Their hands grasped each other carefully, Juvia blushed while Gray... felt another tug on his heart.
"Gray Fullbuster..."
Juvia beamed thankfully at him. "Uhmm, How long are you going to shake your hands?" Levy asked, looking at Gray then to Juvia.
The bookworm gave her dark-haired friend a knowing smile. Gray coughed awkwardly, blushing even more. Juvia on the other hand giggled behind her small hand as the boy released it.
"Well then... See you around."
Gray nodded silently, scratching the back of his head. "Yeah,"
Juvia was about to make her fifth step when Gray called her.
"In what class are you?" he half-shouted, forgetting where he was.
Gray nervously looked around, he didn't know that he had been holding his breath for a minute. It's weird.
He glanced behind him and saw Levy shooting him a pointed stare. "Not here, Gray!" she squeaked, whispering.
Juvia bit her bottom lip. "Im in class B," she whispered enough for him to hear it, she glanced at the students staring at them, insecurity flooding her system and with small, hurried footsteps, she's gone.
The school bell rang as Gray made his way back on their classroom. Groaning, he dragged his feet towards the stair case, the book placed firmly between his arm and body.
'She's in class B' he yawned quietly to himself as he turned into a corner, his steps became heavier even more.
He was reminded how she looked so cute and troubled back there at the library. Of course, he felt embarrassed as well as he unconsciously yelled earlier. It's just when he thought of not seeing her again, dread gripped him instantly.
He stifled a laugh when her blushing, small face appeared on his mind.
Continuing his journey, his brows knitted together as he saw the sign 'Class 1-B' at one of the sign boards above the classroom's sliding door.
He ignored it but before making another step, he comically made a few steps back, peaking his head towards one of the window.
Some of the students were busy entering the classroom, some were chatting and were laughing lively. His eyes traveled across the room, from the far side of the classroom, seated next by the window, on the last row is Juvia.
She was sitting properly, her back straight and a bit stiff. Her palms were pressed firmly on her wooden desk, a book beside it.
He observed her for a second and he noted how she looked so nervous and stiff at the same time. He also saw how the other students ignore her. Well not completely ignoring, but it gave him the feeling that she has no friends.
No friends? That's crazy. He scowled.
He stared again at her quietly, and in that moment a girl unconsciously bumped Juvia's shoulder, probably in a hurry to make it on her seat.
The blue-haired girl only sighed, glancing at the window beside her.
His attention suddenly averted on one particular brown-haired girl. She is squealing noisily as he saw her point her index finger at him. "It's the Ice prince! It's Gray-san~!"
The other girls squealed as well, it made the boy cringe in disgust.
"HE'S LOOKING AT ME!" the other one jumped happily. "No way! He's here to see me!" another girl rivaled.
What the hell?! Gray was shock, unable to move from his spot. His fan girls clasped their hands together, squealing: 'Gray-san~!'
He immediately leaned back from the window and cursed himself as he realized how stupid and careless he was. It's not even right for him to peak on their room! And most of all not because of his reason to see if a certain blue-haired girl was really on that class.
He spared her another glance and he saw that she's still staring outside the window, looking at the sky peacefully, not caring about the cuss his fan girl's were making.
Somewhere from the back of his mind, he saw how she sadly look up from the bright, wonderful skies.
"Gray..." Erza Scarlet greeted him when he entered their classroom.
He nodded in his red-haired friend who is also their class president.
Gray sometimes even want to laugh how serious Erza is when it comes to her position, she is so dedicated and sometimes looking like an idiot and she even approaches her friends with such formalities.
"Oi, Natsu." Gray called as he placed the book on top of a snoring Natsu, his cheek pressed on his desk.
The boy stirred and cracked an eye open. "Yeah?"
"Here's the book." Gray lifted the said item before slapping it on Natsu's pink head.
"You wanna fight, Ice-brain!" he shouted, gathering some of their classmates attention.
"Fight like a man!" shouted Elfman, the giant in their classroom.
Gray smirked, lowering the book on the desk. "Challenge accepted, Flame-slave!"
They were about to throw themselves to each other when Erza appeared between them.
The two immediately became 'buddy-buddy', hugging each other tightly.
"Are you two staring a fight again?"
"No!" they chorused, sweat forming on their foreheads.
:
:
"Take care of that book," Gray punched his frenemy lightly on the arm. "Use it properly, 'kay?"
"Like I care!" Natsu replied childishly, opening the book with his careless hands.
"Hey Im serious!" scowled Gray.
"What if..." Natsu flipped a page, flicking it in the process.
Gray's eyes widened unbelievably. "Hey stop it!"
Nastu snickered as he repeated his action.
