April 22, Saturday, 12:30 P.M
Juvia's P.O.V
Like every other interesting journey, ours too, starts with a cup of coffee. Levy had insisted that we all go to Starbucks but somehow we ended up at the Heartfillia residence. Not that I was complaining.
After half an hour of just hanging around in Lucy's room, and by 'hanging around' I mean Levy laying half-on and half-off the bed doing nothing, Lucy just reading some novel, book, catalogue, information given at the back of a shampoo bottle or whatever she got hold of, and me sipping that delicious cold coffee, Levy McGarden suddenly started spouting nonsense.
'What the hell are we even doing here? We should be out there!' she said, pointing her hand at the window, 'making use of our talents! Why are we at Lucy's place?'
'I –what? You are not making sense.'
She wasn't. Making sense I mean. Maybe the blistering Magnolian sun had melted her brains when we were outside. Going to café equals making use of talents? So what was she? A born barista?
You may wonder, how did the great Juvia Lockser ended up being friends with blue haired madwoman? Honestly I don't know myself. It just happened. We met, started talking, hung around (cause the cool kids use that phrase), and somewhere down the line became friends… very good friends. Like the-ones-who-know-the-password-to-your-facebook-account-or-they-are-the-password-to-your-facebook-account level of good. Imagine my reaction when Facebook told me 'levythetweensydevil' was 'not strong enough'.
Moving forward.
I asked her what did a day out in café had to do with all the wasting of talents speech and she said, 'Absolutely nothing! I just want to go out. I'm getting bored here! What the fuck are we even doing?'
Ladies and the few gentlemen reading this, there are certain things you should know about the blue haired monster –for some unknown reasons she doesn't curse usually, but when she does, it means she is pretty serious.
So yeah, she was serious. The listlessness was evident in her voice and as much as it pains me to say this, I must –Levy McGarden was right.
What the fuck were we even doing?
Lucy was sprawled on the bed, looking homeless as usual in those baggy trousers, reading some.. oh okay, she was reading a book as she lay on the bed. Deception Point to be more precise. For the thirteenth time to be even more precise. I can't even read the course books twice and this girl here reads books thirteen freaking times! But then, the cover is so cool. Strong, sexy blue with that ice-berg. I guess the book would be nearly as cool. [Yeah, it so happens that bibliophiles and non- bibliophiles (yep, that's me) do get along after all.] Only if the school prescribed books had such cool covers. Say what you want, but covers do matter. Which one would you prefer? A Physics book with a stupid pink pendulum on the cover or the one with a sexy nebula? Huh?
Anyway, so where was I ?
Yeah, Lucy was reading, Levy was PMS-ing basically, while her head lay on Lucy's shin, she was kicking her legs in the air and stretching her arms, trying to grasp… whatever inter-dimensional monster she saw and I was, . . . honestly, devising plans of stealing Lucy's bean bag in the back of my mind. That comfy, comfy, bean bag. What's more? It's freaking mulberry in colour! MULBERRY! I mean… woah….
I will, one day, try to steal it and die in the attempt but it will be so worth it.
' –so get your lazy backsides moving ladies! The world needs us!' Levy jumped up nearly breaking Lucy's legs in the process, eliciting an 'Ouch' from her. As expected Levy didn't notice, or if she had, she didn't apologize. Lucy hadn't really broken her leg right?
Mc G stood on the floor with renewed vigour even though she hadn't been the one drinking coffee. How did she do it!?
'It's Saturday! And this excruciatingly annoying phase of boredom gotta end now!'
So what did she want? Should we go to the café and sit and drink and chat like grandmothers?
We could do that right here.
Now you may think, what the hell Juvia? You can totally check out guys out there! Haha. Right you are, but then sorry to disappoint you, Magnolia isn't blessed with ogle-till-you-start-drooling-and-get-dehydrated guys. The real deal is in college! And the college students don't waste money on coffees or whatever drinks from expensive cafés in the main town…. Plus they drink! In bars! And if you think Ultear would lemme go there….. something is wrong with you.
'I SAID, KEEP THAT BOOK AWAY! YOU'RE READING IT FOR THE THIRTY SEVENTH TIME! WHAT THE HELL WOMAN?'
Did I cringe? Yes. Why? Because that straight-out-of-Avatar alien was about to devour my poor blonde friend, who would die looking homeless in her baggy trouser. It is a universally accepted fact Ladies (and few gentlemen) that Levy McG was worse than Erza Scarlet when she was angry.
