Do not worry if Natsu doesn't appear in the first half of the story. Basically written from Lucy point of view this chapter deals with her introduction and feelings. Hope you enjoy this(yet another)nalu fanfic.

Faster... I have to run faster! My legs were giving up but of course I didn't give a damn. I needed to get out of the place. Do hell with the lost bet. My heart was beating faster than ever as I tried to find my way in the dimly lit corridors of the haunted house.

Not a single soul came into view. Was I the only stupid who entered this fucking famous haunted house of this year's carnival?! Seems like it.

Literally running faster than the fastest runner of our school, I found myself exasperated , confused, angry and well... completely helpless! The corridors were never-ending. Sure the seniors who worked on this has not only spend money but also worked hard. Not having time to admire their work I desperately searched for an door or window or any, any exit. I just wanted the corridors to end.

It wasn't long before God listened to me cause the next thing I knew was that I crashed against something(hard) ... ouch.

A wall just had to greet me now ( in a painful way of course) and as I fell down backwards, groaning because of the impact, I felt something wet trickling down my forehead. Correction , not just something ... a crimson liquid dribbled down my face that looked suspiciously like blood. Wow! I'm totally the luckiest person on earth.

First thought : I was bleeding, there was a internal damage in my brain ; second thought: I just have to get out of this fucking haunted house doesn't matter if people call me a scaredy cat for the rest of my life( provided I get out of this place alive) third thought: I am going to murder Na—

Drip... drip... drop

Uh oh. My destiny had planned double trouble type situation for me, today!

Standing in front of me was a weird looking girl with teru teru doll in her hand , her face covered by a purplish mask. She was grinning like, like a predator waiting to pounce upon her prey. I couldn't help but let out a very un-ladylike shriek which even startled that girl. Her expression somewhat changed as she tried to control her laughter( failing miserably) and pointed her index finger towards the roof. I was somewhat relieved to see that I wasn't the one bleeding but the red liquid was pouring down from the plafond.

" Now now now, look what we have here! A frightened blondie?" that girl said in nasal voice , (whose voice suspiciously sounded like one of my weird friends, Juvia).

Okay I have got enough for a day. I decided to speak up, "Look, Yes you are right I am frightened to death at the moment and I really want to get the hell out of this cursed place. So please, please let me get out of here."

"Sure!" she said with pleasant voice, too pleasant.

I was thinking about saying thank you but was cut short by a small, disoriented thing thrown near my feet . It successfully caught my attention. Even in the bare minimum light I could make out the silhouette of that weird thing . Was it…. was it a dead cockroach or something?!

I screeched as loudly as I could when I saw it moving; definitely a very alive cockroach or a babymouse or whatever. Frantically looking around for the girl I looked around only to find….. mirrors(that reflected my frightened face)?! When did that happen?!

I started backing out when suddenly a layers of leather(?) attacked me from the ceiling. I was on the verge of crying, panic-stricken as I tried to get out of the sudden darkness that engulfed me .

"HELP, anyone….. someone…"my voice gradually ceased as I finally broke down.

..

…

….

Suddenly I felt someone hug me from behind. Too tired to scream anymore, I decided I'm gonna punch this guy right on his face so that—

My plan got interrupted by a ever familiar voice..

" AAAAAAANNNNNDDDDD… the award for the most frightened , short winded , scared girl goes tooooooo..", he sang like a stupid five-year-old kid who just discovered Santa Claus's residence.

I punched him. Real hard.

"ow..ow…ow.."

He deserved it. Recovering from the sudden jolt, he started laughing in his signature maniac- type way. Typical Natsu. My stupid childhood best friend, on whom I might have a little crush, just a little.

"Oh come on Lucy, don't tell me you got frightened by all these stupid stuff," he went on talking as removed those leathery nets from around me. When at last I got free, I was blinded by lights flooding in from every side.

He momentarily paused, probably feeling guilty on seeing my tear-stained face. Rubbing my eyes , I turned towards him. I guess he was preparing for a run to outrun my rage but instead let out a surprised yelp when I hugged him , tight.

