Introduction to Love
by Her Pretty Smile
A/N: Thank you for the feedback. I really appreciate it! :) So here's chapter two. Enjoy.
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Sign #2
"The phrases 'you can't stop thinking about him' and 'you just want to see him even if it's just once in a day' aren't just mere phrases."
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HE PLACES HIS NEW, expensive headphones against his ears, the intro of the song 'Home' by Daughtry pumping into his mind as he stares blankly up at the sky.
His school, Victoria Academy, is a royal, prestigious school. The students can do whatever they want as long as it's free period. Since the students learning there are all from royal families, they have the power to manipulate certain cycles.
He thinks that it's a disgusting habit.
Slouching against the hard, smooth texture of the bench, he lets the music relax his mind. The cool breeze gently brushes against his skin, and his eyes slowly close, the darkness overwhelming his vision and soon enough he drifts off into a silent slumber.
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SHE PACES AROUND THE room, wondering why she can't get him out of her mind. Sure, he's mysterious and fascinating, but surely he shouldn't be on her mind every second of the day. It's not… normal.
It's ridiculous, she thinks calmly though her mind is in turmoil. I don't even know his name.
She doesn't know what this feeling is, and it scares her. They had just interacted two times and then something foreign had built itself inside of her.
And for some reason she can't comprehend, the feeling is just so warm and fuzzy that sometimes she doesn't mind.
She ponders for a moment, wondering if it's just an illness of some sort.
It's possible, her rational mind echoes inside her. You almost had the flu a week ago. It must've disoriented your senses temporarily.
It'll fade over time.
"Heartfilia?" Gray's familiar warm voice sends a wave of tingling sensations throughout her body.
"Quit calling me that," she says, though her voice holds a tinge of playfulness within it. "Just call me Lucy already."
"Oh, but I shouldn't, Princess Heartfilia," Gray says in a mock-shocked voice, "since you are going to be the next Queen of this country."
She cringes. "Don't remind me."
Gray's expression turns serious for once. "You still hate it?"
"Hate what?"
"Being pressured to do something you don't want to do," Gray replies simply.
"…Yeah."
"…You need some kind of outlet?"
"Elaborate, please."
"Geez, you sound like a ninety-year-old Queen—ow! Hey!" Gray clutches his left arm which she'd hit in pain. "I didn't mean this kind of outlet!"
She laughs heartily. "I know." With a regal air, she walks closer to him then stops just as she is right in front of him. "Thank you, Gray. I really need to let it all out."
"Then take it all out on me."
"Right." She lifts up her gold-silver-and-black necklace with glittery gems and diamonds all over the cursive H pendant and grins.
"I challenge you, Prince Gray."
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HE WAKES UP AT the sound of two metals clanging against each other.
Sitting up into a more comfortable position, he tunes in to the music that is blaring softly from his headphones. He can make out the tune of the song 'She's the One' by Robbie Williams before he hears the sound again.
The clanging of metal against metal.
He takes off his headphones, annoyance showing on his once-serene face. His eyes dart around his surroundings, looking for the source.
After a few seconds, he finds it and his eyes grow wide in surprise.
It's her.
She's wearing a white chiffon gown with lace cuffs and with white ribbons, laces, and some diamonds surrounding the fabric. The dress clings tightly to the shape of her upper body, and he can't help but think that she looks amazing.
He also knows what that gown is used for.
In the Academy, the girls are required to wear gowns like that when they are fencing. The boys, on the other hand, are required to wear black formal suits.
He wonders who challenged first. Was it Lucy, or was it Gray?
But he isn't interested in answering that question and instead watches silently as she wields the thin sword expertly and brandishes it towards her opponent. Her movements are graceful and poised and her offenses are refined and confident.
As expected of the best fencer in the Academy, he thinks wryly.
His eyes then travel over to Gray whose swordsmanship skills are only second best in the school.
He furrows his eyebrows. And I hold the very last place. Great, he thinks dryly.
He watches them go at each other once more, particularly at her, before placing his headphones back on.
And then he hears a part of the lyrics that makes him go numb.
'She's the one…'
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SHE'D NEVER WANTED TO spar with Gray in the garden.
It was because she saw him sleeping peacefully on the bench, his face serene and his features soft. At that moment, her hands tingled; she wanted to touch him, to touch his cheek, to feel the soft contours of his face—
"This is the best place," Gray interrupted, shattering her thoughts as he unsheathed his sword.
I must be going crazy, she thought, biting her lower lip. Why am I like this?
"Lucy." Gray's voice snapped her back to reality once again. "Let's begin."
She whirled around to face him. "Wait. I think it's better if—"
It was too late.
He'd charged towards her and struck at her, but she parried his sword with her own and forced him back.
"I wasn't ready yet, idiot," she protested. "It took me some time to draw my sword!"
Gray grinned. "You challenged me, princess, and a challenge is what you get."
END
to be continued
A/N: I'm not particularly satisfied with this chapter, and I know you are, too. But I promise that the next chapter's going to be far better than this one. :3