'Hey!' Heartfillia (thankfully alive) protested. 'You know it's not thirty seventh or the thirteenth time!' she said, looking at me pointedly.
Holymacroniandcheese! HOW THE HELL DID SHE KNOW!?
'You had said it out loud Juv.' Levy told me. FREAKING MIND READER!
'I did… You must be rubbing off on me Heartfillia.'
'Hey! Shut up. What is that supposed to mean?'
Trust Lucy Heartfillia to ask you to shut up and explain things. Tell me why am I still friends with her?
Lucy got off the bed, mumbled something I couldn't catch, but since it elicited the madwoman's ire, it had to be something stupid or extremely clever.
'What do you mean?' the blue haired demon demanded.
'I mean, you guys can go. I just have some work to do.'
'What work?'
'Erm…' Heartfillia got a bit uneasy. 'You know stuff…. I have … things which need my attention.'
'Oh yeah? Tell me about your big plans'
Sighing in defeat, Lucy brought her legs closer to herself and finally sat cross legged, her right hand fingers entwined with those of the left. She was playing thumb fight I guess. She looked at …me? Huh? What for?…. Didn't she know that I was as defenseless as she was when it came to that turquoise devil?
'I've got to go with mom to some dinner party….'
'And?' Levy coaxed her. That tweensy devil! Ugh! Lucy might've just shriveled under that frightening gaze and died a sad death. But frankly, by that point I didn't care about Lucy's funeral. Curiosity got the better of me. Nosy Juvia unleashed and I wanted to know what that blondie was hiding.
' And I .. ' the dam broke and Lucy gushed out the next words. 'I got two goddamn projects to finish before that Levy! TWO! Can you believe that? I have to, have to finish them today or else on Monday I'll be a wreck!'
I TOLD HER! I told her to complete those blasted projects the day they were assigned! But NO! Who listens to me here?
Levy might've just shaken Lucy like a salt-shaker and started her inevitable sarcasm coated lecture but that did not happen. All she said was ' As expected from Lazy Lucy.' Which my friends actually is an indirect way of saying 'I TOLD YOU! NOW GO SUFFER!' in a mild way.
Lucy was the uncrowned Queen of Procrastination. She delayed doing stuff to the ends of hell. Mark my words fellas : On Monday, Lucy Heartfillia would be completing her Latin project during Physics class. I'm telling you she'll go nuts, bananas, coconuts, pineapples, pine cones or whatever people become when they go crazy. Bad joke? Well expect a lot of them when I narrate the story.
'Wait, you're going with your mom?'
'Yep. I figured she'll be happy and I don't get to eat the horrible aubergine pasta she was going to make so it's a win-win situation. All cool.'
Ugh.
Aubergine Pasta. I don't even want to imagine what else Mrs. Heartfillia would add in that 'healthy' mix. Now, don't get me wrong. Lucy's mom is totes cool but her unhealthy obsession with (her version of) healthy food is quite disturbing. She keeps experimenting with anything that is remotely edible. Lucy and Michelle were her only guinea pigs and I used to feel sorry for them until Levy and I joined the lab. Now I feel sorry for all of us. We had to eat lasagna made by Mrs. Heartfillia. Levs has had Lasagna-phobia ever since.
Now, you may think that Juvia is such a smart, independent girl! How can they make her do something like that?
Let me tell you, Levy McGarden is Satan re-incarnated. She is a persuasive little devil. She made me do something against my own will. But she got Lasagna phobia… Ha! Serves you right tweensy devil. Karma Confirmed!
But did I say that out loud? Well obviously no! Do I look like I want to die and practically invite Levy to chop my head off and feed it to whatever Ayakashi she has been praying to? (Yes, I watch anime. You got a problem?)
So, anyway I chose my words wisely and combined all the painful memories and uttered the simple syllable, 'Oh'
'YeaaaAh Juvia, I know…. The last fruit pizza she made… Ugh. No self respecting Italian would classify it as a Pizza. I figured mom and I needed a break from her cooking. She doesn't need to cook and I don't need to eat. Soooo.. I agreed!' Lucy said stretching her arms.
