He kept his head down and his hood up. He didn't want to deal with the stares that would come or the annoying comments from snot-nosed kids. His earphones were blasting his music to further distract himself from the outside world. He lost himself in his music; all the different notes carried his mind far away and right now all he wanted to do was disappear.
He headed for his usual resting place, the bench in the park next to the fountain. He glanced at his watch: 12:20. He still had time before she arrived. He sighed in relief; he thought his uncle would never let him leave the house.
He slowly sat down on the bench and watched a mom pull her kid out of the fountain. Natsu chuckled to himself. He wondered if he ever did anything like that with his mom. He knew next to nothing about his mom. He barely remembered his Dad. All he can recall is a sense of pride and extreme love he had for the man. For months after moving in with his uncle, he would wake up in sweats from the fear of not knowing what happened to his dad. That was when he was 7 though. His dad hadn't returned to save him, no, he had just disappeared, only leaving a white, scale-like scarf behind for him. He unconsciously adjusted the scarf around his neck.
People say he should be grateful to his uncle. His uncle was so kind to take him in and adjust his whole life for a 7 year old he barely knew. He spent his hard earned money on Natsu's clothes and food. Natsu smiled darkly at the thought. If only they knew, but they'll never know. Uncle Zeref was too good at hiding his intentions.
Zeref… his thoughts began to take a sharp turn. They were becoming too focused on the twisted, sadistic bastard.
Kill…
Destroy…
They words circled around in his mind. He brought a hand to his pounding, head. He couldn't take it.
That's when she walked by, with her ponytail swinging behind her. Her smile was a ray of sunshine in his dark world. He had never talked to her. Most days he just silently watched her from across the way. Her mere existence was calming and soothing to his being.
A new smile formed on his lips. The smile saved for her only. Not that she would ever see it.
But fate has its own plans and a gust of wind stirred the park. Ladies were holding their skirts and hats, children holding on to their balloons. But the boy so focused on a girl didn't even think to grab his hood.
As it fell a certain blond across the fountain looked his way. And big, brown eyes met dark charcoal ones.