With a sigh I close my fridge door, pausing with my hand on the handle. Despite knowing what lay behind the doors, I still hoped food would magically appear, with no such luck. Looks like I will have to go shopping a few days early. Can my bank account handles that? I pull out my checkbook, sighing in relief. I have enough for a few necessary groceries.
"I'll be right back Plue." I pat my small white chihuahua, who is shaking uncontrollably on my small love seat. With the click of my door, clatter of my heals on steel stairs and purse in hand I join the populace of Magnolia City. The city life runs around me, the noise now a normal sound. After years living in the city, horns, sirens, and shouts are muffled, barely registering in my brain.
I walk with the flow, following everybody walking in my direction. I feel like a sheep, mindlessly following the masses. It leaves a bad taste in my mouth, following every same step, breath and direction. I sigh to myself, slowing my speed to walk behind a slow couple taking in the city sights. Even if I hate being a follower, I try to be polite in everything I do in public. Finally finding an opening, I smoothly move around them, resuming my previous momentum to the grocery store.
The weather is beautiful, only a slight breeze and a cool crisp feeling to the air. You can feel the seasons changing from winter to spring, a few trees here and there sprouting new leaves, awakening from their slumber. It's still not warm enough to not be covered, however you can get away with a light sweater.
The grocery store however is a different story. It feels like walking into a freezer, I instantly wish I had a warmer sweater. With stiff fingers I grab a basket and start my shopping in the fresh foods section. I browse the selection of fruits and vegetables, gaining a nice stock of each. I now stand in front of the meat, tapping my chin as I debate with myself over which one to get.
I could get ground beef and make some pasta this week. Past can be good energy food, not so great for the weight on the other hand is great in sandwiches, which can be power food as well. It would last longer too...but pasta sounds really good.
I continue to stand there, mulling it over back and forth. I jump when a voice that is not mine enters my head. "Excuse me, can I get through?" I spin around and instantly feel uncomfortable.
It was a man who had spoken to me, and he was a suspicious one indeed. He wore a tight black beanie, only the tufts of pink hair around his forehead showing through. He also wore dark tinted shades, making his eyes impossible to make out. He wore all black except a white scarf around his neck, surprisingly fashionable and appropriate for the weather. He looked nothing if not suspicious.
"Ya sorry" I mutter, taking three long steps away from him. I hug myself a little tighter, almost like it would make me feel better. No stop that Lucy, you know nothing about this man. He could be really nice for all you know!
I watch out of the corner of my eye as he proceeds to grab ten packs of ground beef, two packs of chicken legs, two sets of ribs, and a full half pound ham. Even after filling his basket almost to the brim, he continues to stare at the meat, like he's deep in thought. Without warning he turns and looks at me.
"Can I help you?" He grins at me, but it looks forced. Almost like he is painfully uncomfortable, and only trying to be nice. I feel totally rude, and quickly apologize.
"Oh no! Sorry I must have seemed so rude. I was actually perplexed by all the meat you were getting." I wave my hands about, trying to make myself seem less like a creep. Here I was judging him not minutes before and I was the one staring.
"Perplexed?" This time the corners of his lips twitch upward a little more.
"It means confused. I mean why do you need all that meat? Do you not eat vegetables or any carbs at all. You need a balanced diet, but then again maybe you haven't finished shopping and here I am judging you again…" I ramble on, my face deeper in shade by the minute.
He starts to laugh. He bends over, hands on his knees, trying to catch his breath. His laugh sounds deep and warm. Like a fire place in the winter time where you can sit comfortably and drink a hot drink. I stop mid sentence, embarrassment washing over me.
"I'm sorry," He gasps, starting to calm down, "When did you judge me the first time?"
"Ahh well…"I glance at him, then anywhere around the store that isn't him. "You are dressed rather suspiciously."
"What no I'm not! I'm just in disguise!" He puffs his chest out a little, clearly proud of himself.
