So, I have been having a little trouble coming up with new chapters for my other stories; thought I would write something different. I hope you all enjoy, reviews are very much appreciated!
Levy looked into her coffee mug, sleep trying to take ahold of her. She felt a gentle push on her arm, her senses jolting to the forefront.
"That is the second time in the past 20 minutes, you sure you've been getting enough sleep?" Her best and closest friend Lucy Heartfilia asked, snapping her fingers in Levy's face.
Levy jumped in her seat.
"Huh? No, yeah. I've been sleeping." She lied.
For the past year Levy had been working double shifts at the hospital, ever since her father lost his job; due to "personal issues". She never accounted to be living at home for so long; she also didn't think her father would turn to booze instead of finding a job. Levy found herself stuck being the only source of income; putting her dreams as a writer on hold.
"Levy, how many hours did you work yesterday?" Lucy asked, calling for the waiter to refill their coffee.
Levy calculated it all, holding her fingers up as markers.
"Well, since Lisanna left sick; I'd say about 14 hours. I got to take an extra break though!" Levy smiled, then it seemed to disappear noticing Lucy's expression.
Lucy sighed, picking up her mug and taking another sip of her coffee.
"You need to stop this, I think it's been long enough." Lucy exhaled another deep breathe.
"Lucy, I can't just leave him. Not since my mom, well; you know…" Her sentence seemed to trail off after that.
Levy didn't like bringing up the subject of her mother. What she had done to her father was unforgivable; her mother had decided she was no longer happy with her life as a housewife and left her father high and dry. He wouldn't tell Levy everything about that day, one thing she knew was that it had a lot to do with his unemployment and new found drinking problem. At times she felt bad for her father, she loved him and only wanted to see him happy; yet another reason she couldn't leave him.
"I know, but it wasn't your fault." Lucy looked at her concerned. "Don't let what your mother did define the rest of your life."
"Lucy, I know." Levy looked back down at her coffee. "I just, I just can't leave him; I can't be like her."
"Hey, look at me!" Lucy demanded; Levy lifted her head. "You will never be like her, what she did was selfish; something that you are far from."
Levy just sighed, taking a sip from her mug; than glancing at the clock on the coffee shops wall.
"Oh no!" Levy gasped. "I have to go to work!" Levy jumped out of her seat, placing a few dollars on the table. She gave Lucy a quick hug before running out of the coffee shop; bolting for Magnolia Hospital.
Levy slowly made her way up the stairs to her house, wincing after every step; she had worked another long 12 hour shift at the hospital. She was in desperate need of a bath and about 2 years' worth of sleep. She unlocked her front door and walked inside. She tiptoed through the kitchen trying to not make too much noise. Looking at the clock on the stove, it was almost 11 o'clock at night; she didn't know how much more she could take.
She stepped into the living room and saw her dad asleep on the recliner, with a beer in his hand; a six pack on the floor. Levy sighed, setting her belongings on the couch and cleaning up the mess that was scattered across the room. Levy had finished picking up the empty cans, grabbing a blanket from off the couch and placing it over her father; he looked peaceful while he slept.
She made her way to her room, bypassing the bathroom; maybe she would have time to take a bath tomorrow. Levy stripped her scrubs off and kicked off her shoes; stretching before pulling her covers on her bed back. Levy laid in her bed, turning her table lamp off; she rolled on her back and looked at the ceiling. Levy could feel her eyelids grow weary, her exhaustion catching up with her body.
"I just worry about her." Lucy said, twisting a strand of her hair in her hand while she laid on her bed; looking up at her ceiling. "Natsu, she hasn't stopped working. It's all she does anymore."
Lucy sighed, her life seemed difficult lately; her best friend was working herself to death while her boyfriend was halfway across the world fighting in the octagon. She and Natsu had been dating for a little over 6 months and she couldn't be happier, who knew a trip to the gym would be where she would meet the man of her dreams.
"Luce, she'll be ok. From what you tell me she seems like the smart type, she'll know when it's time to stop." Natsu said on the other end of the phone, trying to reassure her.
"Yeah. I think she is just so worried about her father that even if she knew it was too much; she wouldn't be able to stop working." Lucy sighed again, her worrying getting the best of her.
"Hey, she'll be fine; especially since she has a best friend like you!" Natsu exclaimed.
"You're silly, but cute." Lucy giggled, he had a way of making her feel better; especially when she didn't think it was possible.
"Hey, I have an idea. Why don't you and your friend come to my next fight?" Natsu said, excitement in his voice. "It'll be at Tenrou Arena, over by where you live."
Lucy sat up straight in her bed, that was a great idea; something to take Levy's mind off of things.
"Natsu, that's perfect! Nothing takes your mind off of things more than watching two men wrestle and throw punches at each other!" Lucy said, she couldn't wait to tell Levy.
"Yeah? Glad you think so, it'll be next week; on the 9th actually." Natsu said, excited to be seeing Lucy soon. "Hey, best part is I get to see you!"
Lucy giggled.
"I miss you too." Lucy said. "How did your match go tonight by the way?"
"Well I won, although the guy wasn't much of an opponent." Natsu replied, sounding disappointed. "We have been tearing it up in the octagon."
"That's great!" Lucy said, imagining Natsu half-naked; a devious smile spread across her face. "I love watching you fight, you always look so hot in your shorts." She giggled.
"Hehe, to bad I can't kiss you right now…" Natsu said, sighing.
"Only a week left." Lucy said cheerfully. "Oh, I can't wait to tell Levy!"
Levy woke up to the sound of her phone vibrating on her end table, she caught it right before it fell off. She typed in her passcode, looking at the text messages from Lucy; there must have been at least a dozen.
Levy…Levy!
Call me!
Hey! You with the blue hair; call me now!
I have good news!
You are going to love it!
Are you even alive?!
Did work finally kill you?!
Levy dialed her number, not needing to read any more of the endless list of text messages.
"You're alive!" Lucy shouted on the other end.
"Yes, I was enjoying my slumber though." Levy sighed, rolling over in bed.
"Well, what I'm about to tell you is worth waking you up." Lucy exclaimed. "Next week, you and I are going to Tenrou Arena to watch Natsu in his next fight!"
"Lucy, I can't. I have to work." Levy said, sitting up in bed.
"Already taken care of." Lucy stated.
"How?" Levy questioned.
"I just simply told your boss you needed a day or two for yourself." Lucy answered, sounding proud of herself. "I have also known Mirajane for a few years myself, she totally understands!"
"Lucy, ugh; fine!" Levy sighed, unable to argue any further with her; especially when she was still half awake. "I guess I can dip into some of my vacation hours…"
"Yay, can't wait. We are going to have so much fun!" Lucy screamed in excitement on the other end of the phone. "Oh, we also get to attend the after party! Yay!"
Levy let a little smile escape her mouth, she really appreciated Lucy taking the time to rearrange everything for her; just so she could have a night of freedom.
"Thanks Lucy." Levy said.
"No problem. Well, I gotta go; I have to get to work myself." Lucy said. "I will talk to you later."
"Ok, I think I'm going to sleep a little while longer; unless I get a page from the hospital…" Levy said, sighing over the phone.
With that, Levy hung up the phone; placing it back down on her table. She snuggled back into her bed, unaware of the new and exciting turn her life was about to take.