Chapter One

(Lucy's POV)

Burning. Everything is burning.

I'm gasping for air as I stumble around, blindly searching for an exit.

My body gives way and I collapse onto the floor. I give up and just lay there, choking and trembling. No one is coming to my aid. I am alone.

"Lucy…"

I whip my head around frantically as I search for the source of the familiar voice.

"Lucy! Come on get up! We have to go!" I hear the woman's voice again, this time more clearly.

"Mum, is that you?" I whisper as my eyes slowly begin to open and come into focus.

I awaken to find my roommate shaking me gently by the shoulder. I must have slept through my alarm… again. The clock reads '7:42am'.

"Lucy if you don't get up now we're going to be late!"

"Right!" I answer automatically as I dive out of bed, grab my usual short blue skirt, collared blue and white top and long black boots from the closet and make a beeline for the bathroom. After dressing myself, I give my teeth a thorough scrub and tie a side-section of my hair up in my trademark blue ribbon.

"I'm going to leave without you!" I hear Levy call from the front door. Snatching my handbag and an apple from the kitchen, I sprint to meet Levy at the car, being sure to lock the front door on the way.

"Thanks for waiting Levy," I express cheerfully, and flash the cutest smile I could manage.

"No problem Lucy, but next time I really will leave without you."

"You're the best!" I decree, and am rewarded with a bright smile.

I clock in at precisely 7:59am.

"Whew! SAFE!" I exclaim, and my workmates all turn and cheer simultaneously. The office is as rowdy as ever it would seem.

"Cutting it kind of close there huh Luce? That's not like you."

Caught off guard I whirl to find a beaming Natsu with a cup of coffee in one hand and various folders and documents in the other. He's looking as gorgeous as ever, dressed in the usual black white and gold, with his treasured white scarf hanging loosely from his neck. I could feel a heated flush creep its way up my cheeks. Crap. I hope he doesn't notice.

"Uh yeah, well um I was just..." I begin, before being abruptly interrupted.

"You lot get to work immediately, or I'll have you work unpaid overtime," Erza announces coolly from the doorway of the boss's office. Erza is the assistant manager here at Fairy Tail Industries, and boy can she be scary when she wants to be.

"Well, I guess I'll catch you later," Natsu says, before turning and striding over to his desk at the other side of the office. Letting out a breathy sigh, I begin to saunter over to my own. I struggle to supress the idiotic grin beginning to take over my face as I take my seat, rest my face in my hands and begin to daydream.

"Got a colossal crush on him huh?" Grey smirks from his desk opposite mine.

"What!? No way!" I snap defensively, instinctively rising from my seat and assuming a defensive position.

"Are you kidding me? It's so obvious. Your face is redder than a beetroot!" he taunts.

"Shut up! No its not!" I yell and hurl my old half-eaten apple core at the arrogant jerk. It sails straight and true and collides with his forehead.

"Like it matters anyway," he growls, "He'd never go out with someone like you."

"Someone like me!?" I snap.

"That's enough you two" Makarov asserts firmly.

Oh crap it's the boss! "I'm sorry sir," I manage. I take a seat and begin organising the day's work. I glare at Grey, who swiftly returns the favour. Dropping my gaze I begin to furiously tap away at the desktop keyboard.

This is going to be a long day.

Levy said she'd meet me in the break room for lunch today. I hope she hasn't been waiting too long… Just then I feel the sensation of something cold brush against the small of my back. I yelp and strike out at the perpetrator, who dodges my blows by the skin of his teeth. Ugh it's Loke.

"Woah! You almost got me!" Loke feigns a shocked expression.

"Don't touch me! What do you want Loke?" I demand. God he's such a pervert!

"I just wanted to see my darling girl out for lunch. Say, do you want to grab a drink after work tonight? Great! I'll meet you at Queen Decims at 8?" He's so damn full of himself it's repulsive!

"I won't be there. I have plans," I announce proudly.

"Oh yeah, like what?" he enquires.

"None of your business!" I yell, and strut off to the break room where Levy is doubtless patiently waiting. I check to make sure he hasn't followed. Great, he's nowhere to be seen. I sigh a breath of relief and spot Levy already eating at a nearby table.

"Hey!" I call as I toddle on over. "Can I get you a drink? My shout."

"Sure thanks. I'll have the usual," she chirps. I punch in the numbers for a lemonade for myself, and a peach iced tea for Levy. Still I am fuming over the earlier incident with Grey and run in with the uncontrollable flirt Loke, and I tell Levy the story.

"But you do like him? Natsu I mean." She jests.

"Is it really that obvious?" I question doubtfully.

"I see you gawking at him from time to time," she coos and takes a sip of her iced tea.

I can't help but smile to myself. I like Natsu… I mean I really like like him. Whenever he's around I blush bright red, and I prattle on like a complete moron. I mean who wouldn't? The guy is gorgeous, kind, strong, funny… Ah I could just melt!

I change the subject. "So what about you? You have a secret crush that I don't know about?" I joke.

Levy goes still, and a flush becomes apparent on her face. She looks down at her shoes in embarrassment.

"Who is it? Jet? Droy? Who?" I plead. I cannot contain my excitement for my best friend/ roommate.

She hesitates before simply whispering "Gajeel."

"Gajeel?!" I splutter, almost falling from my chair. "Really?! As in the weird, scary guy that doesn't seem to know how to smile?!"

Levy jumps up and looks around frantically. "Shhhh Luce," she hushes. "Not so loud!"

"Sorry Lev, but why?" I ask curiously.

"I don't know Luce. He's really kind to me and he's got the tall, dark and handsome thing going…" she gushes.

"Fair enough I suppose," I say, just as Gajeel himself walks in and begins to make a pot of coffee. Today he is dressed rather sharply in navy and silver, his facial piercings glittering under the fluorescent light.

"Hey Gajeel!" I call out and wave, only to have Levy snatch my wrist and hold it down by my sides. She shoots silent daggers in my direction.

"Oh hey… Lucy." He replies glumly. Then his face lightens up and his posture straightens as he catches sight of Levy. He smiles shyly at her, and she returns the sentiment. They stare at each other for a while…. Well this is awkward.

I turn to Levy and smile, "Well, I'll see you when you get home Lev. I think I'd like to walk home tonight, and get some fresh air." And I walk out without waiting for her response.

I hope they hit it off.

End Chapter One

Yay I'm so excited to have finished the first chapter! Plenty more where that came from! Sorry it's so short :D

Please go ahead and let me know what you think. The next chapter will be up in the next week or so (though no promises as I do have heaps of assessment).

Thanks for reading! :D