Juvia fidgeted in front of the door, straightening the skirt of her sapphire blue dress. She'd bought it just hours ago for this very visit. It was a dark number, complementing her pale skin, blue hair, and her eyes especially. The skirt was embroidered with silvery bead work, with a delicate white lace trim.
Juvia clenched her fists, gathering the courage to knock on the mahogany door. She raised her fist, letting it hover close to the paneled wood.
The door swung open before Juvia could make contact. A blonde head appeared through the gap, followed closely by the rest of the body of a young woman, for all appearances the same age as Juvia. She smiled brightly as her eyes landed on Juvia.
"Hello?" She leaned against the door frame. The blonde was dressed in a crop top and short shorts that sat low on her hips, leaving her midriff bare. She wore a pair of black suspenders, too, that clipped onto her shorts close to her belt loops. Juvia noticed a collection of tattoos spread over her skin. Juvia could vaguely recognize them as the zodiac signs. She saw her own sign, Leo, tattooed on the left side of the woman's chest, right over her heart.
Juvia felt her breath hitch. Is she... living with Gray-sama? Has someone gotten to Gray-sama first? She's so pretty and daring! Juvia can't compete!
"Hello? Are you okay?" The blonde opened her door the rest of the way, putting her hands out cautiously towards Juvia, "Do you need me to call someone for you?"
And she's nice too! This is a disaster! Juvia coughed a bit, trying to speak past the newfound lump in her throat. She felt pressure at the back of her eyes, "Um... Juvia is looking for Gray-sa- Juvia means Gray Fullbuster. She was told that he lived in this building..."
"Oh!" The blonde laughed a little, "You've got the wrong room. That's just like Gray, you know? Giving someone the right address, the right floor, and the wrong room number..." She shook her head, looking fondly exasperated, "He's right across the hall, actually."
"Juvia is sorry to trouble you," A wave of relief pushed through Juvia, nearly knocking her off her feet. She cleared her throat, "She will be going now."
"It was no problem," The blonde waved her off, "I'm guessing that your name is Juvia. I'm Lucy."
Juvia nodded politely, "Juvia is wondering... Are Lucy and Gray-sam- Gray, romantically involved?"
Lucy blanched, a faintly incredulous look overtaking her features. It disappeared as quickly as it had come, and Lucy laughed it off, "No. Gray and I practically grew up together! I couldn't even imagine... No. Gray is just a friend Besides... He's not really my type."
Juvia narrowed her eyes suspiciously, but refrained from commenting. How can Gray-sama not be someone's type? Gray-sama is everyone's type. This woman must be hiding attraction from Juvia. Juvia will be wary, but she will be peaceful. She's going to be living next door to Lucy-san, so she cannot start something.
The blue haired woman halted her inner monologue, keeping her mental peace long enough to smile at Lucy and uncurl her fists from the skirt of her dress, "Juvia will be going now. She looks forward to living next door to you."
Was that Juvia's imagination, or was that shock and worry on Lucy-san's face?
The blonde quickly smoothed her expression into a friendly smile. She rubbed at the golden zodiac tattoo on her neck, "I hope that you like it here."
And with that final statement, Lucy pulled her apartment door shut, leaving Juvia standing alone in the hallway.
How very odd.