Chapter Three-Rankings
"Mom?" A younger Ruby watched her mom as she laid in her bed, eyes closed, breathing light. It had been morning for some time now, she couldn't remember how long Mom had been sleeping. Ruby's small hand tugged on her mom's shirt but got no response. The phone next to Summer was buzzing as the young Ruby reached for it. She looked at the picture of the caller,
"Aunty Rav!" She swiped up on the green phone like her mother had taught her. Bringing the phone to her ear like she was playing phones with her mom.
"Oh, thank God Summer are you okay? We were supposed to meet up an hour ago! And you haven't answered my calls or texts and I can't help but start panicking!" Ruby tilted her head before bringing the phone closer to her ear.
"Aunty Rav! Mommy is asleep right now, and she won't wake up." Ruby kept poking her mom as she felt like something was wrong. There was some shuffling on the other end of the phone before a sigh.
"Hey Petal, don't freak out, okay? I will head over to you now. It will be a little bit before I make it butjuststay next to your mom and wait, okay?" Ruby proceeded to climb into the bed, her mother had reeked of something that made her nose twitch before nodding.
"Okay, Aunty Rav!" She sat there and waitedlike she wasinstructed once Raven had ended the call. What felt like forever the door was opened and loud footsteps were heard. Ruby turned to look at the doorway andsaw Raven standing there. Her long black hair dissaved, her crimson eyes scanning the room in a panic. She had shorts with a cute, ripped flannel and a Bandana wrapped in acutebow on top of her head. Ruby quickly moved out of the bed running to the fearful-looking Raven, whoquicklywrapped her hands around the younger Ruby.
"you're okay, I'm here." Pulling Ruby into her arms, she lifted the younger Ruby with ease as she moved towards Summer. Moving her left hand, she put two fingers against Summers's neck. A pulse was strong against her fingers making a sigh of relief escape. Examining the room, bottles of alcohol lay to the waist as all Raven could do was sigh and hold Ruby tighter. Ruby not knowing the situation hugged Raven back with a giggle.
"Is mommy, okay? She promised we'd go somewhere fun." Ruby pouted a bit as Raven let out a small sigh.
"Your mommy isn't feeling well, okay? So why don't we head downstairs and play him?" Ruby nodded at Raven's words as she was carried downstairs with her. The only thing Ruby could remember next was the yelling after Summer had woken up after a few hours.
"How dare you get drunk with your DAUGHTER in the house with you! She was scared to death! Whatdo you thinkwould have happened if she hadn't been smart and answered the phone call? For fuck sake Summer! You said you'd stop!" That screaming match went on for an hour, and Raven stormed downstairs, walking over to Ruby. She kissed her on the forehead.
"You call me if you have any problems little rose." Ruffling Rubys' hair, she walked away leaving through the front door, slamming it behind her. Ruby jumped before heading upstairs where her mom sat on her bed. Tearsstreamingdown her face, sobscomingfrom her throat, and her hands were on her lap. Slowly Ruby walked over to her, tugging on her hand Summer looked down at her daughter. Those bright eyes her mother always had were gone, they were a dark silver. Tears filled them as they spilled down her face, not abrightsmile to be seen. She suddenly wrapped her arms around Ruby bringing her in close. Ruby yelped a bit at the sudden hug before quickly wrapping her arms back around her mother.
"I'm a terrible parent Ruby… I'm so sorry Ruby. I need to be better; I'll be better for you. I'll always be with you, Ruby. I promise I'm going to be better, for you."
Ruby gasped as her eyes went wide, her breath struggling tomake it toher lungs, and her eyes burning from tears. Sitting up Ruby took deep breaths over and over until her breathing went to a normal pace. Wiping the tears that fell down her face, she moved her head to look at the time on her clock.5:50.'Why did I have that memory?'Ruby sighed moving her hands to rub her eyes. She hadn't seen her mother without her bright smile in a long while. Taking a deep breath, Ruby threw her body over the bed's side, before reaching for her phone.
Ring
Ring
Ri-
"Hello?" A gruff voice came across the voice, still groggy from sleep.
"Hey, Aunt Rav. It's me, Ruby." There was some shuffling on the phone before a response.
"Oh hey, Kiddo? How are you?"
