming the door behind her. Tai jerked a bit at the sudden vibration of thedoor being slammedbefore letting out a soft sigh. His smile drops in the process, he proceeds to head downstairs to the kitchen. Shaking his head, he grabbed two plates and put the eggs onto the plate before setting them out for the two girls. Hearing footsteps, Ruby was moving down the stairs, already turning to the front door.
"Hey, I made you breakfast." Ruby just started to put her shoes on as she looked backa Tai, her eyes cold and distant.
"I'm good." Ruby with her shoes now on, walked over and grabbed a piece of fruit before starting to walk back to the door.
"Well, I guess have a good day at classes today!" Tai smiled with a wave, Ruby just rolled her eyes as she opened the door and closed it behind her without another word. Tai sighed before turning back towards the food sitting on the two plates.'What am I going to do with her Summer?'Before long, Yang came tumbling down the stairs. Her hands were trying to put her mess of hair into a ponytail while walking down the stairs."Good morning, Yang,you ready for your first day back?"Yang's smile matched Tai's as she made her way over to one of the plates.
"Yeah! How did you sleep last night Dad?" Yang's fingers wrapped around the fork on the side of the plate. Thenproceededto stab the fluffy eggs, lifting them into her mouth. Tai watched in amusement as Yang devoured the eggsthat hemade for her.
"It was sleep. Ruby has already left, soyou're welcome toeat her eggs." Yang's eyebrow raised before letting out a soft breath.
"And I was going to offer her a ride with us. Did you get to talk to her at all?" Tai just shook his head, not wanting to discuss what Ruby had said to him first thing in the morning. "Great. Weiss should be pulling up soon." Yang's legs straightened as she stood up on them, making the chair move behind her with the motion. Moving to the front door, she slipped on her black boots that meshed well with her tan flannel shirt and blue jeans. Next to herbootswas a darker gray backpack with three handprints on them. One was colored yellow, the other was white, and the other was black. Hearing her phone buzz, she reached inside her pocket before pulling it out to look at the notification.
'I'm here'Was all it said before slipping her phone back into her pocket.
"Welp Weiss is here, I'm off Dad! I love you and have a good day at work!" Yang smiled before slipping out the door before she could give Tai a chance to just let out a sigh, noticing Ruby's plateuntouched still.
"Maybe I should tell her what happened," Tai muttered before starting his day.
Ruby looked up at the massive school building, the middle piece looked like a skyscraper of a pillar of a castle wall. From there, many different buildings were attached to this pillar, branching out like a tree. Ruby admired the architectureofthe ways they had built off of this one pillar. Shaking her head, she started to walk past the building of students, catching up after a summer break.
'I hate this. I don't know anyone, and everyone knows everyone here.'Ruby thought with a sigh before making it to the multiple entrances of doors. Entering through the middle one inside was just as busy outside, as people huddled in groups. Most seemed too deep in conversations to notice as Ruby slippedpassedeveryone in her smaller stature. Soon enough she made it to where the main office was, taking a deep breath she entered the door to see only a few people inside. A woman with dark black hair was sitting at the desk, her bright green eyes shined like emeralds in the light.
"Hello, what can I do for you today?" She had a soft silky voice when she spoke, looking up from her computer screen with a gentle smile. Ruby blinked before clearing her throat and walking up to the lady.
"Yeah, I transferred from Blackwell Academy to here for my sophomore year." The woman smiled at Ruby's words beforestarting to inputsomething on her keyboard.
"Ah Ruby Rose, looks like everything was set up beforehand. And all you'll need are these." The woman pulled out a badge with Ruby's picture on it, A fob that had a small number edged into it, and a piece of paper. Examining the paper, showed to be her schedule with the schedule for the track team. "It looks like you were already accepted into the track team due to your scores from Blackwell. The times of meet up are on there for you to know." She smiled before looking up at Ruby. Ruby just nodded as she grabbed the items handed to her, pocking the badge and key fob.
"What does this fob do?" Ruby asked her fingers gently moving against the smooth plastic. The woman chuckled a bit before looking back at her computer.
"It's a way to pay for lunches here, looks like you have $200 on there. So youjustgo to the cafeteria, swipe it and you get your food. Any other questions?" She looked back up at Ruby who looked back up at the lady.
"Uh, no. Thank you." Ruby's head moved up and down, beforemoving to openthe door to leave the office.
"Have a good first day." The woman waved her hand beforeturning back to herwork while Ruby walked out of the office. Ruby took a deep breath after she had closed the office door behind her. Social interactions were not her specialty. Ruby then looked down at her classes noticing she had four classes lined up for the first of the semester.
