Back! I bet you're not glad to see me, haha. You'll see how much of a crappy chapter I've made xD anyway, I don't own Fairy Tail. Also, I may be slightly late uploading the next chapter, as I'm struggling with words.

Chapter Two

"Hey, you losers! I'm back!"

The house is a mess, as usual. A pile of coats and shoes is blocking the door from being opened properly, so I kick them away, before making my way into the house.

"Natsu? You're back! Where'd you go?"

"Looking 'round. Come on, Wendy, you know I never come home early."

Wendy pouts, and pulls her long blue hair into a ponytail. She glances at me, before motioning towards the stairs.

"Gajeel's upstairs. He wants to talk to you apparently. They aren't home…as usual."

I flinch, as she hisses the word 'they'. I frown. I know exactly how she feels. We all do. Me, Wendy and Gajeel.

I suppose I should explain. You see, we're all orphans. A couple brought us back to this house. Though, they're always travelling, or doing some other business. They're criminals. But we can't go back to the care home. This is our foster home, and due to some stupid contract, we can only leave when they want us to leave. Wendy's a few years younger than me, and I'm overprotective of her. So is Gajeel. But he would never admit that. Gajeel's a year older than me, and funnily enough, he's dating Lucy's innocent friend, Levy.

"Hey, Natsu. Why so late? At your girlfriend's mansion?"

"Of course not. You know very well yourself we're not dating."

"Too posh for us orphaned leftovers?"

"Don't lie. You and I both know you're thankful Lucy was around. If she wasn't, you would've never met Levy."

Gajeel stays silent. I win. I always do. Lucy is my secret weapon.

;;

She's the girl that no one ever knows.

And I say hi, but she's too shy to say hello.

She's just waiting for that one to take her hand

And shake her up.

I bet I could.

;;

"Mr Dragneel! Are you listening?"

"Of course, sir!"

"Humph."

The teacher turns around again, and I grin at Lucy, who's sitting two seats away from me. We're passing notes, but of course we're not going to tell the teacher. She smiles back, and passes me another note.

;;

"Mira! Mira!"

"Lucy? What can I get you?"

"You'll never guess what just happened to me! I got invited to a huge singing competition on the other side of Fiore!"

"You serious? That's amazing! I'm so happy for you!"

"Luce!"

I lean on the bar counter, and signal for Mira to pass me a drink.

"Yeah, Natsu?"

"What's the competition called? I want to buy tickets."

"Why? I'm not going to pass the first round, Natsu. And you can see me on television anyway. There's no point-"

"I want to see you live. On stage. And you will get through. All the way to the end, when you go up on stage to get the trophy."

"Stop it! I'm terrible! I'm going to be terrible!"

I growl at her, slamming my drink down on the counter.

"You will get through. Stop being so negative."

A tear escaped her eye as she stares at me. I wipe it from her cheek carefully. It was just like yesterday. When I wiped the icing off her cheek. We stare at each other.

Until there was a loud cheer.

Everyone turns to look at the source of the noise. Gray Fullbuster. He's smirking, as his fangirls cheer and giggle.

"What's all the fuss?"

I wish my heart was always on her mind.

'Cause she's on mine like all day, all the time.

Forget me not, forget me now.

I've come too far to turn around.

I'm here tonight.

Lucy glares at me, as if it was obvious.

"It's Gray's birthday. He always gets a new girlfriend on his birthday. Oh, it could be me!"

And then she runs off to the human magnet, leaving me with our drinks. Mira smiles sadly, and pats me on the back. I almost smile at what she says next.

"You almost kissed her then. Progress."

;;

'Cause I'm never going down,

I'm never giving up.

I'm never gonna leave,

So put your hands up.

If you like me,

Then say you like me.

I'm never going down,

I'm never giving up.

I'm never gonna leave,

So put your hands up.

If you like me,

Then say you like me.

;;

"Hey, Natsu! You have to come over after school! It's super urgent!"

"What? Wait! Why? Where are you now?"

"I'm in the library, trying to cram in some extra revision with Levy for a stupid annoying test that I completely forgot about. And don't ask why, Natsu, just come over. Bye!"

"Oh-uh…bye."

I raise an eyebrow, before heading towards my next classroom. I would find out soon. The was no point pondering over it. Besides, I'm pretty sure I already know what it is. The competition.

She's the girl that no one ever knows.

Works a double just to buy her clothes.

Nicotine and faded dreams,

Baby, just believe

There's no one else like me.

I glance over at the girl next to me. Juvia, I think her name was. A very big fangirl of Gray's. She was also some old friend of Gajeel's, before we met at the orphanage. Before the creeps took us in.

"Gray-sama has picked his girl of the week." Her big eyes look up to me, and I'm surprised, since she hasn't talked to me before. It was partially my fault though, for calling Gray an idiot at the beginning of the year.

"Oh? Is it you?"

"No, but it's okay."

"What do you mean? You are the big fangirl of Gray, right?"

"You misunderstood! Juvia means that Gray-sama's birthday girlfriend only lasts a week. He even told me once, by accident. I'll get a chance next week."

"What a pig."

"You take that back! Gray-sama is a very loyal and…"

She goes on for the next hour, and I roll my eyes. At least there was only one more lesson to go. I pick up my books and run, as soon as the bell goes for the next lesson. Juvia attempts to chase after me, but I'm quicker, so she gives up eventually.

;;

'Cause I'm never going down,

I'm never giving up.

I'm never gonna leave,

So put your hands up.

If you like me,

Then say you like me.

I'm never going down,

I'm never giving up.

