Rica would KILL you if you didn't.

Combat Class was less engaging for you than usual. You generally loved the class. Not only did Goodwitch know her stuff, but she was also super hot in your opinion. Beautiful, classy and kick-ass- not to mention older and WAY out of your league. Not that you didn't think that Ruby wasn't also out of your league, but given the fact that that you were only a year older than she was (you had been allowed to attend Beacon a year early, which put you a year younger than everyone else in your year, except your crush) made her that much more attainable.

"Do we have any volunteers?" Goodwitch asked. Though this had primarily been a lecture day, there was enough time for students to put theory into practice in a round or two of mock combat.

Rica nudged you and gave you a peircing glare before standing and addressing the instructor. "I volunteer, Professor!"

"Good," Goodwitch neutrally praised in her no-nonsense way. "Does any..."

Rica then interupted her. "And I'd like to challenge Yang Xiao Long!"

This sent everyone whispering.

Very few people ever had the guts to challenge Yang. Even Pyrrha Nikos, who was almost completely undefeated, was challenged more. Yang, after Pyrrha, had the next most impressive combat record and very few people could claim to have defeated her.

You are even amongst them.

Of course after you'd beaten Yang, the next week she challenged you to a rematch and you were beaten soundly. Still, you had a victory against Yang where most didn't. Rica most certainly didn't. Still, you had to hand it to Rica. She was going to get pummeled, but still went down to the ring as if she was going to somehow score a victory.

"GO YANG!" Ruby cheered. Her enthusiasm made you smile.

"What is Peridot thinking!?" You hear Schnee ask Belladona in deisbelief. While the Schnee Heiress has a rather condescending demeanor at times- not to mention how her own personality constantly led her into conflict with Rica, she actually sounds rather concerned for your team mate.

"Maybe she thinks she's got a better strategy than the one she used last time?" Belladonna mused.

You subtly scoot a bit closer to Ruby.

"S-so... R-Ruby..." You hesitate.

Ruby glances at you, briefly taking her eyes off of the match that was about to happen between your two team mates. "Yeah?"

Despite the fact that she is literally not doing anything but being her normal self, you suddenly feel cripplingly self-conscious now that her attention is focused on you. It's all you can do to not look away from her in embarassment, though you imagine you're sporting quite the blush. How Ruby doesn't seem to notice is beyond you.

Schnee is focusing on the upcoming match completely, seemingly hoping that Yang's brutish style didn't hurt Rica too badly. Belladonna, on the other hand, notices you trying to talk to Ruby. Seeing your nervousness and complete lack of focus on your team mate, she quickly puts two and two together as her eyes widen slightly in surprise. She quickly looks back down at the match, a small smile gracing her lips.

"Y-You..." you struggle to find something to say. "Don't think th-that Yang will hurt her too badly, do you?" You mentally wince. It's one thing to know Rica is going to lose and lose badly. It's another thing to verbally acknowledge it, let alone to a member of another team- especially if that someone is on the same team as the person about to pummel her.

"Oh, I'm sure Rica will be fine!" Ruby says reassuringly.

"Uh... W-Well... Maybe," you say unconvinced.

Papaya cuts in. "S-She put her in the infirmary last time."

Both you and Ruby were each startled by the fact that Papaya even spoke up, which was a rarity with anyone not a professor or on her team.

Ruby looked sheepish and scratched the back of her head in embarassment. "W-Well... Maybe that won't happen this time!"

One of the things you admire about Ruby is her eternal optimism. It's one of her defining traits and something that was about to be used against her.

"Well if it does, then you guys should compensate our team in some way," Seneca steps in, much to your horror. While before class she and the others had been encouraging you to go on a date with Ruby, she was now seemingly torpedoing your chances.

"In what way?" Belladonna asked suspiciously. Meanwhile, you just want to sink into the floor.

"If Rica does end up in the infirmary again," Seneca stipulated. "Then what you owe us should be discussed between our captains... Over dinner! Which our fearless leader will pay for!"

"What?" You and Ruby ask incredulously at the same time.

Team JNPR (who were sitting in the row in front of you), and the currently non-combatant members of yours and Ruby's teams are looking at Seneca like she's crazy. Meanwhile, with her eyes, she's trying to convey a hidden message for you to just roll with it.

Personally, you just wish the floor would spontaneously open up and swallow you whole.

Nikos and Valkyrie instantly get what's going on, judging by the former's giggle and and the latter's wide smile. Arc looks lost, but Nikos silently promises to explain later as they turn back around while Ren looks as impassive as ever, though he seems vaguely amused. Times like this, you can't help but envy and admire his ability to remain completely calm in seemingly any and every situation.

Schnee is the most disbelieving as she starts putting the peices together. "Seriously!?" Before she can say anything more, Belladonna elbows her in the stomach.

"We accept those terms," Belladonna speaks up.

"We do?" Ruby asks in confusion.

"HA!" Seneca cheers. You merely facepalm while Papaya giggles at what has just happened and Seneca grins triumphantly.

"I'm not gonna be the one to tell Yang about this," Schnee states while crossing her arms.

"Huh?" Ruby asks her partner.

At the same time, Papaya, Seneca, Belladonna and Team JNPR all state quietly, "Not it!" As do a couple of other people who were apparently listening in.

"I'm missing something here, aren't I," Ruby looks at you with hope in her silver eyes that you'll explan what in the world is going on. Before you can even begin to answer, Rica is taken down by Ruby's sister.

Professor Goodwitch calls up to your team. "Miss Green, Miss Everhart, can the two of you escort Miss Peridot to the infirmary?"

"I-I'll explain it o-over dinner, should I survive that long..." you promise.