"I can still run it once the sling's gone," Jaune said. "I can't do much heavy lifting, so I might need to ask for help with that. I think Miltia and Melanie will spare some of their guys to help in the mornings, though. They're always offering." He laughed awkwardly at that, and no one noticed her flinch. Those two were friends with him, and she'd gone and acted like it was the opposite. If only she'd listened. "Anyway, this isn't really going to affect me. If anything, it'll be a convenient excuse for any slow service."
"You might even get higher tips out of pity," Blake teased.
"Hey, I'll take whatever I can get."
"What about tomorrow?" Yang interrupted.
"Huh?"
"You said you can continue working after the sling is off. What happens tomorrow?"
There was a moment or two before Jaune answered, and when he did, his voice was quiet. "I guess we'll be shut tomorrow. It's just one day. I'll be fine." He said it so calmly, so easily, that she almost believed him.
Almost. He was Ruby's friend, which meant he shared more than he probably should with her, and Yang knew he still had to gather as much as he could to see whether he could stay in business. Her actions – her stupid, foolish actions – would cost him a day's earnings. Worse, he'd still have whatever costs he had for that day.
Guilt tore through her. It would be her fault if he went out of business. Even if he didn't, he was going to suffer because of her. Already was suffering. Her head rose before she could stop it, her mouth opening. "I'll do it."
Ruby, Weiss and Blake turned to stare at her.
"What?"
"I'll run the diner," Yang said. "I'll work for you tomorrow and keep it open."
"Yang," Ruby whispered. "You don't know the first thing about doing that…"
She clenched her teeth together. "I can learn. I'm not stupid."
"And what of your lessons?" Miss Goodwitch asked. One of her brows was raised, but she didn't look against the idea… more like she wanted to see what Yang would think up.
"I could study outside of lesson-time," she offered. "Or I'll take detentions where I can study. It would just be the one day until he's able to move around again."
"You realise those would have to take place in your free time?"
She was actually considering it? Shock warred with surprise across Yang's face, but she forced herself to nod. "That's fine with me. Whenever and wherever."
"I'll help!" Ruby chirped, hopping up to stand beside her. She wilted a little when Glynda crossed her arms, but struggled on. "I-If that's okay, I mean? I want to help…"
"It might be better with more of us working together," Weiss said, stepping forward.
Yang's mouth fell open.
"Weiss…" Ruby whispered, either awed or afraid. Who was this, and what had she done with their prickly teammate!?
"Don't look at me like that," said teammate hissed. "The two of you know nothing about customer service, and Yang's knowledge on coffee extends to hot water on beans." Weiss smirked when Yang's cheeks coloured. "I am already his business consultant and I won't see him go bust while I'm here. My reputation would be ruined. I would never live it down!"
"Is that the only reason?" Blake asked.
Weiss snorted. "Of course it is. You're coming as well?"
"Might as well. I can't be the only one on the team not to."
Yang's voice almost broke. "You guys…"
"Ahem," Miss Goodwitch coughed, drawing attention to her. "While this is all very inspiring and such, I can't help but think you've missed my point about lessons. Your desire to help Mr Arc speaks well of you all, but your education is just as important, if not more so."
"Please, Miss Goodwitch," Ruby begged, hands held together before her chest. "Please…"
"I am not going to be swayed by begging, Miss Rose."
"Then how about reasoning?" Weiss offered. "Look at Yang. She isn't going to be able to concentrate in class if she's thinking about how someone can't earn the money they need to live because of her. She'll be next to useless. Would it not be better to let her handle this? People have days off school for sickness and they're able to catch up. We can, too."
Yang nodded eagerly. "I'll catch up. You know my grades are good, professor."
"They are," Glynda conceded. "Despite your behaviour in class…"
Yeah, well, how she acted and what she submitted were two different things. Her Dad and Uncle were teachers, and while you didn't want your parents to know you were getting low grades, you definitely didn't want to hand in crappy homework to your family. Like it or not, she was smart. Ruby wasn't the only hard-worker in the family.
Glynda looked to them, and then looked over to Jaune, who had been cautiously silent the entire time. There was no telling what he thought of the idea, but the fact he hadn't interrupted probably meant he liked it. That or he had no choice. He needed to stay open. He couldn't afford not to. Perhaps she saw that in his expression, for the teacher pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed.
"One day," she said.
Yang and Ruby cheered.
"One day!" Glynda went on, "And no matter what Mr Arc's state, no more. You will also have detentions with me this weekend to catch up on the missed work, and I will personally test you on it at the end. Should you score anything less than ninety per cent, I shall keep you in for consecutive weekends. Am I understood?"
Yang nodded. She didn't care. She was too happy, too relieved, too many things and all of them confusing. Either way, she had her permission, and with everyone else helping her as well, this was bound to be a cinch. "Thank you, Miss Goodwitch," she said. "I won't let you down."
"We won't," Ruby amended. "Ooh, this is going to be so cool!"
"We'll need uniforms," Weiss pointed out.
"Those will come out of your own expenses," Glynda said, "and I do mean yours. Mr Arc has trouble enough without being forced to clothe you."
"I can handle it," Weiss said easily, and she could with her finances. Four uniforms probably wouldn't make a dent on her weekly allowance, let alone her bank balance. "Thank you again, Miss Goodwitch. I'm sure this won't happen again."
"It won't," Yang promised. Her eyes traced over to Jaune's arm, and she swallowed once more. It wasn't just the knowledge of what she'd done – that had faded with his easy forgiveness. It was more the feeling and the memory, both of which haunted her still. Even if she hadn't meant it, she could still remember the exact moment it happened and what she felt.
She'd never experienced anything like it before. It was like taking a plastic doll and snapping it in two, except knowing that this was a real person – someone you genuinely liked, and who your little sister genuinely cared for. It was sickening. I never realised how strong we are. One mistake and I could kill someone. Gods, why did I never think of that when I caused that scene at Junior's bar? I unloaded in the air to make the customers run, but what if they'd trampled one another to death in the doorway?