Levy's Every Word
Chapter 1: Reminisce.
There's hardly anyone who wouldn't like sleeping in after a stormy night-before; and this was the case with Levy:
Nestled in her bed, Levy heard the alarm clock ring for the fifth time that morning, and like the times before, she couldn't bring herself to part with the warmth of the cushion she had hugged through the stormy night. "It's so soft and comfy," she thought, hugging the pillow tighter. She knew quite well, this was only an excuse to avoid the hassle, which a normal day in fairy tail was sure to bring; but despite all the books she had read on procrastination, she still couldn't bring herself to face the real cause of her anxiety.
The rain from the previous night had since stopped, leaving behind a soothing humidity, which made the dorm rooms colder than usual. The first rain of the year was always the heaviest in Mangolia; that was one of the things Levy was glad was still the same_after her seven years disappearance.
"I'll just lie for five more minutes; there's still time; it's just 7:00," she told herself; daring not confirm from the alarm clock beside her bed. It was times like these that made Levy wonder if she would've been better-off, not having read those articles at all; and as if taking the hint, one of the lines from the authors read in her mind:
"The first step to overcoming procrastination, is to acknowledge it's hold on you," so, she finally admitted, the pillow wasn't all that cozy; she just didn't want to go to the guild; and not out of fear for it's famous rampages; but because, she just didn't know how to act around her best friends any more; and as cliché as that may seem, it was how Levy felt.
After many more sermons from her favourite authors, she finally decided to at least confirm her erroneous theory. So, peeking through one of her eyelids, she searched for the alarm clock beside her bed; "9:00am!" Levy shreaked, both eye now wide open; revealing panicked hazel orbs. She had planned on waking up at 7:00 that morning; but as a result of her 'five minutes' snooze periods, which were actually twenty four minutes each time she said, "I'll just sleep for five more minutes," she had over slept.
She remembered she was supposed to meet up with Jet and Droy by 10:00 that morning, to go on a mission. It was to be their first mission as team Shadow Gear since the Grand Magic Games and more importantly, after her seven years disappearance; so, it was really important she didn't screw it up; plus, she had a reputation, 'Levy was never late,' or at least, seven years ago she wasn't.
Her desire to prove that time hadn't changed anything fueling her panick; she soon found herself tossing the pillow aside and throwing off her blanket. She sprinted for the bathroom; her pijamas lithering the floor as she went. Turning on the shower, a small shriek escaped her lips as the water touched her skin; it was cold. It would appear her room's wasn't the only temperature the rain had dropped; and to top it all off, her water heater wasn't working; which, of course, was no surprise; considering it hadn't been used for almost a decade.
She was, however, surprised; when she met her room almost the same way she had left it seven years ago; a little dusty, but it could have been worst; had Kinana not taken it upon herself to clean up the dorm rooms of the missing female occupants at Fairy Hill. And for that reason, Levy had resolved to repay the barmaid for, at least, keeping her dorm room clean all those years.
Although, she much rather not admit it, her body size did have it's advantages; for she was able to finish bathing in record time, owing to the small surface area of her body. And after nearly tripping on a bar of soap she had so carelessly left on the bathroom floor during her marathon bath; she sprinted back into the bedroom. Levy couldn't help but notice the clock now read 9:35am. So, disgarding her towel on the floor; she rampaged through her wardrobe; pulling out an orange dress, a black leggings, a pair of red sandals, and a black hair band to tame her unruly hair.
Glancing back at the clock, it was now 9:40am; Levy immediately threw the clothes on the bed; and putting on the leggings with one hand, she grabbed a hair brush with the other; trying to dress up and comb her hair, at the same time. All the while, peeking at the clock, to make sure time didn't bail on her. And fifteen minutes later, she was done; and not even bothering to look in the mirror, she grabbed her red shoulder bag and dashed out of the room; into the hallway; and sprinted down the stairs; catching the attention a few Fairy Hill occupannts, who wondered why the usually collected bookworm was in so much of a hurry. Levy could only hope the puzzled looks on their faces were as a result of her unusual hastiness and not because she was wearing her dress inside-out, or something.
