Chapter 1 - Rejection

Hi Mamma,

I told you about how I think I am falling for Natsu, right? Well, I don't think he feels the same way…

I feel like I have been replaced on the team, and I…

Hold on, let me explain…

So, you remember Lisanna? She's Natsu's childhood friend and Mira and Elfman's younger sister. She is a take-over mage like her siblings.

Well, I feel like she took my place in Team Natsu and I don't really know how to feel. I have to get money for my rent but, well, Natsu has been ignoring me.

We always do missions together, so I guess I have to be patient, right? I can't!

My rent is due in a week and I need the Jewels, I guess I am gonna have to go on a job by myself.

Anyway, I gotta go now, Mamma.

Bye, love you! Xx Lucy xX

Lucy put her pen down, reading over the letter. She would have to leave it to dry since she had to use her quill. Sighing, Lucy stood up, looking around her room. It felt… lonely and cold. Usually Lucy loved the peace and quiet of her apartment but lately, she would rather have someone, anyone in the room with her. It was too quiet.

"I guess I should pack," Lucy mumbled to herself as she walked over to her closet, pulling out her backpack and placing it on the ground. She took out some clothes and other supplies needed to go on a mission and packed them in her bag. Zipping it up, she grabbed her keys and whip, attaching them to her belt and left her apartment, locking it up behind her.

Lucy walked to the guild, ready to find a mission. As she walked in, she noticed that Natsu was actually there, by himself. Lucy stood there for a second, shocked. She hadn't seen Natsu alone for months, not since Lisanna got back from Edolas. Realizing that this was a chance to ask Natsu on a mission together, Lucy quickly walked over to him, tapping him on the shoulder.

When he didn't respond, Lucy cleared her throat. Natsu jolted a bit, realizing someone was behind him. He turned around, noticing Lucy for the first time in a long time.

"Oh, hi, Lucy!" he smiled, looking up at the blonde. "Haven't seen you in a while, where've you been?"

He didn't call me Luce, Lucy thought, starting to feel glum. And he didn't grin that dorky grin I fell for… "Oh, well," she started, looking down at her feet. "I've been here the whole time…"

"Really?" he mumbled, looking disinterested. "I haven't noticed."

"Well, I wanted to ask you something," Lucy started as she looked back up at Natsu, noticing how he didn't seem interested. "I wanted to ask if you wanted to go on a job with me?"

"Why?" Natsu asked, bluntly, taking a sip from his drink.

"Why…?" Lucy repeated, looking surprised a bit. "W-well, I n-need money for r-rent this month and…"

"Can't you go by yourself?" Natsu interrupted.

"B-by myself?" Lucy stuttered, starting to tear up. "I- I mean sure, I- I just wanted to go on a m-mission with you, because w-we haven't i-in a while…"

"So?"

"Well, I wa…"

"Natsu!" a silky and familiar voice rang out through the guild hall. Turning around, Lucy saw Lisanna walking towards where she and Natsu were.

Immediately, Natsu perked up and his dorky grin was plastered over his face. "Hey, Lisanna! Where've you been, I haven't seen you for an hour!"

"I was just getting ready for the next mission we were going on with Team Natsu!" she replied, bumping into Lucy.

"S-sorry, Lisanna!" Lucy mumbled.

"You better be," Lisanna growled in reply, turning her nose up and plopping down next to Natsu. Instantly, she put on a pout and whined to Natsu. "Natsu! Lucy bumped into me!"

"Lucy, you should watch where you're going! You could've hurt Lisanna!" Natsu growled at Lucy, while the said mage gaped at Lisanna, who in turn looked at Lucy and gave an evil grin which quickly turned into a sad pout when Natsu turned back to her.

"Well then, I'll be going," Lucy mumbled to Natsu, who just ignored her.

Walking towards the missions' board, Lucy instantly began looking for a high paying job. About 10 minutes later she walked over to Mirajane who was serving Macao a drink.

"Mira-chan!" Lucy waved the barmaid over. "I want to go on this job please!"

"Be right there, Lucy!" Mira called as she gave Cana another barrel. After she did that, she walked over to Lucy, pulling out the big book that listed all the current jobs. "Can you show it to me?"

Handing over the slip of paper, Lucy watched excitedly as Mira crossed off the mission. "Going with Natsu?" she asked, looking up with a smile.

"N-no!" Lucy exclaimed, blushing a little. "He said he was busy and suggested to go on a mission alone…"

Mira smiled sympathetically as she handed the mission back to Lucy. "Well, be careful okay?"

"I will! Bye, Mira-chan!" Lucy called over her shoulder as she ran out of the guild and outside of Magnolia.

"This should be easy enough!" Lucy muttered to herself as she reached the cottage that was indicated on the flyer. "Just gotta get rid of some bandits! Piece of cake!"

Hey guys and girls,

This is the story I have been working on. I know I said that I wouldn't upload it until I was finished, but well, it's going on for a bit longer than I thought and I already have 20 chapters!

I have enough content for over 2 weeks if I uploaded everyday!

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this story; Troubles.