'Typical Lucy' a new voice had entered our room. Michelle strode in and embarrassment started filling me up to the brim. How was it that this girl who was totally younger than us look this fabulous. She was one of those gifted people who would look great even if they wore a thobe. Michelle's dressing sense is a thousand times better than me. Though in my defense I do dress up a hundred times better than Lucy. . . Wait, so Michelle dresses up One hundred thousand times better than Lucy? Or was it One lakh… Or wait, they are the same right? No? Yes? Gah! Fuck it. Yes, I'm not good at Maths. Get Over It!
'Sure, like you love fruity pizzas. I'll ask mom to give you one with Maple or Strawberry syrup next time.'
Can you imagine that?
Cringe level 9000.
.Puke.
Michelle raised her hands in her defense, 'Okay, I get it. But atleast I'm polite unlike a certain someone.'
'I'm honest alright. What's wrong with being honest?'
'You're brutal when you're honest Lucy.' Levy informed her, then added, 'So it means you're not coming?'
Lucy shook her head confirming the negation.
'Coming where?' Michelle inquired.
I jumped in, 'Glad you asked, you see….'
Xxx
'Okay. That's not true!'
' Yes it is.'
'FYI It's not and why the hell am I even having this conversation?'
'Oh God just get married already you both.'
'SHUT UP LUCY!'
Lucy literally sprang up when we shouted at her. But after remembering that it was in fact her house, her room, she straightened up and pointed an accusing finger at Levy and me.
'You! You both! You shut up and stop making a ruckus in my house, you do realize The Mother is at home right now?'
'Yeah, but she started it!' an aghast Levy pointed at me.
'I did? Excuse me? I spoke the truth!'
'It. Is. Not. True.'
'It is! You like that metal face creep! That's why you wanna go to that café. Stalker!'
'NO!' Levy was annoyed. And she was right. She didn't like that metal face creep what'shisname? I was just messing with her. Trust me, I would be the first one to know when Levy develops a crush on someone. Plus that walking-talking iron nail must already have a bombshell of a girlfriend, about which I didn't really care and didn't really know but ladies (and few gentlemen reading this) I have a rule by which I live: When you find something you can tease Levy about, you never let that go.
See, I happen to be her best friend. So is a 'must' alright.
'GET THIS THROUGH YOUR RUSTED CEREBRUM YOU ….YOU…..'
'Sassy, sexy, good looking goddess?' I offered.
'EXACTLY! … THE OPPOSITE OF THAT!... I DO NOT, I REPEAT, DO NOT HABOUR ANY KIND OF FEELINGS, SUPERFLOUS EMOTIONS TOWARDS GAJEEL OKAY!'
Oh, so that's his name.
'Liar.'
'Why you little-'
'OKAY! ENOUGH! GET OUT YOU BOTH! SHOO- GO AWAY, TAKE YOUR LOVERS' QUARREL SOMEWHERE WHICH IS NOT EVEN IN 10 MILES RADIUS AROUND MY HOME! GO!'
Do I need to tell you who shrieked? Yes it was Lucy
I quickly put my arm around Levy and quickly got the hell out of there. We don't Lucy to turn into Levy Part 2 now, do we?
Lucy's P.O.V
"Damn, it's already half past one. I really need to get working."
I went up to my table and pulled out my headphones from the drawer. Michelle quirked up a brow at the action.
"You never listen to songs while doing work."
"Yeah, I know. Call me insane but for once I am going to listen to Levy and try this. Heck, I'll even drink mom's lubricant tasting soup if that will keep me from freaking out while completing this freaking assignment."
God!
That soup. I could still remember that taste. Ugh! If anyone would replace the lubricant and just pour that awful soup in it, the machine would run for years. Maybe I'll try it on my own someday but not now. I needed my fucking phone right now God dammit! Where the fuck is that useless Made In China trash?
"Damn, where did I keep it?"
Michelle plonked down on the bed and watched me hop around looking for my phone with considerable interest. That imp! I was getting a mini heart attack here and she was lazing about? I mean, Dude! It's my mobile phone we were talking about!
Michelle rolled her eyes and pulled out her mobile phone. Great! Now is the time for Facebook! I have such a caring sister.
'You are becoming irresponsible Lucy. When is your assignment due?' Michelle said while looking at something on her phone. Then she pressed it to her ears, probably because she was going to call someone.
"Uh- Mon- Ow." FUCKING STUPID, USELESS, GOOD FOR NOTHING BED! My toe had slammed into it so badly. I glared at it trying to burn it down with my gaze but then sadly I don't have such awesome powers.
