The bus rocked steadily, another shitty day at school. My head pressed against the window, headphones blocking out the crying baby. The world should be better in an anime. Fairy Tail to be exact, sure there's the cliche "the world is about to end, think about your friends and save the world!" But their lives seem amazing. I've been told on more than one occasion in my anime club that I fit Levy McGarden perfectly. Smoothing out my school skirt, I lifted my head, I'm proud of it.
Both of us love to read, write, and hate that we feel weak and small. But she's lucky enough to have more friends. I don't have a "Gajeel" in my world. Basically her knight in shining armor. Or iron armor. I prop my head in my palm and stare out the window into the water underneath the bridge we were crossing. The orange sky reflected off of the water, a version of a liquefied sun wavering in the surface of the river. Basking in the sunlight I dozed.
Suddenly the truck swerved violently to the left, people yelped in fear, grabbing onto the seat in front of them. "What the heck is the driver thinking?!" I cursed as the bus violently turned to the right, then everything slowed down.
The bus tilted off the bridge in a severe angle. Others screamed, we're not going to make it, we are going to die. I thought to myself, my eyes widen in fear as everything went weightless. The bus fell completely vertical, I'm going to die, I realized, crying.
The water rushed to engulf me in it's suffocating embrace. I swam out of an open window, trying to reach the surface. Someone's looking down on me, trying to reach me. My body loosened, my hand limp, I just gave up. It's no use, death is my only escape, my vision blurred, no...more...air.
"Levi!" A voice called to me, "Hold on, Levi!"
The hand reached me, but I faded.
The bed was warm and comfortable, sunlight welcoming. Am I in the hospital? No, hospital beds are not this comfortable. My vision was getting sharper, I stared up at the ceiling. Where am I? Why couldn't they just let me die? There's nothing in my life worth living for. My parents are dead, I'm the only living family member of my entire bloodline. My family strictly believed in the one child rule, you only have one child in your life.
Then I was declared insane by my extreme Christian neighbor. So I spent a few months in the asylum. Finally I was released when they produced evidence that I was sane and harmless. So I spent my days going to school and living off of the government's money for me. My money came from my inheritance and the government about my "insane help." No real friends, solitary life. I was as good as dead.
I lifted my hand into view, this is not right. Why was my skin smooth and light? It's supposed to be dark and rough. Turning my hands over, I was scared and confused, I bolted upright. A mirror leaned against the wall I saw myself in it. Wait, it wasn't me, it was Levy!
Did I become Levy McGarden? No doubt about it, blue hair and signature orange head band. What happened? A shuffling movement caught my eye. Lucy Heartfilia herself was right there! My jaw dropped, was I in Fairy Tail?! The blonde girl was fast asleep in a soft cushy chair next to the bed. Stacks of books everywhere and even tall shelves.
I was still dumbfounded, but suddenly she bolted upright, wide awake. With the sudden movement I started, causing a cup to break next to the bed. Remembering who I was helped me compose myself, I have to act in character. "L-Lu-chan." I felt so awkward after all this is the one and only Lucy!
She stared at me for a while, a grin getting bigger and bigger on her face. "Levy! We thought you died." She threw her arms around me, causing my side to flare up in pain. "Oh, sorry, sorry. Just really excited." She let go of me, my face white with pain.
Yes, I can use this as a time to find out what happened. "It's ok, Lu-chan. What happened to me?"
Lucy looked confused, "You don't remember anything?" She looked suspicious, shit! Make up an excuse, an excuse. My palms were damp with sweat.
"W-w-well, I did fall head first off of a cliff, I don't remember..." I laughed nervously, I made a "sorry" gesture. She seemed to believe me.
Lucy sat back in the chair, thinking. "First, do you want a drink or any food? After all, you did passed out for a week."
"A week?" I asked amazed. My stomach growled, I grew red with embarrassment. "Sure, just tea and sandwiches." Lucy moved her chair to revealed mountains of presents. "Whoa." My eyes grew wide.
Lucy laughed and unpacked a box of cakes. "Sorry, hope you're good with cake instead of sandwiches." She handed me a strawberry cake and got up to make tea. A note on the box made my heart race.
"Get well really soon, we're worried about you." It was written with careful hand writing from Erza herself! Sure enough when I bit into it, it tasted like heaven. Lucy came out with tea and carefully handed me mine. I thanked her, offering her a cake, of course she immediately said yes. Then she cleared her throat and looked down at her tea, a sad look over took her emotions.
"You wanted to go with Gajeel on his next mission, pestering him really. You two were arguing on top of that cliff with the blossom tree. You two were fighting really badly. Then he just-" Lucy paused, unable to look me in the eyes, "I guess he just lost it. He pushed you." We were quiet, my fork rattled against the plate of cake.
"I-where is he now?" I asked hesitantly. Lucy over took a look of mischievousness. Hiding her mouth she let out a lil chuckle. "I-I mean, it not like I care or anything." I crossed my arms and tossed my head in defiance, although I couldn't hide the redness flush into my cheeks.