Unable to shake the taught off her mind; she finally decided to stop in front of a shop along the streets of Mangolia. It had a see-through glass in front; but Levy was still able to see enough of her reflection, to ascertain she wasn't an 'I-saw'. Not taking enough time to scold herself for her vanity; she continued her run towards the guild. It was moments like these she wished she had learnt Teleportation magic; and although, Fairy Hills wasn't that far from the guild hall; the length of her legs always seemed to double every distance.
The streets of Mangolia were usually crowded by this time of the day, hence, Levy had to slow down in order not to bump into anyone; and again, she was thankful for her small size; as she easily maneuvered through the throng in the street.
Finally reaching the guild's door, Levy was completely out of breath; but knowing she was already late, pushed the guild's door open; with more exertion than usual.
"Hey shrimp," Gajeel said. He and Lily were on their way out the guild, "You look terrible. Who knocked the wind out of yah?"
Levy, still too tired to voice a reply; settled for a death glare.
"Why so out of breath," Lily, a floating black exceed beside Gajeel; said.
"Hey Lily," Levy said; finally able to speak, "you're going on another mission? Didn't you just return from one, yesterday?" Levy inquired; delibrately excluding Gajeel from the conversation.
"Yeah," Gajeel cut-in before Lily could answer, "we are heading to the mountains, to slay some vulcans."
"It's a week long job," Lily added, "but we should be back by Friday."
"Or sooner," Gajeel added. He was always confident when it came to his abilities; he fancied himself unbeatable; and this ego of his hadn't escaped Levy's notice. Even after losing to the dark mages from Grimore Heart; at Tenrou island; or being practically useless during the whole dragon invasion incident at the Grand Magic games, he was still impetuous, obstinate and overly-confident as ever. But this was usually the case with wielders of powerful magics, especially dragon slayers; they pride themselves in the witfulness of their spells; and it's proficiency in defying almost every foe. This was quite the opposite with Levy. She was a frail lass; yet confident; and had a certain gumption to her wit. And her magic, Solid-script, wasn't really all that powerful, in her opinion; it was, however, resourceful enough for Levy to choose to learn it thirteen years ago (or six years ago; ignoring her seven years stasis).
"Why were you so out of breath, Shrimp?"
Levy made no answer; she had, in the past, forbade him from using such nicknames on her; and he had said it suited her small stature, which of course, only increased her vexation.
This little episode, had not escaped the notice of her teammate, Jet, who was now approaching the group.
"Is he bothering you again?"
"Hey! Mind your own business, Clown hat!"
"I have long since disgarded that hat, Metal head!"
"See you later, Lily!" Levy said; she and the aforementioned, dragging off their respective teammates, before a brawl could sprout.
"Later, Miss Mcgarden" was Lily's reply, as he dragged Gajeel out the door.
"Sorry guys, for being late," Levy said; now sitted at team Shadow Gear's usual table, from seven years ago.
"You arrived just in time," Jet said, "if not for that doodle head, who held you up by the door"
"I know I was, at least, ten minutes late," Levy said, recalling the time from the guild's wall clock by the entrance.
"No, Levy. You came just in time_you are never late" Droy reassured her.
Levy was glad to see their civility, or partiality towards her hadn't changed in the past seven years. Although, she couldn't quite ascertain, if it was because they still admired her, or something else. Being that, she was now seven years younger than both of them, perhaps, they now saw her like a younger sister. She dithered, not knowing if she prefered this new basis of affection, or not. So much was already different; Droy's body size; Jet's new vigour (as to want to pick fights with the infamous Gajeel). While some of these changes were positive; Levy still wanted to hold on to the believe that nothing had changed. So, with renewed vigour, she was determined to keep things the same.
"It's Monday guys; and you know what that means," Levy said, alluding to their 'circle of turns' from seven years ago, "Jet, it's your turn to choose our mission".
They used to take turns, choosing their missions; although, Jet and Droy, did always choose missions that were more suited to Levy's abilities than theirs.
"I would, but, it's been our turn for the past seven years," Jet said, "so, it's high time you chose"
"C'mon you guys; it wasn't my fault. Droy?"
"No, Levy," Droy said; not succumbing to her plea, "I'm with Jet on this one"
Outnumbered, she finally gave up; pouting; and headed for the quest board to choose a mission; but not before sending them a sly smile, which promised the mission was going to be mentally tedious for them.
Please endeavour to comment below; I'd love to know your thoughts on the story so far.