"Natsu!" Gray growled, ready to attack him. The pinkette whistled, ignoring his warning. He did another careless flip and the paper tore in half. Natsu's sneaky face fell into a frown.
"You idiot! What's your purpose!" the dark-haired teen shouted from the bottom of his lungs.
"I didn't mean it! It was accident Ice-freak!" Natsu defended. "but I look pretty awesome right?" the boy grinned, flicking his fingers in the air proudly.
"You shit! You don't get it!" Gray hissed, grabbing the book from his friend.
"Eh! It's only a book, Ice-princess!"
Gray's eyes darkened, he turned on his heel, leaving the noisy pink-haired guy.
"Oi, Im just joking!"
The next morning, Gray went straightly on the library. He sat on one of the chairs at the farthest corner of the quiet room.
He tried his best not to gather so much attention so he sat quietly on his seat, earphones plugged on his ears.
He needs to tell the girl what happened to the book. That Natsu deserves a full hour of beating from him later.
Crossing his arms in front of his chest, he scanned the room, eyes travelling back and forth from the door.
He decided to wait for her in the library. That would be the most safest place were he could properly have a talk with her.
Minutes passed, students already filled the empty seats. He saved the chair between him and the wall, placing his school bag on it.
He glanced up and finally saw her walking on one of the sections. She was clutching four books, he noted, on her chest, obviously placing it back on their shelves.
He gulped, swallowing the large lump on his dry throat. She walked even more until she's already standing in front of the table were he currently occupies.
"Hey..." he called quietly. The girl looked on her side distractedly, her eyes widened when she recognized him.
"Hello." she smiled, turning her body to face him. "It's nice to see you in here again."
He smiled stiffly before coughing to himself, placing his fist in front of his lips.
"H-have a seat..." he offered quietly, turning his head on the chair beside him.
Juvia smiled, nodding as she made her way towards the chair. Seating properly, she placed the remaining book on the table.
"Can I help you?" she flushed as she realized how guarded and far they were from the other students.
"Uhmm," Gray scratched the back of his neck, his lips on a tight line.
He didn't know why he's acting all weird, he is never weird when it comes to talking with girls. Well, there's Erza, Lucy, Cana, Levy and his other girl-friends. But why is he acting like an idiot, nervous even more just by starting a conversation with this particular girl?
He plucked his earphone away from his ears and glanced at her from the corner of his eyes. She's busy staring at the table in front of her and he's glad that he's not the only one who is feeling embarrassed and awkward at the same moment.
They both opened their mouths, attempting to start a conversation.
"I'm-"
"I need to-"
They faced each other, blinking. Juvia nodded and told him to go on, but Gray who is being a gentleman today shook his head, telling her to go first.
Juvia looked down on her lap and smiled nervously, peaking at him shyly. "Well, I'm on duty right now so..." she paused. "What can I do for you?"
"I-Im sorry," he stammered, noting how shitty he was. Of course, the girl is on her assistant-librarian mode right now, so he couldn't just ask her to sit beside him and talk. "No... I mean, I'm sorry for keeping you."
Juvia smiled understandingly, nodding. "It's okay. I'm just returning these books so I could have more free time later before our class starts. You know, morning duties." she shrugged, smiling.
"Yeah," he nodded as well, and he felt how sweaty his hands were.
Was that hard to talk to a girl, Huh?! FULBUSTER?! he mentally punched himself.
Dammit. He need to say something!
"Y-you need help?"
Nice try Fullbuster, Nice try. He thought sarcastically.
"I-I'm fine!" the girl blushed. "It's only two books and Im done."
Say something more, Ice-brain! And now, insulting himself is one of the choices.
He nodded, smiling faintly but nervously. "W-well..." he paused, trying to find the right words. "Uhmm... Y-you me, uhm, want-" pause. "classroom. walk. You?" he glanced at her once again, and he swear his cheeks can rival Erza's hair right now.
"Im sorry. I ddin't get it." giggled Juvia soflty.
He cleared his throat, gathering more courage. "What I mean is..." another pause and he cupped the back of his neck. "We can walk together on our way to our rooms. Im in class A by the way."
Geez Gray, she's not asking which class are you in.
She gaped at him for a second, her mouth opening and closing quickly. After gathering her wits she glanced on her side and mumbled a soft, "S-sure."
Gray can't help but smile, he nodded as Juvia told him to wait for her.
Hello! Im all happy to see the positive reviews by you guys: dorac, starrystar02, Guest, Sarapyon, sam-coline, CaprisiousKrego, me ga mawaru, Juvia Loxar, Yumeko nee! And also to those who follwed and faved this story! You guys are awesome! I must say that this chapter is full of awkwardness and I like it~! Review your thoughts again guys! Thank you~ :)