"Why on earth do you need a disguise?" I giggle at him, hiding my mouth behind my hand. "If anything you attract more attention."
"So people that could recognize me don't follow me everywhere I go." He now frowns at me a little, unsure what to make of me.
"Ya ok mister, good luck with that paranoia." I turn back to the meat, pushing aside the man who sidetracked me to begin with.
"Oi I'm not paranoid, I'm a ninja" He now removes his sunglasses and pushes his scarf up over his nose. Like a complete goof and starts making various poses with his hands and body. Some people stop to point and whisper, while others take out their phones to snap pictures. I frown at them.
"You people are being rather rude! Stop taking pictures and move on already. Shesh" I huffed, glaring at lingering people.
"Maybe it's not him. I don't recognize her, so it can't be him right?" I over hear some girls whispering as they walk away, shooting a last few glances at the strange man. I watch them go over my shoulder, face scrunched up in confusion.
"So a ninja huh?" I turn back to face him, his glasses back on his face.
"Ya" He draws out, tilting his head to the side. "I've played one."
"Played one? What does that mean?" If I didn't feel confused before I sure do now.
"Never mind." He laughs, shaking his head. I start to walk away from the fresh foods to the bakery. My eyes widen a little as he follows me, a large smile across his face.
"Natsu." He whispers to me, leaning in close. My face heats up a little.
"What?"
"My name. It's Natsu."
"Oh summer, that's cool. I'm Lucy" He gawfs a little, shaking his head again.
"Tell me Lucy, do you watch any movies?"
"No not really, I prefer to read. Why?" I grin at him.
"No reason. Just making conversation." I can't help but feel he has a hidden agenda. I pause to grab a loaf of bread, while Natsu grabs a bag of rolls. We continue to shop together, Natsu only grabbing weird things every now and then, sometimes without even looking at the shelves.
"You really eat sardines?" I gag a little.
"What?" I point to the can in his hand. He looks down before doing a double take.
"Ah no it's for my...cat!" He shouts out.
"Oh you have a cat? I have a dog, his name is Plue. What's your cat's name?"
"Happy. He's quite the little rascal."
"I like that name, a good reminder." We reach the checkout line, patiently waiting our turn. The line is long, and they only have one lane open. I notice the old woman ahead of me as a cart full of various items. Looks like we will be here awhile.
"So Lucy, what do you read?"
"Books mostly, maybe a travel magazine here or there." I adjust my weight, moving my basket to the other arm.
"Oh so not tabloids?"
"Oh heck no, that garbage. I can't believe they consider that writing. It's mostly lies, gossip, and lack of information. Just crap to draw people in."
"I see," his lips twitch a little. "So you won't even look at them?" He glances behind me, where I can feel the evil things sitting on the rack.
"Nope. It might be silly but I feel by acknowledging it, I'm giving the publishers the satisfaction."
"That is silly," he chuckles, making a grab for my basket. I try to fight him, but he still takes it any way. "Let me help a beautiful woman like you out." I flush at his compliment, playing with the hem of my sweater to avoid meeting his, hidden, gaze. I jump, my phone ringing from inside my pocket.
As I pull it out, Natsu's jaw drops out of the corner of my eye. I roll my eyes as I flip it open, bring the device to my ear. I'm meet with an ear splitting screech. Pulling the phone back away from my ear, and closing my eyes shut, I wait for Juvia to finish screaming.
"Lucy!" She sounds like she is close to tears.
"Juvia, what's wrong?" I try to sound concerned, but knowing her, it's something stupid.
"Grey is in a relationship with Lisanna!" I knew it.
"Juvia how many times have I told you to stop reading those things, you fall for it too easily." I scold her, rubbing my eyes tiredly.
"But they have pictures Lucy! Pictures!"
"Aren't you the one always telling me about that photoshop stuff you use at work?"
"But these weren't photoshopped, they would never do that! That would be lying Lucy" Juvia whines, I can practically see her pouting.