"I um, I'm alive is the best way to put it." A dry chuckle was heard from the phone as Ruby moved to lean her back against the cold wall.
"Well, Tai and Yang were always the energetic type. I hope you're still not upset about me not being able to take you." Ruby sighed and moved a pillow to her chest, resting her head on it between her scrunched-up legs.
"No, I know you couldn't house me. I just… was missing you. I had a dream about you and Mom." Ruby muttered softly as she closed her eyes waiting to hear Raven's response. There was some silence on the other line then a soft sigh.
"I miss you too Kiddo. What dream did you have?" Ruby hummed a bit as she leanedher headagainst the wall looking up at the ceiling.
"It was you and Mom, when… mom was unhappy after leaving Tai. How you had yelled at her for being plastered with me in the house and… mom after that day promised to always be in my life. I am unsureofwhy I had this memory, but I felt an ache to call you." Ruby confessed as Raven just sighed through the phone.
"Yeah, I remember that day. We… were going to meet at this craft fair your mother wanted to see. And she never showed up with you. I was so scared something had happened that, all I could see was red when you had called saying she wasn't waking up. After that day she never drank again." Raven recounted the memory asRubynodded to herself. "Oh, how is college going? I remember that it was starting soon." A groan escaped Rubys' throat at the thought.
"It's frustrating. Everyone wants to be friends or talk to me like I'm some other person. Yet I'm not like everyone, and I just want to go to college and disappear. I'm not here to be friends with people, I just want to do my work and move on. And Yang just, ugh. She has gotten better about pestering me, but she is always smiling like mom. That bright smile like nothing bad can happen and... and I hate it."Ruby's voice gave outasshe could feel tears start to cloud her eyesight was silent for a while, thinking of the best way to comfort her niece.
"My advice would take it at your pace Ruby. Everyone has their own pace of how they meet people. After everything that has happened, it will be harder to go back to any semblance of normal. You've gone through hardships that many people won't have to even think about experiencing. Was there anyone that seemed like you'd want to be friends with?" Ruby bit the inside of her cheek in thought.
"There was one person. She didn't push in getting to know me, but was…nice? One person was already calling me their new friend, Yang is too pushy, and the other person I met threatened me in a way." Ruby thought back to Pyrrhaandhow she didn't force a conversation and was thankful yet not pushy with her interaction.
"Then tryandmakeconversations with her, see where it fact, your mother and I hated each other for a while." Ruby perked up a bit at the thought of that.
"How so?" Raven chuckled at the curious tone ofRubys'voice.
"Well, you know that I dated Tai when we were in high school, while your mom crushed on Qrow for a while. We always clashed heads due to her upbeat personality and my noncaring personality. Just like how you and Yang are from what it seems, but not siblingsha. After Tai and I broke up, I distanced myself from them as I couldn't handle the pain. And soon enough your mother and Tai got together and married soon after. Your mom had Yang early after starting college, and then you soon before she graduated college. They were super happy, and I was still as distant as ever. Oh, there were so many nights I'd spend away stalking their socials, exploring what their lives had been. Soon enough, I had contacted Summer at my lowest point. And we have been friends ever since. I… I bet your mom would be proud of you right now Ruby. Going through all of this, and still being here takes a strong soul." Ruby held onto her phone tighter at the words her aunt had said. She wanted to cry yet didn't either.
"Thanks… Rav, I am sorry for waking you up." Raven just chuckled as running water could be heard.
"Don't worry about it kiddo. I do have to get ready for my day, so keep in contact. Love ya, Ruby." Ruby smiled softly at the words.
"Love you too Aunt Rav." Moving her phone in front of her, she ended the call. Staring at her phone, her brain started to process everything they had discussed. Rubbing her face, she looked at the clock to see how much time had passed. her body off the bed she undressed her clothing before dressing into black cargo pants. She put on her signature red sweatshirt as she put her hair into a small ponytail. Grabbing her backpack, she proceeded to shove workout pants and a t-shirt for her track run that afternoon. Alongside her normal school material, she zipped up her backpack before slinging it on her back. She shoved her phone into her pocket as she started to walk outside her room and down the stairs to the kitchen.