I'm never gonna leave,

So put your hands up.

If you like me,

Then say you like me.

;;

:VALENTINE'S DAY, A FEW MONTHS AFTER LUCY JOINED FAIRY HIGH:

"Omg, Natsu! Look! Look what Gray gave me! LOOK!"

I know what it is. I've seen it before.

"He totally likes me! Why else would he give me this beautiful locket? I'm going to wear this every day, to remind myself that Gray likes me back! Me!"

I turn away.

"Hey Luce? W-we should be going now. Come on."

;;

It's time to fall into my arms.

'Cause I've been waiting for too long.

You're an angel,

Grab your halo,

And lets fly tonight.

;;

"Lucy? Why do you like Gray so much?"

"Hmm? Well, to be honest, it's only a small thing."

She pulls out the locket from her neck to show me.

"Gray gave me this, last year. He's too shy to say anything though. Still, one day we'll be together, and I'll wear this locket forevermore."

"If it wasn't Gray who gave you it…would you love the person who did?"

"Probably, yeah. But it was Gray. I'm sure of it. I mean, he even put a little note inside it too! It said that he fell in love with me at first sight! And I saw him staring in the first day I got here!"

;;

I'm leaning on the wall, texting Gajeel quickly. We may argue a lot, but we've stuck to each other for the past few years. He wouldn't admit it, but he would be worried if I didn't tell him where I was. Lucy's late. I smirk, putting my phone away. I would have to rescue her.

'Cause I'm never going down,

I'm never giving up.

I'm never gonna leave,

So put your hands up.

If you like me,

Then say you like me.

Of course, she's moaning over her test papers by her locker when I arrive. Every time she gets bad grades she does that. I squat down beside her, and frown at the grade.

"You didn't mess up too badly, Luce. You did better than me, at least."

"I guess. But the teacher hates me even more now. Oh well. Come on! Let's go!"

And bam, the Lucy I know and love is back, smiling. She grabs my hand and runs towards the exit. Does she feel the sparks that go through my body when she does that? It's electrifying, making me unable to move for a few moments. But…it feels good, so I let her drag me down the corridor.

;;

"Does my butt look big in this?"

She pouts and leans into her reflection, posing. She glances at me via mirror, and I roll my eyes, lying on her huge four-poster bed, watching the scene in front of me. Her room is huge, with cream walls and pink velvet curtains. It looks like something out of a fairy tale. (A/N: sorry lol)

"You look fine. You'll be amazing."

"Oh! You've heard already? I was about to tell you as well…"

"No, but I assumed. Come on! I'm your best friend!"

"You mean your only friend."

She giggles, and we laugh. I have many friends. Not saying that, to you know, make me feel better, but I'm not exactly unpopular or popular.

Lucy flops down beside me, and we lie on her bed, staring at the ceiling. She sighs heavily, and she grins at me. She smells of strawberries and cream.

"You think that I'll do fine?"

"Of course! Why wouldn't you?"

Pause. She glances at me for a second, then looks back up.

"I don't know. Nerves."

I laugh.

"You're Lucy! Lucy Heartfilia! You can do anything!"

She smiles, rolling over to face me, and once again, we're face to face.

"Jeez, Natsu, how come you can make anyone feel better in any situation?"

"The amazingness that flows around me, of course."

Her laugh fills the room, and I look solemnly at her, my lips twitching slightly.

"Pfft, I don't deserve you!"

She sits up, and I follow suit.

"You've got to go now, haven't you? Your parents will be angry."

"Oh…oh yeah. Well, see you tomorrow!"

I start to leave, guilt rushing through me. She knows about my adoptive siblings, she just doesn't know about my foster parents. For all she knows, they're genuinely nice people.

"Wait!"

Her hand grasps my arm, and sparks flow between us. And from the look on her face, I'm not the only one who felt it.

We stare at each other, until she drops her hand.

"Oh! Uh-never mind!"

She closes the door hurriedly, but not quick enough for me to not see the blush on her face. It gives me satisfaction for the rest of the day, and every time I touch that spot on my arm, I can feel the faint sparks.

;;

'Cause I'm never going down,

I'm never giving up.

I'm never gonna leave,

So put your hands up.

If you like me,

Then say you like me.

I'm never going down,

I'm never giving up.

I'm never gonna leave,

So put your hands up.

If you like me,

Then say you like me.

;;

I have decided.

I am going to confess.

In exactly three minutes.

She walks into the classroom, and sneaks up to me. I smile, and try not to show that I'm nervous as hell.

"Hey, Luce?"

"Yeah, Natsu?"

I can't say it.

"Never mind, Lucy."

"No, what was it? Please? Please tell me!"

I swallow. I've been wanting to say it for years. What if it goes wrong? But…what if it goes like my dream? My dream goes like this. I confess, she confesses, we become a couple. That would be perfect. So I confess.

"Fine. I-I..I like you, okay? Maybe...even love..."

It comes out too quickly, too rushed, and I cringe.

I shut my eyes, breathing in quickly. I had been waiting for this for years, now. Her reaction is what I'm scared of most.

;;

Just say you like me.

;;

"Natsu? Is this a joke? Or a prank? Who set you up with this?"

"N-no, of course not!"

"But…but everyone knows I'm going out with Gray…including you, right?"

;;

A/N: oh shiz, everyone's going to hate me now. Sowwy.

Cliffhangers are my thing, okay?

I liked this chapter, especially Natsu's 'family'. I've always thought of them to be like siblings. Please review, follow and favourite!

Song: Say You Like Me, We The Kings

Cat xx