An Aura of Hope: A RWBY Fan Fiction

Chapter Eight

When the boat reached the dock, I went down to the cabin to pack my things. Valerie came down while I was doing this and sat next to me. I acknowledged her but didn't say anything. I waited for her.

"James, I... I'm sorry," she said.

"What? Why on Earth are you sorry?"

"Because I kissed you. I only just met you a few days ago, and I don't think I can be with you."

"Why not? I thought you liked me. I like you too, Val."

"I do like you. But we're going to school now, and I don't think we need to be distracted by romance."

I didn't know what to say. Here I was, possibly in love for the first time in my life, and now she wanted nothing to do with me?

"Oh. Okay," I finally said. "I guess this is goodbye, then?"

"I-I-I didn't say that! We can still be friends, James. I just don't think we can be lovers."

"Well if we can't be together that way, I don't think we should see each other much. The temptations would be too great for me, Val."

"I... I see. Well, okay," her face darkened. "Then I guess this is goodbye. Goodbye, Louis. See ya around." She stood up, spun around, and marched out of the cabin. I thought I heard her sobbing.

I felt bad about how I made her feel, but I definitely wasn't sorry for how I felt on the matter. She was the one in the wrong here.

Right?

I finished packing my stuff and took it up to the deck. I left it by the docking ramp and turned to the upper deck. I walked up the stairs to the captain's cabin and knocked on the door. Rogers stepped out and barked, "What?" at me.

"Sir, I just wanted to thank you for the ride. I'm indebted to you." I bowed and held out my hand. He shook my hand, and I slipped him ten lien in the process.

"And thank you for the free labor, my boy." He grinned at me. It was the first time I'd seen him smile, so I smiled back. "Take care, Louis."

"You as well, Rogers."

I turned and walked back to my stuff. I put on the backpack, strapped the trunk onto it, and picked up the two suitcases and lugged them down to the dock. The city music filled the air with sweet melodies.

School didn't start for three days, so I needed a place to stay. Problem was, I only had fifty lien left, and I don't think there was anywhere in town that provided lodging and three meals a day for sixteen lien a night. And the only one in this city I know is Valerie, and I didn't want to poke an angry Ursa.

So I walked. And walked. And walked. In no particular direction. For I don't know how long. Not knowing what to do.

"Um, excuse me, sir?" came a female voice from behind me.

I turned around. "Huh? Me?" I asked the blond woman behind me. She looked to be around twenty five with wavy blond hair and eyes that were the same color as the lavender bushes that would invade the farm in the spring. She wore a brown jacket with an orange shirt and brown miniskirt. Her socks were at different lengths, which bugged me for some reason.

Then I realized I was checking her out, and so I jerked my head up to her eyes and felt heat rush to my cheeks. She laughed a warm chuckle that seemed to say, "Don't worry about it." I scratched the back of my head and asked, "How can I help you?"

"Well, peepers, I couldn't help but notice you wandering around. I was wondering if I could help you. Where you going?"

My face got even more red at the nickname. "I-I-I... Uh... Actually, I don't know. I need a place to stay for a few days and I only have fifty lien. Know any places in town that only charge sixteen a night? Meals included? That would be great."

She laughed again. "You're crazy, peepers. Nowhere in town's gonna do that for ya. Buuuuuut," she smirked, "I think I could arrange something for you at Casa De Yang."

"Is... Is that a hotel here?"

"Nope! It's my place." She stuck out her hand, which had a yellow bracelet on it. "Yang Xiao Long, at your service!" I shook her hand. "And who're you, peepers?"

"I'm James. James Louis. I can't thank you enough for this Ms. Long."

She seemed to cringe. "Oh, God, please don't call me that. Makes me sound old. Yang is what I go by, no matter who you are."

"Okay, Yang, then. Thank you so much for this."

"It's not a problem. House is empty this time of year anyways, so it gets boring being alone."

"You have family?"

"Kinda. They're my girl friends from school. Well, my sister is one of them, so I guess family is definitely in there."

"Cool! Well, Yang, lead on!"

She laughed. "Right this way, James!" She walked past me and led me to her house.