'I do have some catching up to do. After everything, I had to redo this year so that means going through the same boring stuff.'Ruby sighed before noticing her first class was starting at 8:30, looking up at the clocks on the wall it was only 8:00. Sighing, shestartedto walk to where her class lecture would be. As she walked, the students seemed to lessenthe moreshe walked farther down the halls. Examining some of the students they all looked wasa woman with ginger hair was continually talking to a man with long black hair and a streak of ginger-haired woman wore a pink shirt with flamingos on it, the man was wearing a dark green shirt that hugged his figure. Turning to the other side stood what looked like a couple. A woman with bright red hairthat wasin a ponytail,hada gold button-up shirt stood across from a man. The man had sandy blonde hair, it was longer to where he would reach up and push it to the side from time to time. He had a bright smile while he wore a white shirt that matched his tan pants. The red-haired woman had a blush on her face as she chatted away with the blonde-haired man. He seemedtojustsmile, seeming unaware of the way the woman looked up at him.
Ruby turned her head away continuing to walk past three students who were snickering over what they weretalking about. A raven-haired woman was leaning against the wall, her eyes glowing orange and red just like a dull fire at night. She wore a black leather jacket over a crimson-colored shirt underneath. The two around her were interesting as well, one had emerald, green hair with a dark red color in her worea jacket that wasgreen otheronehad short gray hair that had some pieces of his hair in front of his dark brown had a gray leather jacket with the same colorof shirtunderneath.
'This is a weird school'Ruby thought to herself as she continued walking past the three students to stand next to the door for her class. Leaning against the wall she pulled her phone out noticing a message from Flame was sent earlier that morning. As she tapped the message, she started to read the message.
'YO! Good luck on your first day! You will have to give me the rundown tonight!'Ruby could feel a small smile tug on her lips before bringing both of her thumbs to type out her message.
'mornin to you too. If I'm not passed out by the time I get home.'Looking up from her phone she started to scan her environment, noticing the woman with the fire eyes. Her eyes seemed to have locked onto Ruby's silver ones before a small smirk could be seen on her lips as she looked away. A shiver ran up Ruby's spine as she felt her spit build up in her throat. Quickly gulping she looked back down at her phone.'what in the world? Why was she staring at me? And that smirk, I wonder what she wanted.'Ruby thought before hearing the doors next to her openshemoved off the wallsheleaned stepping into the lecture hall,ithad five rows of seats that spanned across the large a bit, Ruby estimated around40 ishseats were lined up in perfect to one of the back rows she sat down on the edge, away from the potential of people being near her.
Ruby pulled out her laptop and a notebookassheglanced at the paper shewas holdingwith her schedule.
8:30 am- 10:00 am Probability and Statistics
10:30 am- 12:30 pm Biochemistry
1:30 pm-2:30 pm Criminal Investigation
3:00 pm-4:00 pm Forensic Photography
Track times
first Monday of the month 4:30-5:00
Tuesday 5:00 pm- 6:00 pm
Thursday 4:30 pm- 6:00 pm
Saturday 7:30am- 10:00am
Sighing Ruby slipped her schedule into her backpack before looking at the time.8:20.'I'm glad my schedule is busy this year. Then I can spend less time around Tai, Yang, and anyone else.'Ruby started to type in her password for her computer as she proceeded to set things up for class. The shuffling of a zipper pulled Ruby from her laptop to look at the seat next to her. There sat the woman with those fire eyes, she had a sly smirk as she settled into the seat next to her. Ruby took a deep breath beforeturning focusback on her computer, hoping the woman got the hint.
Luckily the woman did, as more people pilled in till most of the seats were filled only having a few empty between random students. Looking up Ruby noticed a woman, her platinum blonde was pulled into a neat bun, and no hair out of place. She had glasses resting on her nose as her blue eyes scanned the paper she held. She had a white blouse with a purple cardigan around that blouse, and a black shirt to complete the look.
"Good morning class! I am Professor Dr. Glynda Goodwhich! I do not care for what you may call me, as long as it starts with doctor." Clearing her throat, she wrote her name on the whiteboardthat wasinstalled on the wall behind her. The marker elegantly moved with Dr Goodwhichs fingers as she wrote her name. She then turned back to the sea of students; a fine line was made by her lips. "This semester I will be teaching everyone on Probability and Statistics. I will not go easy on you, this class is hard for people. But you can rely on me to respond to questions, emails, or concerns you all may have. Now, starting I will call attendance. It is not mandatory, but highly suggested." Soon enough many different names started to get called off.
"Nora Valkyrie," The woman that had ginger hair and striking blue eyes raised her hand with a loudhere.
"Lie Ren," The man who had the green shirt raised his hands with a soft here. A few more started to get rattled offhadRuby lost focus on who was who. Beforeshe heard the person next to her shift her arms.
