Chapter 1

"Yo Gray. What's with the long face?"

"Since when did my face started to expand? Huh Loke?"

"Cold as usual eh? I don't know how girls find that attractive."

"It's because you're a flirt. That's why you can't comprehend."

"Me? A flirt?" I'm just... admiring the beauty within a person, within a woman to be in particular."

After saying those words, Loke winked at the girls staring at us. And like what every girl does when he winks, they squeal.

Today is our first day here at Fairy Ta- our first day as seniors here at Fairy Tail Academy. We just passed the gate and from not that far, three guys were being surrounded by girls, bouncing girls to be exact.

"Eeep! Its Gray and Loke!"
"Kyaah~ Loke is shining!"
"Gray as well!"
"They are sooo cool!"

Loke looked at them and winked. Their shouting grew louder and some of them fan their faces using their hands saying like they will faint or something like that.

"You winked at those again Loke?" Sting said as he eyed Loke with a smirk.

"Why? Anything wrong with that Sting?" Loke answered back. Girls were accumulating like flies around them, around us rather.

"You are making the campus noisy Loke." Rouge said with his expressionless face. That's his usual face.

"Oh come on Rouge. I did not tell them to shout or any-"

"You should stop arguing with the flirt. He can't comprehend." I cut him.

"Gray is right."

"Shut up Gray. And don't agree with him Natsu! I'll tell Lisanna that you al-" Loke said annoyed but was cut off by Natsu.

"It is not Loke's fault that girls go crazy when he winks! Right Loke?" Natsu said forgetting what he just said earlier.

"Right!" Loke said with a smirk plastered on his face earning a 'Tsk' from me and Rouge.

"We better get going. We might get mobbed if we stay here a little longer." Sting said.

We started walking to the bulletin boards to see if we will be classmates. Last year, Loke and Natsu were my classmates unfortunately.

As we approached the bulletin boards, I caught Sting roaming his eyes around.

"Who are you looking for? A possible girlfriend?" I asked Sting.

He looked at me and shook his head.

"I seem to recognize a relative but she just disappeared. I'm not that su-"

"Hey guys! We're classmates! " Natsu shouted as he was standing before one of the bulletin boards.

Sting and Loke followed him and scanned the board. Rouge and I did not bother looking since Natsu said that we were classmates.

"This isn't happening!" Loke screamed.

"What's the matter Loke?" Natsu asked.

"Erza is our classmate!" Loke said as Sting and Natsu's eyes widened.

Erza is the girl who does not fear anything. She's intimidating but a very caring person. She usually kicks Natsu and Me because we always fight. We get along sometimes but most of the times, we don't.

"It's just Erza. I don't see the need to be shocked." Rouge said nonchalantly. He acts that way because Erza hasn't beaten the hell out him yet.

"You just say that because you haven't experienced his fierceness yet." I told him. He just shrugged his shoulders.

"We don't have to worry guys. Mira and Cana will also be our classmates.." Natsu said with a doubting tone.

"Gajeel and Levy are also our classmates!" Loke said. He just forgot the topic about Erza.

"I don't know if why are you so happy.. but can we just get inside our room?" I said dead tired of the arguments happening.

"I agree with Gray." Rouge second the motion.

"Sheesh. You two are no fun at all." Sting said sarcastically.

"Good morning class. I know that you knew me and each other since middle school so no need for introductions. I'll just check your attendance then do whatever you want since it's just the first day. But do that inside this room." Our home room teacher, Gildarts Clive, told us. He is the happy-go-lucky teacher and he loves to bully students specially girls.

After calling the name of the last student in the list, he smiled widely. "So no one is late du-" The door swung open before our teacher can finish his sentence. It revealed Gramps, our principal. He's a small and old guy and he wants us to call him Gramps.

We stood up greet Gramps before Gildarts went to him. He whispered something and both went out. Whispers started to cross the room as the door closed.

After a minute, Gildarts came back with a paper in his hand. He is reading the paper while walking to the center isle. "Okay class, we have a transfer student."

Whispers grew louder now and everyone silenced when Gildarts said "You may now introduce yourself."

Everyone was looking at the door when a girl suddenly entered our room. She has blonde hair, the same color as Sting's, brown eyes, fair skin and a very curvaceous body which was emphasized by the tight checkered cardigan of the girls' uniform. It took me great effort to stop myself from staring at her. When I roamed my eyes around the room, almost all the guys have heart-shaped eyes.

"Uhhm.. My name is Lucy. Please be nice to me." She said as she smiled awkwardly which I find cute. I felt my cheeks heating up so I quickly averted my eyes away from her.

Everyone was silent. Maybe they are also admiring her beauty. I averted my eyes earlier but I found myself looking at her in the end. She just stood in front of us with her cute face. The way she stood, the way she walked, the way she carried her bag was simple but there was something with her. Even though she was simple, she looked elegant. No one dared to talk or even move. Even I find myself paralyzed by her beauty.

