Weiss knew she was a failure once Ozpin had declared Ruby as their team leader. And she knew she was a failure when Port (Professor Port, she reminded herself, well knowing that she had to be respectful to her elders and her teachers-No matter how they throw their weight around) technically called her a spoiled brat. And she had failed miserably (Well, not really), when Jaune finally gave up on her (Did he? Well, Neptune is a strong rival for her heart…).

She knew she wasn't good enough. Her father and her older sister, Winter, had treated her very much so. And of course, she believed them.

She was the person everyone despised. She was bratty, over-dramatic and arrogant. A perfectionist, over-confident and ruthless. They wanted her gone. Dead. They didn't want her to be a part of team RWBY because they think she would manipulate her teammates to lose. Whenever she would hear stories like that, it would hurt her. But she never showed it. She let the pain stab her heart like tiny, pin-prick of needles. Weiss had mastered to keep her emotions behind a mask. She was only human-Weiss knew that. But she wanted her family to be proud of her. To uphold her-like they did with Winter. To them, she was only second-best.

Weiss sat on the cold, wooden bench on the rooftop of their dormitory. She wanted to be alone with her thoughts-just for that night. She wanted to have peace and so Weiss did something she never did around her teammates-she snuck out in the middle of the night while everyone else was sleeping. The night was chilly-of course. It was November. She expected the early onset of snow, yet it would seem she would soon get her wish. The chill from the night wind sent shivers down her spine and goosebumps up her arms and legs. Weiss cursed silently, wishing she had brought a blanket along or a coat.

As the cold painfully jabbed her exposed skin that wasn't covered by her nightgown, Weiss drifted bacl to her thoughts. Or, rather, memories of what it was like growing up in the Schnee household. Everything she did was monitored. There was always an attendant to care for her needs and a nanny who watched over her. Taught her everything she knew. A shame Nanny Elizabeth had to stay behind the manor as Weiss studied in Beacon…

Her family had expected her to be like Winter-prim and proper. Winter was at least five years older than Weiss and yet her family was fonder of the eldest daughter of Kalt Schnee.

She remembered the days when she and her sister were close, then drifted apart after one tragedy…

Since then, the Schnee family (mostly her father) wanted Weiss to be more like Winter. Act like her. Dress like her. She spent hours pouring herself in extensive training for etiquette and manners. She spent a fortune on her wardrobe, jewelries and accessories. Everything, though, was already decided for her. Ever since she was a child, had been decided and there was nothing she can do to reverse their decision.

Inheriting a part of the company and how she was going to live her life. And even who she was going to marry…

It would seem that Weiss had no right in finding her happiness.

But, not all of her father's decisions made her unhappy. When he said that she would study how to control her semblance and how to wield her rapier, it brought a sense of excitement to her heart. A spark of hope lingered-that this was the only way to make her father proud.

From a young age, she pushed herself to train-Until she dropped from exhaustion or until her opponents have given up. At the age of thirteen, she trained under the wings of the skilled teachers from Atlas. She wanted to hone and improve her skills even further. Broaden her knowledge. She became arrogant because none could even match her skills. She, as she had thought, was already perfect.

But then, her father put her under the ultimate test-To face the Giant Armor in White Castle.

Her fingers found their way to her almost fading scar over her left eye. Although it was only two years after the fight, the memory was still burned in the back of her mind.

Her scar was a permanent reminder that she wasn't as perfect as she thought she was. It shattered her completely.

Her father grew distant and her sister kept avoiding her.

That was the final straw.

Despite her father's decision to send her to finishing school, Weiss enrolled in Beacon Academy in high hopes of becoming a Huntress. She, for the first time, disobeyed his wishes. She wanted to leave her own legacy and cut the strings her father had used to control her for seventeen years.

She came to Beacon with determination and hope that she would lead a team of her own and graduate with top marks just to prove to her father that she can do better without him. That everything she was doing was all worth it.

But all her plans were changed when a red-cloaked girl came crashing down upon her and made them explode in the middle of the courtyard. So much for a first impression…

And that girl, that idiotic clumsy girl, was named Ruby Rose.

Weiss' encounter with that girl changed everything around her. Ruby was chosen as team leader and Weiss as her team mate. And for a short period of time, Weiss grew to despise her.

Then Ruby changed the way she was thinking. Ruby led them into battles with wisdom and skill. Natural leadership. And Ruby, Blake and Yang's presence changed Weiss completely. She was kinder, more trusting and smiled more often that she should've had.

