Fall Semester, Senior Year; October

"Did you hear?"

"Yeah, I got the text. Do you know how bad it is?"

"Nobody does," a third voice said. Lucy looked up from where she sat with her books spread out around her on the floor. They had another hour before practice was supposed to start, but there were benefits to being a senior, and having the last period free was one of them. She was camped out on the floor of the storage room where the cheerleading squad stored their mats when not practicing, and several other members of her squad had taken refuge there as well. It was usually a quiet place to do work, but today, phones were buzzing incessantly and the whispers were starting. On a normal day, Lucy kept the place as quiet as possible, and all who visited the storage room knew that if the blonde was doing work, the room had to be quiet. One loud noise, and you'd find yourself running laps for the rest of the period.

The whispers continued, accompanied by the buzzing of phones and the occasional sound of someone typing out a response. Lucy finished the question she was working on, thought about either ignoring the issue or sending the entire group out to do laps, and decided just to ask. From what she could tell, something big was going on, and nothing she could do would make it go away.

"What's going on?" she asked, still bent over her books. Despite not looking at the other girls in the room, she instinctively knew they were frozen in place.

"Um, sorry Lucy, we didn't mean to make so much noise…" someone began, and Lucy sighed. Since when do freshmen get free periods? she wondered, knowing that the speaker wasn't a senior. If it was, the girl would have just answered the question without making excuses. Lifting her head from her work, Lucy scanned the girls perched in various places around the room, phones in hand. It was easy to tell who had responded, given that the girl was trying to make herself as small as possible.

"What's the fuss about?" Lucy said, rephrasing her question and hoping that someone would answer it this time. She didn't have to wait long, as Sherry said quietly from the mats above her:

"There's a rumor going around that Yukino was in an accident."

Yukino? Lucy wondered. She knew of the girl, it wasn't hard not to. Yukino was a rising star in the dance world, and rumor had it that several prestigious ballet companies were recruiting the girl pretty heavily now that she was in her senior year. "What kind of accident?"

"Car," Sherry's sister, Chelia, piped up. Lucy arched an eyebrow, knowing that the girl was only a sophomore, and should likely be in class. Looking around the room again, she realized that there were quite a few more people than normal in the small room.

"I take it that you're all here because of the news?" she asked coldly. "If you were skipping classes…that would be a problem."

Murmurs of assent rippled throughout the room, although Lucy noticed several shifty looks. With another sigh, she turned back to her books. "Well, keep it down. There's no use speculating. If Yukino was in an accident, there'll be an announcement. For now, the rumor mill's only going to get more wrong than they get right."

"What about practice today?" Lisanna asked from her perch on top of some stacked boxes.

"What about it?" Lucy shrugged. "We're not going to cancel because the rumor mill's running. Unless they cancel all after school activities, we're proceeding as normal." She knew how heartless it sounded. Some of her squad had been in dance classes with Yukino since they were kids, and they were likely worried out of their minds. But they had a competition coming up next week, and they were nowhere near ready.

Nobody else had any questions, and the whispers died down, although the texting did not. Satisfied with the noise level, Lucy looked at the next question in her calculus homework. She really needed to get this done before practice started…

After three hours of practice, she was more than ready to shower and go home. The mood was certainly subdued, and while her ban on cellphones during practice had been enforced, girls had been checking them nonstop during water breaks. There had been a small pile in the corner of the gym floor with the water bottles, a chirping, vibrating pile. Lucy had put up with it, knowing that there was no way she could stop it, but that didn't mean that it hadn't annoyed her throughout the entire practice.

Finishing up her sweep of the gym, she checked to make sure that the equipment room door was locked before heading to the locker room. Before she could enter though, she was stopped by the athletic director.

"Lucy, I assume you're done with practice?" Mr. Clive asked, running a hand through his hair. She knew what that meant, had seen it when members of the sports teams had been injured, and prepared herself for the statement she knew was coming.

"Yes sir, I just finished making sure everything was put away. Is there anything I can help you with?"

