I was in trouble. Yes, very serious trouble indeed. Out of everything that has ever happen to me, this has got to be in the top ten most troubling times. My heart beat fast and I felt dizzy. I chewed on my lower lip as I thought about it.

The trouble is that I have a crush. Well, that's not saying much, because isn't that a good thing? Well, it's not if that person happens to be your best friend, your rival, the same sex as you, and the absolute number one person you should NOT have a crush on. That person for me is none other than Gray Fullbuster. I don't even know how it happened. I'm not even gay!

We had been fighting as we had always fought. I think it was because Lucy pondered out loud which one was stronger- Gray or me. We quickly resolved to throwing fists and beating each other up when I suddenly felt something on my back and I fell forward- right into Gray. We both fell to the floor, and my head landed on his chest. Groaning, we both sat up, looking in surprise at how close we were- our faces only inches apart. I looked deep into his slightly confused eyes and instantly my heart started pounding wildly, going so painfully fast it was almost unbearable. I felt his icy breath ghost over my lips as he gasped slightly at our proximity and for some reason all I wanted was to close the distance between us and never let go. This occurred in a matter of seconds, but it was enough to make my face heat up. I quickly mumbled an excuse to get some ice for my head and ran into the back room before anyone could see my blush.

I knew I had a crush on him ever since we were children, but I also knew that I couldn't allow anything more to happen. Everyone thought I'd end up with Lisanna, and I tried to play along, but deep down, she was my little sister, and Gray was the one I had a crush on.

"Damn it…"

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"Ow…" I said, gripping my head. I blinked and watched Natsu run into the back room, muttering something about getting ice. What just happened? We were fighting and then suddenly… Natsu never tripped in the middle of a fight. He always had some freakish grace when fighting and was so light on the feet. Well I guess there was a first time for everything, but he didn't have to crash right into me.

"What is he talking about? I have ice right here, that idiot…" I said aloud and let magic flow into my hand to cool my throbbing head. An armored hand appeared in front of it and I took it gratefully, standing up. "Thanks." I said to Erza, who nodded with a smile. "That was the first time I've ever seen Natsu trip like that. I wonder what went wrong…" she questioned and I just shrugged.

"In any case, I suppose someone should check on that pink-haired moron…" I said, sighing slightly.

"…Gray, your clothes…" I heard Cana say and looked down to see I was only in my boxers

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I was sitting on a crate in the back room. What the crate's contents were and what they were used for, I wasn't sure of the moment, but I couldn't care less. I just concentrated on breathing and calming my heart down.

Why was I acting this way all of a sudden? I've had a crush on Gray for so long, why is this happening now? This kind of behavior was reserved for hormonal teenage girls, not a tough Dragon Slayer like him!

If I were to act this way now, it'll break everything I've worked so hard for- my friendship with Gray, my act of being totally oblivious on the subject of crushes and boyfriends and girlfriends, my constant upbeat attitude- it'd all go to waste. Yet here I was, letting two seconds of close contact with the guy I have a crush on make my face redder than an apple and my heart beat like it was having a party.

I sighed, leaning my elbows on my knees and putting my face in my hands.

Just then, a familiar voice came from directly to my left, softly asking, "Natsu?"

No.

A pressure on my back sent chills running through me as a cold, calloused hand descended upon my bare left shoulder blade. I immediately cursed myself for taking off my vest for the fight.

No. No. No.

"Hey, are you okay?" the voice asked, sounding genuinely concerned, as I felt the body shift in front of me.

Nope. Nope. Nope.

"Hey, look at me."

Gray, I would love to. I'd love to stare at your face all day long. The only problem is that for some reason I can't control myself and if I look at you, then…

The hand removed itself from my back and came back with a friend as I felt two hands attempting to part mine.

Why, Gray? This was supposed to be just a silly, stupid crush. A faze, really. Why can't I ever look at another human being and feel the same way I do about you?

After I refused to remove my hands from my face, I heard a frustrated noise come from the back of Gray's throat.

Wait….No…No… No, no, no, no, no, no, no. Realization dawned on me. It can't be! This is supposed to be a crush not… love? That's it, isn't it? I'm in love with Gray Fullbuster…

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I was honestly getting frustrated with Natsu. First he picks a fight with me, then knocks me over, then runs into the back room, and now he's not cooperating at all.

"Natsu, come on, man, snap out of it!" I said firmly, shaking his shoulders. This motion seemed to surprise him, as his hands flew from his face from the force. My heart suddenly gave a horrible twist as I saw him.

Big, fat tears were shamelessly pouring down his face and his cheeks were redder than a strawberry. His pupils were shrunken to slits with fear and confusion, an emotion rarely seen on Natsu.

Oh God did I…

"Natsu…" I breathed, trying to find words as he turned away, cornered by the crates and me.

"Did… Did I… hurt you? Does your head hurt?" I asked, extremely confused but concerned. It must be a very serious injury if he was crying… But I don't think he'd ever cry from physical pain. I think he'd black out from pain before he'd give in to tears, yet here he was, sobbing like a child who scraped his knee.

He shook his head and I breathed a small sigh of relief.

"What's wrong, then?"

Another sob wracked his body.

"…O-oi…" I sat down beside him, placing my hand on his shoulder. Wrong move.

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I took the small window of opportunity when Gray sat down and bolted out of there as fast as I could toward the back exit. I could hear a shout of surprise from Gray, but then everything else was drowned out by the sound of my heart pounding as I ran as if for my life.

I should have left immediately. I should have never come to this room. I should have run before Gray saw my face. My patheticness. My Gray…

My vision blurred, but I knew the guild by heart and easily found the back door and slipped through it. Then I ran. I ran farther and farther. I didn't even know where I was going, I just ran.

He'll think I'm disgusting. He'll think I'm weak. I'm so weak… I'm so disgusting. I'm repulsive, falling in love with my male best friend. Especially when I can't even imagine myself with any other person. Especially after I should be chasing after Lisanna or Lucy or some other nice girl.

I couldn't hear Gray's footsteps anymore, meaning I lost him, I outran him, or my heart's too loud to hear anything.

Home… I need to go home…but Happy and I are practically homeless. I usually crash out at the guild, but that's out of the question. The only other place is… Lucy's.

And as I slowed to a stop, I realized I was right in front of her apartment. I guess my subconscious took me there before my brain could process it. I allowed myself a small moment of relief before racing toward the door.