Rustling could be heard as Ruby froze; she saw a woman with black hairwithgolden eyes sitting on the couch. She had a book in her hands, her legs curled upwards with a blanket wrapped around her. Ruby stared at her unsure who the lady was, and if she wanted to say something. Golden eyes met her dark silver ones as they both seemed to stay put, only having their chest rise and fall with each breath.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."Thewoman said softly as she closed the book in her hands,thenrested it on her now fallen legs.
"And who are you." Ruby had her hand wrapped around her backpack tightly, her back straightening for intimidation. Her voice wrapped in venom as she stared at the mysterious lady.
"I'm sorry, I'm Blake Belladonna. Yang's girlfriend is currently asleep in her room and I can't take her snoring when I try and read." She had a soft smileon her face, but she didn't move out of her seat as she just looked over at Ruby. Ruby examined the room as everything seemed to be perfectly fine.
"Right..." Ruby let out harshly not having moved an inch. Blake just chuckled before picking a piece of hair off her shirt that looked like Yang's.
"She sheds like a Maine Coon. Don't worry I won't steal anything. Just enjoying thepeace and quietdown here."Blake proceeded to open her book backupto where she had bites the inside of her lip before moving to the front door, andslipping her shoes on. She turned back to the woman who was back to reading. Her eyes seemed to glow in the dark lighting as her eyes moved right to left. Quickly grabbing some fruit and her water, Ruby started to walk out of the house and onto the way to Beacon College. As she walked, she pulled out her phone to see four missed messages, cursing under her breath she opened the message to see who it was from.
'Hey, Red you hopping on tonight?"
"You still have to tell me how your day was!"
"hmmmm I hope you're not avoiding me now."
"Alright, goodnight Red, I hope to see you tomorrow!"
Ruby bit the inside of her cheek as she quickly typed a message.
"Morning Flame!Sosorry I had gotten home, ate dinner, and the next thing I knew I was asleep. I will make sure to get on tonight! Also, I could never avoid you unless it wassomethingreally big."Sending the message Ruby continued her walk to the school.
Taking a deep breathin, Ruby entered the library she had was too early for her to sit in front of the class, so she headed to the second-best place. As she entered, a few students were at the desk, but not enough for it to be loud. Moving her way to one of the back tables she sat down, with her backpack on the side. Opening her backpack, she pulled out her laptop and placed it down inInfrontof her. Soon enough she started to go over the notes for different classes as she pulled out her bottle before taking small sips of it. A chair moving pulled herself out of focus mode, looking up she saw the red-haired lady. Ruby's eyebrow raised before looking around at the other tables noticing most of them were full.
"Hi Ruby, hope you don't mind me sitting here." She wore a soft smile before setting her class material out.
"Oh um, yeah that's fine." Ruby moved back to her screen expecting Pyrrha to continue talking to her, just like everyone else. But silence is what was met as she peaked over to look at Pyrrha, who was looking over notes. Ruby let out a soft sigh beforestarting to returnto her work before her phonestartedto buzz. Looking down she noticed the time had gotten to be 8:15. Looking back up Pyrrha wasstartingto pack up, noticing Rubys eyes she smiled a bit.
"I hope I haven't bothered you." She looked at Ruby, her emerald eyes big and soft. Ruby shook her head.
"No, you're fine. You… didn't bother me at all." Ruby let out a small smile as she could feel her heartbeat against her chest. "You leaving?" Pyrrha nodded as she had her backpack in hand and stood up from her chair.
"Yeah, class starts soon." Ruby soon shoved her stuff into her backpack before standing up quickly.
"Same here, why don't I walk with you." Ruby couldn't believe what she was doing, yet here she was walking with Pyrrha to the exit of the library. They quietly walked together before making it to the doors, exiting they turned towards each other.
"Thank you Ruby for letting me sit with you today. It was nice to have some company. See you in Criminal Investigation class."
"Y-Yeah anytime. See you." Ruby gave a small wave as she watched Pyrrha walk away from her. Ruby letting out a sigh started to walk towards her class, her mind racing with thoughts. As she made it to her class and sat downIn her seat, she cursed inside her head. Next to her sat Cinder, she was on her phone typing something as she slipped away after she had hit sent. She had moved her head up noticing Ruby sitting next to her. A smirk slipped onto her face as she closed her right eye while her left eyebrow raised. Ruby could only roll her eyes as Cinder turned back towards the front.