He eyed her skeptically, and she knew that she hadn't fooled him with her blithe tone. It was hard to get anything by him, and she wasn't trying particularly hard to hide it this time. Lucy just wasn't going to jump to conclusions, preferring to wait instead until he gave her information. "I would hazard a guess that the rumor mill's already reported that there was an accident today?" he asked after another moment.

So they were right. "I had heard something of that sort. However, I figured it was best to wait for the facts before doing much." Other than reminding my squad that practice was mandatory unless I've exempted them from it. That had been a fun conversation to have, complete with averted eyes and nervous shifting. She'd also taken a moment to remind the girls that class attendance was mandatory, and that she had copies of all of their schedules.

"Yukino Aguria was involved in a car accident this afternoon. She was taken to the hospital with severe injuries, but they think she has a good chance of pulling through, although it's not going to be easy."

"That's horrible," Lucy said softly, meaning it. She had thought that it had been a small accident, blown out of proportion by the rumor mill, but apparently they had gotten it right for once. Although, with Cana at the helm of most of the gossip around here, we usually pass about more fact than fiction. Cana Alberona was the daughter of Mr. Clive, but stayed as far from the athletic department as possible, preferring the more social aspects of high school. In all of Magnolia High, she was probably the best informed, with a talent for picking up information that rivaled only Mirajane Strauss, who had graduated the year before.

"Indeed. For a while, they were worried that she might lose a leg, but apparently they've managed to save it, or at least that's what they think." Mr. Clive paused for a moment before continuing. "I know you have a competition coming up, but I'm strongly recommending that you cancel practice for the next two days. This is going to be a shock for the students, and many of them may need time to come to terms with it. Especially if Yukino is allowed visitors in the near future."

"I will certainly see what I can do. Today's practice was encouraging. I'll probably cancel official practices, but strongly suggest everyone spends time in the weight room or on the track instead." Lucy knew that some people might think she was heartless, but beyond the general sense of horror that she felt, knowing that someone that she knew was injured, she found it hard to muster more than vague sympathy. While she had known of Yukino, and had been her classmate every now and then throughout the years, she hadn't known Yukino, not really.

"That appears to be the popular option," Mr. Clive agreed. "Most of the other captains have said much the same. There are a lot of upcoming tournaments that everyone's preparing for. I also recommend that you're a bit lenient on your attendance policy in the near future. As she recovers, some of your squad in particular may wish to see her."

"Of course," Lucy replied. While she may not feel immensely struck by the incident, she knew some of her squad would. Requiring everyone's presence would only create resentment and problems within the team. "If that's all, I need to shower and get home. My family will be worried."

Mr. Clive grinned at her, the worry lifting from his face for a moment. "Natsu said that he'd hang around and give you a ride. I guess your brother was impatient to take off. Hot date?"

"With himself probably," Lucy muttered, rolling her eyes. Sting could be irritatingly narcissistic on occasion. She was willing to bet that he just wanted to get home to his computer where he could figure out every bit of information possible. He wasn't interested in Yukino, to her knowledge, but if there was one thing he was interested in, it was gossip. Her brother could spend hours trawling the internet to track down rumors. Nothing pleased him more than being able to hold court, shelling out bits of information to adoring and interested audiences.

"Anyway, Natsu should be just about done by now. The guys called it quits because of the rain." Mr. Clive walked towards his office, waving goodbye. Hurrying into the locker room, Lucy rushed to clean up.

As Mr. Clive had promised, Natsu was waiting for her by the front doors, leaning against the display case that held the athletic trophies. "Hey Luce," he called with the easy grin of his that she loved so much. "How was practice?"

"Surprisingly good, despite the news." Lucy said, kissing him lightly.

His expression changed. "Yeah, we were all pretty shaken up. The guys were saying all sorts of stuff…between that and the rain, we didn't get much done. I'm glad Gildarts gave me a reason to not make them practice for the next two days. Even if I did…they'd be distracted."

"I'm giving the squad the two days too," Lucy agreed as they walked towards the student parking lot. "They managed today, but the cellphone symphony was about to drive me up the wall. I'll have open conditioning in the weight room or the track, but they won't be required to be there."

