After breakfast the group decided to go to the sparring arena, seeing as they had exam-style matches coming up on Wednesday. Blake informed Neo that these matches were graded with the same weight as an exam would be in any other class, and that Professor Goodwitch graded it solely based on technique, not simply being victorious. "That might be a bit of a problem for me," Neo laughed.
"Why do you say that?" Pyrrha asked. "You're an excellent fighter, I don't think your technique needs too much work."
"Yeah, well, I'm not really in charge of my fighting styles and techniques. Harley has that locked down, and I don't think she's very open to change."
Nora perked up at the mention of Harley's name, "Hey Neo, can we spar today? Please? I really wanna fight Harley."
"Hold on," Pyrrha interrupted. "I believe I'm the one who'll be sparring with her. We agreed after our match on Monday."
Neo gave a cocky smile, "Doesn't matter to me, I could probably take you both if you want."
"Oooo I think this'll be a good match," Ruby whispered over to Blake.
The Faunus girl nodded, "I should say so."
"We'll see about that," Jaune smirked. "Wanna up the ante? Think you could take all of team JNPR?"
"Oooooo!" came simultaneously from the rest of team RWBY.
Neo crossed her arms, "I know I can. In fact, I think I feel another bet coming on. Unless of course, you're too afraid after the last one."
"You're on!" Nora shouted before Jaune had to chance to say anything. "And I know what the loser should do."
Pyrrha looked concerned, "Be careful what you say, Nora."
As expected, she didn't listen. "The loser's punishment will be decided afterwards by the winner. No limitations, no boundaries. You have to do whatever they tell you to."
Neo rather liked the idea, but the rest of Nora's team wasn't quite so enthusiastic. "I'll agree to that on one condition," Jaune ventured. "It has to be Neo, and not Harley that decides what we do if we lose." A chorus of laughter erupted from both teams. Neo of course couldn't blame him for saying that, knowing full well the kinds of things Harley would put them up to.
"Alright, it's a bet," Neo grinned.
They finally arrived at the arena, and team JNPR and Neo took their positions in the ring. Ruby, Weiss and Blake sat in the front of the stands to cheer on their teammate. Okay, I can do this, Neo thought as she looked over her opponents. My biggest threat is Pyrrha, and probably Nora after her. Jaune will be easy to handle, but I'm not sure about Ren, I haven't seen him fight much. Let's see how this—
Neo suddenly found herself on the ground with a splitting headache, and both her team and JNPR surrounding her with concerned faces. "What... what happened?" she asked in a daze, bracing herself on Jaune and Ruby to stand up. "It feels like I was hit by a truck."
"Close, Nora drove you into the ground with her hammer from about fifty feet in air," Weiss replied.
Neo shook her head, "I can't remember a thing about the fight."
Wait a minute, I lost the match? I mean, I didn't have really high hopes of winning, but, I still figured I would. Uh oh, that means...
"I hope you still remember the bet we made beforehand," Nora said with an evil smile.
"I uh... Well, technically we never shook on it."
"Nuh uh, you're not getting out of it that easily. Now, what should you have to do..."
Neo laughed nervously, "You said Harley couldn't decide for you guys, so does that extend to Nora not being able to choose for me? They're pretty similar."
"Nope, you didn't say that when we made the bet," Jaune said. "Whatcha got, Nora?"
The redhead was deep in thought for a few minutes, giving Neo ample time to recover from the fight. "I've got it!" she suddenly shouted.
Pyrrha grinned, "Do tell."
"Neo... has to streak back to the dorms from here!"
Neo's face instantly turned red, as did everyone else's but Nora's. "I dunno, Nora," Jaune said, a little embarrassed at the thought. "That's a pretty long walk. We don't have to be that mean."
"No, it's alright," Neo cut in. "I agreed to the bet, and if that's what I have to do, I'll do it. Anyway, I kinda want to head back anyway, my head feels like it's gonna explode." Without much hesitation, she began removing her uniform. Everyone but Nora and Blake averted their eyes in embarrassment, but Neo didn't care either way. She picked up her pile of clothes and tossed to it Blake.