"Juvia, that's what tabloids do. I'm going to hang up now, go read a real book or take a walk. Do something." I hang up, flipping my phone closed again and placing it back in my pocket. I groan, mentally preparing myself for the rest of the evening where Juvia will crash at my place, a tearful mess because of something she read about her precious Grey.
"She sounds lively." I look over at Natsu again, this time unable to hold back the grin playing at his lips.
"Oh she is, runs completely on emotion and nothing else, and I'm going to have to deal with it tonight. Maybe I should call Gajeel, he can handle her better than I can."
"So even though you don't read it, your friends do?"
"Yup, and I have to deal with Juvia every time something happens that involves Grey. I swear that girl."
"Grey Fullbuster?"
"Something like that, I really don't care." I wave my hand in dismissal, leaving it at that. "Just because they are famous, doesn't mean we need every detail of their private lives."
"Well then. On another note, what is the story with your phone? That thing is a dinosaur!" I scowl a little, while his smiles seems to have only grown wider.
"I don't need anything fancy. Just something to make calls and text."
"But Smartphones! He pulls his out of his pocket, waving it a little in my face."
"I like my phone thank you" I laugh at his flabbergasted expression, moving a little further in the line. I watch as the woman in front of me starts to load her items onto the, hands shaking with age. I step forward, gently taking her groceries from her hands.
"Thank you young lady."
"Will you be ok getting home?"
"Oh yes, my son will be here soon to help, but thank you." She smiles sweetly, taking my hands in hers, patting them softly. Her hands feel soft and leathery, nothing but comforting. I wish I had known my grandparents, but I wasn't that lucky.
I step back again, pushing my hands into my hands into my pockets. I feel slight panic rise when I can't feel my phone. I pat myself before spinning around, eyes scanning the floor for the small device. Natsu stands behind me, my phone in hand, and concentrated look on his face.
What are you doing?"
"Putting my number in your phone...I will get this" He mutters, completely concentrated on the task at hand.
"Why!?" I'm indignant, how dare he do as he pleases. I only meet the guy and he thinks he can just put his number in my phone?
"So that when I ask you out on a date I can reach you." My anger leaves me in a flash, leaving me warm and with nervous flutters deep in my stomach.
"W-what?" He looks at me over his glasses, dark obsidian eyes looking into mine. I can't help but melt, wanting to get to know this man. I don't know how long I stand there having a stare down with him, but with a cough and a point of his fingers I spin around, quickly placing my things on the line.
I'm a nervous wreck for the next few minutes. I take forever to put my groceries on the line, and when I go to pay I drop my card three times! By the time I was finished I swear the irritation of all the shoppers had manifested itself into octopus arms and was getting ready to drag me down into the depths of shopper hatred.
"If you could get away from your emotional friend, would tonight work?" I jump when Natsu speaks again, his sunglasses still resting on the tip of his nose, his dark eyes shining brighter.
"Uh, um, what?" I stammer, all coherent thought lost in the power of his presence once more. He leans in close, I try to pull back but can't.
"Never mind, I already put it in your calendar, see you there at seven." He chuckles walking out of the store, quickly mixing with the sea of people. I look left and right for him, but he is gone. With a sigh and a shake of my head, I start home.
My face is warm, and my stomach buzzing. My heart beats a mile a minute and my head feels clouded. If I didn't know better I would think I was sick with a fever. My phone rings again, through the fog that is my mind at the moment I try to remember when he could have possibly put it back in my pocket. My mind flashes to when he leaned in before leaving. That sneaky good looking scoundrel.
"Wear something formal tonight" The text flashes across my screen, a winking emoji attached at the end of the sentence. Looks like I have a date tonight.
I know I'm horrible, writing something new when I have other stories to write. BUT I really needed to run with this idea, it was too cute to not write right away. I took the idea from another idea I found on pinterest. (I love pinterest, it is my constant muse) Anyway! Let me know what you think, I do have an idea for more but I want to know what you guys think first, if you want to see more to the story or not.
Thank you