"Does that mean we'll get some time?" Natsu asked hopefully, puppy dog expression on his face as he slipped an arm around her waist.

"If I'm holding practice, I have to be there," Lucy pointed out, leaning into him as much as possible while they were still moving. "Captain's responsibility."

"Yeah, but I can be there too. We could run together," Natsu pointed out, fishing his keys out of his pocket. "Want to get some food?"

Lucy unshouldered her schoolbag as she reached for the door handle. "I would, but my dad wants me home. He's been big on family dinners all of the sudden. All we do is talk about college applications though."

Natsu grimaced. "Yeah, my old man's been harping on me about that. It's so much paperwork though…sometimes I wish I could just go for a career in sports and be done with it, but Dad says I should get a degree so when I break things, I have something to do."

"Your dad's just looking out for you," Lucy said, sliding into the passenger seat. "I mean, you're going to get too old to play soccer competitively someday. Have you thought about where you're going to apply?"

"Probably just to Magnolia University," Natsu started the engine. "What about you? Sting was saying that he's been looking at a bunch of places."

"Yeah, he's been checking out a ton of schools. He's probably going to study business, so he can take over the company eventually." Lucy bit her lip and stared out the window, hoping that Natsu wouldn't ask about her plans. Why did I even start this conversation anyway?

"You should apply to Magnolia too, Luce." Natsu glanced over at her. "If you're not going to get your license, you should stick around so I can keep driving you."

She knew he wondered why she didn't want to get her license, but she couldn't tell him. He wouldn't understand, nobody outside her house would. Ever since he had gotten his license, he had been there to drive her to and from school, unless Sting was feeling generous, which was rare. "I'll definitely think about it. Not sure what I'm planning on studying though, so that makes it hard."

"Well, you shouldn't have any issues at all," Natsu's grin was back, spreading across his face like the sun coming out from behind the clouds. "I mean, if it weren't for Levy, you'd be top of your class. Man, every time I hear someone say that cheerleaders are ditzy bimbos, I point to you and tell them that you've got second in your class."

"Only when Erza's having a bad day," Lucy reminded him, thinking of the redheaded student council president. While she could be intimidating, Erza Scarlet was the ideal high school student. Student Council President, top-five student, captain of the softball team…there was pretty much nothing she couldn't do.

"Anyway," Natsu said, rolling his eyes at her protest. "You're smart, athletic, and drop-dead gorgeous. Not to mention you're funny and you put up with me."

Snickering, Lucy grinned. "I think I didn't know what I signed up for when I agreed to be your friend in kindergarten. And to think I agreed to be your girlfriend when you finally found the courage to ask."

"Hey!" he protested. "You obviously don't have an issue, since it's been three years." Stopping the car, he mock-glared at her, lip sticking out in a pout.

With a smile, she leaned across and kissed him gently. "Nope, you're the only one I want to be with. Text you later?"

"Sure thing Luce," he called as she got out the car and walked up the path to the front door, where a maid was waiting for her. Sighing, Lucy slipped into her emotionless mask. Natsu had a way of breaking down all of her barriers, but coming home brought them up in full force.

Inside, she slid her shoes off and handed her coat and bag to the maid as she asked: "Where are my father and brother?"

"Mr. Heartfilia is in his study, Miss Lucy. And Master Sting is up in his room," the maid said politely. "Dinner should be on the table in fifteen minutes."

"I'm really cutting it close, aren't I?" Lucy murmured under her breath as she took her bag from the maid. She would have to change quickly. If there was one thing she hated in particular about dinner with her family, it was that her father insisted that she dress for dinner. With cheerleading practice, getting home with enough time to slip into fresh clothes and pin up her hair was rough.

Upstairs in her room, she dropped her bag next to her desk and opened her closet, finding a skirt and cardigan that would do. Shimmying out of her jeans and teeshirt, she hurried into the skirt and found a cami that would go with the cardigan. With a swiftness gained from practice, she bound her hair up into a sleek bun and checked her watch. Two minutes to spare. I'm getting good at this.

Emerging in the hallway, Lucy found her twin coming out of his own room. "You hear about Yukino?" he asked eagerly, fixing his hair.