"Morning students." Ruby quickly turned her head towards the front to see Dr Goodwhich standing in the front. She had a stack of paper on her desk as she stood behind her desk. "Before you leave class today, I have some homework for you. Either turn it back in tomorrow morning or scan it in online. And before you say anything, I'm old-fashioned so homework will be on paper." Some students let out groans or mutters. "Now open your textbooks, we are onto lesson two."
"Now come grab your homework and let me know if you needanyhelp. That concludes class." Students started to pile up to grab a paper beforefiling out ofthe classroom. Ruby sat there, waiting till everyone had being the last one,shesent a sly smirk as she walked past Ruby and out the sighed before standing up packing her things and walking to the front. Pickingup one of the sheets she noticed Goodwhich looking at her. All she could muster was a hesitant smile beforestarting to walkout of the classroom. Taking a deep breath Ruby walked outside theclassroomandstartedto head to her next class. As Ruby walked to the west wing, she slipped through students avoiding people as much as possible. Letting out a sigh of relief she made it to the front of her where her class was located. Being early again, Ruby leaned against the wall before pulling out her phone.
New message: Flame
A small smile made it toRubys'lips as she opened the new message.
"Good morning to you too Red! You're all good, I was more interested in wanting to know how your first day was. The new update does come out today, so if you weren't going to get on, I'd be sad."Ruby rolled her eyes with a small chuckle before starting to type back.
"oh, you big babyyyyy. But yes, I'll be sure to be on tonight, I've been waiting for this update for so long."Ruby sent the text before shoving her phone back into her pocket. Moving up she noticed the door opened, Ruby slipped in.
'Thank God Yang missed me this time. I did not want to have to deal with that today.'As Ruby sat down, she started to pull her stuff out. A squeak from one of the chairs made Ruby look up, to see Penny. Ruby could feel her jaw tighten in frustration as she quickly looked back down at the notes she had.
"Good morning new friend!" Penny spoke with a bright smile making Ruby curse to herself in her mind. Ruby just gave a small nod to Penny in the hopes of her shutting up, but Pennyjustkept smiling. "How was the rest of your classes yesterday?" Ruby slowly looked up at Penny with a glare of annoyance.
"Will you stop talking to me," Ruby said as she watched Penny's smile fade a bit before going back to being just as bright.
"Nope! My father always said if I was persistent then I can achieve anything!" Ruby just rolled her eyes and did her best to ignore the words that came out of Penny's mouth. Soon enough Professor Peach showed up in front of the class holding her things.
"Good morning students. Class starts here soon so please get ready." Students started to shuffle their stuff out of their bags as Ruby sat there waiting for the lesson tostart. After a few minutes, Peach cleared her throat to stop the conversation happening.
"Alright students, we are going to start our first lesson today. As we go over this, please remember that we will be doing a lab tomorrow based on this lesson." Everyone nodded she started togo overthe textbook, adding information from time to time while she went over the lesson. Ruby wrote down most of it, as she may have taken this class a year ago, she was still learning new things.
"That wraps up class everyone. Please don't forget to complete your prelab homework!" Professor Peach yelled with a smile as Ruby looked at the time seeing it had already been two started to pack her thingsasshe looked up to see Penny standing next to her.
"Want to have lunch with me?!" She had a big smile holding her books in her arms. Ruby rolled her eyes and started to walk out of the class with Penny in tow.
"No," Ruby said the single word before walking away from the frowning Penny. Ruby took a deep breath while rubbing her forehead in frustration. Feeling her phone buzz, she looked down to see Flame texting her back from this morning. Ruby pocketed her phone without looking at the message as she walked to grab lunch. Going through the same process as yesterday, she grabbed a sandwich beforestarting to walkto the Library.
As she entered the library, she startedto walk aroundquietly to where she had sat yesterday. As she walked, she noticed two people sitting at a table in the middle. One had white hair like snow, andshe had bright blue eyes that were facing the woman In front of her. Her lips were wide with a smile and her mouth open with soft laughter. The woman sitting next to her was the woman she saw in the house this morning, Blake. Their eyes suddenly meet, dark silver clashing against soft gold. The woman with white hair seemed to catch on as her sky-blue eyes moved over toclashagainst silveras well. Ruby stood there for a few seconds, seeming to be analyzing them before continuing her walk.
