Chapter 2

Gajeel hadn't shown up to school for almost two weeks. Today was the Tuesday before the big game. I forgot the theme, but it was big enough for multiple after parties to be thrown afterwards.

"Hey, are you okay?" Lucy asked me after school. I shrugged.

"I am just worried he might be sick. He didn't look very well last week." I explained. Lucy shrugged.

"Maybe you should go see him. I can keep Jet distracted for a while." She offered. Practice was short today. I took up her offer and went to the Admin Office.

"Hey, Mr. Rowds. I was wondering if you could give me Gajeel Redfox's address. Many teachers have assignments for me to give him since he has been out for a week." I smiled at the assistant principal. He smiled kindly back. It was against code, but I was a trustworthy kid.

"Normally I would have to say no, but I trust your word, Ms. McGarden. Are you going alone? Its almost near the shady parts. I wouldn't you in danger." He asked as he looked through student files.

"No. I am going with a friend." I lied smoothly. After getting the address, I left. I stopped by a small soup restaurant to grab food to eat and soup in case Gajeel really was sick.

"Okay. No need to sweat. Just stop by and say hi." I encouraged myself as I drive to a more dimmer side of town. At least it wasn't too shady. I think I would have made Lucy come with me then. Halfway through the drive, my phone decided to die. I left the poor thing on the seat in my car.

"This is it?" I asked myself. I saw a black motorcycle sitting in the driveway as music thundered around the large house. It was half blocked off by a huge willow and vines ran up the side wall in a warming pattern. It was a beautiful house. No other cars were on the street. I double checked the address before getting out my car and approaching the front door. I rung the doorbell twice. Apparently, it was loud enough to be heard. The music cut off as the door was thrown open.

A wet, shirtless Gajeel stood with a scowl on his face. We both stared at each other with words caught in our throat.

"Shrimp? The hell are you doing here?" He leaned against the door frame. I looked at the floor, trying to not be tempted into ogling at his muscular body. From my earlier glance, I knew he was much more muscular than Jet. I began to remember how that hard body felt under my hands... I shook my head.

"I… Uh, wow." My words rolled over each other.

"Use full sentences, Shrimp." I heard Gajeel tease. I stayed interested in my feet.

"You weren't in school, so I thought maybe you were sick or something. The office gave me your address. I brought your homework and something to eat in case you were sick." I mumbled before I shuffled my feet. I looked up at the sound of a zipper. Gajeel had pulled on a jacket.

"Come in. And excuse the mess." Gajeel opened his door wider. I stepped inside of his home. It was modest yet kind of dark. A small pile of scrap metal sat in the corner of what I guessed to be the living room. A couch and a table sat in front of the TV and fireplace.

"Here, have a seat." He stepped ahead to grab the shirt and blanket that rested on his couch.

"I, uh, thanks." I took the seat. Gajeel disappeared for a few moments before striding into the room with a sly grin and the shirt he grabbed on.

"I was busy when you came. I will take you up on that free food though." He sat next to me. I opened up the bag and grabbed my food before grabbing the extra sandwich and soup. He took it with gratitude.

"I didn't know you had a motorcycle." I mumbled around a bite of my sandwich. He chuckled. His laugh was strange.

"You never asked. I might let you ride it later on." He teased. My cheeks burned at the double meaning in his words. He continued watching my reaction as I ate.

"If I didn't know any better, I would say you were flirting with me." I looked at him, not wanting him to have the upper hand. He shrugged.

"I am shameless. Where is your boyfriend? Or blondie?" He asked. The way he referenced Jet was definitely said with strain in his tone. I chose to ignore it.

"I came alone. I kinda wanted to respect your privacy." I mumbled. He stroked his chin.

"That is bold."

"Why were you out of school?" I asked abruptly. Gajeel glanced at me with those wine red eyes. They didn't seem the same as those bright ones I saw the other day. Or I think I saw anyways.

"I had business to attend to." That was shitty and he knew it.

"Are you going to join us tomorrow? You should." I tried to persuade him. He set down his food and leaned back. Gajeel smirked and wiped his mouth with a napkin.

"Sounds like you miss me." He teased again. He laid an arm behind my head on the couch.

"Nope, just making sure you don't flunk out of High School again."

He rolled his eyes. "This is my first time in high school. I never flunked out or anything. I ain't stupid." He argued. I glanced at my watch to see the time.

