A/N Thank you all for the continued support. I was wrong when I said this would be three chapters, I keep cutting the chapters down and expanding them. Once again, thank you to Theeubernoob and apologies to Kaylice or iIllusiona or whatever your name is today. Poll results at the end of the chapter.
I had hoped the roof would give me the answers I was looking for. Instead, I found my next mistake. I had been shot down by Weiss, was actively avoiding my friends, and my head was spinning. I took a few steps onto the roof and fell to my knees. I couldn't think straight.
"Weiss is right. I'm a disgrace to this school. I couldn't even get in." I said to nobody in particular. It was true, I didn't get into beacon. I lied my way into beacon. I had gotten my hands on some fake transcripts and used those, thinking I could go here and be better. I wanted to be like my father, and my grandfather before him. They were great warriors, while I was a scrawny, weak failure.
My father was elated when I got my acceptance letter. I had never seen him filled with such pride. He picked me up in a bone-crushing bear hug. He had tears rolling down his cheeks. His son had finally done him proud. Only if he knew how I had done it. He would disown me, possibly try to kill me. He believed in honesty, and I failed him in that regard. I was a failure.
"Maybe I should just jump." I said, looking out over the edge. I sat there in contemplation for a brief second before a familiar voice sounded from behind me.
"Please don't say things like that. It's not funny." My partner, Pyrrha, said, looking at me with concern.
"I'm sorry." I replied, hanging my head. "It's just, I don't belong here."
"Nonsense, you earned the right to be here, just like all of us." She said, with a reassuring smile. "You may have used those transcripts, but you have earned your spot here."
"How?" I replied, eyes beginning to water. "I have done nothing but hold you and everyone else back! I just keep screwing up, dragging all of you down to my level."
She looked at me, before putting a hand on my shoulder. "You're wrong, Jaune."
"What?" I said, slowly looking up at her.
"You've made all of us stronger. You helped me to be able to have genuine friendships. Before you, everyone found me to be above them. No matter what I said, people found me unapproachable due to my celebrity. If you wouldn't have come along, I would be alone and miserable." She said.
"P-pyrrha, I don't know what to say." I stammered.
"You don't need to say anything. I just need you to understand that you belong here. What made you feel like this?" She said with concern.
"I…I tried everything I could to get Weiss to go to the dance with me. I had a bouquet of white roses, and I poured my heart out to her. She told me that I'm a disgrace to the school. I'm beginning to think she's right." I said, hanging my head in my hands.
Pyrrha looked at me with a concerned expression. "That was cruel of her to say. You have a place here. If you weren't worthy of this school, we wouldn't be here talking about it now. Just forget about her, she doesn't deserve you."
"T-thanks Pyrrha." I said, looking out into the night sky. "You've been a great friend and mentor for me, I don't know what I'd do without you here."
"Don't worry Jaune, I'm happy to help." She said, wrapping an arm around my shoulder. She pulled me forward, leading me to the door.
I watched him from the rooftop, lurking in the shadows. I saw him in obvious pain, and had to fight the urge to comfort him. I knew that I wanted to be with him. I wanted to be there for him. There was a small problem, he knew almost nothing about me. He didn't even know I was a faunus. I sat there, perched in the shadows, thinking as I watched him collapse to his knees.
I don't remember when the attraction started. I met him the day of initiation, as he came screaming across the sky due to a deathstalker. I found him to be weak, and pitied his partner, Pyrrha. Over time, I watched him from a distance, getting to know more about him while keeping myself hidden. He was always caring, he showed far more concern for his friends than himself. He wanted them to be happy, and helped himself only to be able to help them more. He was kind and forgiving. He was tolerant, standing up to Cardin in order to help Velvet in the cafeteria. He showed compassion to the faunus. I knew Velvet beforehand, and she was noticeably happier after Jaune's intervention. I guess I just desired to be the one to care for him back.
I watched as he was comforted by Pyrrha, envying her position. I knew how bad he was hurting, and I wanted to be able to help him. I just didn't want to scare him away. I watched as she slung an arm around him and pulled him back to the door. I smiled, knowing that at least he would be happy with her.
The feeling of Pyrrha's arm around my shoulder inspired something in me that I was lacking. I felt hopeful for the first time in a while. I looked at her, feeling empowered from her smile. I felt my heart flutter. I felt the twangs of love fill my head. I did not know where this would lead, but I knew that I had to pursue it.
Only if I had known the consequences.
Thank you all for reading. Now the results of the poll. The winners are a three-way tie between Coco, Velvet, and Jaune. This will be interesting. Time for an OT3, people. Next chapter should be out in about a week. After both these stories are written, I will announce my first full-length story. Until then, be sure to comment and Happy New Year.