"He went off on another mission, you can tell he only took it for solitude. He even refused Lily's company." Her blonde hair flipped, "I guess he feels bad. He thinks you're dead. But you should have seen him, he dived head first over the cliff." An evil glint in her eyes, "When's the wedding?" She smirked. Comedic smoke blew out of my ears.
"We don't like each other!" I told her firmly, waving my arms around. She held up her hands in front of her to protect her from my fists. "Right, right." She said half-heartedly. "I better get going, Natsu might be crashing in my home again." She gathered her things and before she left she looked over her shoulder, "Are you well enough to come to the guild tomorrow?"
Tilting my head, I smile and nodded. "Of course." She smiled back then the door clicked shut behind her. Absent-mindlessly I stared out the window, "What happened? I was on a bus and then-" my thoughts were interrupted by a headache. I flopped back down on my pillow, and fell asleep again.
When I wake up, I felt another presence in the room, the last twilight rays streamed through the window onto the bed. Where I lay tense but still pretending to sleep. "Oi, Levy." A deep gruff voice said, I nearly turned around, it was Gajeel. Did he realize I was awake? Or has he known already? This is going to be so awkward. Should I answer him or pretend? Gaaaaaaaah, I don't know what to do! "I don't know if you can hear me or not." He continued, ok he thought I was still asleep. Good. "I just wanted to say sorry, I didn't mean to. You're probably dead, and I'm just insane, but I'm sorry." His voice wavered. The door rattled, he started for the window and leaped, and I fell into the grasps of sleep once more.
Staring up at the sign, it read Fairy Tail with it's symbol. This is it, let's try not to let my inner fangirl out. I push open the door and is immediately swarmed by people.
"Are you ok?" Voices ask.
"Oh, Levi's back!" Happy flew over the crowd. Jet and Droy pounced on me, they cried and held on to me, I awkwardly stared past them to the others that gathered, Lucy, Natsu, Gray, Erza stood outside of the crowd, crossing her arms and a slight smile on her face. After they made sure I was ok, they dispersed back to their spot, occasional glances at me and at a dark corner of the guild. Droy and Jet followed me around but that's normal. I sat with Lucy and her normal group.
While we talked of Lucy's novel and jobs, Gray of course stripped and Juvia swooned from a distance. Natsu and Gray came close to fighting until Erza knocked their heads together. "Did you like the cakes I baked?" She asked while Natsu and Gray were collapsed on the floor.
I nodded, "They were delicious." I smiled, again with the glances. Finally I noticed the dark aura in the corner, where Gajeel sat glaring at other wizards, his back to the wall. When watching the anime, I shipped (paired) Ga-vi, Gajeel and Levi. They were the cutest couple.
Whispers, glares, and insults were thrown his way. Especially from Jet and Droy, "He shouldn't be here. He nearly killed Levi." They agreed, a glare toward Gajeel. My fists tightened in my lap as I looked down on the table.
"Stop it you two." I said under my breath. The two looked away bashfully. If I should make things right with Gajeel, now was the time, so I stood up. So did he, but he walked toward the open doors. My feet moved forward to follow him, "Gajeel." I reached out for him, unaware at the stares around the room. He looked part way back, my foot caught on a loose floor board and I fell. He stood there, quiet for a few seconds, then left. My eyes burned with tears of embarrassment and fustration. Dammit, I wiped my tears and got up, brushing myself clean of dust.
Lucy gave me a sad look, Droy and Jet nearly swore. Mira came over, "Are you alright, Levi?" She looked worried, Lisanna appeared behind her, same expression. I can't handle too much attention.
I nodded, "I'm fine. I'll just go home early today." Mira nodded and smile softly. Jet and Droy got up with me, but Master stopped them.
"Levi has to take some walks alone." He said, Jet and Droy sat back down, deflated. I gave Master a greatful look. Mira came over and gave me a little lunch box.
"That's your dinner, ok?" She tilted her head and smiled. "The Sola tree in the park at sunset." She pressed the lunch box into my hands and whispered into my ear, "I garentee he's there." She gave me an encouraging smile and made her way back to the bar, Lisanna gave me a pat on the shoulder and followed. Lucy gave me a thumbs up with Wendy. I nodded firmly and left.
The sunlight and leaves woke me, where was I? The nightingale sang out it's call in the branches above where I sat, back leaning against the tree trunk. I smiled, the sky was beautiful. Orange with the sun creeping down the horizon. Just like the day of the crash, had it only been one week?
I sat admiring the sunset at the Sola Tree in the park. My lunch sat in the grass next to me, still warm. My mouth watered in anticipation of the meal, I hope Gajeel hurries up because I'm starving!
Two men snuck up on me while I dozed about my meal, "Hey hey, look what we found. A cutie!" The younger one in a brown shirt and beanie smirked. The other in a dirty grey shirt and short Brown hair. They both smirked down on me, I tensed.
"There's no way I can take them both at once." I frantically thought, "Think Levi, think!" They exchanged a evil smile.
The older one reached for me, I shivered and tried to swat his hand away, blocking my face with the other hand. The younger man's expression hardened. "Feisty are you?" He slapped my hand away and grabbed my arm.
