Hello, I am a new writer in this community and this is my first ever fanfiction~!

Please do bear with my little experience with writing, if you have any suggestions, feel free to leave a review or a direct message :) I very much appreciate follows/favorites/reviews and etc. It gives me feedback of my writing style and the flow of the story. So, don't forget to leave a review and so on and so forth. Byeee :)

Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail.

Between Two Neighbors

Everything looked so new.

The unfurnished house looked naked and empty but I love every bit of it. The walls were creamy white with wooden trimmings at the ceiling and the white tiled floor felt so smooth under my bare feet.

I placed the only box that I could carry with me at the center of what I can imagine, would be the living room; it comprises of my self-important things, from my secondary graduation pictures to the magical night at prom. In time, I would have more pictures, hopefully, for graduating University as a full-pledged writer. I smiled at the thought, this place would be the start of everything.

"Ma'm, everything's here" One of the movers approached me from the main door with a paper in hand.

"Yes, thank you"

"If you ever need anything, the movers will gladly insist. All you need to do now is to sign this paper and you're good to go" He handed me the paper he was holding, I signed without hesitation and bid the man goodbye along with the two movers.

The digital clock conveniently placed over the edge of the window read that it's still two in the afternoon but I already felt exhausted. I need to get some rest somehow, my mom will call me soon anyway. So, without anywhere else to go, I lied on my back at the center of the living room, having no problem of trying to sleep.

"Lucy? Honey... You're probably tired from the drive but call me as soon as you can, alright? Love you..." I groaned, feeling the small part of my back ache, sleeping on the floor wasn't such a great idea even if I only slept for an hour.

Browsing through my phone, mom had already sent me two voice mails, half an hour back with each other. I rolled my eyes, my mom must really miss me. Even if she was the one who insisted that I live independently which meant that she sided with me while dad disagreed, throwing one of those arguments that "Lucy is still our little girl" and "She's not safe when we're not around", especially the "What if I come with her? She needs someone who'll take care of her". I cannot blame my dad though, he is the over protective type after all. Now, I remember him giving death glares to my senior partner during prom, figuratively drilling his mind that I should be home before ten. I miss the old bastard even so.

Just in time, mom called. "Honey?"

"Hey mom" I could already picture her trying to hold back tears.

"Lucy, baby! So... How are you?" Her voice cracked.

"Mom, I arrived a short while ago. I just woke up..."

"Oh, I miss you already. It's really different how no one's yelling at Jude..."

"Hey! You could yell at him for me though..." She gave a light-hearted laugh.

"He misses you more though... We both do..."

"Mom..." She's beginning to be emotional now. I smiled warmly, remembering our small talk before I left.

"-but you should probably go. Try to fix your stuff..."

"Yes, I will. I'll call you, okay?"

"Okay, love you"

"Love you, bye"

I walked over to the window, where the couch be placed under. The houses parallel to my side lined up in different sizes and style, most of them were blue and white with a porch leading to the main door. But some were smaller, just like mine; the white external walls were trimmed with gray bricks as windows were placed on each side of the main door. Also, the house has a small balcony facing over another house, the perfect spot for reading.

It still surprises me that no one took this house, especially that this was the last one vacant on this side for some odd reason, I don't even need to think twice.

It was just three in the afternoon and school for me, doesn't start for the next two days. Before I knew it, I was out the door with the blazing sun mocking above me. I felt my stomach howl in hunger because of skipping lunch and all that. Good thing, the neighborhood offers a small diner a few blocks away, I could really use some burger and fries.

I passed by a few houses completely in a trance for fast food that I collided with something and fell flat on my butt. "Ow..." I rubbed the sore part on my butt, cursing more than I intended to.

"Excuse me, are you alright?" A very feminine voice asked worriedly, when I glanced at the source, she was hovering above me with her hands on her legs. For some odd reason, looking at her hazel eyes stopped me from my attempt of yelling.

"Uh yeah, I'm fine" I stood up, dusting myself off. She was shorter than me for more than a foot, I felt suddenly conscious of my height.

The short girl narrowed her eyes at me, as if trying to think of something. "Are you new here? I haven't seen you before"

"Yes, I just moved here..." I tried to pinpoint my house which is far enough to identify but I did it anyway. "There actually"

"Oh! Is that so? Another pretty face added to Fiore then" She beamed a smile but while I lowered my head in embarrassment, I wasn't really expecting bumping into someone in the first place. Most especially, being complimented by a stranger.

