Chapter 2: New Year's wish

Two weeks had already passed and the kiss continued to haunt her. He was always her best friend and now, she was completely smitten. What made it worse was that it had not affected him as it did her. Her heart skipped beats, her face burned red, and her mind reeled fantasies. Unfortunately, all it ever took for her to go insane was a single smile at her and frankly, he smiled all the time.

Lucy sighed as she put weight on her right side. She leaned against one of the pillars of the guild and watched her nakama do all sorts of crazy things. Usually she would partake in their antics but as the new year starts, she wanted to take a mental note of how everyone is enjoying themselves. Last year, Natsu was her best friend and partner; now he was the person she wanted to be with as more than friends. Of course she wasn't going to confront him about her new found feelings, but she could not shake off the uneasiness she felt when he's not with her.

As her mind kept bouncing back between talking to someone about her feelings for Natsu and completely shutting that whole idea down, she found herself at the bar.

"Lucy, would you like anything to drink?" Mirajane smiled.

"Actually I'd like a beer please." Lucy tried to look for a seat at the bar but it was full of men; all trying to get the barmaid's undivided attention.

"Coming right up."

Within seconds Lucy had her beer in her hands without even knowing how it got there. Mirajane winked at her and Lucy nodded as she shied away back to her pillar. Fortunately for her, there was a stray chair not too far away so she grabbed it and dragged it to her pillar. For some reason, this pillar has suddenly become her comfort zone. As she struggled with her internal warfare of feelings, she continued to mask her inner conflicts with a smile.

"Lu-chan! Why are you here all alone? We're going to start the countdown soon." Levy waved her hands in front of Lucy's face. "Earth to Lucy, are you there?" She nudged her friend.

Finally Lucy woke up from her daze and eyed Levy.

"You've been awfully quiet this evening, Lu-chan, you okay?" Levy pulled a chair next to her.

"The New Year is starting and I'm already panicking."

"About what?" Levy leaned in closer to her best friend. Lucy continued to stare out to the crowd.

"I want things to change this year. I want... I don't know. It sounds so ... silly." Lucy gushed.

"Hm?! You know you can tell me anything." Levy's ears perked up with curiosity.

"I kinda want a boyfriend." Lucy admitted. "I know it's girly and whatever but it's true." She took another sip of her beer.

Levy chuckled as she gave her friend a hug. "It's not silly but it's silly because it's you."

"Huh?"

"Good luck to the guy who wants to date you. He has to get passed Erza, Titania; Gray, naked ice mage; and worst of all, Natsu, the crazy pyromaniac."

"Oh yeah, maybe I shouldn't find a boyfriend." Lucy sighed.

Suddenly Lucy felt hot arms around her shoulders. There's only one person that emitted that kind of heat. Once she looked over, she saw pink hair and a defined chin. His eyes stared elsewhere yet his arms stayed on her.

"Uh Natsu?"

"We're gonna miss the countdown if we stay here. I'll meet you two near the stage." Levy squeaked as she hurried off with a wide grin plastered on her face.

Lucy started to get up but Natsu pulled her back down.

"Ouch. Natsu, come on. We're going to miss it." She tried once more but he held onto her. "Eh? Is something wrong?"

"Just stay here with me." He asked her as he gently let go of her.

She smiled and sat back down and leaned against him. He wrapped one arm around her shoulders again and she snuggled into him.

"Did you make up your wish for New Years?" Lucy asked.

"Nopes." He shrugged as he took her beer. "No need." He took a sip. "Did you?"

His hot breath touched her cheek and she yearned for his touch—a more intimate one.

"Uh—well, yeah. I guess." She looked away to hide her blush.

"Well I heard that you're supposed to kiss someone at the end of the countdown for it to happen."

Lucy's head snapped back at him as if he grew an extra head. "What are you trying to say?"

"Nothing." He smirked playfully. His fingers started to trace up and down her arm and it gave her goosebumps.

The echoes of the countdown laid low in the background as Lucy stared into Natsu's deep onyx eyes. She was completely lost in them; she knew she had fallen for him and there was no way out. He didn't know he had complete control over her heart, and he didn't know just how fragile it was. All she could do was wish and hope that maybe one day, he could somehow feel at least tenth of how she is feeling. But was that all just wishful thinking?

The countdown was almost at one and Lucy realized that Natsu had already cupped her cheek. As soon as she heard one, his lips were on hers and she could only close her eyes and savour this moment. They were in a secluded area where there weren't so many people there so they had just enough privacy.

Like in all things, this kiss came to an end. Natsu pulled away and resumed back to his position prior to the kiss as if it never happened. Lucy was left stunned. He nudged her so that she could stop staring so blankly at him; she even caught him blushing.

"Happy New Year, Lucy." He whispered into her ear.

"Happy New Year, Natsu." She placed her head on his shoulder.

This was shaping into a good year, or so she thought.

A/N: Talk about M.I.A haha lol well this was super duper late ): but really thanks everyone for still reading my stories that I haven't updated in so long. Btw this one is for new years lol i still need to do valentines and then now easter :$ LOL well sok one at a time I guess right? :P it's a bit short though... but at least I'm back. (: Enjoy and don't forget to leave a comment or two, much appreciated!