"I should get going."

"Got a curfew?" Gajeel teased. He leaned towards me. His voice deepened considerably, almost to a growl. I was tempted to reach out and touch the scars visible on his arm. His grunt halted me as I recalled the question.

"No. I just wanted to make it home before it gets too dark. Time change hasn't happened yet." I mumbled. He nodded his head.

"Do you want to go?" Gajeel asked in a husky tone. I gulped and looked away from his animalistic red eyes. They were mesmerizing.

"Are you going to come tomorrow?" I asked while standing and also dodging his question. Gajeel shrugged with a light in his eyes.

"I might think on it. Gihi." He laughed at my hopeless look.

"Well, I hope to see you there." I gave up. He waved a hand as I reached for my trash.

"I will clean it up. You go on." He grinned with a secret in his eyes.

"Okay. See ya soon, Gajeel."

"Yea, yea." He watched me out the door. I gave a small wave as I drove off. The drive home was peaceful. I frowned as I saw Jet sitting on my front porch, twirling a set of keys in his hand. He looked antsy and bothered. Nearly crazed. I never thought of him as so impatient like this.

"Hey, Jet. What's up?" I said after I locked my car doors.

"You didn't answer my calls. And you got a letter." He grumbled. I should have been mad about him waving the opened letter, but he was obviously acting very off.

"Sorry, my phone was dead. What did the letter say?"

"Acceptance letter from SU." Jet looked up at me. I nodded my head.

"Did you want to come inside?" I offered.

"No. I want you to tell me where you went."

I sighed. "That's not your business."

"Were you with him?" Jet stood angrily. My eyes widened.

"So what if I was?" I asked, upset that he was so angry with Gajeel.

"You are my girlfriend. Not his. You are supposed to be with me." He snapped. I ran a hand through my hair.

"He was sick. I was just dropping off some soup." I half lied. He narrowed his eyes at me. I showed him the receipt of my order.

"Oh. Sorry. You still should have told me where you went. I was worried." He tried to wrap an arm around my shoulders. I was surprised he hadn't tried tracking my phone. It wouldn't have been the first time.

"I am upset with you. You should trust me more than that." I crossed my arms.

"Levy, I just feel like every since he got here you have been different."

"Wrong, ever since he got here you have been craving my attention like a lost puppy. Have a little faith in me. Besides, Gajeel hasn't been in school for a week. What do you have to prove? He knows we are a thing, everyone does. Back off some." I explained. Jet nodded and scratched his head.

"I'm sorry. Can I still come inside?" He asked. I shook my head.

"I could use a little space and I need to call Lucy. I'll call you later."

He nodded. "Ok. See ya babe." He pecked my forehead before leaving.

Sitting in first period, I was slightly saddened to see that Gajeel wasn't present. Lucy noticed my look before pulling my attention into more important matters. I plugged in my headphones before slouching into my seat to read my newest novel. Lucy worked on her late assignment she promised to turn in next period. The class went smoothly as I read in my own little world.

I straightened as a tap on my arm pulled me from my book.

"You should pay more attention to your surroundings, Shrimp. Gihihi." A scary deep voice mumbled into my ear. My excitement suddenly rose.

"G-Gajeel? Oh, I'm sorry. I usually get pulled into novels." I looked around to see Lucy was missing and the class was being noisy as ever.

"Blondie to told me to tell you that she went to the Bathroom." He grumbled.

"Oh, okay. Well, did you need help with anything?" I noticed the homework I gave him on his desk.

"I fucking suck at math." He admitted. Giggling, I scooted closer to his desk and gestured to see the work. The few worksheets he completed seemed fine. The last two were untouched.

"Can you check those while I work on these?" He asked. I nodded and helped him.

Gajeel was surprisingly smart, as bad as it sounds. Most of his work was accurate. While he continued trying to work on new problems, I decided to skim through his other worksheets.

"Great job, Gajeel. Not bad. Some problems you worked through a little too fast though. This has got to be negative to derive that." I showed him. He grunted and continued writing.

"What about this? Ain't it supposed to equal zero?" He pointed the eraser to the equation. I nodded my head encouragingly and he kept working. For the following two periods, Lucy and I helped Gajeel catch up on a good chunk of his late work.

"Wow, Gajeel. You are pretty smart." Lucy patted his shoulder as we walked to lunch. He shrugged with a grunt.