"Everyone knows by now Sting," she murmured softly, remembering her tutor's lessons in deportment. Ever since her mother died, she had weekly lessons in being a lady while Sting received instruction in the finer details of how to run a business.

"They're saying she almost lost a leg," he muttered as they descended the stairs together. "Who knows, she still might."

"That's enough of that," Lucy said, rapping her brother on the head. "Natsu says you guys called it quits today because of the rain. What, you guys afraid of mud?"

"We aren't pampered princesses," Sting retorted as they entered the dining room. "Not everyone gets to practice inside all the time."

"That's enough Sting." Jude Heartfilia sat at the head of the table, looking over a portfolio, his secretary hovering behind him. "While I understand that your involvement with sports is necessary to being a well-rounded individual, we do not need to discuss them more than absolutely necessary."

"Yes, Father," Sting said quietly as he took his seat at the table. As Jude closed the portfolio and handed it to his secretary, the maids began serving the meal. For a short while, not a word was said between the three, but Jude broke the silence. "Sting, how are the applications coming?"

"Well," the blonde said. "I've got the one for Acalypha University done, but I was wondering if you'd had a chance to think about me submitting one to Magnolia as well? I know it wasn't something you had thought of, but I'd be close enough that I could learn first hand from you. Laxus says that their business program is pretty good too…"

"Out of the question," Jude's voice was cold.

"May I ask why, Father?" Sting asked quietly, and Lucy almost sighed. Her brother was on shaky ground. Nobody asked their father to justify himself.

"Magnolia is not suitable for you." Jude's tone made it clear that the matter was dismissed, but Lucy could see that her twin was not satisfied.

"But it's suitable for Laxus?"

"That is enough," Jude gritted out. "The heir of the Heartfilia Konzern will not lower himself to attend the local university. Acalypha specializes in business and will allow you to make excellent connections. Crocus or Era would also do. Capricorn informs me that you will need to remain diligent in your studies though. If your involvement with the soccer team prevents you from spending adequate time with your books, you will have to leave."

"Yes, Father." Sting said quietly, and Lucy could tell that the threat to his place on the team had done more to cow him than Jude's subtle slight against Laxus. She suspected that the man had only started family dinners after Laxus had left so he wouldn't show an obvious bias towards his biological children over his adopted ward. Her mother had begged him to take in the child of her best friend after the woman had passed, but Laxus had never been considered one of the family, and they all were well aware. Sometimes Lucy envied her older brother's freedom, but she remembered how painful the slights were to experience as an observer, and couldn't think that anymore.

Only at the end of the meal did Jude turn to Lucy. "Aquarius tells me that your deportment, while still leaving much to be desired, has improved lately. She says that at the rate you are improving, you should be ready for your debut in the early spring. Already, some of my business associates have approached me about arranging a match with one of their sons when you have graduated. Do not disappoint me."

"Yes, Father," she murmured, her eyes on her hands in her lap.

"It is good to see that you are aware of your role," Jude said firmly. "For a while, it seemed as if you were going to act like Laxus, but you appear to have come to your senses. As a Heartfilia female, it is your duty to support this family by marrying advantageously."

"I understand Father."

Lucy could feel Jude's eyes on her. "You should cease your relationship with that Dragoneel boy as soon as possible. He is worth nothing to our family. I hope you have maintained the proper distance with him? If you are not a maiden when you are married, you are a stain on our family's good name."

Fighting a blush, Lucy said softly: "I have remained chaste Father. Natsu understands that there are boundaries that must be respected. And I see no harm in maintaining my relationship with him for the time being."

"Father, at this moment a relationship with him may serve many purposes," Sting said quietly. "For one, while he may not be the most desirable match in the long run, in the school, he is best suited for her. Already there is talk that the two will be nominated as King and Queen of the prom, the closest we get to rankings. They are the most powerful couple in the school at the moment, in terms of influence. His presence at her side also deters most other suitors, who would be even less desirable. I cannot be by her side at all times."

