Chapter 2
Lucy frowned, nibbled her lip and stared at the measly contents of her wardrobe with her hands on her hips. The rest of her day at school continued uneventfully. She exchanged numbers with Levy, told Levy her address, and Levy said she'd stop by at around a quarter to six to show Lucy where Mira's Café was. Levy would be here in five minutes, and Lucy was deliberating over what to wear.
She had barely any clothes. Apart from her uniform, she had a large baggy black jumper, an oversized white t-shirt she wore when sleeping, baggy grey trousers, black converse, pink flats and what she was wearing at the minute. She was wearing a tight pink top, short black skirt and black boots. Her hair was up in a side ponytail tied with a pink ribbon. This was what she would normally wear. The outfit showed off her slender legs, thin waist, and showed quite a bit of cleavage.
The problem was she would have to explain to Levy why she dressed up like a nerd when she actually looked like this. Lucy was planning on do everything she could to make some money so she could actually feed herself, pay for rent and buy some new clothes (as well as adding some to saving up for collage fees) and she knew she would get a ton more tips looking like this. So she would have to tell Levy, since Levy insisted on staying to be Lucy's first customer.
There was a short knock on the door. "Coming!" Lucy called. She grabbed her white leather jacket and pulled it on. Grabbing her black purse and her keys, she threw her purse onto her shoulder and made her way to the door. Levy and her where getting closer by the minute, and she felt like she would soon be calling her a best friend. She trusted Levy, and she would feel bad keeping it a secret anyway. Lucy took a deep breath, twisted the door handle and swung the door open.
Levy stood grinning. She wore an orange dress with white ribbons. Her grin fell and her mouth dropped in utter shock as she gaped at Lucy. Lucy would have found it comical if she wasn't terrified of what Levy would say. "L...LUCY!?" she stammered in shock. "Um…Hi?" Lucy said quietly, clutching her right arm nervously. Levy stood, mouth open, eyes bulging. Lucy stepped out and locked the door behind her. "Please just hear me out" she pleaded. "I'll explain on the way". Levy shut her mouth, shrugged and nodded.
•••
"…and that's why I dress like a nerd at school" Lucy finished (don't worry, you shall find out in time). She finished her story just as they reached Mira's Café. It was small but cosy and inviting. The glass windows revealed the white wallpapered room, containing cute white tables, booths with shiny red leather sofas and a sparkling white bar at the front. The Café was lit with soft golden light. Pictures and framed quotes written in curvy calligraphy covered the walls. A large sign hung above the doorway, with 'Mira's Café' written in curved white writing on a red background.
Lucy wrung her hands and looked down, waiting for Levy to start laughing at her, or to call her pathetic. Instead, she heard a soft "I understand". Lucy looked up in shock. Levy smiled softly. "I understand why you done it. And I'm glad you trusted me enough to tell me Lu" she said. Levy quickly stepped forward and gave her a strong hug. Lucy sniffed, and hugged her back. "Thanks Levy" she said with a wide grin. "It feels brilliant to finally tell someone". "I'm here if you need someone to talk to, don't forget that Lu" Levy said.
"So you'll keep dressing up like a nerd?" Levy asked. Lucy nodded. "I think I'll stick with it for a while. Do you mind keeping it a secret for now? I'll tell Erza and Juvia soon". Levy nodded. "It's probably smart to keep it. You'll have all the boys in the school drooling at your feet if you walk in like that" she added with a cheeky grin. Lucy burst into fits of laughter. Levy soon joined her. They linked arms and walked into the Café. It was filled with joyful chattering and laughter. Waitresses manoeuvred the room. "I'll be over there" Levy said, gesturing at a booth by the window. "Make sure I'm your first customer!" she added as she skipped off.
Lucy made her way up to the bar. "Excuse me?" she asked one of the waitresses. "Is Mirajane here?" The waitress nodded. "Through that door" she said pointing to a wooden door at the back. Lucy thanked her and made her way over. She twisted the golden door knob and peeked cautiously around the frame. She found what looked like a dressing room inside. Tall metal lockers lined the small room and mahogany benches stood down the centre. Looking closely, she could see names written in neat curvy writing stuck to the top of each locker.
"Mira?" she called out nervously. "Just a minute!" The muffled voice floated from the open storeroom tucked in the back. Lucy slipped inside, quickly rubbing the sweat that was gathering on her palms off on her skirt. Mira poked her head around the door. "Lucy! So glad you could make it-" She stopped mid-sentence and her mouth formed a small O shape in surprise. "I prefer dressing …differently when I'm at school" Lucy hurriedly explained. "It's kinda complicated. Does it bother you?"
Mira shocked expression quickly morphed back into her usual cheeriness. "Of course not! It's your business how you want to dress, I won't pry. It's a pleasure to have you on-board Lucy". Mira stepped over and comically saluted. Giggling Lucy saluted back. "Ok!" Mira clapped her hands in excitement. "Let's find you a uniform". She turned and hurried back into the storeroom. A few minutes later she emerged carrying a bundle of black and white cloth in her arms.
"Here. This should fit. Get changed and come outside. I'll be at the bar. I'll brief you on your duties when you're ready" "Thanks Mira!" Lucy called after her. She quickly changed and observed her appearance in the mirror fitted on one wall. The outfit was rather stylish. It had a black skirt covered with a white apron, white leggings that ended just below the knee and black shoes with a small heel. The top had a white neck, and the waist was covered with black material. It did show off a fair amount of cleavage. It came with two white and black wrist cuffs.
Lucy tied her hair up in a plaited bun with a black ribbon. She gave herself a quick check, stored her clothes and bag in the locker Mira pointed out before (which now had her name in writing at the top) and skipped out the door. The Café was still pretty quiet. Lucy started towards Mira when she saw a flash of Scarlet. She snapped her head around to see both Erza and Juvia taking seats beside Levy. Levy shot her a 'what do I do?' glance. Lucy bit her lip and made a 'stay there' motion with her hand. She quickly hurried to Mira.
Mira explained waitress duties, pay, hours and everything else. Lucy nodded and confirmed that it was all fine with her. With a smile, Mira gestured to Levy's table and handed her a pad and pen. Lucy turned, sucked in a breath, and made her way over. "Hey guys" she said quietly. Erza and Juvia looked up and quickly adorned shocked expressions. Levy shot her an apologetic look. Lucy smiled softly and shook her head slightly, hoping Levy got the message 'it's not your fault'. "Sorry guys…please don't be mad at me. I'd better take your orders, Levy can explain" she said, her eyes pleading as she raised her pad.
Erza nodded. "I'll have strawberry cake please" she said, her eyes shining at the thought. "Juvia will have a chocolate milkshake". Lucy turned to Levy. "Um…a strawberry milkshake please". Lucy nodded and backed away back to the bar. A few minutes later she came back with the orders. She slid them silently onto the table and tucked the tray under her arm. "Levy explained everything Lucy. We get why you dress like that" Erza said.
"Are you mad at me?" Lucy asked nervously. Erza shook her head and laughed. "Of course not! You do what you want to do Lucy. We'll be your friends no matter what". Lucy sniffed in happiness. "You guys are the best" she said, leaning forward and trapping them all in a group hug. She'd only known them for a day but she felt like they'd been her friends her whole life.
Lucy pulled back with a bright grin. "That'll be 100 jewels please" Erza handed her the money, and a generous tip. "Thanks guys! I'll see you later!" she grinned. The three of them waved merrily at her. Lucy couldn't wipe the silly grin off her face for the whole night. She went to bed still grinning like a maniac. She had fell in love with Magnolia and Fairy Tail already.