A Talk Pt. 3

Author's Note:

Sorry I wasn't able to get a chapter out Yesterday.

I only had enough time to write one chapter.

-Have a good day!

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Sapphire POV:

Worrying about what may or may not happen will get me nowhere! I shake myself out of my thoughts and return to the present. Weiss is still sitting at my desk, silently waiting for the conversation to start. She dons a poker face, but the occasional worried glances she sends my way are betraying her. Blake is still sitting on her bed with a frown on her face; she seems deep in thought, but I have no way of telling what she is thinking. Yang is right next to her, and the hesitating look on her face is indicative of her indecision on how to start this conversation. Ruby still sits right next to me trying to give me some comfort in this situation. Both of her hands are doing their best to wrap one of mine in their warmth, but they are just too small. She has a worried look on her face, but slight frustration is mixed in behind it. I don't know the object of her frustration, but I just hope it isn't me.

As my thoughts grow more and more worthlessly anxious, I gently grasp one of Ruby's warm hands, and a slight smile is brought to my face. Feeling her small hand in mine felt, lightening, but…..I don't know….

I wouldn't want to burden even a stranger with my problems, let alone to unload onto people I care about. They all probably have their own things to deal with, and I don't want to add to that.

Yang didn't give me time to get my thoughts in order, however, and hit me with a question I didn't know how to answer.

"What was that?" She asked.

Her question was vague, but I did know what she was referring to. How could I not? It is the very reason this conversation is happening after all.

"I...don't know…" I muttered.

"You don't know?" Weiss let out with frustration and confusion.

I forced out an answer, "That's never happened before…"

There were no lies in my words, but I know they were expecting something more conclusive. The frustration on their faces is obvious, and this time I know it's directed at me. It makes me want to shrink into myself, and even Ruby's comfort is not enough to keep me from doing so.

I'm sorry…

We all sat in silence for a while before Yang, once again, asked me a question.

"Well, what do you know then?" She asked halfheartedly.

A lot…. I know a lot…..

"Umm, what do you mean?" I ask, knowing full well what she meant.

Still stalling, huh….

"Urg," Yang let out a grunt of frustration, and the silence returned.

…

..

.

I know they want answers, but I…

I'm afraid…

I want to give them some relief, but I don't want to lie to them. Blake, Yang, Weiss, Ruby; they've all been so supportive and welcoming of me, even if my start with Weiss was rocky. I don't want to ruin what we have with lies…

The silence continued for a while, but Weiss interrupted it.

"Let's stop beating around the bush. Sapphire, we all know something's going on. There is no point in stalling the conversation. I know you're afraid, but we can't be there for you if you don't let us!" She lectured.

In response I was barely able to let out a whisper, "I know...but...it's...not that easy…"

More silence.

"Enough of this," Blake muttered.

She then proceeded to stand up and walk over to me. Her presence now seemed so much more imposing.

"Sapphire, I've encountered many with your condition in my time before Beacon," She let out.

My heart stopped. I don't know what to do! I don't want to continue this conversation, but her words are leaving me with limited places of retreat. Her goal is to push me until I start talking, but just because I know doesn't mean I can do anything about it.

"You can't hide it from me." she stated, "You're using excuses and fear to keep yourself from bringing it to the surface."

Even if I wish to deny it, there is truth in her words, but even so! I just want to leave it alone. Is that so much to ask! I don't want to think about any of it! It's all better left forgotten...

"You just wanted to leave it all in the past, I know, but we both know that you will never forget anything. It's burned into your mind, forever." She called out my thoughts and their fallacies.

"I know, okay!" I yelled out while I stood up, causing everyone to flinch.

"I know…." I repeat myself, but this time with much less life in my voice.

I heavily slumped back down on the bed. I reach behind me and grab my picture frame. The cheerful group photo seemed to morph before my eyes. The smiling children that it depicted now lay lifeless, cold on the ground, with me standing above them. Alone.

I feel tears well up in my eyes, so I toss the picture aside. I don't want to remember them like that….It hurts.

I feel a weight rest itself to my left. I know without even looking that Blake just sat down beside me. She silently brought her hand to one of my ears and gently started kneading it. In great contrast to the overly stimulating actions Ruby has taken against my ears, Blake's slow, gentle movements provide an almost tranquilizing effect.

I just close my eyes and let Blake have her way. I let myself sink into my thoughts, and Blake keeps them calm.

I know they are just trying to help, and there is no reason to be so combative to that. Weiss, even if we started on the wrong foot, has time and time again gone out of her way to help me; whether that be with schoolwork, studying, or just transitioning into living at Beacon, she has done more than I could ever ask for. Yang has played a rather motherly role for the team as a whole. The care she has shown me made me feel like I had a family again. Blake, she's been as true a friend as she could be. Not a day goes by that I don't enjoy talking to her. She bleeds the long years of isolation from my system every day, and I couldn't be more grateful. Ruby is like an energetic little sister, and the antics we get up to bring a smile to my face every time. At this point, I don't know what it would be like without them, and I couldn't be happier about that.

They've all done so much for me the least I could do is answer their questions...right?

"Haaaah…. Fine then…." I say as I sit up, "I guess you should get your answers."