"Cinder Fall," The fire-eye lady raised her hand with a deep soft here. Ruby lookedoverat Cinder, noticing how she kept that smirk when looking at her in the hallway. She sounded familiar, but Ruby couldn't place a finger on it, shrugging it off.
"Ruby Rose," Snapping out of her thoughts she raised her handupa bit hating how she noticed the looks she got. Especiallyfrom Cinder who sat next to her, like her eyes were analyzing everything Ruby did.
"Here." She gulped afterward as Glynda hummed before putting her clipboarddownon her desk.
"Great everyone is here for the first day. Now let the lesson begin."
The next two hours were filled with listening to Glynda, typing notes, and being bored for Ruby. She had taken the first portion of this class before she had been put on temporary leave at Blackwell.
"That is the end of our first day. Remember if you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask. Dismissed" Glynda didn't smile, she kept the same line across her face as she talked through the whole lesson.
'Finally,'Ruby quickly moved to her feet, her laptop and notebook were slipped into her backpack and werequickly closed. She could feel a certain pair of eyes on her as she swung thebackpackaround her shoulder. Her legs started to move one in front of the other, quickly making it to the doors and slipping out to her next class.'I have 30 minutes to spare, hm.'Ruby pulled out a small black case that opened and closed by attaching magnets. Opening the case with her thumb, inside were two black earbuds with a rose engraved into the sideof them. Ruby picked each one up individually, before putting them in the respective ear. After she had both in her ears, she put the case back in her pocket and swapped for her phone. A beeping sound could be heard before a woman's voice could be heard.
"Connected" Ruby tapped an app on her phone with a music note in a red square, as the app loaded many different songs appeared. Ruby tapped the top one as the sound of guitar invaded her ear, feeling the world melt into the melody of the music invading her ears. Ruby walked without a care in the world. Soon Ruby found the next room where she was to be in her next class, being it still 15 minutes before the door opened, Ruby leaned against the wall. Closing her eyes she listened to the melody of a soft violin, and a male's voice singing in a soft tone. Opening her eyes again, she jumped seeing yellow invade her vision. In front of her stood Yang, She had a bright smile on her face like always.
'I don't know how or why she smiles so much. It'ssoreductant.'Ruby moved her finger up to her left earbud before pulling it out. The sounds of students talking crashed her senses as she twitched at the sudden difference in what she had been listening to.
"Hey, Ruby! I just came out of class and saw you standing here waiting! Hope I'm not interrupting anything." Yang kept that same bright smile as she stood a few feet away from Ruby, giving her personal space.
"I guess not," Ruby muttered as she wasn't doing anything other than listening to seemed like Yang's face only got brighter fromthesomewhat responsive responsefrom Ruby.
"That's good! I just came out of food safety in the room next to this one! What class are you waiting for?" Yang tilted her head in curiosity as Ruby's fingers started to mess with the cover for her earbuds in her pocket.
"Uh, biochem," Ruby spoke out checking what her schedule looked like in her head.
"What major are you in? I don't think I have asked." Ruby could feel her frustration building as she was stuck in this conversation with her sister.
"Forensic Science." Ruby looked up at Yang, who seemed so happy talking to her.'Why is she so happy all the time?Remindsme too much of mom.'Ruby turned her head away moving her arms to cross across her chest.
"Oh? Why would you want to do that?" Ruby noticed the door opening, making her quickly stand up, and clearing her throat.
"Uh, class is going to start. Bye, Yang." Ruby quickly said before darting into the room without a response from looked like she was the sunfrom how much she wasbeaminginhappiness as she waved goodbye when Ruby walked turned to the woman standing a few feet away, she seemed to be around the corner peaking over at Yang. She was the woman she always saw at the restaurant.
"Ilia?" Yang asked as she could hear Ilia yelp a bit from being spotted. Her face slowly turned red, before sending a small wave. Yang couldn't help but let a chuckle brew in her chest as shewalked up tothe shy woman. "Hey, what are you doing hiding over here?" Yang gave a soft smile as Ilia bit her lip a bit.
"I uh, was hoping that Weiss was with you." Yang's eyebrow raised before letting out a snicker.
"No, Weiss has classes on the west wing, due to that being more of the business wing. Did you need something of her?" Ilia quickly shook her head as she cleared her throat, seeming to gainherconfidence at the sight of no Weiss.
"Uh no! Thank you tho!" She yelled before darting off into the halls leaving Yang in the dust, again. Yang shook her head at the antics of then turned to start walking to her classthatwas lined up next.