"Thanks, but I doubt they'll fit me," she joked.
Neo rolled her eyes, "Make sure you bring those back when you guys finish up here. See ya back at the room!"
With that, she took off sprinting back toward the dorms. She did her best to stay hidden, her aura helping her to move across open areas without being seen. Unfortunately, the illusion it left behind was also naked, so she had to exercise a little caution as to when and where she could use it. At last she reached the building, taking cover behind a tall hedge, but still had to run up and open the doors. She stepped out to make a run for the doors, but quickly turned around as they began to open. She leapt back behind the bush as Professor Ozpin stepped outside, followed by Professor Port.
Whoa, that was way too close, Neo thought, breathing a sigh of relief. Of everyone that could see me like this, those are probably the last two people I'd want to see me. Team CRDL wouldn't be too favourable either, but the headmaster is still worse. She waited until they were sufficiently far away and dashed to the door, throwing it open and sprinting up the stairs as fast as her legs allowed her. At last she made it to her room, quickly shut the door and jumped onto her bed to rest.
"Oh, hey Neo!" Yang called out from her bunk. "What're you doing back so—Um... Why're you naked?"
Neo sighed and shut her eyes, still panting from the run back, "Lost a bet with JNPR. Had to streak back here. How's your hangover?"
"I'm feeling pretty alright now. So, do you think you should put your clothes back on?"
"Yeah, probably. I'm gonna take a shower first though." Neo grabbed a new set of clothes and a towel and went into the bathroom.
Okay, that's the last time I make a bet where Nora's involved in any way. I need to think of a good way to get her back for that. With no one else waiting on her, Neo took her time in the hot water, mulling over her options for revenge against the fiery redhead. By the time she was finished, she was confident her plan was perfect. She stepped out and began to dry herself off, but paused when she heard a conversation outside the door. They're back already? No, there's no way. She moved to the door and pressed her ear against it to hear why they'd returned so quickly. I only hear Weiss and Yang. Why'd she come back alone?
Neo's question was immediately answered by the heiress herself, "No, I just wanted to check up on Neo. I've never seen someone take a hit that hard and just be okay."
"Aww, that's really sweet of you," Yang replied. "You're a good friend."
"Thank you Yang. Where is she anyway?"
"She's in the shower, probably will be out in a bit. Oh! I never got to ask you, how'd your date go?" Neo had gone back to drying off, but froze at Yang's last comment. She knew what the blonde would inevitably lead into. She jumped back to the door and cracked it slightly, eager to hear what Weiss would say.
"It certainly could've gone better," the heiress replied. "I thought he might be a nice guy, but it turned he's just another horny teenager."
Yang grinned, "Sounds like prince charming to me."
"Ugh, why do I even bother trying to be serious with you?"
"Oh lighten up, princess. I'm just messing with you. So, any other boys you've got your eye on? Or girls?"
Neo felt her heart leap into her throat, Oh my God, here we go.
Weiss raised an eyebrow, "Since when do you care about my love life?"
"I dunno, just making conversa—" Yang suddenly stopped, a look of amazement coming over her. "Hold on a minute, you didn't even react to me asking if you liked girls."
"I uh... Well... You, um..." the heiress stammered.
"Holy shit, there is a girl!"
"Shhh! Not so loud! Alright yes, there is, but please don't tell anyone!"
Yang pulled her teammate into a hug, "You got it. I just, I can't believe you of all people would be a bi."
Weiss sighed, "I know, that's why I didn't want to tell anyone. My father wasn't exactly... supportive when I came out to him. He said that it would ruin our family's name. I think he's just homophobic, and want to show him he's wrong, but I don't know if I'm ready yet."
"You shouldn't let him stop you from being happy. When you decide you're ready, I know your team will be nothing but supportive."
