Outcasts

Meeting

Winter sits restlessly in the driver seat of her car. She pulls her smartphone out of the pocket of her skinny jeans and opens up the small assortment of texts that she exchanged with Qrow the day before. Winter checks the address on her phone, then looks to the house. It has a poorly kept lawn in front, and two large windows on the front of the house. It is definitely cheaper than Winter's house, but it isn't completely disheveled.

Winter opens the text bubble and types.

"I'm here."

Less than a minute later a response pops up.

"Come on in."

Winter quickly leans over to the passenger seat and grabs her bag. She leans back over and opens the door. She walks around the grassy patches in the sidewalk up to the house, then walks up a three-step staircase up to the door. Winter lifts her fist to knock. The door opens before her hand makes contact.

There, stands the man from the photo. Black hair, strong jaw, slight stubble. Now he is wearing a dark grey band t-shirt and a dark pair of jeans. He rests his weight on his forearm against the inside of the doorframe.

"Hi." Winter blurts out. She stretches out her hand for a handshake. Qrow just turns around.

"Come in." He turns left into the kitchen and opens the fridge. He pulls out a diet soda. "Want one?" He asks.

"No thanks." Winter steps over the threshold and into the house. She closes the door behind her.

"So, what did Ironwood tell you about me?" Qrow turns back to Winter and cracks open his can of soda. She is still standing near the door, unsure where to go from there.

"Oh. Well," Winter studders. "He just said that you need my help with history."

Qrow walks to his left into the living room. Winter follows. Qrow flops down on the couch. Winter spots a brown arm-chair in the corner and makes her way around the coffee table in the center of the room over to the chair. Winter moves the bag off of her shoulder and pulls out a large textbook.

"I brought the book from the class, but I also brought some of my notes if you want to-" Winter starts to talk but Qrow cuts her off.

"I'm not as dumb as you think I am," Qrow says, annoyed. "I'm only failing cause I don't care what that old man thinks of me."

"What?" Winter raises her eyebrows.

"You really are wasting your time." Qrow says.

"Well, I am just doing what I'm told." Winter drops the book on the table.

"You seem like you have a lot of better things to be doing rather than helping a "failing student" like me." Qrow sits up and makes eye contact with Winter.

"You don't know anything about me." She says, sternly.

"Lets see. Pearl necklace, nice car, 4.0 gpa. I don't think you understand my situation." Qrow sits back. Winter growls and grabs the book from the coffee table.

"Shut up!" She shoves the book in her bag and stands. "Have fun failing." Winter shouts. Qrow just smirks. Winter quickly walks to the door.

"Later, Ice Queen." Qrow yells from the living room. Winter turns her head from the door confused.

"Ice Queen?" She asks.

"You're rich and cold hearted. I thought it was appropriate." Qrow answers happily.

Winter growls again and opens the door. She walks through and slams the door behind her.

Winter pulls her phone out of her pocket. She holds her hand up to her face to hide her tears and holds the phone to her right ear.

"You were right Glynda. He's an asshole."