Back to Lucy

"Where- how did I get to the infirmary?" I asked. My mind was fuzzy.

"Erza carried you in after you fainted from reading the letter from your father." Wendy replied sweetly. "Don't worry; you are the only one who has read the letter. We figured it was personal."

"Phew," I breathed in relief. "Thank you Wendy for taking care of me. Can I go?"

"Let me give you a check-up really quickly!" Wendy answered. After quickly running her magic over me, she said. "You are good to go, Lucy!"

"Thanks again!" I shouted over my shoulder as I headed out. When I got to my house, finally cuz Natsu just would not let me go until he thought I was completely healthy, I allowed myself to reread the letter. After I finished, I wiped my teary eyes and debated what to do. Then I decided, for sure, that I definitely would-

"Lucy, can I come in? It's Erza. Are you okay?" Erza called as she knocked on the door. Wait, knocked? Is she sick or something?

"Are you okay?" I joked as I let her in. "Apparently, you really do know what a door is!"

"Yeah, I do." She admitted sheepishly. Her face grew serious. "You're crying. Are you sure you're okay?"

She's worried about me. For some reason, that makes my heart flutter.

"Yes, I'm fine." I lied. Why did I lie? "I was just rereading Papa's letter to me."

"May I read it?" Erza asked politely. What a gentlewoman!

"You will have to wait three days!" I half-joked.

"You are not serious."

"I am completely serious, Erza."

"Geez," Erza started. "Maybe I should just get Natsu or Gray to sneak in and steal that letter."

"Then I shall burn the letter." I declared with a smile. My face changed to a pout. "Will you just wait?"

"Fine, fine. Get some rest. I will come back later today with a job. You better be ready by then."

"Huh? What time is it?" How long was I out?

"Lucy, it's six in the morning. Rest."

"Holy crap!" I only cuss when I am extremely emotional. "Night, er, morning Erza!"

My only answer was a closing door.

~.'.~

"Shut the fuck up, you damn alarm clock!" I shouted. How do you sleep when that annoying beep interrupts one's beautiful sleep? Oh yeah, dur Lucy!

"Oh, shit!" I was gonna be late! Quickly, I undressed and bathed, but alas, I had grumbled and hit the snooze too many times. There just isn't time! Maybe Erza will be late? I stepped out of my bath and reached for a towel when-

"Lucy? Are those scars?" Erza asked, stepping into perfect view of my nude figure. I hastily wrapped myself in my towel, but it was too late.

"Why do you have scars, Lucy?" Erza asked softly. "May I see?"

"Um," I started. As I unwrapped the towel, I explained. "My father was an angry man. When he was in one of his moods, which was all the time after mom died, he would grab a whip, a belt, or sometimes just a tree branch, and, and-"

I broke down in sobs. My emotions flowed down my cheeks. I didn't like feeling this vulnerable around my friends and family, but it happened sometimes.

"Hush, Lucy, it's okay. You are safe." Erza comforted, bringing my bare body into a warm hug. At least she's not wearing armor. You would be unconscious. I thought. Huh, I even think hysterically.

So, how is it? Tell me what you think is going to happen next!

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