And for the first time, she felt safe. Loved. As if she was in a real family around her friends.

The white-haired girl sighed softly and stared straight ahead. The stars were out tonight and the shattered moon glowed in a distance.

The green glow of the Beacon Tower gave the sky around it an eerie aura. It perfectly suits the grim situation they would be facing soon enough-The Vytal Festival Tournament.

Kingdom against Kingdom, School against School-and Vale would be the host for this year.

Her team trained harder each day, determined to bring glory to their school. It made their stances, forms, semblances and combinations even stronger. It was as if they had memorized each move they made together. Like a waltz, like ballet. Still, the thought of the tournament made her stomach churn with nervousness. They were going to face the best students from all the combat schools in Remnant.

And the elimination rounds were only a few days away…

"Weiss?"

Weiss wanted to whip around at the direction of the voice, but she caught herself.

Didn't even need to turn her head. "Hello, Jaune."

She could hear the sound of his bare feet echoing on the concrete floor. The boy took a seat next to her. She heard the soft creak of the wood as he moved. Weiss risked a glance to him. He, too, had changed. Jaune finally ditched that ridiculous onesie in exchange for a white cotton shirt and blue sword-pattered pajamas. His built now was strong and stocky. His arms were now well-defined with muscles due to the hours he put in training with Pyrrha every night. "Why are you up so late, Snow Angel?"

Ugh. She hated that nickname. Well, it came from the Knight himself so it would irritate her. But if it were to come out of Neptune's mouth…she would gladly be called Snow Angel all day.

"I…can't sleep." She fibbed. "And why are you here?"

It must've came out harsher than she thought because she caught him flinch.

"Nora's snores were getting really louder each hour so…yeah, I can't sleep either." He said with a chuckle. Jaune smiled at her and faked a yawn-stretching his arms. Weiss knew what would happen next so she scoots away from the boy. She was sure he was only making advances because she was famous. Because she was rich. And she would never let him near her if that happens. "I see…"

His mouth curved into a frown. "Did I do something wrong again?"

Again. As if he made another mistake. In Weiss' imagination, there was a chalkboard that had marks whenever Jaune did something stupid. And so far, she needed a fourth chalkboard.

"No." the lies were getting easier to tell. Well, lies she would tell Jaune. She would never lie to her friends (except if it was necessary).

"Then why are you so far away?" he was irritating, this boy. No matter how many times she told him to leave, he wouldn't. She thought he had already given up on her, seeing as he danced with Pyrrha in the ball. Apparently not.

She turned her head to face him. She noticed that his eyes were in a darker shade of blue, much like hers. But unlike her icy-like stare, his was beautiful. Like the night sky. As if the light reflecting on them were the stars.

And when the light shines brighter...it was the sky before dawn.

Why did you have to be unknown in the world I live in...? she asked herself, then regretted it after. "I need personal space, okay?" she told him before facing the stars once more-the stars in the sky above.

There was a wall of silence between them and Weiss could imagine a literal one that was right smack in the middle. His presence unnerved her, for some reason. Like he was an itch she couldn't scratch.

"I heard some legends about stars, you know. Pyrrha likes telling me legends and myths." Jaune spoke out of the blue, his voice low and alluring. That surprised Weiss, seeing that she couldn't shake off that irritating boy-ish voice of his. But now...now it was different.

But it made her think twice. She wouldn't allow him to fool her like this...

"They're just balls of hot gas, Jaune. Don't believe everything you hear." she wanted to scoff at his ignorance, but abstained.

"Don't be so literal, Weiss." he laughed softly. The corners of his eyes crinkled when he smiled and made his ocean-blue eyes sparkle.

She wanted to kick him for being so annoyingly handsome.

He rubbed his hands together and grinned. "And it's a fun story, actually. Wanna hear about it?"

She knew it was nearing midnight and they both have classes tomorrow. Port's class...

"Sure, why not?" she crossed her arms and legs and leaned against the wooden bench. "Go ahead. Tell me all about your stars."

He cleared his throat (it sounded so silly and out of place) and looked up at the sky.

"In Greek Mythology, when you died a hero or did something to honor the gods in your lifetime, they put you up in the sky as constellations. They did that to Hercules, Orion and countless others. And now, they're greatly admired by all."

Weiss raised an eyebrow. "And how is that fascinating?"