Ruby sighed as she entered the room that her class was to be held in. Inside were multiple big tables with people already sitting at some of them. A woman was standing in a long lab coat, her soft pink and brown hairrestedin a messy ponytail. She had bangs covering her forehead, her brown eyes looked like melted caramel. She looked taller than most people standing around 6'2 while holding a black clipboard. Ruby scanned the room before finding a table in the back with no onesitting at over sheput her stuff on the floor next to her as she pulled out her laptop and professor movednext toherasshe gentlyputa sheet of paper in front of Ruby with a to the next table to do the same thing.
Ruby went to reach for the paper before she heard the squeak of the chair moving across from her. Her head moved upwards to see a woman; she had orange hairthat waswrapped in a black bow. The other part of her hair flowed down her back as it curled upwards at the end. She had bright green eyes that were wide with hope and happiness. She hadsome freckles alongher face that were bent upwards from the girl's wide smile. She had a green shirt on that matched her eyes, that was covered by a black jacket that wrapped around her arms.
"Hi! My name is Penny!What is yours?!" the woman or Penny said with agreatbig could feelthe patience she hadthin even more as she stared at the energetic woman.
'what is it with these people!'Ruby shook her head after Penny didn't stop smiling and looking up at her.
"Um. Ruby is my name." Penny kept smiling as she giggled moving closer to the tableso she couldbe closer to Ruby.
"Well, nice to meet your new friend Ruby!" Ruby could feel her eyes widen a bit, as she opened her mouth to speak the professor started tospeak.
"Good morning class! My name is Professor Peach, I will be teaching you everything here you need to know about Biochemistry. Today, we will starteasy by going oversome simple rules for this class." Professor Peach started to walk to her big board that was behind her desk as she sat down at that desk. "I requireattendevery lesson unless you have been granted permissionto notshow up. That permission can be given with a day's notice and the urgency of why class will be missed. Secondly, Twice a week we will have labs, so please make sure to bring the right attire for this class. And third, questions are valid, no question is dumb. This is a hard class so ask all the questions that come to mind when it comes to it." The other students nodded as Ruby had written the notes onto the notebook she had prepared. "Now, let's begin going over the sheet in front of you."
Ruby rubbed her forehead, she had to listen to an hour of rules and regulations that have been in place since middle school.'this is outrageous'Ruby started to stand up sliding her laptop and notebook back into her bag.
"What will you be doing now friend Ruby?" Ruby looked up at the annoying high-pitched voice, seeing Penny next to her clapping her hands excitingly.
"I'm not your friend. I don't know anything about you." Ruby grumbled in frustration as she zipped her back and slung it around her shoulder.
"Oh! Well, my father said that everyone is a friend you just haven't met yet! I can tell you things about myself! Like I love to play video games, hike in the mountains, pet all types of animals, I like talking to people, and so much more!" Ruby stared at Penny in disbelief as this woman continued to talk tapping her fingers together with each point, she made about herself.
"Okay Penny, I um, it was nice to meet you uh, I do have to head out though." Ruby stuttered out, starting to move closer and closer towards the door. Penny followed Ruby outside the door before reaching her arms around Ruby. "No hugging!" Ruby quickly moved out of the hug holding her backpack strap tightly. Penny almost looked like she was going to cry but it didn't affect Ruby as she started to walk away.
"Oh, Bye new friend!" Penny perked up again, waving her left hand back and forth. Ruby cursed under her breath as she made her way to what seemed to be the cafeteria. Rows of people crowded the area; Ruby could feel her throat tighten. Taking a deep breath to calm the twitching and shivers up her back started to squeeze through the stacks of people till she reached the line to grab lunch. Standing in line behind a man with brown hair dyed red under his brown. He had a scar running across his left eye down to his chin, He looked angry as he tapped his foot impatiently. He huffed as he was left to choose his selections for lunch, The worker stopped Ruby as the frustrated man went through. He had picked something before tapping the fob on a scanner and walking out.
The worker nodded towards Ruby as she walked forward to find anything that had looked good. What caught her eye was a tortilla wrap filled with meats and lettuce. Ruby gently wrapped her fingers around it scanning her fob as she walked out of the outmany different people sat at tables, near tables, or in the hallways talking and conversing. Scanning everything Ruby started to walk down the row of tables before walking out of the room. Her head pounded from the noise and people that surrounded her. Shestartedto walk mainly along the hallways before finding two wooden doors. Above the doors read
Library. Having a sigh of relief, Ruby gently tugged on the door and entered the room. She was hit with a wave of books lined in bookshelves along manydifferentrows. Ruby let out a soft breath as the world seemedto turn into quietnessonce she entered the library. Turning to look forward, she saw multiple round tables lined across the middle sections of the library. Turning her head down to the left of the rows,therewere small rooms in the back meant for privacy. Bean bags were to her right, and different sitting areas were placed. Looking up at the top of each row, they had it from each category, from non-fiction, fiction, science fiction, fantasy, and so forth. Ruby stared in awe before pulled out of her senses when her phone buzzed against her leg.