"Let me go." I demanded, struggling. Out of no where a iron pillar shout out and broke his grasp on me. I got up and turned around, "Gajeel." I thought happily, a grin surfacing.
The thug rubbed his injured hand, "What's your problem? We're just having fun." He glared at Gajeel. The older one looked frightened.
"O-oi, I think it's best if we leave." He tried to pull his friend away. But he wouldn't budge.
"Huh? You wanna quit now? Just because a buttwipe got in the wa-" he took a punch to the face, interrupting him mid-sentence. A smile lit up my face, my savior!
He got up, looking more angier than before. But his friend whispered in his ear, "That's Gajeel from Fairy Tail." The younger one's face paled with fear. The both ran off shouting something about an "iron demon."
The signature chortle from Gajeel finished it off, my eyes shone with excitement. Gajeel in person! He's taller and scarier in person.
"No one touches my shrimp." He smirked. Lily, his Exceed, nodded approval. "Finished them off quick, weak."
Lily was adorable! His tiny body. And sword strapped to his back. I resisted the strong urge to hug him. "You alright, Levy?" He turned to me, I tried hard mot to smile and nodded. "Good. Gajeel, if you have something to say, say it now." He peered at him. The Iron Dragon had a slight blush as he looked the other way. I looked surprised for a few seconds then giggled when I understood. He looked at me and blinked a couple of times and exchanged looks with Lily.
People started staring and pointing . Gajeel started looking around and getting more red. "Hey, shrimp, stop making a big scene." I tried but I couldn't contain the giggles which turned into laughter. Then I felt myself being lifted off the ground and thrown over his shoulder, I flailed in protest.
"Put me down, baka Gajeel!" Then I realized the town can see up my skirt, I flushed red and pulled down the hem. He laughed, "Geehee." Lily flew behind us and smiled, they carried me to a private field where they set me down in a field of flowers.
Getting up, I patted the dust off of my skirt. Then the sight made me catch my breath. The white petals adapted the orange rays of the sunset. Soft grass made a wave as the breeze blew in. Hugging my knees to my chest, I examined a small white flower. Beautiful. I felt something added to my hair, reaching up, I felt a flower. Gajeel sat back and leaned on his hands as the breeze pushed through. Lily stood on a rock with his eyes closed and arms crossed over his chest.
A flower brushed my hand and I had a brilliant idea. "A flower crown!" I smiled, starting to make it behind their backs so no one could see. Twice Gajeel tried to turn around and look but both times I hit him in the face. "No looking." I pursed my lips. When I was done I placed one on Lily's head and one on Gajeel's head. Lily blushed but laughed at Gajeel's face with the flower crown. Seeing the two of them I smiled widely. Gajeel went on about how he didn't look that bad, and how ridiculous Lily looked, so those two went at it. My laugh interrupted them, they looked at me confused.
Lily's stomach growled, then Gajeel's and mine. The bento box! I grabbed the box, unwrapped it and opened it. Waaaah, it looked delicious. Omelette rice, with beef drizzled in teriyaki and sushi. I snapped the chopsticks, and picked one sushi up, "Right, open up." Lily opened his mouth but Gajeel intercepted and ate it before Lily could eat it. "Geehee." He chuckled, Lily had a irritated mark above his head. I patted Lily in the head.
I offered him some omelette rice and he ate it quickly a side glance at Gajeel. Who broke another pair of chopsticks and was about to eat the beef before I ate it. We stayed like that for a few seconds, me biting his chopsticks and Gajeel sitting there blinking while Lily looked shocked. "Oi, shrimp, do you mind?" Gajeel said calmly. I ate it, warm goodness. He grimaced while his face grew red. Lily chortled then turned into full blown laughter.
"Anyway." Said a crying Lily, the black cat wiped his eyes of tears and cleared his throat. "Gajeel, we all know you want to say something." He threw an expectant glance at his partner, who looked the other way.
"I'm sorry for pushing you and would you like to..." Gajeel trailed off, looking into the distance. Geeeh?! Was he asking me out? Wait, I'm not ready for this! My palms started sweating, my face getting extremely red. "Get down." He murmured under his breath.
Get down?! Wait, not so fast. First it's a date then now he wants to...Steam blew out of my ears. "Get down." He hissed, tackling me down. Now I was confused, not only me. Lily asked him what was going on, then we heard footsteps.
"Damn those Fairy Asswipes. We can teach those weaklings a lesson." A male voice spat out.
A calmer one answered, "Yes, but we can't make war with them. They defeated Phantom Lord in a guild war and they won the games."
At the name of his old guild, Gajeel tensed, I held onto his arm trying to prevent him from attacking.
"Well Phantom was weak, and their win was a fluke. We can take 'em." The other roared. Gajeel looked outraged, I held him back.
I pleaded with him, "Gajeel, please don't. They're trying to lure you out." He still had that murderous look on his face. I tried a last resort, "Don't leave me alone." That took him by surprise but he relaxed a little. "Come on, let's go back to my dorm."
"No boys allowed." Gajeel pointed out, I smiled and winked.
"But who has to know?"