It was... Sudden.
Was that the right term for that?
Lucy stared blankly ahead as she watched the coffin lower into the ground, the grass rustling in the wind on the hot day. Normally, it seemed in all cliche movies and whatnot, it would be raining when the main character's parents die or something. Lucy scowled at the thought, biting her lip to hold back the tears threatening to spill. Yeah, right. Layla was by far, the best and kindest person Lucy had known. Her own mother. But, now she was gone. Her death funeral being held outside on a beautiful sunny day in June. Lucy's temper rose, but she couldn't do anything about it.
After all, it was impossible to get angry at fate...
But, it was possible to let go of her mad mood at the person who assassinated her most cherished family member.
"L-Lucy? Where're you going? And why isn't mommy home yet?"
Lucy smiled sadly as she wiped the tears off from Wendy's lower lashes. "Shhh... It'll be okay, okay Wendy? Mommy... Er... She went to join daddy." It wasn't a technical lie- Jude probably was dead anyways. And if he wasn't; he would be if he ever crossed Lucy's way again. "W-Will she be back soon?" Lucy watched in dismay as the 6 year old bit her bottom lip in attempt to stop crying. "Er... Y-Yeah... Later." Lucy avoided her little sister's gaze as she looked off to the side in shame, as the air filled with renewed tension and silence. "Well? Bring her here." A voice broke through the airing moment between the two siblings, causing Lucy to look up with a glare. "Oh, shut up, Sherry." The pink haired girl rolled her eyes in disgust, as she looked at her manicured nails.
"Oh, puh-lease. We both know that if it weren't for me, Wendy'd be dead right now." Lucy scoffed in disbelief, as she dodged under to avoid Sherry's long locks as she hair flipped. "You do realize, it's the government and law, right? Every child under eighteen years, is established to stay at an orphanage if their parents..." Lucy's voice faded out as she glanced warily at Wendy. "Um... Are really busy at the time. And Wendy's only staying here for a little bit. Once I get a boyfriend I'll be able to take care of her, y'know. She's also compatible to spend the day with me once a week- twice if I begin to see someone and she'll move in after the deadline of having the same date for a month." Lucy stuck her tongue out for good measure as she cocked an eyebrow at Sherry in challenge.
Of course, Sherry laughed, her hand floating upwards to cover her mouth (as if she had bad breath. Lucy always did wonder why people did that when they giggled). "Oh, my I feel bad for you. Honestly, I thought you were serious for a moment there." Lucy narrowed her eyes. "Besides," Sherry scoffed into her hand as she cackled, looking down at the kneeling Lucy. "Who would want to date, you? Ahaha, funny."
If Wendy wasn't there, Lucy would've punched the life out of the sass-maniac. But, she would have to restrain for her little sister.
Lucy ignored Sherry with a bit lip, turning to embrace her sister as she attempted to ignore the idiot standing behind her."Okay... Wendy, you're going to go stay at... Miss Sherry's house, okay?" Wendy seemed about to reject, but Lucy held up a finger. "Shhh... It's only for a little bit alright? Then you'll come join me at home, okay? Be good for mom and us, alright? Oh! And make sure you make tons of friends. Promise me, you'll be a good girl, Wendy?" Lucy cooed. The sight of Wendy sadly nodding with tear lined eyes made Lucy just want to grab her, throw her in her car, and drive away to the other side of the world.
"Okay, then!" Sherry clapped her hands together in mock happiness, finally subsiding her laughter. "Now that, that's over and done with, let's get moving, 'Kay brat?" Sherry motioned for Wendy to follow her into the pink convertible car nearby. Lucy watched, her heart seemingly breaking into pieces, as she watched her little sister walk away slowly. Wendy took one more glance backwards, before climbing into the car. The moment the doors slammed shut, Sherry now at the wheel, the vehicle zoomed away, leaving Lucy alone in her quiet neighborhood again, soon after.