"I-is there something wrong?" She said with a confused look.

"N-nothing! Alright class, you can now ask her questions." Gildarts said putting us back to our senses.

Loke raise his hand and Gildarts nodded giving him the permission to ask the girl.

"Are you free tonight?" He said while winking at her.

Most of the guys glared at Loke. How can Loke ask her out all of a sudden?! I wished that I have the same confidence as him.. What am I blabbering about? I was thinking of many things but all of them were interrupted when Lucy answered her with a 'Yes'. Did she already fall for Loke? I am far more handsome than him!

"Then would you like to go out with me?" Loke said with a seductive tone.

We stared at Lucy and then she suddenly.. smiled. She looks so beautiful when she smiled. But, she smiled! Does that mean that she is agreeing!?

"I don't go out with strangers." Lucy said frankly with a smile on her face.

I sighed when she answered like that. Wait a second.. Why am I acting like this in the first place?

"My name is Loke..

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But you can call me Mine"

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Silence

"Is that your nickname?"

Everybody laughed at their conversation and even I find it amusing. Usually, if Loke asks a girl those kinds of questions, they will blush and squeal but Lucy just looked innocently at her.

"Eh? No.. It's not my nickname. So.. since you knew me now, we're not strangers to each other anymore. Would you go out with me now?"

"You act strange which makes you 'Stranger' so no. I won't go out with you." Lucy said while smiling.

Loke's jaw dropped. Scratch that. All of our jaws dropped. That's the first time Loke has been rejected and not to mention in front of the class. Loke sat in defeat and I saw him blushing probably because of embarrassment.

"Uhmm.. Is there anyone who wants to ask other questions?" She said innocently.

The class remained silent until Gildarts broke the silence encompassing the class. "That's enough. You may now take your sit there." He said while pointing on the chair behind me.

Lucy made her way towards her place and everyone's eyes were still staring at her. When she sat on her chair, she looked at her seatmate and punched him straight in the face. She punched Sting straight in his face! What the hell is she thinking?!

Natsu, Loke, Erza and Mira's eyes widened in shock as they watched Lucy punch Sting. They were the ones seated at the back so they saw the whole incident.

Sting touched his now bleeding nose and looked at Lucy with a smirk while saying "Still violent as ever eh? Blondie."

"Call me Blondie once you got bald. You're also blonde, may I remind you." Lucy said sarcastically at Sting.

"Aww. Since when did you become concerned at me to even go far as reminding me that I am also blonde." Sting answered back still wearing a smirk at his face.

"I'm just thinking about your mediocrity. I think it's taking all over your body. I'm very thankful that it's not transmitted through mere contact or through air." Lucy countered.

Sting looked annoyed and hissed 'Tss'. He looked in front to break their eye contact. That's the first time I saw Sting getting taken aback by a girl. They seem close to me. Is she the relative that Sting was looking for by any chance? I'll just go ask him later.

Since we can do anything we want today because it's just the first day, chitter-chatter started to fill the room. Most of the girls were talking about clothes, shopping, and their diet habits. I thought of talking to Lucy since she might not have any friend yet so why not make her one? I turned my head towards her just to find her reading a book while headphones were stuck on her ears. She was so focused on what she was reading that she did not seem to notice me staring at her. Not that I want her to notice me, or do I want it? Of course not!

Someone poked my shoulder. I looked beside me remembering that Rouge was my seatmate and that he was the one poking my shoulder.

"What is it?" I asked him.

"Don't you think it's rude to stare at someone?"

"W-what the hell are you t-talking about Rouge?" I asked him. Sheesh! I hope I can get away by playing innocent..

"Playing the innocent guy now eh?"

"Shut up Rouge!" I told him while resting my head on my desk. It's bad for me to roam my eyes, or rather, it's bad for me to look at Lucy so I might just rest for a while.

"I don't know that you were that obsessed with my Plue!"

"I'm not obsessed with him! I just miss him."

I was woken up by Lucy and Sting's voice. I chose to pretend sleeping so that I can eavesdrop on their conversation.. It's not that bad right?

"You don't need to lie Sting. Besides, you're eyes tell otherwise."

"What the hell Lucy! I am not letting you touch Lector again."

"Like the hell I care about that arrogant cat of yours. I have no intention of touching your cat in the first place."

"Is that so? But I know a friend of mine who has a cute cat who wears a frog costume."

"As if I'll believe you."

"Wait a minute. I have a picture of him." After seconds or so.."Here he is. You won't still believe me?"

"Wow~ He's so cute~ I want to see him personally!"

"Only if you will let me spend time with your Plue. I miss hanging out with him."

"Alright. Take care of him and don't let any dirt touch his snow-white fur!"

"Sheesh! You're so demanding!"

"Just do what I said. So~ when will I see the cat?"

"Maybe by the end of the week.. How about Plue?"

"Just visit us home."

