"Hey! I'm moving tomorrow, so.. Party at my place tonight?" Cana's voice comes through the phone, which i have on speaker as I paint my toenails baby blue.
"Wait, one sec," I lean towards my laptop to check the time, it's 10:34 AM. "Sure, what time specifically?"
"Whenever it's dark enough to sneak half the school into my huge-ass house! This totally violates my lease!" Cana squeals into the phone.
"No, like for real." I groan as i realize i practically painted my entire pinky toe baby blue, before i quickly correct it.
"Come at 9, see you later, Lucy-goosey." Cana giggles before hanging up.
I shake my head as i set down my nail polish bottle next to my phone on the bedside table, and close my laptop.
If Cana says come as early as 9, that means she's going to make me do the setting up, so I'll have to show up later than that. Like 10:45? Yeah. So there's definitely enough time to take a bath and a nap, plus I'm starving.
I get up and shuffle to the kitchen, treading carefully so as to not mess up my nails.
I hear a door slam before i reach the kitchen, sighing, i turn to the front door.
"Natsu, take off your shoes before you come any farther, Happy already tracks in enough dirt." I nag my roommate and best friend.
As if on cue, the cat in question comes through the open window that leads to the fire escape.
"Mrreow?" The Russian blue seems to have sensed he was just the subject of our conversation.
"It's fine, right, Happy?" Natsu bends down as he cooed at his cat, which approaches him and takes a running leap into his arms.
"Happy's totally clean!" Natsu grins as he stands back up with Happy perched on his shoulders.
The cat mewls as if agreeing with his owner.
"Whatever, just take off your shoes." I groan as I continue my trek to the fridge.
"What are you eating?" Natsu slides into the small kitchen, Happy still secured on his broad shoulders.
"I have no idea..." I grumble as I stare into the painfully bare refrigerator.
"Wanna order Chinese?" Natsu offers.
"We can't afford that." I look at Natsu with a stern glare, which quickly melts away as my stomach growls, "You know what, sure we can. I'll just swallow my pride and ask my dad to start wiring me money again." I begin to play with my right earring nervously, "Let's order as much Chinese food as we can eat." I hand Natsu the menu we keep on the fridge door with an oversized magnet we got on our vacation to Hawaii in high school.
"You call the takeout place, I'll call my dad." I state hopefully as i grab my own phone from my pocket, watching as Natsu searched the apartment for his own.
As I stare at my contact for "Jude Heartfilia" i sigh exasperatedly, i hate fighting with my dad, but ever since my mother died, it's like we can't even have a conversation without fighting about something. It's been almost 12 years, you'd think we would be past this by now.
I press the "call" button, apprehensively holding the phone to my ear.
He never has a problem sending me cash, it was one of the conditions of me going to college, since i wanted to be a writer anyway, and even though he'd rather I take over his company, i think he's just grateful I'm even going to college.
"Jude Heartfilia's cell, Virgo speaking." A feminine, professional voice comes from the other end of the line.
"It's Lucy. May I speak with my father?" I switch to my debutante speech pattern, which i suppose is the way I technically 'normally' talk, since it is the way i was taught to speak.
"Of course you may." Virgo's voice maintains the same tone but somehow warms up just a bit. She's one of my favorite employees of my father's. I'm not actually sure exactly what her job is but she holds one of the higher positions of power, and she's not much older than me, she couldn't be more than 25.
"Thank you." I politely respond as I hear silence until my father's booming voice sounds through the phone.
"Yes, Lucy?" He sounds tired.
"Hey, dad. I'm sorry, you were right, between studying, writing, classes, and my social life there's no time for me to support myself with a job. I'm not going to be able to make rent at this rate. Can you please unfreeze the account?" Yeah, I know it was a stupid point to make, of course no college student as busy as i am and as good at procrastinating as me could support themselves financially, but the fight wasn't really about that, it never is.
Sometimes, i just fight my dad, even though I know it makes him tired, and it makes it harder for me to sleep.
"Lucy..." I hear my father sigh, "Okay. But please, focus on your studies, I don't want you to fail or drop out of school, okay?"