Blake watched as Ruby stood there, her silver seemed dull and void of emotions with bags underneath them. Her red hoodie was a little loose against Ruby, the sleeves barely past her fingers. With the end of the hoodie making, it down mid-way through her butt. Her hair was put in a small ponytail, as some strands were too short to fit. A thin line was made byRubys'lips, showing her lack of care and emotions.
Then she disappeared between the bookcases as fast as she appeared. Blake let out a soft hum as Weiss turned to her, her eyebrows knitted downwards.
"What was that about Blake? Who was that woman?" Weiss had asked as Blake sighed turning towards the white-haired woman.
"That's Ruby." That was all Blake had to say as Weiss's eyes went wide looking back at the spot where Ruby had stood.
"Her? That's Yang's sister? They look NOTHING alike." Weiss spoke out as she looked backa Blakewho had shrugged.
"Yeah, I gave her a scare this morning. I had spent the night with Yang due to something she had said to Yang. Yang wouldn't say what it was, but she wasn't her normal happy self that's for but like something was keeping her mind active to pay attention to the outside world. But I had moved downstairs to read due to Yang's snoring, and when Ruby came downstairs, she saw me instantly. I had tried to explain, but she left quickly after." Weiss hummed in response before tapping her finger on the table.
"What did Yang have to say about that?" Blake froze a bit before looking over at Weiss.
"I didn't tell her. So, keep this between us until I mention it to Yang. She doesn't need more things to stress about." Weiss took a deep breath in response as she just nodded.
"Alright, Blake. I trust you." Blake let out a sigh of relief before starting to look around.
"Yang should be here now shouldn't he?" Weiss looked down at her watch before down at her food.
"Yeah, she normally is. Maybe she got held up in line for lunch." Blake nodded before grabbing onto the fork that rested in the salad in front of her. Weiss started to eat the wrap she had brought for lunch. Soon enough the doors open to show Yang entering the library, with a woman in tow. Blake's ears perked up examining the woman, before a sly smirk to Yang emerged. Behind her was Ilia, a shy redness showed on her cheeks while she walked in tow with Yang. Turning to Weiss, she was too busy eatingher foodand scrolling on her to notice the stood up before meeting Yang halfwaywithher arms wrapping around the taller woman.
"Hi, darling," Yang spoke softly before giving a soft kiss on top of Blake's forehead. Blake just rolled her eyes with a smile giving Yang a soft squeeze.
"Hey, brought a surprise for Weiss I see." Blake teased as Yang chuckled. "Hi Ilia, how are you doing?" Ilia looked over at Blake, who was now standing next to Yang.
"o-oh I'm good! Yang invited me to have lunch with you guys!" Ilia smiled as she kept glancing at the white-haired woman who was zoned into her phone.
"Weiss, Say hi to Ilia," Blake said as she moved to sit back where she was making Weiss jump a bit.
"H-huh? Oh! I-Ilia how are you!" Weiss stuttered out as a pink hue started to spread across her cheek.
"I'm doing good!" Ilia sat next to Weiss while Yang sat next to Blake, moving her hand around Blake's shoulder. Both Weiss and Ilia had red dusted on their face as they stuttered on words as they started to conversate. Blake looked up noticing Yang sitting there staring off at the distance. Blake moved her hand to Yang's thigh before squeezing gently. Yang snapping out of itmovedher head to look over at Blake.
"What's wrong Honey." Blake looked up concerned written all over their face as Yang bit her lip a bit.
"I-"
"Yang tell me. It's not good that you keep it bottled up." Yang sighed in response as she noticed the other two deep in conversations tonoticethe couple.
"Ruby said my smile looked like my mom's. Yet, I don't even remember it. I don't even remember her." Yang's voice was low, her usual smile gone into a frown. Blake looked up at Yang with concern.
"I'm sorry darling. Did Ruby say anything else?" Yang shook her head in response as some tears started to fall onto Blake's hand. Blake quickly moved her handsupto Yang's face, gently wiping the incoming tears. "It's going to be okay. Maybe this is your chance to get closer to Ruby. By learning more about your mother." Yang's eyes quickly darted into Blake's golden ones.