"I told the Shrimp I ain't stupid." He said.

"Hey, are you gonna go to practice, iron rod!" Natsu shouted as he nearly crashed into us. He had been running from God knows what.

"Yeah, ya little shit." Gajeel looked to his cousin. Natsu looked like he was going to say something, but Lucy grabbed his ear and reprimanded him for running in the halls.

"Hey, I gotta go somewhere." Gajeel said abruptly. I raised an eyebrow.

"Oh, okay. I will be in the library after school until around six. I think today is also early practice, right Natsu?" I asked. The pink haired man nodded.

"Ends at 4:45."

"Sure. See ya there Shrimp." Gajeel messed up my hair before stalking off. I frowned as I adjusted my headband.

"Hey, Levy. Are you going to the party?" I heard Natsu ask as we all sat down.

"I thought about it. Maybe with Jet." I shrugged. Natsu grumbled.

"I don't know what you see in the guy."

"Natsu…" I warned. Natsu and I were like siblings. I remembered him staying at the same orphanage as me and fighting for me since I was always so small. We usually argued a lot about mine and Jet's relationship whenever he wasn't around.

"Levy, I am serious. He is creepy and possessive as hell. You even told Lucy about yesterday." I darted a glare at my blonde haired friend and she looked away with a blush.

"No, no. He just got a different impression of Gajeel than what he is used to."

"I think he is a jealous bastard with trust issues. Didn't you notice how he kissed you last week just to poke at Gajeel, and for no reason!" Despite him raising his tone, the loud lunchroom drowned it out.

"Natsu, please drop it."

"Drop him."

"What has he done to offend you?" I ask feeling tired.

"Who offended who?" Jet asked while sitting down. The livid glare on Natsu's face deepened as he stood up and walked away. Lucy gave me an apologetic look before she stood up to follow him. Jet didn't say a word.

"What happened?" He asked after we ate in tense silence.

"Nothing really. Me and Natsu just got into a little argument. The usual." I shrugged. Jet nodded and cuddled my neck softly.

"When did you get so touchy?" I asked. He had laced his fingers with mine.

"Don't know. Are we going to that party on Friday?" He asked.

"I don't know. I'm thinking about it."

"I think we should go." He said in a hard voice.

"Okay?" I didn't know how to respond. For the rest of the period, Jet and I talked about colleges to attend together. When lunch ended, he walked me to class.

For the remainder of the school day, I contemplated attending the party. Lucy didn't press matters as we ended up in the library after school finishing homework and getting work hours in.

"Hey, do you think Gajeel would want to go?" Lucy asked as I stacked up books. I rolled my eyes.

"I mean, maybe if I ask him."

"I think he is attracted to you." My cheeks flared as I thought back to our encounter in the hallway last week.

"Is that a blush? Oooh." Lucy teased. I smacked her poking finger away.

"Stop it. I'm with Jet." I hushed her. She glanced around us before grabbing my hand and pulling me to the secluded section of the library.

"I was talking to Natsu earlier—"

"Lu, not you too."

"Lemme talk. Natsu said Jet threatened him." Lucy started. I scoffed.

"Lucy, Jet couldn't hurt a fly."

She shook her head. "Not that. Natsu has a night job at the company Jet's father does security at. Jet threatened to make his dad move up in position, filling in the night camera shifts Natsu does. Think about it." She explained. I froze up.

"Why would he… Did he really say that to him? Natsu survives off of that job!" I was shushed by Lucy.

"Jet got angry when you came to the movies with us a few weeks ago. Apparently, Jet got jealous when Natsu dropped you off. I am starting to think he might have a few loose screws."

I was dumbstruck. Jet would go to such lengths for my time? I could admit that once we started dating, Jet had become more possessive of me. I thought it was just him being protective.

"That's… Ridiculous. Childish even."

"What is?" A deep voice thrummed out. I jumped and turned to see Gajeel with damp hair and his school clothes.

"Oh, hey. How was practice?"

"I think I did good. Coach gave me a seat on starting offense. Hey, blondie. Salamander said he is starving and to get him food." Gajeel kept his eyes on mine. Lucy pecked my cheek before leaving us in the back of the library. I gestured toward the chairs.

"Oh that's great news to hear! So you're playing on Friday?" My voice faltered as he moved close enough so our legs touched. He pulled out his homework.