He's tired of fighting, i can hear it in his voice, and after all these years, i am too.
"Yeah, dad." I sigh as I turn to stare at Natsu, who has just found his phone and is dialing the number for the Chinese place as he inspects the takeout menu.
Just before my dad hangs up, because I know he will, i spit out the words i always say after we makeup, because i mean them, and I want him to know that.
"I love you dad, bye!" And then he's gone. I know he heard it, like he always hears when I say it, and I know he loves me in his own way. I think he's trying to forgive me for a crime i didn't commit. Just like I'm trying to do for him.
"-and orange chicken, and some fried pork dumplings, and a side of white rice, and-" Natsu stops and looks at me, shrugging, to ask me what i want.
"Broccoli and veggies in oyster sauce!" I whisper yell to him, he gives me a thumbs up before finishing the order and confirming it.
I sigh as i walk slowly to the couch and sink into it. Soon after i begin to relax, Natsu dives onto the couch, putting his head in my lap and hanging his feet over the edge of the far arm rest.
"Your old man say 'okay'?" Natsu looks up at me, from this angle his dark green eyes seem huge.
"Yeah, he's unfreezing my account." I begin to play with Natsu's pink hair, "I hate being a trust fund baby, I can't even touch what's technically mine until I'm 25, so i have to ask my dad for money. I feel so... Dependent."
"I know, i know. But at least you'll get it eventually." Natsu smiles up at me.
"Yeah, yeah." I grumble as i lean back further into the couch.
"Mrreowww!" Happy meows as he jumps onto the armrest closer to me, climbing up my arm, and draping himself around my shoulders.
"Yeah, buddy. You hungry?" I babytalk Happy.
"Meow." Happy begins to purr, though he doesn't move from his spot on my shoulders.
I look back down at Natsu, who's beginning to doze off.
"Cana's throwing a party later, want to go?" I start loosely braiding Natsu's fringe.
"Mmm... Maybe.. Is the ice princess going?" Natsu rubs his eyes slowly, even though he'd only been lying down for all of two minutes.
"I don't know, Cana invited me, like, ten minutes ago, I didn't think to ask about Gray because I didn't really care." I shrug, causing Happy to bat his tail under my nose in retaliation.
I extract my hands from Natsu's hair to scratch Happy's chin with one hand and check my phone with the other.
"Okay, I'm going to pick some clothes for the party, then take a bath. Stay awake and call me when the food gets here." I warn so Natsu can get up off of me, Happy hops off my shoulders as I move to get up as well.
"Happy, wanna come with me to my room?" I ask the cat as he weaves around my feet. But I receive an answer when he trots back to Natsu, who's still on the couch, turning on the TV.
"Good Happy." I hear Natsu whisper to the cat now sitting next to him on the couch.
I chuckle as i make my way back to my room. Throwing open my closet door, i step inside sighing deeply as i ponder what I should wear. I could do the whole badass chic thing, i run a hand down a studded black leather belt. Or I could do the whole grunge thing that's really in right now, i pinch the sleeve of my red and blue plaid flannel button down. Or i could just roll up in sweats, i stare at my favorite gray hoodie. Or... I could just dress like me. But then the question stands, high school me? Or college me?
I look at the mini skirts i loved not that long ago, folded on a shelf, then at the worn skinny jeans i keep on a separate shelf. I love my skinnies, they're comfortable but i can adjust the vibe my outfits give off depending on what top i wear and how I accessorize. I pull my favorite skirt and my favorite pair of jeans out and throw them out of the closet, hoping they land on my bed.
As i sort through some of my tops I come across an assortment of crop tops, tanks, oversized tees, huge sweaters, and random shirts that almost definitely belong to exes who forgot to pick them up.
I throw an armful of the cutest tops I own onto my bed, staring at my favorite light blue jeans.
It's still mid autumn and the day looks warm enough that I'd barely need a jacket tonight. I guess I'll be wearing something long sleeved.
I pick up an ivory knit sweater, rubbing it on my face to ensure it's just as soft as I remember, which it is.
