I woke up this morning very anxious. It's been a few weeks since I've gone on a real job. Jet and Droy were beaten up pretty bad on our last one, while I managed to get out with just a few scrapes and bruises. Thanks to Wendy's healing, they've recovered from their various broken bones. Now they were just nursing their broken spirits, upset that I had to save them again. I've been doing translation jobs to keep myself entertained, but I was really in the mood for a good fight.
"Maybe I can get Lucy to spar with me?" I said to myself as I was choosing my outfit for the day. Instead of my usual sundress, I opted for a tight black tank top and some athletic shorts. They were a bit too short for my taste, but they were easy to move in and I still wanted that fight. With a black ribbon holding my hair out of my face, my outfit felt complete. Grabbing my bag and throwing on some orange running shoes, I left my house and headed to the guild with a skip in my step.
I opened the doors and walked in, looking around at everyone already there. Mira greeted me as was giving Cana another barrel, Gajeel and Lily looked my way and went back to their conversation, Wendy and Carla waved at me from their table. It was relatively empty since it was only ten in the morning. I noticed Lucy wasn't here yet as I walked up to the bar to order breakfast. She should be returning from her job today, I can wait.
"Good morning, Mira. Can I get my usual please?" I asked, putting the appropriate amount of Jewel on the counter. Mira simply nodded before going into the kitchen to start my order. I looked around for a place to sit when my eyes wandered over to Gajeel and Lily, both still talking. Who am I kidding? My eyes went there first. I smiled and walked over when I noticed Gajeel look my way.
"Good Morning, Gajeel, good morning, Lily." I said cheerfully, sitting across from the two and reaching to scratch Lily's right ear. He would never admit it, but that was his sweet spot. Lily returned my greeting as Gajeel simply grunted and looked away from me. I pulled out my book while waiting for my food, getting lost in its pages. It was a sappy romance novel, but I couldn't help being pulled into it as time went on. Sometime later, I was forced back to reality as Gajeel pulled the novel from my grasp. Mira had come over to place my food in front of me. She smiled and sashayed away. That woman is sexy in every way. I thought, watching her for a second before turning to my food.
"How can a shrimp like you eat a mountain of pancakes and stay a shrimp?" Gajeel asked, a slight smirk on his lips as he teased me. I huffed at him and counted the flapjacks in front of me, 7, just a bit more than my usual since I was expecting a good workout.
"I love pancakes, is that a problem? Besides, I need the fuel if I want to spar with Lucy later." I said, grabbing my fork and taking a big bite while not breaking eye contact with him. He just laughed as I munched happily, nothing could beat Mira's cooking.
"So, you're looking for a fight? I'll take ya on, Shrimp. Though I don't think you'd stand a chance. Gihee!" He laughed, settling back into his signature smirk in response to my glare. I chose not to respond and focused on my pancakes and steaming cup of English Breakfast tea, another favorite.
Just as I put the last bite in my mouth, Lucy and Natsu shuffled in the door, a good five feet apart as Happy flew behind them giggling. Natsu and Happy went to sit with Wendy and Carla as Lucy walked to the bar and dropped her hear on the counter. I picked up my dishes and walked over to my friend. She didn't pick up her head as I set my dishes on the counter.
"Good morning Lu!" I said cheerfully as I sat next to her. She peeked up but remained in her position.
"Good morning, Levy." She said dejectedly. She finally brought her head up to look at me, her face looked just as distraught and worn out.
"What's wrong?" I asked, seeing the pained look on my best friend's face. I've seen her upset after a mission, but not quite like this. Something big must have happened, and I wanted to know.
"It's complicated, can you come over tonight so we can talk? I'm going to go home and sleep. I hardly slept at all the past few days, and I am physically and emotionally drained." She answered. Just as I was about to respond, I saw her gaze slip passed me and a small grin taking over her frown before she looked back at me.
"Sure Lu, what was that look just now though?" I asked, looking behind me to see Gajeel and Lily deep in conversation, before turning back.
"I'll tell you tonight, I'll see you later!" She responded, getting up and practically running for the door. Whatever she had seen seemed to breathe new life in her. I stared after her for a second before sighing and returning to my sear, Gajeel and Lily stopped talking on my approach. I sat down slightly upset about not getting that fight I wanted, resigning myself to another day of reading and bantering with the dragon slayer in front of me.