Lucy was near crying now. She lost her dad, then her mom, and now her baby sister, too. She turned around slowly, walking back to her brick house- the same home the four of them used to stay. Together. One big whole family. Lucy shook her head quickly. Alright, about time she stopped with the sad old thoughts. She had to keep it together for Wendy.
Lucy took a deep breathe, slamming the front door close after she stepped inside. Rubbing her temples, Lucy began to contemplate her plan. Okay, lied to the government? Check. Lied to Wendy? Check. Now going to lie to a stranger, and try to make him her boyfriend? ... Not yet.
Before you ask, of course Lucy felt horrible. She just wanted to crawl into a hole and die, honestly. Fibbing to Wendy was a horrible thing to do, but she for her own selfish reasons, wanted to stay with her adorable little sister so she did. Of course, she'd have to tell her the truth eventually. But, not at the age her sister was at now. Lucy had told the government she was Wendy's godmother, the long lost sibling of her mother (trust her- Lucy and Layla seriously looked like sisters, so that lie was fairly easy to pass), and considering Layla lived a quiet life, she didn't have many files for proof Lucy was Wendy's godmother. Though, unfortunately, Lucy's info recorded had been dug out saying she was 25. And according to the... Well whoever was in charge of allowing Lucy to be with Wendy (the blonde never bothered with such small details), she was still far too young to take care of a six year old.
Of course, which resulted in the issue of having a boyfriend. She had to be dating in the timeline of the end of the month, and her partner had to propose by the end of the year (though honestly, she would rather stay dating for a good four years and up. You never know if you're dating a serial killer until it's too late.)
Shouldn't be hard right?
Though... Wendy could get adopted by another set of parents...
Shit.
Lucy let out a groan, and ran to her room to apply make-up and get dressed. It seems it was time she went 'boyfriend shopping'.
XOXOX
After staring at the mirror for a good couple of minutes, Lucy was finally pleased with her outcomed look.
A dust of light make-up here and there to pop a bit of her features, and a pretty blue outfit to match seemed just perfect.
Humming pleasantly, Lucy smiled into the mirror just as she gave one more fluff to her curled hair.
"Absolute perfection." She kissed the air as if it was her reflection in happiness, just before she slung her purse over her shoulder and turned on her heel, making way for the door. Now to test if her beauty was enough to capture a fish in the hook tonight.
XOXOX
Lucy let out a groan as she placed her head into her hands.
Why was this so hard?!
She make up-ed herself as much as possible! And Lucy knew for a fact she was stunning, so why weren't the men flocking to her?!
And honestly, she didn't really even care who it was, she was certain she'd fall in love later on, or if not that was totally cool with her. As long as the guy was nice, and fairly good-looking, she wouldn't have that big of a problem. She just needed to get a hubby for Wendy. Her kid sister was her world. She couldn't lose her. She couldn't.
Hopelessly, she sucked into her straw, sipping her coffee in hopes to relieve the stress weighing on her. Please. Please. She was far too shy (hypocritically) to actually walk up to a guy and ask if he was straight out single or not. Lucy mentally growled. So. Frustrating.
Okay... Lucy inhaled deeply. Let's calm down and sort through the thoughts racing through for a moment. She needed to find a boyfriend by the deadline of the end of this month. If Lucy is capable of attaining the relationship steady for a straight month, Wendy will stay over at her house and come back to Sherry's (AKA the orphanage) on the weekends. If Lucy was able to keep the bond between her partner for a solid 3 months, Wendy will live with them. If the boyfriend proposes eventually, after the wedding, Wendy will be legally adopted by the new couple-which was also Lucy and her new husband. She'd eventually have to at least explain things to Wendy and her partner... Speaking of, Lucy wasn't allowed to see her kid sister if she didn't have a boyfriend yet for a month unless Sherry or Ren (the pinkette's boyfriend who helped run the orphanage) permitted. Sherry probably wouldn't allow it, so her only hope was the monotone Ren...
Lucy rubbed her tumbles. Life was complex.