"I-I guess… I didn't think of it like that. I just, she got all the time with mom. And I didn't get to see her until she was in that damn casket." Blake sighed as she pulled Yang closer resting her head onto Yang's.
"I understand Yang, and I know it's very hard. I want you to be happy, I know learning more about your mom will, and hopefully getting closer to Ruby is what you've been wanting for a while now. I'm going to be here through the sunshine and rain. Whatever you decide, I will be here to back you." Yang pressed her forehead closer to Blake's, tears welding up at Blake's words. Moving her hands, Blake gently wiped the tears again. Yang sighed as she nodded.
"You're right… heh like always." Blake rolled her eyes and let out a soft chuckle before turning to look at the other side of the table. Weiss and Ilia had disappeared, their chairs pushed in and their stuff gone.
"Hm, seems like they had something better to do." Yang let out a wet chuckle before nodding.
"Maybe into the janitor's closet." Blake's face had a red dusting on it as she huffed at the implied comment.
"Yang, you little-"Before she could finish Yang was putting her lips onto Blake. Blake hummed and pushed more into Yang before moving away with a soft breath.
"S-Sorry I know you don't like pda I just… couldn't help it." Yang chuckled before noticing Blake's eyes move behind her. Yang looked at her confused as she saw Ruby, she had earbuds in and a phone in hand. Her eyes were a little red from possibly sleep, as shewas headingout the door. Yang sighed as she turned back to Blake and held her hand. "I'll speak to her tonight. How about that?" Blake sent a small smile back at Yang before nodding.
"Alright,youlet me know if you need me to come and sleep with you again." Yang chuckled before hugging Blake tightly.
"Anytime." And with that, both got up, picked up their respective stuff, and walked out of the library.
"So? The character sounds cool and you know it! Like burning your enemies would be so cool!"Ruby read the messagethat poppedon her screen making her roll her eyes. Both Flame and her have been arguing over the new character in the video game they play.
"That's because you have a weird obsession with fire silly."Ruby sent the text before almost walking into someone. She quickly stopped looking up to see Pyrrha, who was looking a bit down at Ruby. A soft smile came onto her lips as she waved awkwardly.
"Seems like we keep on running into each other don't we." Ruby could feel her face heat from embarrassment as she let out a nervous chuckle.
"Y-Yeah sorry. I wasn't watching where I was going."
"That's alright." Pyrrha turned away as the doors started to open for the classroom. Both women swiftly found their spots as theystartedto take their laptops and notes out.
"Hey, is that from Huntsman?" Pyrrha asked catching Ruby off guard as she looked at where Pyrrha was looking. There was her favorite character's weapon, a scythe that turned into a sniper rifle. Ruby gulped a bit as she forgot she had put a sticker of that onto her laptop.
"U-uh yeah. It's my favorite character's weapon."
"The Red Reaper, right? I have watched a lot of reviews and gameplay of the game. But I never was able to get into it on my own." Ruby's silver eyes widen up at Pyrrha's emerald, green.
"Really? The game is so fun. I play it with one of my online friends. It's super fun." Ruby could feel herself smile just thinking about the late nights, laughter, and friendship she had around the Huntsman game. Pyrrha chuckled softly at the sight as more warmth invaded Ruby's face.
"Well, if you are ever free, maybe you'll be able to teach me a few things in the game. Only if you want to of course." Ruby looked overa Pyrrha, her brain wracking about the possibility of what Pyrrha suggested.
"Y-Yeah maybe." Ruby gave a hesitant smile, but Pyrrhajustsmiled back and turned towards the to talk more orforceher to be more interested in playing Hunter with could only smile a bit beforeturning backto Professor Port who had started the lesson. The next few hours had gone by, andthe lesson forCriminal Investigation was slow and long. Pyrrha waved goodbye to Ruby once the class was over. The next class Forensic Photography was slow as most of the main lessons were already common knowledge to Ruby.
After class had needed is when Ruby felt knots begin to form in her stomach. She had walked to one of the bathrooms, changing out of her normal clothing and into theclothingshe brought for running.