Stripping off my pajamas quickly, i throw on a sports bra and tug the sweater on over it. The sweater is shorter than I remember, reaching my hips, though i had thought it would come down halfway down my thighs. I shrug as I decide to wear my old favorite black, pleated miniskirt.
Just as i zip up the skirt and adjust the sweater, quickly deciding this is the perfect outfit for tonight, Natsu yells "FOOD!" Which I suppose is my cue to get the door while he scrambles to find his wallet in his pigsty of a room.
Sashaying down the hall, enjoying the feeling of the skirt swaying with my hips, I take no time to throw open the door and smile in a friendly fashion before explaining that we'll have the money in a moment.
"Found it!" Natsu hollers, causing the delivery boy to flinch, as if just realizing that he and I are not alone.
Natsu sprints to meet the delivery boy and me at the front door, with Happy in loud mewling pursuit.
"Okay, you said $84.95? Keep the change! Thanks!" Natsu shoves four twenties and a ten into the delivery guy's hand as he grabs the plastic bag holding several smaller brown paper bags, and slams the door shut before running back to the living room couch and pressing play on the remote.
I scramble after Natsu, and subsequently Happy, just to arrive at the living room in time to watch Natsu rip into the first paper bag he could get his hands on. I quickly rummaged through the bag to find my order, which I soon found. Grabbing one of many orders of extra rice, i return to my room, setting down the food.
I go to the bathroom and hastily scrub the tub, before rinsing it out and running myself a hot bath.
After a eating my Chinese food in a hot bath and soaking for a bit longer, I exit to take a nap, not even checking the time before I doze off, using one of Gray's t-shirts and my underwear as impromptu pajamas, his clothes always somehow end up in my room after he leaves them at our place.
Natsu probably throws them in here, since he wouldn't want Gray's things in his space. Natsu constantly complains that Gray wears too much cologne and that all his stuff reeks, but that's probably an excuse for Natsu to pick on Gray.
As i ponder little, trivial things, my thoughts begin to fade into white noise, and I find myself asleep.
"Luce! When do you wanna go to Cana's?" Natsu's loud voice grabs hold of my consciousness and drags me out of sleep.
"Wahh?" I sit up so quickly, it's a miracle i don't get whiplash.
"Cana's party? What time?" I see two dark eyes inches from my face.
"Huh?" I tilt my head, still not really awake enough to understand what my best friend is talking about.
"Ahem.." I hear someone clear their throat.
I look over at the doorway sleepily.
"Oh, hey, Lisanna. What's up?" I mumble, waving halfheartedly.
"Not much, Natsu and I just finished watching a movie on netflix. But then he mentioned a party later, would it be okay if I tagged along?" Lisanna asks with a cuteness only she can really pull off.
"After you fell asleep, I invited Lisanna over to hang out!" Natsu informs me. I wish he wouldn't keep me so up to date about he and his girlfriend's affairs. At least this time he didn't overshare like he always does. I remember when he told me after he popped his cherry with one if the girls from our high school, Sherry.
"Oh, kay." I rub the sleep from my eyes, then I realize Natsu hasn't moved since i woke up so i planted both of my hands on his shoulders and gave him a strong enough shove to make him topple off the end of my bed.
Under any other circumstances, I'm sure Lisanna would have rushed to Natsu's side and support him as he bombards me as to why i would do such a thing. However, i know she isn't this time because she's grateful I respect their relationship enough to create boundaries somewhere, at least in her presence, since I know it makes her at least a little uncomfortable how close Natsu and I are, even though we've always been like this. After they started dating, I even made Natsu stop sneaking into my bed at night to put Lisanna's mind at ease. I actually really Like Lisanna, she's smart and cute, and way sweeter than most of Natsu's exes.
"What? Why'd you do that?" Natsu whines from my bedroom floor.
Ignoring him i turn to Lisanna, "The party starts at 10-ish."
"Oh," Lisanna brings a hand to her cheek primly, "but it's already 9:30!"
"Yeah, that's fine." i wave a hand in standard don't-worry-about-it fashion, "You know, fashionably late and all that."