"T-thanks"

"So, what's your name? I'm Levy!"

"I'm Lucy-"

She immediately wrapped her arms in a bear crushing hug, who knew this girl had enough strength to somewhat lift me off the ground. "-Nice to meet you Lucy!"

"I... C-can't breathe" She hurriedly lets go, muttering a small apologize out of her embarrassment.

"So Lucy, where are you going?"

"I was just about to go grab something to eat"

Levy furrowed her brows, confused. I mimicked her reaction, just as confused myself. "Why?" she asked.

"Huh? What do you mean, why? There's a diner a few houses from here, right?"

"I know that but didn't you see the buffet there?" She pointed her finger at the opposite direction.

"Buffet? What buffet?"

She rolled her eyes before she linked her arm around mine, dragging me to the opposite direction. "I'll show you" My protests weren't acknowledged as she continued dragging me while continuously talking about how I could have missed it.

It didn't take long when she stopped on her tracks as I did too. We were in front of my house and she pointed her finger to the house across decorated with green banners with yellow letters engraving the words The 50th Annual Buffet. Tables and chairs were placed all over the grassy pavement of the house with the said buffet in one side, people were filing along in a line, holding their own plates and utensils, digging in as they please. I questioned myself, now how could I have missed that? It was literally right in front of my house.

"Umm Levy, I don't think I shouldn't" Because I really think I shouldn't. Especially that I'm new here. I insisted in buying my own food but Levy's grip on my arm became iron clad, she'll definitely leave a mark.

"Nonsense, Lucy! Mirajane-chan always hosts a buffet open for everyone around the village! I think it's only right you attend your first buffet as a new neighbor! Come on..." She tugs on my wrist, pulling me towards a cute white-haired girl talking to some more people.

Once she took notice of our presence, needless to say, I was quite loud trying hard to loosen Levy's grip of steel. But she beamed a welcoming smile, hugging Levy with one arm and finally motioning towards me.

"Hello! You're the new neighbor, right? It's always nice to meet someone new here! I'm Mirajane and please make yourself comfortable, I could request someone to get food for you if that's what you're worried about"

"Oh, n-no need Mirajane-sama! I'm Lucy. I was just about to go-"

But Levy cuts her off. "I'm sorry, Mira-chan. Lucy here is just shy but we'll get our food, don't worry" So, I really don't have much of a choice as I was dragged by Levy to line up with the rest of the neighborhood, get some food which she made sure was enough, sit down with the host and then talk. She acts like my mom for some reason but I like her already, along with Mirajane of course.

Mirajane placed a fork of pasta in her mouth before acknowledging my presence. "So, Lucy-chan. Tell me about yourself"

I lightly smiled, thinking of where to start. I'm pretty sure my life isn't anything special except for having wonderful parents who trusts me enough to live independently, so I started there. Telling them about being an only child, convincing my parents to live on my own, my plan to become an author and more stuff about back home.

The girls reacted just as much as I smiled with my introduction, they asked me a few why's and what's even until we finished eating. "But why did you move here?" The white-haired girl asked after telling her about my independence.

"I was really having a hard time looking for the perfect place to stay, I went over four villages before I went to this one and somehow..." I pointed towards the house in front of us, my house. "That house attracted me"

They both eyed each other before looking away from me like they were hiding something, much more like they were caught. But I didn't say anything because I didn't want to be the nosy neighbor.

A short silence later, somehow they both looked at me worriedly. "Lucy-chan... You shouldn't have taken that house. I thought you were talking about the house beside Mira-chan's" Levy said while Mirajane nodded.

What?

"What do you mean?"

"Nobody takes the house for a dangerous reason" Mirajane had to lean forward, whispering. I furrowed my brows, remaining confused as she continued.

"The house beside yours... The people living there is a mysterious bunch... Dangerous even" She mused towards the house on our left beside mine. The house was a floor taller than mine with white walls and black trimmings. It even has floor to ceiling glass walls on some areas, the inside was hidden from view with red velvet curtains and the front has clear cut green grass with the usual cobblestone pathway leading to the entrance just like the rest of the houses. There is also a black car parked at the front. For me, it looks pretty normal, more stylish even.