'I hate having to perform in front of people. The only person I like was…when mom watched.'Ruby thought as she sipped her shoes back on and her backpack over her shoulders. Making her way outside, she aimlessly walked around until she found the track around the Football field. Making her way down the stairs to the track, there was only Couch Harriet. She seemed to have been setting up cones and such as she held a clipboard, and a time watch hanging around her neck. She looked up to see Ruby walking down the stairs, andshe smiled.
"Ah, Ruby. You're the first one to show up! How are you feeling today?"Ruby had an emotionless faceasit was like a mood switch when she got onto the track.
"Good ma'am." Harriet laughed a bit at being ma'amed but went on with the conversation.
"Well, I hope you do well. This will be harder than what it used to be at Blackwell." Nodding Ruby put her backpack to the side,sheheaded to more in the middle of the grassy football field. She started to stretch the muscles in her body as she waited for people to show up. People hadstartedto arrive as it edged closer to Five. Soon enough Cinder was the last one to show up. She was in a tank top that was all black and hugged her figure. She wore red shorts that went right above where her kneecaps were. Ruby blinked before shaking her head, her heart skipping a few beats from the figure Cinder showed off.
'Wow couldn't be any gayer can you.'Ruby patronized herself as she started to walk closer to the group after everyone had shown up.
"Hello track team! How are we feeling today!"There were a few cheersaseveryonehadasmilebutCinder and had straight lines, seeming to be concentrated on winning. "Alright, so today. We are going to startoffwith the 400-meter dash. This will determine the length and speed of each person. Then we will take a 10-minute break and run the 100 m to see who can be the fastest." Ruby tapped her foot into the ground strategizing for the run.
I wonder ifshould Igo all out in the first or maybe the second one? We do have that break. Fuck it might as well give it my thought to herself as she looked over at everyone.
"We will be doing two peopleat a timeto help stretch things out. Ruby and Cinder, you two will be first. Ruby quickly looked overa Cinderwho looked at her, with a small smirk before starting to line up behind the line. Taking a deep breath Ruby walked over 2 lines down, she had to give it her all now. Getting into ready position she closed her eyes, listening to the sounds of the wind beat against her. Feeling every muscle contract and release with her command, a small left her face, this is what she loved. Breathing in one lastbigbreath she opened her eyes and towards the track in front of her.
"GO!" Quickly both took off in a sprint. Pushing against the wind, both stayed relatively close one only being a foot ahead of the other at each given time. Ruby's body pounded into the ground as she kept the momentum with each push off her feet. It was like she could fly at times when she ran so fast like the world was in slow motion. Looking over, Cinder started to fall behind a few, but close enough that she needed to give it her all. Pushing her muscles, she passed the finish line being a few inches in front of Cinder.
"Final times, 61.5 for Ruby, 63.0 for Cinder. You guys did great." Rubytook gasping breathsas she tried to capture the air she had lost while running. Next to her Cinder did the same as she leaned against the wall. After a minute of air, she took swigs of her water from the bottle she had brought. She then leaned against the wall next to Cinder, watching as other people lined up and were sent launching.
"You're damn good, I'll give you that," Cinder spoke her voice husky from the rapid breathing. Ruby looked over at Cinder, who hadsomesweat dripping down her smile on her face as she looked a bit downa Ruby. She quickly could feel heat rush to her face before turning away with a scuff.
"Y-Yeah well, you underestimated me," Ruby muttered out as she counited to watch the other runners. Soon enough the last pair went through, some getting close to Ruby and Cinders time. But not enough to beat the two.
"That is the last of the runners, ten minutes starts now." Ruby kept leaning against the wall, her breathing starting to return to normal with every often sip of water. Cinder's breathing also calmed down as they sat there, in silence.
"alright Ruby, Cinder you guys are up for the 100 mm dash." Nodding Cinder and Ruby got back on the running line just like what they were before. Taking a deep breath Ruby got into position, her feet digging into the ground.
"GO!" Taking off the two put everything into their muscles as the run was short. Cinder giving it her all was able to take one step past the finish line before Ruby. She was chuckling as both panted, hands on their knees. "Cinder 10.22, Ruby 10.23." Ruby bit the inside of her cheek at the loss she did. She knew the first run had deleted her energy, but not enough to lose that.
'She's fast. I'm going to have to train better.'Ruby thought as she started to lean against the wall, sipping on water.
