Chapter 1: Spilled Colors

The smell of books instantly hit me when I entered the grand library, and the sound of turning pages filled my ears.

I smiled as I felt a warm sensation within me. This felt like home.

I slowly walked towards the massive bookshelves then browsed through them. My eyes, scanning for the right book to read, but... I couldn't find any. I've read so many of them already, and I didn't feel like reading them all over again.

The book covers were very worn down, due to the careless customers and readers. My gaze so happened to finally land on a bright pink book in decent condition, however, it was on the highest top shelf.

I rolled my eyes at the poor convenience. Of course it had to be up there.

I cursed at myself for the unfortunate short height I had before I stood on my tippy toes. I'm so blessed to be short. Please note the sarcasm.

I grunted as I struggled to reach, my fingers barely touching the spines of the book. After many failed attempts, I decided to give up since my tiny little toes could barely support my weight. But that was when I heard a soft deep chuckle. Before I could turn around and have the both of my heels entirely on the ground, I felt an overwhelming presence behind me as a muscular arm reached out and grabbed the pink book.

I immediately twirled around to find my eyes falling upon dark onyx ones.

Pink was all I could think of, but it wasn't because of the book. It was his hair.

Of all the colors of the magical rainbow, why was his hair pink? My surprised reaction wasn't because I didn't like it or had anything against his hair color, it was just simply quite dumbfounding.

He seemed to notice me bickering to myself, so he threw in another soft chuckle followed up with a mysterious smile.

"It's a pretty good book, I think you'll like it," he spoke for the first time. I was a bit taken back to find how deep and smooth his voice sounded.

"Thank you," I shyly mumbled as I took the book from his large hands. My fingertips barely grazed against the palm of his hand but I was quite surprised to find them really soft.

Before I could get a good look at him, I instantly froze when I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket. I could hear the name scream Bloody Mary at me as I checked the caller ID. Sweat trickled down my neck and spine as I panicked when realization occurred to me, like a harsh slap across the face.

I'm doomed. I was assigned to pick up a box of strawberry cake and deliver it at a friends place, but as you can tell, I got side tracked.

I checked the time by using the clock that dangled on the library wall, then gasped. I was thirty minutes late… and seconds ticking.

Im double doomed.

I glanced up at the tall man and noticed that he was staring at me with amusement. Just so you wait and see, strange boy… I'm gonna be bloody slaughtered by a menacing knight in a single heartbeat.

Before that knight in shining armor decides to kill me in half a heartbeat, I quickly gave the book back and apologized to the strange boy then scurried out of the library with an angry vibrating phone in hand. Why am I acting like this? It's because the menacing knight in shining armor is Erza. Erza Scarlet to be exact. She is someone who you DO. NOT. mess with. You do something to trigger her, might as well dig your own grave, but you'll be dead before you even could. Coincidentally, her last name Scarlet, is the exact color of her hair which could resemble blood. Not to mention that this friend of mine absolutely LOVES strawberry cake.

I took a deep breath then took the courage to answer the phone.

I wasn't ready to die before digging.

"Hello?" I answered with a shaky voice that I failed to hide. There was a long silent pause. My heartbeat was so hard and loud that I was afraid that Erza could hear it over the phone.

"Lucy? Oh thank goodness you answered. Have you picked up the box yet?" she asked. I swallowed in nervousness and closed my eyes. Should I lie? What if she finds out? I'm thirty minutes late already and will become dead meat soon, so might as well.

"It's sitting in my fridge right now. I was about to head to your place soon, but the cake was a bit melted so I decided to let it chill in there for a while." I bit my lip. That was the worst lie ever. Anyone can tell that was a lie.

"Oh, well you see…" she let out another pause. "... Something unexpected occurred, so please bring the cake tomorrow."

Something unexpected? What exactly could something unexpected occur? "Is everything okay?" I asked. I was concerned because her tone of voice was surely different. Something was off.

"Everything is fine Lucy. You don't have to worry so much," she gave a little laugh to reassure me.

"Alright then." I quickly ended the call; deciding to not press the subject any further. I let out a breath that I didn't realize I was holding in, then blinked, still dazed of what just happened. I'm… I'm going to live? Has the Lord decided to give me a second chance of life? I sighed in relief.

That was a strange phone call. I noted to myself to ask Erza about it tomorrow at school.

Home was where I wanted to be right now. I wanted to be in my warm hot bath after a long day. I only took one step forward when something pink magically appeared in front of my eyes, but since it was so sudden, it collided harshly with my forehead. The sharp pain tingled as I rubbed the area.

"Ow?" I answered in a questioning tone.

There was a soft chuckle in response. "My bad. I saw that you were still standing outside, so I decided to check out the book for you." It was that soothing voice… I've only heard it once and strangely enough, I already knew who it was. The book fell onto my hands then I turned around to face him completely.

This time I could fully see his winsome features as the sunset shined on him, making him glow like a God. His skin tone was rather more tan than others, but it made his perfectly pearly white teeth stand out when he smiles. His mysterious large dark onyx eyes make you wonder what he's hiding behind them, always twinkling in mischief. All of a sudden, for some reason, it seemed that he got taller. His broad shoulders could resemble mountains and his build was very well toned. It was very obvious that he works out. His pink spiky hair that looks surprisingly soft never fails to amaze me, even though I've only seen it once. But, to be honest, the color pink wasn't so bad.

"Why is your hair pink?" I asked out of the blue. I know it's not my place to ask such a question to a random stranger, but I couldn't help myself to be curious.

He gave me an alluring smile. "Why are you so beautiful?"

Now that wasn't the answer I was expecting. I was thinking that maybe he dyed his hair? Or a friend threw a prank on him? Or possibly that he was born with it? Instead of answering, he dodged the question smoothly. Props to him.

"A simple appreciation is all I need." He signaled his head to the book as he stuffed his hands into his pocket.

Oh. Right.

"Thank you, you didn't really have to do that for me." Checking out a book was a simple task, a task that even a little kindergarten-er can do. I didn't see any reasoning for him to do such a kind gesture, not to mention that we were strangers that barely met each other.

"Why wouldn't I do that for you?" It was as he could read my mind. He flashed me the most perfect smile before leaving me all alone. His words still float in the air above me. It took me a moment to realize what he meant.

There is nothing wrong of doing the act of kindness.

I took my time walking back home, enjoying the peaceful weather while it lasts. The sky was spilled with orange and pink as the sun began to slowly set. I looked at the book in my hands. I never was a fan of pink; in fact I despised it. My apartment only had the color of beige. Nothing more, nothing less. I lifted the book in the air as I compared the two shades of pink.

I guess pink wasn't so bad of a color after-all.

AHH. Welp, that's chapter one for y'all. I hope you guys will enjoy reading this story and I'm very excited to write more. Until next time :)