Ruby moving down one of the rows hid in one of the corners with a bean bag that she plopped herself down. Pulling her phone out of her pocket she saw a message from Flame.
"Hey, how are those first morning classes going?"Ruby let out a soft groan while she up-wrapped the plastic wrap around her food.
"Stressful. My old college had WAY fewer people here. And having been alone for more than a year now, it's a… experience. It's also like everyone is so darn happy all the time it is pissing me off. In my second class, this woman was already calling me her new friend and was already overbearing. I'm not here to make friends, Ijustwant to finish college and getthe hellout of dodge."Ruby typed her frustrations to Flame before hitting send and sighing. She set her phone down on her lap beforestarting to munchon the wrap she had gotten. After zoning out, half of her wrap was gone, and her phone was buzzing with another message.
"That doesn't sound like a good day so far hey,try and look at the positive. You can meet so many new people! I understand this is all rough for you Red. Yet it won't hurt to makesomenew friends, other than me. I care about you Red, but I won't always be able to be here for you. Just think, this way you can be with people in person. Be able to do something other than be copped up in your room with me. I understand the memories you hold now hurt, but why not make new ones? Ones worth living for. And before you go and overthink that, no I'm not going to stop talking to you silly. Ijustcare Red."Ruby stared at her phone as she read the message over multiple times before letting out a frustrated sigh.
"Why is she always right!" Ruby whispered to herself as she leaned her head back, looking up at theceiling of the library.'Mom,godwhy did you have to take her away from me? She was the only sunshine I had in this black water I was in. I can't see the sun anymore being under this water, this water that fills my lungs till it burns for air. Who will help wipe these tears, who will keep this water away, or where to escape from everything dragging her down like a ball of chain? It's my fault she's gone, isn't it?If only I hadn't distracted her that day if only I had been a better kid for her. She'd be here, I could feel that sunshine again in the cold dark water. Please come back mom, I need you more than ever.'Ruby felt tears stream down her face as her thoughts started to spiral. Until her handstartedto vibrate, looking down it was another text from Flame.
"I know you read my message, so I sense you needsometime alone. But I understand your pain more than anyone on this earth. When my mom passed, it was tough just like what you are going through. What got me back out of that darkness you're experiencing is friends and 'thave to be blood but found family. I know we talked about my mother passing, that's what brought us closer when your mom passed. Just remember I'm always here.️'Ruby could feel her breathing hitch with the tears as she read over Flame's message. Ruby felt her heart tighten at the message as she closed her eyes.
' I need… to calm down. Flame is right, I always have her. And like she always said, one step at a time.'Taking deep breaths, Ruby's tears had stopped streaming down her face, her breathingstarting to returnto normal, and her throatnotclenching. She felt her heart rate calm down with each breath she moved to look up at her phone to see the time to be 1:00 outa sigh, Ruby wrangled out of the bean bag that tried to keep her.
Onceshe wason her legs, she quickly slung her bag over her shoulder and shoved her phone into her pocket. She startedto quietly walk out of the library to her next class. As she made her way through the hallways, the students had thinned out more than it was during the lunch period. Moving her way to the next class location, a few people were waiting outside. Leaning against the wall she pulled out her phone andstarted to typea message to Flame.
'Thanks Flame. I'm sorryIam always bad at expressing my emotions. Without you and your help, I wouldn't be here.'She sent the message before sighing, leaning her head against the wall. The sounds of the door opening pierced Ruby's ears as she looked down, moving her head off the wall. Students started to go inside and Rubystartedto follow them before examining the room. It was the same-looking area as the Mathematics class she was in. Humming she chose the seat that would be the same'I need… to calm down. Flame is right, I always have her. And like she always said, one step at a time.'Taking deep breaths, Ruby's tears had stopped streaming down her face, her breathingstarting to returnto normal, and her throatnotclenching. She felt her heart rate calm down with each breath she moved to look up at her phone to see the time to be 1:00 outa sigh, Ruby wrangled out of the bean bag that tried to keep her.
Onceshe wason her legs, she quickly slung her bag over her shoulder and shoved her phone into her pocket. She startedto quietly walk out of the library to her next class. As she made her way through the hallways, the students had thinned out more than it was during the lunch period. Moving her way to the next class location, a few people were waiting outside. Leaning against the wall she pulled out her phone andstarted to typea message to Flame.
