The Friend Zone

Summary: They were the typical type of people who were labeled as "Friend Zoned". He likes her but she doesn't like him back. Never mind the fact that he likes her, the problem was that they were best friends and he was friend zoned.

A/N: So this is part of the GraLu one-shot Series. Wahahah, this is kind of a one-sided love but it won't seem like it though ;D Thank you Ella for the beta read chapter ^^

Genre: Friendship, Romance

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Fairy Tail, Hiro Mashima does.

Lucy hummed and swung her legs back and forth, her head leaning on Gray's shoulder. She raised the book she was holding and hid her face from her friends, ignoring their laughs and giggles. Meanwhile, Gray was listening to music. He wore his earphones, listening to Paramore. He drummed his fingers on the bench, waiting for the bell to ring.

It was free time and the two best friends were outside of class, doing nothing. Since it was free time, they decided to play a game of Spin the Bottle but they needed more players and none were willing to play – they feared the dares and truths they would be asked and told to do.

"I'm bored," The blonde muttered, flipping through the pages of the book, "And I've read this book already."

Gray grunted in response, "Buy another one."

"But I used up all my allowance in the arcade yesterday," Lucy whined and she puffed up her cheeks.

Gray rolled his eyes and he flicked her forehead, "And whose fault is that?"

The blonde pouted and continued on flipping through the book. She mumbled under her breath, "It's not my fault that someone wanted to play."

A vein popped on the brunette's forehead and he resisted the urge to hit the blonde. Instead, he inhaled and continued to listen peacefully to a song by Rihanna. Twirling a strand of Lucy's yellow hair around his finger, he asked, "Neh, Lucy, what do you want to do after school?"

"I don't know, shower, maybe?"

Gray smirked, "With me?"

"Maybe."

The brunette exhaled and he frowned, staring at Lucy. Okay, he liked her; he admitted it and she knew it. However – he mentally yelled out in frustration – even though they were best friends since childhood, she didn't like him back. She liked some tattoo-eyed freak named Jellal Fernandes. He was irritated at the fact that the bluenette was better than him – the boy she met in her neighborhood and her best friend.

The brunette tsked, "Just like old times."

"I wore a swimsuit at that time, Gray. Don't think perverted thoughts," The blonde muttered, her lips twitching upwards in a small smile. Her ears perked as the bell finally rung and she grinned, "Yay! School's finally finished!"

Gray sighed, "Finally! I thought it would take ages for us to get out of this hell-hole," He stood up from his seat and Lucy's head hit the bench. The brunette blinked and he grinned deviously, "Oops, sorry."

"You're so evil," the blonde muttered, rubbing her cheek, "That hurt, you know?"

Gray laughed and he grinned, "So, it did, eh?"

"JERK!"

"Hahahaha!"

Gray sighed, leaning against the school gates as he waited patiently for his best friend. He eyed her carefully, watching her hand ruffle Jellal's blue tresses. The brunette frowned and he looked away, knowing what would come next: a hug. He didn't know if he should get used to it or not, every time before they leave, Lucy would give Jellal a hug and they would be on their way.

He started to wonder if Lucy really did care about him. Of course she did, he was her best friend – or so he thought.

Ever since he admitted his feelings for her, little things changed. Though, no one really noticed, he did.

"Lucy, I like you. Please go out with me."

The said blonde's eyes widened and her cheeks flushed red. She covered her mouth in worry and she opened her mouth to speak but Gray interrupted her.

"I know I'm not the perfect guy," He started, "I strip occasionally, I barge in your house without any warning and I usually raid your fridge but… I just love you, Lucy. Ever since the time when I realized my childhood friend was in the same school as me back in kindergarten, I honestly didn't know what to feel. Back then, it may have been just a crush but it grew in the years."

Lucy smiled, "Gray… I'm really flattered but…"

The brunette lowered his head, eyes casted downwards.

He already knew the answer.

"…I can't return your feelings."