"Alright! I'll go there today!"

"You're not excited aren't you?"

"Well. If no-"

Sting was cut off by the bell indicating that it's time for the second period. I lifted my head just to see our next period teacher, Ms. Laki, the purple-haired geek, entering our room.

Discussion started right away. Since she was the strict historian teacher, we listened to her silently. After an hour, the bell rang and it's time for break. I stood up wanting some fresh air since history was really boring.

"Are you in a hurry Gray?" Rouge said.

"History is killing me so I need some fresh air." I answered him.

I walked towards the door but I was suddenly stopped by Sting.

"Where are you going Gray?"

"Catch some fresh air." I answered in monotone. I really wanted to go outside.

"Is that so? I was thinking of introducing Lucy to you guys but since you were going out, I'll just introduce her later to save some saliva and explaining." He answered then turned his back on me. He stopped midway then said "Catch me some fresh air too..".

What the hell was I thinking about?! If I hadn't planned on going out, Lucy should have been introduced to me! Stupid Gray! When I reached the door, a brilliant idea crossed my hand so I went back to my place and sat on my chair.

"I thought you're going to catch some fresh air?" Sting and Rouge asked in unison.

"There are many girls outside so I just thought of staying here rather than letting them put their noses on me." That was the great idea that crossed my mind. Now Lucy will be introduced to me!

"You've grown a lot more conceited Gray." Rouge commented.

"Right. Well since you're not going out anymore, Natsu! Loke! Come here for a while." Sting shouted.

The two came to us with a confused look.

"What is it Sting?" Natsu asked.

"Well.." He turned back then pulled Lucy who was talking with Levy. "I want you to meet Lucy."

"We knew her al-" Natsu wasn't able to finish his sentence when Sting cut him.

"My girlfriend."

Our jaws dropped hearing what Sting said. G-g-girlfriend? He's so lucky!

Our eyes then dropped after Lucy kicked Sting in his face making him fall on the ground. Lucy doesn't mind him after falling then she looked at us.

"I'm sorry for my cousin's behavior. I know that he misses me but I never knew that he will go that far as to make me his girlfriend. I'm Lucy by the way." She said then smiled at us.

"Hello Lucy! I'm Natsu!" Natsu said smiling which Lucy answered with a smile.

"Hello there babe. I'm yours." Loke said with a wink.

"You have a lot of nicknames Yours." Lucy answered which made Loke sulk. For the third time, his charm did not work on Lucy.

"Don't mind him. I'm Rouge."

"I-I'm Gray." Why the hell am I stuttering?!

"Hello! Nice to meet you all!" She said smiling. "Are you best friends with Sting?"

"Yup! You got that right Lucy!" Natsu answered with his famous toothy grin.

"Ugh!" Sting said while standing.

"Sting! I forgot that you were there!" Lucy said while helping Sting stand.

"What the hell was that for?!" Sting asked Lucy. It was for you telling that Lucy's your girlfriend you freak!

"Well, that was for your own good." Lucy said while smiling earning a 'Pshh' from Sting.

Lucy was called by Levy so she excused herself. After earning a nod from Sting, she went to Levy then they started about books.

"My first impression about Lucy was a beautiful flirty babe. I guess I got the wrong one." Loke blurted all of a sudden.

"It was my first time seeing Lucy. You're cousins right?" Rouge asked while Sting nodded. "How come I don't see her around Magnolia?" Rouge added.

"We were classmates on our first year here at FTA during Middle High then her family moved to Crocus. I don't know the reason why they came back- why she came back, rather." Sting said while looking at Lucy.

"Why SHE came back?" I asked Sting confused about his statement earlier.

"She ran away from home." He said. "She ran away last year. She worked for her allowance only since she got a scholarship so she's not paying any fee. I won't doubt that because she's amazingly smart. " Sting added further more.

Our talk about Lucy was halted when the bell rang again and our next period teacher came. Another boring hour passed before the bell rang indicating our lunch break. I looked at Rouge who was sleeping and woke him up. He doesn't listen because he's smart enough that's why I always wake him since I'm his seatmate. I looked back just to be surprised. Why? Lucy was also sleeping.

"Oi Lucy! Wake up already! It's already lunch break!" Sting shouted in a moderate voice enough to make Lucy stir. He's also poking Lucy in the cheek which turns pinkish every time he pokes it. I-it looks so soft.. I-I wonder how it f-feels po- Nevermind.

Lucy opened her eyes then she stretched. She stood up then ironed her skirt using her hand. "Thank you for waking me Sting!" She said then went to the door where Levy and the other girls were.

Loke swayed towards Sting then said "You and Lucy seem close to each other." which made Sting's eyebrow rise. "We were very close before she left since we're childhood friends and we hang a lot together when we were young." Sting answered while Loke just smiled.

I wonder how Lucy looked when she was young. She must be very beautiful, or cute. But there's something that bothers me...

It's this new feeling that I can't explain...