"I was thinking about it. Only if you go." He grinned at me as I curled up on the chair.

"I always go to the games. I barely watch them though. I prefer to read until afterwards. Then Jet usually takes me somewhere to eat."

"Uh huh. You should go and watch. I might even show you how to play the game one day." He passed me an assignment.

"You are almost twice my size. I'm not really interested in getting a front ticket to bruising and gashes. No thank you." Gajeel laughed.

"If that is what you think. Come on, Pip." He grumbled. I rolled my eyes and got to work. Gajeel and I exchanged few words, though most were jokes. I actually enjoyed working with him. I had to cover my mouth to hide laughter.

"Well, shit Shrimp. I'd say we finished just in time. It's almost six." He packed up his bag as I stretched. My stomach growled, causing Gajeel to glance at me.

"Ya hungry?" He asked. I shrugged and stood up.

"I didn't eat much at lunch today. I was kinda distracted. I'll be fine once I get home."

"Ya sure? I mean, I still owe you a meal for yesterday—"

"She said she is fine." A voice butted in the conversation. Gajeel and I both turned our heads to see a very upset Jet glaring at us. He was late.

"Oh, hey. I was just finishing up here." I started. Gajeel smirked slightly.

"Let's go." Jet grunted. I raised an eyebrow.

"I will meet you outside in a minute."

"Levy, come on." His voice was shockingly demanding as I tensed up. Gajeel growled.

"Watch how you talk to her, boy. I know how to respect a girl better than that. Shrimp, you don't have to go with him." Gajeel turned to me and grasped my hand. His touched made my skin burn, and I could tell by his shiver he felt it too. Jet almost snarled, snapping me back to the present.

"She is going with me. And don't call her that." Jet glared at Gajeel's hand on me.

"Umm… Gajeel, I will see ya tomorrow." I pulled my tingling hand from his. He nodded, but watched me leave with disapproval written all over his face.

"Be careful, Pip."

I was cautious as Jet dragged me to my house. He was silent and stiff. He also smelled different. As we entered my house, I wrestled his grip when it nearly clamped down on my wrist.

"Jet, let go."

"What were you two doing?"

"I was helping him with his late work. Lucy can vouch for me. Stop—"

"You weren't there after practice near the gates. And you looked very comfortable with him."

"I had no reason to be uncomfortable near him. And sorry for getting caught up. You are hurting my wrist." He looked down at his hand before he released me. I pushed past him and into the kitchen. I grabbed frozen peas out of the freezer to place on my wrist.

"Is it bad?" Jet asked in a gentle tone. His entire demeanor flipped as he cradled my wrist in his hands. He kissed the bruising skin. My pale complexion made it easier for bruises to be seen.

"I'm sorry. I forgot my strength. I just get so furious at the thought of you leaving me for someone else. I need you. With my sick mom, I need you…" He looked visibly torn and hurt as he hugged me. I was still a little shell shocked at his change in attitude. I almost wanted to shove him away and get him to explain his plot on Natsu. But my soft side settled for comforting Jet. I stroked his hair and rubbed his back.

"Everything will be alright. It's okay. I am still with you. Ask me before you assume, please." I whispered. He nodded.

"Good. Can I stay a while? Tomorrow is late start." He asked softly. With a nod, we went to the living room. We spent the rest of the night watching his favorite show as I iced my wrist. Before he left, he kissed my forehead and told me how much I mean to him. I didn't know how to respond so I told him I would see him tomorrow. I didn't sleep that night.

"Hey Levy. It's hot as the devil and you are wearing a sweater?" Natsu asked as he caught me in school. I kept my head down, wanting to avoid Jet..

"You should get to class." My voice was uneven. He raised an eyebrow.

"Oh. Okay. Will I see you later?" He grasped my injured wrist, causing me to wince and gasp. Natsu looked shocked.

"Hey, what was that? Levy?" The stinging pain went down as I faced him. I hadn't seen Jet today, so I was slightly unnerved. He could be anywhere.

"Later. We can talk later. Have you seen Lucy?" I asked. He gave me a strange look.

"She tried calling you last night. She is out sick. Are you going to be okay? I don't like you keeping secrets from me." He crossed his arms. I glanced around the emptying halls.