After a few weeks, Lucy told him about her crush. Jellal Fernandes.

"Gray~!"

The brunette raised his head, darting his eyes away from the game he was playing, "Yo, Lucy."

Lucy grinned and sat down in front of Gray, her face in a grin. The brunette raised a brow, eyeing the blonde wearily. She played with the hem of her shirt, legs and arms squirming. Sounds of suppressed squeals sounded in her throat. She was giddy today.

"Gray~" Lucy said in a sing sang voice, "I saw the guy I like today!"

The brunette's heart sunk, nevertheless, he smiled teasingly, "Oh really? Who is it?"

"The Student Council President," Lucy said dreamily, her cheeks turning red.

Gray's eyes widened, his jaw dropping in disbelief, "You like Jellal?!"

"I do."

"Why him?" The brunette asked, his eyes turning into equal signs, "He's a weirdo who plays chess too much."

Lucy rolled her eyes, "As if you're not weird, stripper."

"…"

"Anyway," She continued, "I saw him today and guess what."

Gray stared at his game again, "What?"

Lucy glared at him, "Tch, killjoy. Why won't you guess?" She muttered something under her breath and she cleared her throat, "Anyway, he invited me to lunch tomorrow. Sorry Gray, I won't be eating with you tomorrow."

"Nah, it's fine."

Lucy's eyes widened, "Are you sure?"

"Yup."

The blonde squealed happily and she hugged Gray, giving him a peck on the cheek, "Thank you so much Gray! I luv ya!"

"Gee, Luce," The brunette mused, a cunning smile on his lips, "I love you too."

Gray frowned, running a hand through his hair. They always said they loved each other, but it never really meant anything. Maybe it was meant for their friendship but even though it wasn't really true, Gray loved hearing her say those words.

It was awkward for other people though.

They were the typical type of people who were labeled as "Friend Zoned". He likes her but she doesn't like him back. Their friends knew about this fact and they felt sorry for Gray but they were proud that he handled his feelings well. But that wasn't the problem here.

"Dude, are you alright with this? They're eating lunch together again," Natsu said, staring at Gray worriedly. Despite the fact that they were rivals, they were close friends. If Lucy wasn't there, they would be together – though the two of them always ended up in fights.

Gray nodded absentmindedly, listening to Maroon 5 through his earphones, "It's fine, I'm always with her anyway."

"I doubt that."

His eyes darted over to Mirajane who sighed, "It's obvious that you're against this! Why won't you speak up?"

"I already did."

Mira blinked, "What?"

"I told Lucy and she said that she'll stay overnight at my house today to repay for whatever she's done," the brunette said, shrugging, "She just bowed her head and we laughed it off though."

"Unbelievable…" Natsu muttered.

Loke and Mira sweat dropped, "It's kind of getting awkward."

"I agree," Natsu muttered.

Yes, that was the problem. Even though they weren't together, it seemed like they were couples. They hugged each other, gave each other pecks on the cheeks, said they loved each other and even sleep overnight at each other's house but they aren't together. It was awkward for other people to see this because their friend zone level was way past level one-hundred.

Though, Mira did try with her match-making skills a little. Lucy saw through her act after a week and the white-haired teen failed. She really did think the two looked good with each other. Mira wasn't really surprised when Lucy told her that Gray confessed. But never mind the fact that he likes her, the problem was that they were best friends and he was friend zoned.

That was the main problem.

Yet, somehow, it didn't even matter anymore.

Comment from Rosella: Gray! GO. CHASE. HER! Don't give up, like ever. ' Cause then I won't be happy~! XD Moving on to other chapters~!

A/N: Loool, though, he can't chase after he anymore cause the next chapter's a different story xD Well, I hope you liked it :3 My mind was just screaming, "WRITE A FRIEND ZONED STORY!" and I couldn't sleep the other day! TT^TT Sometimes, this mind of mine is so wicked, I feel like killing it xD

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