'Thanks, Flame. I'm sorryIam always bad at expressing my emotions. Without you and your help, I wouldn't be here.'She sent the message before sighing, leaning her head against the wall. The sounds of the door opening perked Ruby's ears as she looked down, moving her head off the wall. Students started to go inside and Rubystartedto follow them before examining the room. It was the same-looking area as the mathematics class she was in. Humming she chose the seatthat wasin the back and on the end. Looking out she noticed an older man; he had white hair that was parted in the middle and curled out above his ears. He had a mustache that started from under his nosedownto his chin. He looked to be getting ready for class as Rubystartedto do the same thing. Once it had turned a minute before class, a woman she remembers seeing with the sandy-haired man walked into class. She seemed to be scanning the classroom, it was full of students. She noticed an open spot next to Ruby beforemoving to sitnext to her.
Ruby looked over at her as she took her seat, she looked about a year or so older than her. Getting a closer look at her, the smile on her face faded in and out when people looked at her. Bags rested under her eyes from lack of sleep with her eyes a bit dark. As Ruby went to open her lips, she could hear a booming voice from the front.
"Good afternoon class! Welcome to Criminal Investigation 101. I am Professor Port! I don't require attendance for my classes, but pleasedo make sureyour work is done. On your computer youwill have access tothis class catalog, to see lesson by lesson and the work accompanying each lesson. If you work best working ahead, you're more than welcome to."With thatRuby perked up a bit before opening the catalog on the laptop set up in front of her. Noticing she wasn't lying, Ruby cheered in her loved when teachers did this as shewouldalwaysworkbetter on her back up Professor Port had his screen pulled up and started to discuss what the class would be over.
Ruby sighed as she closed her laptop while other students stood up and started to leave. As she stood up and turned toleave, so did the red-haired woman making them run into each other. Ruby jerked a bit as the woman fell backward. Quickly Ruby's hand grabbed the woman's as she was falling to stop the trajectory to the ground. Pulling the woman up a bit shequicklylet go of the woman's hand, a warmth invading her face.
"U-Uh sorry." Ruby muttered as she turned to leave only to be stopped by a chuckle from the woman.
"Thanks, that would have been a nasty fall. Um, sorry for bumping into you" Ruby quickly turned her head, and her eyes landed on the woman's emerald ones.
"I-it my fault. I should have been paying more attention." Ruby bit the inside of her cheek as she held onto her backpack strapsthat werearound her woman smiled at her as shehadher armswrappedaround the books she had.
"no no I wasn't looking so it's my fault, I'm sorry. My name is Pyrrha." Pyrrha seemed to bowa bitas she didn't stop looking at Ruby.
"It's fine really. My… name is Ruby." Ruby hesitated a bit, unsure if she wantedto even betalking to anyone. But the thoughts of what Flame had said swirled around her brain and she almost made her fall, it's only fair. Pyrrhajustsmiled a bit more before nodding taking her eyes off Ruby to the wall behind her.
"Oh, looks like my class is going to start here soon. Thank you, Ruby, for helping me not take that nasty fall. I will hopefully talk to you tomorrow." Pyrrha waved awkwardly as she stuttered on some of her words beforestarting to walkaway from Ruby and their interaction. Ruby gave the best small smile she could muster, giving a small wave back as she watched her walk away. Looking at the time, she noticed she still had 25 minutes to burn. Sighing, she looked at where the class would be starting only to see it would be in the same room as she was. Rolling her eyes, she sat back down in her seat to wait for the next class to start.
"Are you here for the Forensic Photography class?" Ruby jumped a bit at the sudden voice as she looked up. She saw a younger-looking woman with short brown hair standing at the front of the room, with hazel eyes. She had a burn scar covering her cheek on her darker skin tone. Ruby quicklylet outa weak nod as she calmed down from the sudden scare. The brown hair woman nods before setting her stuff down on the desk for the professors. "You must be a part ofprofessorPorts class beforehand. Normally I don't like being in here while I set up." She paused as she seemed to stare into Ruby's soul. Ruby gulped a bit before quickly moving to stand.
"I'm so- "She was about to apologize before the woman held her hand up for Ruby to stop speaking. Ruby's lips quickly glued together as she stopped the words from escaping her throat.
" But since you come from the class before you can stay if you are quiet." Ruby gave a quick nod before moving back down in her chair. She sat there quietly waiting for the class to start, she had pulled up her phone. Soon enough the door was opened by the woman making some students come in. This time once the classstarted, she was alone making her sigh in relief as she was finally alone.
"Hello class, my name is Professor Amber. You are in class for Forensic Photography. You may have other professors who are more relaxed, but I am not one of those teachers. You will be in attendance every day unless given prior permission. Now let's start."
"Alright class, that's time." Amber turned towards the class keeping her neutral expression she had. Students started to pick up their items and started to leave the room. Ruby rubbed her head as a headache started to pound the front of her skull but she stood up with her stuff.