I just answered Michelle's question. "Monday. The assignment is due on Mo- Huh?"
Wait, wait, wait, wait what was that sound?
My cell phone was ringing.
Michelle walked up to the bed which looked as if someone had tried to perform a tribal dance on it. Holy Macaroni! How did I manage to get my bed that screwed?
She fished out the source of Kill the DJ – my mobile- from the pile of pillows and blanket. Some embarrassment crept up inside me. "Why do you need so many pillows?" she remarked in annoyance while handing me the phone. Then it clicked that she was actually trying to call me…. Okay, Miche is smarter than I give her credit for.
'Seriously, so many pillows?'
You know that was a good question. But I didn't really have an answer for it at that moment
"Because … because of reasons."
Smooth, Lucy, real smooth.
I suck so bad at this that I felt like crying….. I would probably, in a few hours because of the God damn homework. Only if I had paid attention to Juvia's words and just completed it when I had time.
Michelle gave me a real nasty stare like she was a Miss Trunchbull and I had two pigtails.
Dafuq? I'm the big sister here for Pete's sake. Only I should be allowed to stare at someone in that way.
"You're getting too careless Lucy. Since when did you start tolerating a cluttered bedroom? And the assignments! You're starting it today? WHEN DID YOU BECOME SO IRRESPONSIBLE.?"
You know what I wanted right then?
I wanted a real big and very much alive dinosaur to come and just gobble me up whole.
Shit! this is embarrassing. Ofcourse Michelle is an expert in giving talking to-s and this is not the first time I've been upbraided by her but it still is embarrassing.
"You're right Michelle. I'm sorry. I know I slacked off and Argh… I'm really going to work on it okay." I jumped up and FUUUH—
The injured toe stung like hell.
WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH ME TODAY!?
Ignoring the biting pain, I placed a quick peck on my sister's cheek and moved on to my table, plugged the headphones in my mobile and started scanning through my playlist.
"I'll pick out your outfit for evening okay?" Michelle called out, walking over to my wardrobe, which –much to her relief didn't look like a hurricane had swept by it.
"Really? Thanks Michelle. That would really save me a lot of time." I said, truly grateful to her. Seriously I would've wasted a lot of time with that shit and would've finally gone a street dancer, which by the way is a very cool look, I just don't get why mom doesn't think highly about it.
After settling with Holiday, I pulled my headphones over my ears, only to pull them back a second later. "Hey Michelle, why are we going to this dinner all of a sudden?" Even though I had agreed, I really didn't know why we were going. As far as I can remember it wasn't anybody's birthday.
"No clue. It's just going to be a boring family dinner I guess. Our folks will talk and talk and we will listen and blah. But I can count on you to change the boring part. I'm pretty sure the first thing you'll do is knock down a vase or trip on nothing or get into a pointless argument with Natsu."
"I'm actually delighted that you have so much faith in me." I replied sarcastically, Michelle only hummed in response.
Shifting my focus back to the sheet of paper kept in front of me, I just adjusted my headphones and started writing away furiously but Michelle's words had set my mind thinking.
Two assignments, a ramshackle room, one injured toe and Natsu Dragneel. Is this punishment for procrastinating school stuff?
Don't get me wrong.I don't hate Natsu. I actually quite like the guy but he is sometimes a pain. He can be a dork and turn into a smartass in nano seconds. I have had my suspicions that he has two or twenty split personalities. I've known him since past three years and I still don't know what exactly to classify him as. He is like the only person of his kind- whatever specie that is. He said he is a dragon slayer when I first met him. How creative.
The guy is strangely wired I'm telling you. The construction in his head is incomplete. I still don't know how he has a girl friend. (Actually I think he is lying)
The daft dimbo can't even drive for God's sake! I know eventually one day I will have to teach him how to drive. I know he won't ask his best friend to teach him just cause he is such an ego maniac.
Ego maniac is one of the ways to describe him.
Gah, he is such a bastard. Y'know when sometimes people are just too talented it gets annoying? That's what happens when Natsu is around me. That little Pinky is creative alright, not that I would ever admit it infront of him.
Atleast I can drive and he can't and he is – WHAT THE FUCK AM I DOING? I HAVE A FREAKING ASSIGNMENT TO COMPLETE!
"Ugh, this is too distracting. I'm never listening to songs while working again."