He relaxed after a while, hugging me, patting on my back, " Hey there, it's fine, it's over, relax," he whispered soothingly. Alright sometimes I really hate how I can't stay angry at that pink haired boy for longer than a millisecond.

" I hate you , I really really hate you," I chanted aimlessly while he just chuckled, bringing me closer to him.

"Let's get out of here, yeah?" he suggested after a while. I nodded like an obedient kid, and followed suit when he opened a door at our right side (Hey! From where did that come from?) and proceeded outdoor.

The entire crew was standing with wicked, teasing or guilty smiles. I sighed.

"Hey everyone, give it up for Luce! She completed her dare." Natsu declared cheerfully.

There were a few thumbs up, 'good job's and 'are you okay's when suddenly someone tugged Natsu's free hand( the other being draped around my shoulder) pulling him away from me.

Lisanna, Natsu's girlfriend.

I didn't even have to look at her. I just know that if anyone can't stand Natsu being close to me then that's his insecure girlfriend.

Lisanna is a nice, beautiful girl, cheerleader, and over protective of her boyfriend. When high school started I liked her as much as others did, probably because she is Mira's sister but as time passed she created her distance from us, especially me.

When she proposed to Natsu, we were beyond shock. Sure Natsu is the baseball team captain and has a reputation which... well.. lead the girls go gaga for him but he is anything but a boyfriend material.

Sure he is handsome and caring and sweet and brave but come on, he eats like a gorilla, who was deprived of food for a week, he forgets to take bath for days(!) no flirting talent or romantic ideas and the list goes on.

He said yes to her.

That was the first time Natsu started to drift away in a way we couldn't put our hands on nor could we do anything to lessen the invisible distance created between us.

He started to ignore us for dates, late night chatting, buying gifts and in an attempt to impress her. Maybe he liked her too. I say 'maybe' cause I have never quite seen Natsu smile and laugh wholeheartedly whenever he is with her. His expressions were fake. I could tell.

She grew different too. She didn't like Natsu spending too much time with us.

She tried to keep Natsu away from us. At first when she would kiss him(and I would turn away) I thought that was a normal thing to do. It took me a while to realize that the touches, kisses increased in my presence.

She is smart. I won't be surprised to know if she realised how much I like him, in a way a best friend isn't supposed to. I am not any less smart , it took me a few weeks to learn how much she despised me.

Her shrill laughter brought me back to reality. Natsu seemed uncomfortable with her, as usual.

"Your expressions were hilarious!" Lisanna said as a matter-of-factly.

Horror struck me as I incredulously asked, "You recorded that?!"

She just laughed.

What I haven't yet mentioned is that I am not short-skirt or make-up inclined girl. Not that I am a nerd. But yeah, I wear glasses due to myopia, and love books. Library is like a second home to me and most of the time I remain engaged in all sorts of compositions or publications.

I looked down in humiliation. Everyone is afraid of something or the other. Is it really my fault that I loathe horror/haunted things? Someone slapped my back, startling me.

"Come on guys, enough of this stupid haunted house discussion, she lost a bet, as a punishment, Cana sent her to the haunted house, she got super scared and we got deeply entertained ... now can you see the food stalls on the other sides? Let's attack them!"

It was Juvia.

"Thank you for summing that up."I deadpanned. That got a laugh.

I gave a side glance to Natsu. He pretended to listen something Lisanna was rambling about.

I felt something for him I haven't felt in long, long time. Sympathy.

I sighed for yet another time for that night as we made our way to satisfy the dying whales in our stomachs. We were seriously hungry after that tiring day at carnival.

So yeah that's pretty much my life. Liking a my best friend who has a beautiful girlfriend, too often being teased by my friends, missing my mother every single day( she kinda left, forever, when I was four) longing for my father's attention and worrying about the upcoming tests.

I half expected my life to continue like this.

Little did I know about that storm that was yet to come.

Okay I know Juvia is acting out of character but I like her this way much better than the 'oh my Gray-sama' type Juvia. Next chapter will contain hella lot more interactions between the two main love birds of this story.I am apologizing, beforehand , for any kind of mistakes cause English is not my first language. Stay tuned for more!