I get out of bed, stumbling momentarily as i try to remember how to walk, before shooing Natsu and Lisanna from my room/doorway.
"Out! Out!" I push natsu out and close the door, "I need to get dressed. I'll be ready in 15 minutes or so." I yell through the door.
After 20 minutes i walk out of my room in my chosen outfit with black knee socks and black platform ankle boots. My hair is in a sleek ponytail, and my bangs are pinned out of my face. I've got my phone, keys, and $20 in cash in a secret zip up pocket hidden beneath one of the pleats of my skirt.
"Ready!" I holler as I strut into the living room and strike a pose.
Natsu and Lisanna, clearly not amused and bored out of their minds, stare at me and get up, heading for the front door.
"Where's the applause?" I tease, not that I meant to take so long, but seeing Natsu this calm, albeit a bit upset, is so entertaining.
"Ugh." Natsu groans, as Lisanna keeps politely silent as we wait for the elevator.
Once we're in the car I turn on the radio.
We're in my sedan, and I'm driving, so I assume Lisanna's returning from the party with Natsu and I, meaning she's probably spending the night, which means there's a 50-50 chance their early-morning, after-party sex will keep me up later. Damn it.
"To Cana's house!" I excitedly squeal, trying to pump up my passengers, who were sitting in the back seat, holding hands as Lisanna stares out the window and Natsu checks his phone.
"Woohoo..." Lisanna drones.
"Yeah." Natsu nods as he keeps his eyes glued on his phone.
I'm just glad it's a short ride (and a boring one, no thanks to my companions) to Cana's, it's only 10 minutes or so.
I pop a CD into the player and play it, smiling as a great song starts up, pulling out of my parking spot and making my way out of the parking lot.
I'm still singing as we pull up to Cana's house, all the parking spots near her house were taken, so i had to park half a block away.
"They call me cry baby, cry baby,
But I don't fucking care!
Cry baby, crybaby!
I laugh through my tears!
Cry Baby, cry baby!-"
Natsu leans into the front of the car and turns the music off.
"Hey!" I whine.
"Let's go now! We're already here!" Natsu says as if I didn't already know we were at the destination that I drove us to.
"Whatever.." I playfully roll my eyes.
Natsu always acts just a little more mature around Lisanna, and I'm used to it. Usually Natsu sings along with me to Melanie Martinez, but that's okay. He's like a little kid, trying to act cool for his girlfriend.
Most of our friends think I don't like Lisanna, which is a valid concern since at first i hadn't because of the liked the gap she'd formed between Natsu and me, but as long as he's happy, I'm happy.
After exiting and locking the car, I can hear pounding music pulsating from Cana's house from down the block.
Seeing Natsu reach for Lisanna's hand, I decide I won't be the third wheel, so i skip ahead, making it to Cana's house remarkably faster than the couple following me.
"Hey, Blondie." I hear a familiar voice call as I make my way to the front porch of Cana's house.
"Laxus, you are blond too..." I turn to stare at Laxus, stopping just short of opening the front door.
"And?" He quirks an eyebrow as he lounges in a swinging bench that's held up by a chain from the ceiling.
"Nevermind, dipshit." I sigh as I open the door and enter the party.
The music is so loud, it's almost disorienting, entering the house feels like diving into a pool of sound.
"Lu~lu~lu~lu~" Levy sings "How is my favorite blonde?" I giggle at my friend's obvious intoxication. She is such a lightweight, but it's hilarious.
"What's so funny? Liii~luu~lu?" Hysterical giggles befall Levy as if she has a joke in her head that she's dying to tell me.
"You are, Levs. You should drink some water, you don't want to be dehydrated and drunk." I warn with what I imagine is a warm smile on my face.
"Sweet, sweet Lu~" Levy nods as she touches her own face and begins stroking her own cheek as she quietly whispers "I'm so soft... Feel my face..."
"Okay, no thanks. I'm gonna go find myself a drink. Be careful Levy." I pat her shoulder as I walk past her to get to the kitchen.