'Now the last thing for the day, the track team meeting. Then I can go home.'Ruby took a deep breath beforestarting to walkout of the room and to the far north wing,asitwas the athletics students were leaving or having left at this time, making it quieter and calmer than this morning. Ruby made it to a roomwhere it hada large circle table with 12 chairs around the table. Someone was sitting at the table, a few pages in front of them. She had the sides of her head shaved with the middle portion flat. The front portions of her hair were platinum blonde and were styled to stick above her head. She had light red eyes that could look dark pink in some lights, she had a soft smile on her face once she saw Ruby peaking from the corner of the door.
"You must be the new transfer student." She stood up motioning Ruby to come into the room. Ruby took a deep breath before entering the room standing a bit straighter and with the best smile she could provide.
"Yes, Ruby Rose." Ruby's smile was small as she held her handsinbetween the straps of her backpack and her shoulder. The woman stood up and walked over to Ruby, holding her hand out for an interdiction.
"Couch Harriet or Couch Bree. I heard a lot about you from your previous couch at Blackwell." Ruby looked at the woman or Couch Harriet's hand before slowly wrapping her hand in hers.
"Nice to meet you, ma'am." Harriet smiled as she shook Ruby's hand before letting go and moving back to where she was sitting beforehand.
"No one else has shown up yet, sotake a seatwherever you like." Ruby nodded before picking a seat a few away from the couch. Gently putting her bag on the side of her chair she waited for people to show up. Soon enough people started to show up, there were a few men and women none that piqued interest in Ruby as she sat there waiting. The last person to show up sent shivers up Ruby's spine, it was the woman with flame eyes, Cinder. Ruby watched as Cinder took a seatthat wasacross from her, a smirk was plastered on Cinder's face once their eyes met.
Clearing her throat, Harriet pulled the attention of the track runners to her as she smiled.
"Good evening students.I know thattoday is just our first meeting, but I'm glad everyone has shown will be the start of our monthly track meetingsthatgoonevery first Monday of the here areon a scholarship for your exceptional track skills, but that doesn't make you perfect. So, we will train every Thursday and Saturday, with Tuesday working on teamwork between you all." Ruby could hear herself groaning in her mind at the idea of having to work with new people. "But for our first Tuesday tomorrow, I will have everyone do different runnings with each other to see who fits in which category for do our rankings people who were here last year, rankings are a new thing since I have taken the title of couch here. It helps promote competition and growth and can bring a team or divide it. Last year worked well, so Iwas willing todo it again this year." Everyone nodded in understanding as Ruby watched everyone turn to the person, they knew the best and whisper. Ruby sat there silently, and Cinder did as well, still staring at Ruby with the burning eyes. Ruby did her bestto notlook in Cinder's direction, feeling her muscles tighten.
"Alright alright. From here, we have a track meet with another school in three weeks on a Saturday. Once it gets closer, we will talk more about it. Other than that, it's just training from here. Any questions?" Everyone gave a short nod making Couch Harriet stand up with a clap. "Perfect!You will receive a notification tonight as I willbe makinga group chatforustocontact each , you all are free to go!" Everyone stood up before starting to shuffle out of the room. Ruby was the last to leave as she sighed, shestartedto walk away but was stopped in her tracks. Cinder leaned against the wall before moving off and in front of Ruby when she walked out.
"So, you're the new person people have been muttering about." Ruby looked up at Cinder, her eyes burning with passion. Ruby didn't reply as her eyes were a cold silver compared to her burning ones. "Ruby Rose, it has a nice ring to it. The name Cinder Fall." She held her hand out to introduce herself. Ruby looked at Cinder's hand, not moving her hand.
"Do you mind, I'm trying to go home." Ruby tried to move to the side of Cinder but she saw Cinder give her a look she couldn't describe.
"Alright then, I'll just bother you tomorrow. See you at the track tomorrow, can't promise I will go easy on you." Cinder snickered before walking in the opposite direction Ruby started to head.'She intrigues me for some reason. Maybe I'll keep bothering her.'Cinder hummed to herself as she walked her way out of the building.
Ruby groaned as she started to walk home. Her mind was sore from everything that had transpired on her first day. She just wanted to melt away in her bed to forget she was alive. 'What is with people and wanting to talk to me? First my sister, then that crazy ginger-haired woman… she said her name was Penny, right? Then the emotional mess for lunch and running into that woman with such an awkward conversation afterward. And then Cinder. I don't understand why she seemsto always bestaring at me. It's creepy and then what she said? Trying to introduce herself like that!?'taking a deep breath Ruby shook her head to rid herself of her thoughts. After a few more minutes of walking, shecame into view ofwhere she was forced to it as she stopped at the entrance to the driveway.