"I see your point," Jude stroked his mustache. "Very well then, Lucy, you may continue seeing the Dragoneel boy. But only until you have successfully obtained the ranking of Queen. Your mother was selected as Queen, and I expect you to follow in her footsteps."

"As you wish," Lucy nearly whispered, before standing. "Father, I ask to be excused. I still have some studying to finish before I retire."

"You may be excused," Jude said dismissively. "Now Sting, I want to discuss that potential merger we were discussing the other night…"

Fleeing the dining room, Lucy took refuge in her room, fighting back the burning tears. As she stripped out of her dinner clothes, she bit back the angry torrent that wanted to be set free, raging against her father's blatant chauvinism. It had never mattered to him that her grades were better than Sting's or Laxus's. She had only been allowed to join the cheerleading squad because he thought that it was the most respectable activity for her. By the time she had entered, the art club was long defunct, and since he didn't approve of her being involved with student government, the student council was out of the question. Lucy wasn't even sure if he understood the athleticism that cheerleading required, seeing as he had never bothered to attend one of her competitions.

With a grim chuckle, she slipped into pajama pants and a tee shirt before settling at her desk. Lucy knew that her father wasn't the most hands on parent, but he apparently had no qualms at manipulating his children to suit his own desires. She wished Laxus hadn't moved into the dorms when he went to university. Things wouldn't have been quite as trying if he had been there. Her adopted older brother, while a bit rough around the edges at times, had a way of making things seem better. After her mother had died, Laxus had become her confidant and her protector. Sure, he had gone through a rough period as a teenager, but he had always been there for her.

Opening up her laptop, she found an email from him waiting for her. Smiling, she read about his adventures at university, the day to day updates peppered with small anecdotes about his friends, Freed and Bickslow, and his girlfriend Mira. Hitting the reply button, she tried to think of what to say.

Hey Lax,

Father was his usual charming self again tonight. Sting wanted to talk about applying to Magnolia, but he got shot down pretty hard. Even was threatened with being taken off the team if he didn't keep his grades up. I don't know what dad's worrying about. Sting's probably top ten if he applies himself.

Apparently he's thinking of arranging a marriage for me after graduation. He didn't say anything about college applications to me, so I'm thinking of just applying to Magnolia and figuring out what I want to do. Father also told me that I should stop dating Natsu…

Lucy hit the backspace button, knowing that none of what she had written was what she wanted to tell Laxus. He was finally free of the oppressive atmosphere of the house, and she shouldn't complain. Even with how much she was ignored, he had it worse while he was still in the house. Looking at the blank reply, she began typing again.

Hey Lax,

Things have been kinda quiet here. Just college applications and cheerleading for me. I haven't figured out what I want to do yet, so I'll probably just apply to Magnolia and use my freshman year to figure things out. No idea where Sting's applying though.

I cancelled regular practice for the squad tomorrow and the next day, and Natsu did the same for his team. We'll probably go running together tomorrow instead, which means that we'll probably bump into Grey. Hopefully, another bystander will have a camera so you can see the outcome of this one. If Erza wasn't in the classes they have together, I don't think anyone would be able to learn.

We cancelled practice because Yukino Aguria was in a car accident today. I don't have too many details, but Mira usually knows more than I do anyway. Cana's been doing her best, but your girlfriend still knows more than most of the school put together.

Anyway, I've got homework to do. Hope your exam next week goes well.

Lucy

Sending the message, she pulled her textbooks out of her bag. While she had gotten a fair bit of work done, it still wasn't enough to make her feel comfortable with stopping for the night. Lucy grabbed a pencil and a fresh sheet of paper and prepared to settle in for a while. Homework, while tedious, was always a pleasant distraction from other, more troubling, thoughts.

***Well, here it is. The small-ish story that was distracting me from Still Standing. This is loosely based on "The Ballad of Sara Berry" by Ryan Scott Oliver. I encourage you to listen to it, as it will give you an idea of how the plot of this will turn out. This chapter is mainly set-up for the rest of the plot, which starts in the next chapter. It's completely AU and if I end up throwing a pairing in...well I don't know. We'll have to see. Each chapter will be based in a certain month of the school year, going with the U.S. school system.***