I can't believe it... She actually... And that means... Gah! I can't even think straight, I'm so happy! This could really happen! Neo thought with a massive smile. She speedily got dressed and went to open the door, but what she heard from outside stopped her dead in her tracks.
"So, can I know who this mystery girl is?" Yang asked. She looked over toward the bathroom, and froze when she saw Neo through the cracked bathroom door. Both girl's eyes widened, and Neo braced herself for what Weiss would say next.
"I uh..." Weiss started, looking slightly embarrassed. "It's..."
As the heiress trailed off, Neo felt the butterflies in her stomach trying to force themselves out, and felt she couldn't listen to any more. With a deep breath, she opened the door and walked out. "Ah, much better," Neo said, acting as nonchalantly as she could. "Oh, hey Weiss! What're you doing back?"
Weiss blushed, "I uh, came back to see how you were feeling."
"Aww, that was nice of you. I'm doing just fantastic. So what were you two talking about?"
"I was asking her how her date went," Yang said quickly, knowing that Neo had really heard the whole conversation.
Neo smiled, "Cool! She told me all about it when she got back this morning. She came in just after you fell asleep, I'm surprised you didn't wake up."
Yang laughed, "I'm not. I sleep like a hibernating Ursa. Now, if you ladies will excuse me, I need a shower myself." She hurried into the bathroom, leaving Weiss and Neo alone. "Hey Neo! You left your wallet on the sink!"
What, no I didn't. It's in my— Neo thought and reached into her pocket, but she was shocked to find it empty. How did it fall out? I didn't even set my clothes on the sink.
She walked into the bathroom and found Yang holding up her wallet, a smug smile on her face. "Stole it when I walked past, needed to get your attention. How much did you hear?" the blonde asked, tossing the wallet back up Neo.
"Pretty much all of it. Do you... Do you think it's me?"
"Yes! You really can't tell?" the blonde half yelled, and Neo shook her head. "Get out there right now and tell her how you feel!"
She's right, I can't wait any longer, I'll lose my mind if I do.
"You're right, thanks Yang!"
"Any time! Now get out, I actually do need a shower."
Neo nodded and walked over to her bed, Yang closing the door behind her. She looked over at Weiss, who had taken her usual seat at her desk. The heiress' face was covered by a book, but Neo could see the girl's face was still as red as it was before. ' Alright, here we go. Deep breaths, you can do this. '
"Hey Weiss?" Neo asked, her voice almost cracking. "Are... are you free tonight?"
"Um, I believe so, why?"
"I was wondering if you'd want to go get dinner?"
"Sure," Weiss replied with a smile, turning to face Neo. "Who all is coming?"
Neo blushed, but smiled back, "Just us. I was thinking it could be... it could be a date."
Weiss was stunned, "I... Are you... you're serious, aren't you?"
"Y-yes, I am," Neo stammered. "Look, I understand if you want to say no, I know we haven't known each other that long, and we only just became friends. It's just, I have to tell you how I feel, but I don't want things to be weird between us. I want us to be more than friends, I'm just afraid of what you'll say and and and—"
She started to hyperventilate, but Weiss rushed forward and put a finger to her lips to stop her from continuing. "Neo..." Weiss said in a sort of whisper. "I have to stop you there."
Neo couldn't stop the tears from rolling down her face, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I just—"
"Neo!" the heiress shouted, putting her hands on Neo's shoulders. Neo wiped her eyes, and meet Weiss' gaze. "Are you... asking me out?"
"I... Y-yes," Neo stuttered, and cleared her throat. "Weiss, w-will you be my girlfriend?" She waited for what felt like an eternity for the answer, all the while staring deeply into Weiss eyes. She felt a wave of both relief and fear wash over her, and was forced to look away. Weiss put a hand on Neo's cheek, cupping the girl's face and pulling it back to her. Neo looked up to see the heiress smiling wider than she ever thought possible.
"Yes."