As she was sighing unhopefully, she was snapped back to reality again when her phone began buzzing with its usual ring to let her know someone was calling.
Lucy arched her eyebrows as she flipped open her cell. Unknown number. Hmm. "Hello?"
"Lu-chan?"
Lucy almost spit out her coffee, recognizing the voice speaking from the device.
"Levy?!" Her voice must've risen too loud accidentally, because Lucy got a series of glares and looks in response to her outburst.
Whispering a hissed out, "Sorry!" Lucy took a moment before returning back to her call. "Levy?! What the heck? Is that you, Levy-chan?!" Laughter was heard on the other side of the dial, and the blonde knew then and there it was definitely her best friend.
"Yup! Surprised?" Oh boy, was she. See, Levy had moved abroad to Paris to study four-years back, and Lucy hadn't heard from her since a few months ago. Sure, their relationship never dimmed nor wavered, it's just life got busy.
"Of course, I'm surprised, baka! And- oh, Levy, there's so much I have to tell you! And- wait. Where are you calling from? Why aren't you calling from your phone?" Nervous laughter was heard. "Um... See... Uh... I migghhhtttt be calling from my new boyfriend's phone...?" Lucy's eyes bugged out.
"WHAT?!" More hushes from all around, but this time Lucy ignored them and didn't bother to reply, but did lower her voice. "Your what?!" Levy filled her in. Apparently she had been asked out a few weeks ago by a guy named Gajeel (who the bluenette also just so happened to like) and voila.
Lucy pouted. "So lucky, Levy-chan. You gotta send me a picture of him one day." "Haha, yeah sure..." For some reason Levy's laughter sounded strained. Huh. Wonder what this Gajeel dude looked like. But, Lucy didn't ponder to much about it. Lucy sighed. "Say, Levy? How did you get a boyfriend?" "Huh?! I just told you, Lu!" "No... Like how did you get a guy to like you?" "What do you mean?" Inhaling deeply, Lucy began to explain her current situation- from beginning to end.
It felt amazing to rant on and on, Levy listening quietly on the other side. A few gasps of disbelief here and there (like when Lucy told her about her mom's assassination) but otherwise pretty quiet-and Lucy was grateful.
"...Wow, Lu. That's... wow! You're in a difficult situation right now, huh? And, you're hoping for a guy to come up to you even at the time, right now?" Lucy gave another sigh before admitting. "Yeah..." Levy's shriek was so loud, Lucy had to hold the phone away so her eardrums would avoid severe damage. "Then what are you waiting for and get back to focus, lady! Deadlines this month, gogogogogo! Oh. And by the way, I'm moving back to Magnolia next week. See you then! Bye!" The phone clicked, just before Lucy spat her coffee (again..) all over the table. "WHAT?! LEVY?!" More shushes.
Lucy furiously tapped texts to Levy, but after 15 minutes of spamming and feeble attempts, Lucy put her phone back into her hand purse. Levy usually did that anyways. Surprises, surprises. What could she say? That's how her best bluenette friend was; and just how she liked her to be.
Lucy entered her thoughts again and stress on how to get a boyfriend again, so deep thought, she didn't realize a man was standing above her waiting for her attention.
He cleared his throat and Lucy startled with a jump on her chair.
"A-Ah! Y-Yes sir?! Anything you need?!" Lucy patted down her body in hopes she looked good still, after her flinch. First man to come up to her- score! (Well.. discluding the waiter who served her her coffee... never mind that. Not important.)
The man shot her a grin. "Nah, not really. Just happened to overhear-You're looking for a boyfriend?"
And that's how it all started.
A/ns: Prologue, lovelies! I combined the original prologue together with Chapter one, to make it longer. I proofread the prologue, changing a few words here and there. I'll be fixing Chapter one later (because I don't have a lot of time on my hands right now), and guess what? School is back next week! No! (scowl) Oh, well, I'll stay active. See you soon! Sayanora~!