Those Of A Lifetime

Chapter Nine: Something New

[Time skip, one week]

I've liked Pyrrha for a while now, but I'm pretty sure that it's just a crush, at least I hope. I don't want my feelings for her to get in the ways of my studies and training. Like a broken record, Weiss' confession of that night kept on replaying itself in Ruby's head causing her to lose some focus of those surrounding her.

"Ruby?" Ariel called out when Ruby walked past her. "Ruby, are you alright?"

Ruby stopped on her heels, held her breath, then released it slowly. Ariel came around and placed a gentle hand on Ruby's shoulder.

"Ruby, you don't have to tell me now if you don't want to, but I'd like it if you tell me things when something's wrong. So that... maybe I can help..."

"Ariel... I don't know if you can help me this time..." Ruby proceeded to walk away.

"Ruby! Wait!" Ariel briskly walked to catch up to Ruby. "We're friends, right?"

"O-of course! Of course we are!"

"Well, if we are. I'd like know what's wrong with my friends, so I can help them."

Ruby exhaled an exhausted sigh. "It's Weiss. I love her, but she has her eyes out for someone else."

"Oh... do you know with who?"

"Pyrrha Nikos. And can I blame her? Pyrrha is smart, beautiful and world renowned fighter."

"R-Ruby... did you forget that you share all your classes with Pyrrha, with the exception of one?"

"Yeah, but... I'm not super attractive, nor am I that smart or a world renowned fighter. I don't even know how I got into this school!"

"Ruby, we all know that gifted students are welcomed here." Ariel mentioned softly.

"Why do we have to have feelings? Wouldn't life be easier without them?"

"That would be rather unfortunate..."

"I think I'm just going to try to forget all this and just focus on becoming a huntress..."

"Ruby, please don't tell me you're planning on doing that alone."

"Of course I am. I won't have to get in the way of anyone else.

"Ruby, we are to grow together and form teammates. We can't just do things alone."

"Ariel, I really don't know what to do..."

"You're not alone in this, remember that."

Ruby sighed. "You've been really good to me, you know. And just an overall great person. Whoever it is that you like must be a fool to not see it."

"Um... no... I think they're just... going through some tough times right now."

"Oh yeah? Well, I hope things work out for you."

If only you could see that you're the one I wish to share my word with, but right now you just have too many demons tearing at you... Ariel wanted to say, but stayed silent.

"Hey, things will be alright." Ruby smiled as she placed a gentle hand on Ariel's shoulder.

"Right..." Ariel muttered.

"C'mon now. Let's not let love bring us down." Ruby grinned. "It's funny, cause now you're the one who's upset."

Ariel managed to smile. "You know, you have a chance with Weiss. Since you already know that she likes girls. Maybe she'll have a thing for you?"