"I'm still confused"

"The people living there... They're like watching everyone, especially the Dragneels" She whispered, audible enough for me to hear. "They never want to be bothered, they always isolate themselves like they're hiding something. You could practically feel some presence when you're close to them..."

"Maybe they really just don't want to be bothered. I had a neighbor who wouldn't talk to anyone" I reasoned.

"You don't understand. People used to live in that house left easily for some reason, they wouldn't tell anyone. They left out of fear... I don't want that to happen to you, Lucy" She genuinely warned, still whispering like someone can hear, glancing at the house, I began to wonder myself what the people are so afraid of.

I snorted, maybe they are wrong. "They can't be that bad" They both looked at me horrified, couldn't believe what I just said.

"Oh... Let's just stop talking about them. You're giving me goosebumps" Levy complained while rubbing her arms.

"But Lucy-chan would leave like the rest of them. You should have taken the house beside mine, it's vacant" She nodded at the empty house beside her. I rolled my eyes, now these two girls are just underestimating my character and I'm going to prove them wrong.

I stood up, deciding to go over the buffet. "Where are you going?" Levy asked.

"Just proving a point" I muttered, before striding to the dessert area, getting a slice of chocolate cake. Without going over to our table, I glanced at them and they were already staring at me in confusion. I winked at them, starting to cross the road.

Once I was halfway in front of their house, I could hear the two girls behind me.

"What the hell are you doing? Are you trying to get yourself killed?" Mirajane half yelled and whispered. I rolled my eyes, they're just overreacting.

"Get back here Lucy..." Levy warned. I didn't listen, I continued walking until I was on their property, passed the black car parked beside the postal lamp. From this point on, I could already hear voices that weren't just from Levy and Mirajane musing over what was happening.

I glanced over my shoulder, almost everyone was watching me. Some were talking about how crazy I was, some were warning me not to do it and some were just really surprised. Now, I'm beginning to question my own judgement. I looked up at the house before me, if they weren't that bad, at least one or two neighbors would defend them, right? If they weren't that bad someone would dare step in front of their property. If they weren't dangerous, they would have clarified things. Surely, the neighborhood isn't playing with me.

But it's too late now. I continued moving forward, the cobblestone path still a new feeling under my shoes, like no one ever stepped on it. I gulped out of nervous habit, there's no turning back now.

Suddenly, I was standing in front of their door, up close it looks wider. I sighed heavily, before bringing my fist on the wooden surface, knocking.

Silence.

I knocked again. Still silence.

I knocked two more times. Still Silence.

But with one last effort. I knocked three times.

For a good minute, the door slowly opened, revealing a tall and muscular guy. He towered over me with a good measure, his long and spiky black hair slicked back, revealing more of his piercings. As I settled my eyes to look at his, they were terrifyingly red with slitted dark pupils, glaring at me.

"What do you want?" His voice wrapped every letter with venom, he sounded so cold, a shiver went over my spine.

"I-I'm just here to give you this" I stuttered. Damn it.

He eyed the dessert on my hand. "Who are you?" He snapped.

"I'm just a new neighbor, I live there... I um, just wanted to offer a piece here since I really want to meet everyone" I motioned for him to take the cake but he eyed it accusingly.

"I don't care if you want to meet everyone. But it's not going to be me..."

My fear was easily replaced by annoyance turned anger. What the hell did I do to him? I felt myself starting to breathe heavily, if anyone felt afraid of them, someone would have been mad in the process too.

"What did I do to you? I'm just offering a slice of cake, is it that bad for you?" I retorted in annoyance.

He leaned on the door frame while crossing his buffy arms over his chest. "It would be bad if you continue what you're doing. Just leave" He warned but I wasn't scared anymore, this guy is pissing me off.

"You see, I'm just being nice here as your new neighbor" I reasoned, trying to sound as calm as possible.

"I told you. I don't care. If you don't leave now, I won't hold back..." He growled viciously.

Without even thinking, I yelled right on his face. "JUST TAKE THE DAMN CAKE, YOU ASSHOLE!" I slammed the dessert right across his face and stomped off, muttering how I regret my decision and my judgement. As I glanced back at the house when I was twenty feet away, I saw a glimpse of pink somewhere on the glass walls. But I don't care about that now, as I looked back at the asshole, he was fuming with anger before slamming the door shut, loud enough that everyone from the buffet including me jump.