It didn't matter that Natsu and I were in the middle of a brawl, or that Erza was about to break us up, or that Lucy was trying to convince Juvia that she had no interest in me, or that Jet and Droy were trying to get between Levy and Gajeel. None of the normal mattered.
Because this was not normal.
Everybody froze with their mouths hanging open, Lyon was no exception. As much as everyone in the guild was freaking out about her accepting Lyon's request, he had no idea that she would give in. All that confidence flew out of him the moment she looked away from me and smiled at him. He stayed there on the floor, still on one knee, staring at her flushed face.
"U-umm, Juvia said she would like to go on a date with you, Lyon-san" She stuttered, no doubtedly not having wanted to repeat those words. Still, her voice rang loud as this was the most quiet this guild had ever been. Her cheeks were flushed red and this was the most shy we have ever seen her.
Lyon snapped out of his shock and abruptly stood up, not wanting to miss this precious chance she had given him.
"O-of course, my lovely Juvia-chan. Shall I pick you up at 5 tomorrow in front of Fairy Hills?"
Her blue hair bobbed as she nodded her head embarrassedly. She held the rose timidly within her clasped hands in front of her stomach.
Lyon nodded with wide eyes as well and awkwardly turned around to face the guild doors. He walked away stiff, the complete opposite of the confidence he walked in with. No one knew whether their eyes should be on Juvia, him, or me. We were right from the beginning, this would be a complicated situation. He looked at me while walking out, still shocked, to confirm what just happened. I could tell that he planned on smirking at me and whisking Juvia away with him as he walked away when she said yes to him, but that kind of control was not possible at the moment.
When he left the guild, everybody stared at me, looking for my reaction. Although none of them knew of my real feelings for Juvia, no one could doubt that she had a large part in my life. As much as they were shocked she accepted Lyon's invitation to a date, they figured I must be the most surprised.
And indeed I was.
I didn't know if I should be angry or embarrassed at the attention. All that I knew was that I didn't like it. It was never about being the center of attention with me. I especially didn't like Erza's stare. She hated the distance between her and Jellal. She wanted him so badly and they couldn't be together with the situation he was in. Juvia was here with me every moment she could and I could have just as easily held onto her. Instead, I let her slip through my fingers and took her for granted. How selfish I must look to Erza.
Since I didn't know how to react, I couldn't do anything but clench my fists and look down at the floor. I was too ashamed to look at anyone, especially Juvia. Even though she was all I wanted to see right now, I didn't dare look up at her. I know I failed her in every area she expected of me. I felt like an utter failure before her and her stupid rose. Her stupid, stupid rose.
I should've been the one to give her a flower and treat her the way she deserved. Instead of lying to myself and trying to convince everyone that I didn't feel the way I felt for her, I should've treated her better.
Because after all I've done, she doesn't want a liar. Who would?
What reason would she have to not go for Lyon?