"Good run today. You inspire me to practice more." Ruby jerked a bit before turning to Cinder, who had a genuine smile this time. Ruby could feel her heart squeezing at the way her eyes were a soft fire, and her smile warm as the fire. Feeling her throat tighten, her face turning more warm she faced a way with a clearing of her throat.
"R-Right. Well, you ran well too. Um, I look forward to competing against you more." Ruby spoke in a lower tone, but Cinder could hear it all. She didn't say anything after but had that smile on her face as she sipped on her water.
"Alright, team! You guys did great today. I have the rankings here. Starting from top to bottom." As she started to rank the students, her heartbeat was against her chest. She hated being put into a rank, as she felt like she never fit the puzzle.
"Lastly the top three, Skylark. A man with dyed black bluish hair that was gelled back cheered. "Rolf Landerstand." A man with dark gray hairdid a head nodas a scar was placed right across his nose. Ruby and Cinder quickly looked at each other before looking back at Harriet who was smirking.
"And first place is Cinder and Ruby."
"W-What?" Cinder looked almost offended as she stared at couch Harriet. Ruby looked almost relieved as she looked more confused.
"I know, it may seem stupid. But you two are on par with each other. Yet I think both of you can grow from each other's style of running. So for now, you two will be first, and from here work as a unit." Ruby looked up at Cinder, who looked back at her. Ruby rolled her eyes with a frustrated groan as Cinder did the same.
'Of course, I get stuck with a person. And to think Iwas going tobe able to come and not interact with people.'Ruby already started to dread the impending doomthat wason the horizon.
"Don't look so doom and gloom you two. This is a good way for you two to grow, as runners and self. Anyways that is that for today. Thank you all for showing up and see you two on Wednesday!" Ruby quickly turned around and grabbed her stuff. A frustrated huff escaped from her throat as she started to walk away angrily. Cinder didn't follow nor speak to her, feeling Ruby's frustrations and her own, she too left. Ruby walked home, as she held onto her backpack strap tightly in anger.
'Why why do I have to get stuck with people I don't like? First my sister and father. That annoying Penny girl. Now that cocky smirking bitch! Gah!'Taking a deep breath Ruby just shook her head at the thoughts invading her head. She wanted to just go home and play video games. Once she made it home, she quickly opened the door and closed it behind her. It was quiet as no one was in sight making a sigh of relief escape Ruby. She soon slipped her shoes off and made her way up the stairs. Once she slipped into her room. She closed the door behind her and started to set up her laptop. Once it was set up, she connected it to the charger and clicked the update button on the Hunters game. As that startedto download, she slipped out of her running clothing and into a black oversized sweatshirt. With black shorts that hide under the long hoodie. Once dressed, Ruby sneakedher wayout of the room and down the stairs. Not seeing or hearing anyone, she quickly grabbed a few things to eat and drink, before going back upstairs to her room.
Once her game was updated, she plugged in her equipment andstarted to callFlame. A few rings before a woman's voice came onto the other side. It was deep andraspyas it sounded almost like she had gone on a run, or just woke up.
"Yo Flame! Are you ready for this? This has been the only thing I've been excited for today." Flame chuckled at Ruby's excitement.
"Yeah yeah, mine is almost finished. How were the first two days at college?" Ruby groaned as she felt the frustrations come back. "That bad huh?"
"Flame you have no idea. I feel like I'm pulling teeth over here justtryingto get alone time. But I don't want to talk about it right now. I want to play this and not worry about my struggles for once" Flame chuckled.
"That let's do it!"
A knock on her door pulled Ruby from the paper she was working on, looking over at the clock it was 10:34. Cinder had gotten off early that night due to working outor something, so Ruby decided to get some schoolwork done before heading off to bed. She had worked on it for what felt like 20 minutes, turned into an hour, and now was being pulled from her work. Standing up with a groan she opened the door a sliver to see Yang. She had a small smile, her hands twiddling between each other. She looked nervous from the licking of her lips, and the movement in her eyes.
"Yes?" Yang gulped a bit before clearing her throat.
"I wanted to talk to you about something important." Widening her door Ruby looked up at Yang who stood a few feet taller than her.
"And what is that?"Ruby tilted her head as she noticed a deep breathbeing taken by eyes stared into Ruby's with determination.