'They are the last of my family… other than Qrow and Raven, these are the only people I have left. Yet they hurt Mom and left her and me. But that was so many years ago…'Taking a deep breath Ruby started to walk up the driveway to the path to the main door. Wrapping her fingers around the door she pushed forward, the door squeaking in response. Once her feet entered the door, a strong smell of Spaghetti hit her her head, Yang was hovering over the stove,havingmany different ingredientsalongthe kitchen slid her shoes off and put them next to Yang's boots as she took a deep breath.
"That smells good," Ruby spoke out softly before she could process what she was letting out. Yang quickly turned her head around, a bright smileplasteredon her face.
"Oh, Ruby!Didn'thear you come home! Yeah,justmaking some spaghetti! You're welcome to eat with us at the table tonight. But you can always take a plate to your room as well." She didn't lose her smile at her words as she moved back to stir the noodles.
"Okay." Ruby nodded before heading upstairs and entering her room, the door left cracked open. Ruby put her bag on the chair for the desk before moving as gravity took her body tofall ontothe bed. Her eyes felt so heavy, like darkness could take her for the rest of the night but Ruby kept awake. Listening closely to Yang's movement it sounded like she started to stir the noodles and then would stop for a few. That went on for a few minutes before the sound of the water rushing down the drain made Ruby groan and slowly move off her bed. She stretched her arms above her head as she took a deep breath.
'Am I going to do this? They could end up like Mom and leave me all mom would have wanted this if she was here'Rubysbody started to move out the bedroom door without down the stairs she notices Yang mixing the noodles and sauce.
"Where is Tai," Ruby spoke as she moved the chair back pulling it out and sitting in the seat. Yang looked over at Ruby, her eyes widened at seeing Ruby sitting at the table waiting for the food to be brought was likeYang's smile couldn't get any brighter as she brought two plates out setting one in front of Ruby and where she sat.
"Dad is at work. He's been working overtime at the blacksmith. During this time is when it gets busy." Yang responded as she grabbed the pot she had the spaghetti before setting it down on the table. Ruby hummed at the smell before looking overa Yang, she started to put some ontoher plate. She then grabbed Ruby's plate and did the same beforeputting it backwith a beaming smile.
"I made it from scratch so hopefully it's good!" Ruby nodded in response before starting to grab her fork and spin some noodles on it. Before Ruby blew onto the noodles to cool them as steam rose from the noodles. Once cooled, Ruby brought the fork into her mouth andstarted to chew onthe noodles. A soft hum came from Ruby's throat as she swallowed the chewed noodles.
"That's really…good," Ruby spoke out softly before starting to focus on eating the rest of the noodles on her plates. Yang chucked as shestartedto eat her plate full of spaghetti, looking over to Ruby from time to time.
"It helps when I got to college for cooking." Yang smiled as Ruby just nodded in response focusing on eating the heaven in front of her. Soon enough the plate was gone of the noodles, only left were the remaining sauce.
"Thank you, Yang. That was really good." Ruby gave a small smile at Yang. Yang froze a bit from the small genuine smile that Ruby had just given her. Yang nodded keeping that bright smile.
"Y-Yeah of course! Like I said, cooking is my passion. So I would always be down to make anything you'd like." Yang finished the last bite she had left before she started to spew more words. Ruby nodded before standing up from the table, her hands wrapping around her plate and fork. Once secure in her hands, shemade her wayto the kitchen sink and started to wash her plate and fork. Yang soon joined once Ruby had put away the dish she just washed and now dried.
"You remind me a lot of mom." Ruby suddenly let out, as she reached to put the plate where all the other plates were stacked. Yang quickly snapped her head in Ruby's direction in surprise, her smile faltering before looking down. "S-Sorry that just...came out. I um… your smile is like hers. Always bright. I should go back to my room. Goodnight." Ruby quickly spoke the words out, some coming out in stutters before disappearing up the stairs before Yang could moved her head to watch Ruby walk upstairsasshe felt tearsstingher eyesoncesheturned backto the sink.
Ruby felt like shewas going tothrow up as she closed the door behind her. Her hand over her mouth as she took panicked breaths.'Why would I say that? Yes her smile was just like moms before everything. But the way Yang looked, her eyes looking so sad. Way to go, Ruby, always ruining things.'Ruby could feel tears stinging her eyes but quickly shook them away. She should have just kept to herself like she's been. It was for the best. Ruby looked at the clock it was only 7:00 pm, it was early, but her mind was so exhausted all she could think about was her bed. With that, she stepped out of her clothing and into her sleepwear before landing on the bed. Her eyes started to succumb to darkness as did her mind as she curled up into a ball letting herself fall a