"Meet me in the library later. You don't care about skipping gym." I whispered. This bewildered him further, but he nodded and said he would be there. Throughout all of my classes, I was antsy. I couldn't focus enough to get any real work done, so Gajeel tried to entertain me. Even then, I pushed him away, not knowing if Jet would somehow find out that Gajeel obviously flirted with me, even if it was to keep my spirits high.

I kept fidgeting in my chair since Lucy wasn't here to counsel me. While walking to the library, I became nervous of how my encounter would go with Natsu. I was silent next to Gajeel, and I kept looking around for Jet, hoping he wouldn't show up out of the blue. I had gotten a text earlier saying that Jet went to the hospital due to an emergency. It was a coma. But I knew that Jet would still show up if he even felt the slightest twinge that I was wasn't focused on him or being unfaithful. Gajeel noticed my roaming eyes.

"Where's the fire?" He asked while leaning towards my ear. I looked away from him.

"You shouldn't do that. And you shouldn't be following me." I mumbled. We both were walking towards the library. It was too hot to be outside so gym became a free period. Both Natsu and Gajeel had gym together.

"You're acting weird. What is going on? You ain't your normal cheery self. Did he do something to you?" Gajeel grabbed my hand and pulled me close to his side while walking me to the back of the library. We took a seat at our same spot from yesterday.

"Listen, Gajeel. I don't think we should see each other like this." I twisted my fingers together. He frowned up at me.

"I could disagree. You enjoy being around me. Much more than that shitty boy you call a boyfriend." He growled. I sighed and went to stand when he grasped my bruised wrist. My whimper threw him off. He grabbed my hand and yanked my sleeve up. He gritted his teeth and ran a thumb over the finger shaped bruises.

"Levy…"

"It's not what you think." I started.

"I told you to be careful. Why did you let him touch you like this?" Gajeel snapped.

"Please not now Gajeel. It was an accident." I rushed out. His mouth became grim as he pulled me closer to press kisses to my wrist. I closed my eyes at the feel of his lips on my skin. It was distracting.

"The next time something like this happens, call me." He slide something into my back pocket. I watched numbly as he stood up.

"Where are you going?" I asked. Gajeel pecked my forehead, silencing me. My eyes widened as his soft lips grazed my hairline. I shivered again. It felt so natural like this.

"To calm down. You might want to be careful when you show Salamander that." Gajeel grunted. I nodded slowly before he gave me a tight grin and turned away. I took a seat and distracted myself with a book.

I sat alone for only a few more moments when a cough caught my attention. Natsu sat across from me with a slight frown. He wore his normal school clothes, but unbuttoned his shirt since it was still hot. Half of the campus's AC units were down. I was lucky that my study hall was the only building without AC and my other classes had AC. My work for today was canceled as well.

"Wanna tell me what is going on?" Natsu whispered. I took a seat by his side and leaned on his shoulder.

"Please understand that it was an accident." I started. Natsu turned his head to look at me.

"Ok. Tell me."

"Promise me you won't hurt him."

"Levy, I ain't liking this."

"Promise." I pressed. He growled before nodding. I raised my hand and pulled down my sleeve to reveal my bruise. Natsu's eyes widened as his mouth slacked.

"Who… I am going to kill him." Natsu went to stand but I hugged him.

"It was an accident. He forgot his own strength when we were arguing. His judgement clouded a little. He is very stressed right now, and a little insecure." I tried to explain.

"Bull shit. Levy, no man should hurt you like this. Me and Jellal made a promise to you. He's a fucking coward. You can do whatever you fucking want. You are too good for him. Admit it. Stop settling for shit like him." I sighed and ran a hand through my hair.

"Please, not now. I need to help him get through this transition with his family. His mom is in a coma." I argued. Natsu sighed and kissed my forehead. He still trembled with fury.

"You promise me you'll call me or Lucy everyday. The only condition to stop me from kicking his ass. Promise me."

I nodded slightly. "I promise."

Natsu relaxed slightly with a growl and a scowl. I knew that if I kept talking, he would bend the conversation into me dumping Jet. I couldn't do that, not when he needed me the most. I spent the rest of the period before lunch helping Natsu with any work he hadn't finished. He was very quiet as we worked. Not the typical Natsu.

A/N: I have the first few chapters written, just gotta fix them up. This story will be relatively short, so the chapters will come quick. It will likely be a 10 chapter story. A chapter every 2 days. Thanks for the reviews and follows! Also, watch out for my new, long series, which will start after this one! Peace.