His smile slightly faded, his body slouching forward. "Well, they died a hero and was honored enough to be put in the sky with the rest of the stars. Or the rewards of being a hero. I just like the idea of it."

She began tapping her fingers against her arm. "And this sense of heroism is just wanting to be famous, correct?"

"Like you?"

The statement caught her off guard. "And what do you mean by that?"

His smile was less friendly and more sympathetic. "You always seem like you wanted to be well-known. You train harder than anyone I've known. Studied harder. Pressed yourself to your limits. You boast of your achievements and you always wanted to win. You can't take a defeat so easily. So I guess you have that sense of heroism too."

"You," her voice was shaky and her perfect nails dug into her skin. "don't know me."

"No, I don't." he didn't flinch at her glare. "But I've been trying to."

"I..." she wanted to bite her tongue. She wanted to keep silent but she cannot allow Jaune to win this. "I don't want you to try. I want you to stop pestering me."

His smile fell completely. "Why? I'm only trying to get to know you better. I'm just trying to understand why you're like...that."

That ticked her off even more. "I'm what? Tell me, Jaune. I'm what?" she nearly snarled at him.

Jaune finally flinched. "I'm...not sure how to answer that.."

She could see his throat move in nervousness. "but Weiss, it's like you're closed up. You're always in solitude. I've been trying...I've been figuring out how to get through this wall in front of you."

Weiss would think that he was only doing this to be friends with her. Bur she was sure that Jaune had other plans.

The heiress stood up from her sear, her hands firmly on her sides. Her azures glowered down at the young knight. "I don't need you to prod into my life. So what if I'm like this? So what if my actions cause so much hate from others? I don't live for you, nor for the people around me."

Jaune, too, stood to his full height. He was a full foot taller than her; even without Weiss wearing heels. She was sure, yet she was more mature compared to the others.

His eyes shone with worry and...something else. Weiss couldn't identify what it was. "B-because...I love you, Weiss."

His confession didn't even make her heart waiver nor even skip a beat. It didn't send a shiver down her spine. It merely made her chest and throat tighten...

I will only hurt you, Jaune. it's better off this way.

She stared at him, her face stoic.

"I don't have time for this." she said irritably and turned away from him. The cold floor made her bare feet numb. Weiss wanted to walk away without remorse in her mind. Yet she risked one last glance to Jaune and saw his expression-heartbroken.

Her chest began to hurt again.

No wonder, why they all hate me. Why they all despise what I am...

Weiss had to will herself to walk away. She left Jaune standing there, their last words to each other left hanging in the cold, night air.

When she entered the shared dorm room of her team, Weiss was shivering badly.

She stayed at the rooftop too long. Slowly, she crawled back into her bed and wrapped herself in her covers. It barely warmed her shaking body but it was a process. A very slow process. She could hear her roommates' snores that echoed in the dark room. The creak of the bed above her whenever Ruby moved.

She wondered how that bed stayed stable...

Then Jaune crossed her mind once more. She knew Jaune wasn't all too sincere on his intentions, that he was merely after her fame and money. And that she was merely an instrument to become well known himself.

But why did he react that way? Why did her chest hurt so much when she rejected him again? Was she deeply affected by that?

Not possible...I shouldn't be. She pressed her right hand on her chest, trying to slow down the beating of her heart.

Weiss shouldn't be affected by Jaune's plight. She wanted to hate him. She wanted to despise the knight. But for some reasons unknown, she couldn't.

I'm attracted to Neptune. And no one else. She reminded herself. She forced to think about him rather than Jaune. Rather than that irritating boy.

She pursed her lips and sighed. He was occupying too much of her thinking space. She reserved that for her battle strategies, her plans and Neptune. There's no space left for a boy named Jaune Arc.

She closed her eyes and willed herself back to sleep. She had done enough for one day and her encounter with Jaune that night was one of the things she wished that didn't happen. Her body was aching. And soon, she couldn't stay awake.

She woke up too late for Port's class the next day.

A/N: Oh my goodness, finally! I risked everything and published this planned story of mine. It took a lot of editing and thinking ;n;

But it was all worth it (I hope it was!). This was an old fic of mine (as some of you would remember) and decided to edit it. I thought about the actual plot and I hope my writing improved (even if was a small improvement).

Anyways, leave your reviews and favorites are appreciated! Thanks guys, till next chapter~

xoxo,

Sun Dragon