Keep the Music Rolling Chapter 2: Second Chance, a fairy tail fanfic

(A/N) I do not own Fairy Tail (however much I wish I did)

Hey guys! Thanks so much to all those who followed or favorited, and a special thanks to theAthenien for letting me bug her about high school schedules. Also, thanks to Kawai Turtles for being my first reviewer for this story! All of you guys are the best! I'm writing because of you :D

Watch out, this chapters a long one, but in my opinion a lot happens that I wanted to make sure to have in one chapter. Apologies if it seems rushed!

The song used in this chapter is called Second Chance, by Shinedown. I love this song so much, and knew I had to make sure to include it somewhere. The link to the lyric video on Youtube is watch?v=0SgjcNwwHwM

Promptly after Lucy submitted her application to Fairy Tail Musical Academy, she was sent an email notifying her that it had been received.

"Yes!" she shouted with glee. Finally, she was fulfilling her dream of starting her own life, away from her father. Now, all that was left to do was to wait.

And wait.

And wait some more.

The day Jude Heartfilia came back home from his business meeting in Hargeon, he didn't acknowledge Lucy at all. Though that was normal behavior from him, it still stung particularly bad due to how badly Lucy wanted him to notice her accomplishment.

Even though he would hate it.

He would hate it because if would remind him of Layla, and that was the opposite of what Lucy wanted. Despite how much she hated her father, he was still her father, and she didn't want him to go through that pain. Especially since he took that pain out on her.

And so Lucy waited.

And waited.

And waited some more.

All the while, she wrote new songs. She spent the days locked in her room and sitting at her desk, writing on paper, typing on her laptop, or sketching notes and chords on sheet paper.

That was until finally, the day when she got an email back from Fairy Tail Musical Academy came.

It started out as a normal day. Lucy woke up early, took a shower, got dressed, and headed downstairs for breakfast, just as she had been doing for the past five years of her life.

"Good morning Aquarius!" Lucy greeted her friend.

Aquarius just grumbled. "Breakfast's ready."

"Thanks!" Lucy responded cheerfully.

"Hey, you leaving soon?" Aquarius questioned impatiently.

"I'm not sure yet. The emails haven't come yet. I was planning on checking later today though- the results of who made it were supposed to be posted online sometime this week!" It might have just been Lucy's overactive imagination, but for a second she could have sworn that she saw a glimpse of a smile grace Aquarius's face.

Beep!

From her back pocket, Lucy's phone beeped loudly. Gasping excitedly, she scrambled to check her email. The screen read "One unread message: Fairy Tail Musical Academy". Lucy nervously grinned up at Aquarius while crossing her fingers. Skimming the message, she stumbled across the bit of information she had been waiting for.

Dear Lucy Heartfilia,

Thanks you for the time you have taken to apply to Fairy Tail Musical Academy. We applaud your choice, and wish you luck in your next year of high school. Congratulations, you have been accepted into Fairy Tail Musical Academy!

You are among 9 out of 451 applicants to be accepted this year into the Junior class. Be proud of your accomplishment, and spend your time at Fairy Tail Musical Academy wisely.

We hope you are well informed of what Fairy Tail Musical Academy entails. Along with regular classes including Math and Science, you will be expected to attend musical classes, mandatory ones being History of Music for Juniors, Songwriting for Juniors, and two basic instrumental courses. During those two periods, you are able to practice whatever instrument you so choose. Vocal lessons are also given if requested previously.

Your individual schedule is as follows.

Homeroom (7:40-7:50) - Dr. Austin - A201

Period 1 (7:50-8:39) - Trigonometry - Dr. Austin - A206

Period 2 (8:39-9:28) - Vocal Instruction - Ms. Reimers - C111

Period 3 (9:28-10:17) - Instrument - Staff - B103

Period 4 (10:17-11:06) - The Basics of Lyric and Instrumental Writing for Juniors - Dr. Ruch - A204

Period 5 (11:06-11:55) - Science - Mrs. Blanchard - A106

Period 6 (11:55-12:25) - Lunch - Staff - Cafeteria

Period 7 (12:25-1:14) - History of Music for Juniors - Mrs. Crowley - A107

Period 8 (11:14-2:03) - Instrument - Staff - B103

Study Hall (2:03-2:31) - Staff - A201

Organize (2:31-2:36) - Dr. Austin - A201

Classes where Staff is listed as the instructor are either classes with no instructor or classes where any teacher is able to instruct during that time.

If you have any questions or complaints regarding your schedule, please visit Mr. Clive in the School Office.

Your Junior year begins on September 1, so please be prepared for your classes by that time. Any materials needed will be provided for you.

Congratulations!

With the best of luck,

Principal Mavis Vermilion

Vice Principal Makarov Dreyar

"Yes!" Lucy screamed. "I made it! I made it!"

After a lot of rejoicing from Lucy and her servants, an escape plan for Lucy was made. Since her father would never allow Lucy to attend a public high school with his willing consent, she would have to be sneaked out of the estate, and as soon as possible. Seeing as Jude didn't even interact with Lucy on a monthly basis, he most likely would not notice her disappearance until a couple months into the semester.

Later that day, Lucy rented an apartment in Magnolia, right by Fairy Tail Musical Academy. Dorms were offered, but required a parent signature. Online, she was able to rent her individual apartment in advance for the entire school year.

It was decided that Lucy would pack her bags, and leave in the evening that same day. Her alibi would be a dress fitting, but Virgo would really drive Lucy to the nearest train station. There, Lucy would board the train to Magnolia. Plans in mind, Lucy headed upstairs to her room to pack.

"What to bring..." Lucy muttered to herself. She only owned a couple pairs of "normal" clothes. Everything else she had to wear consisted of frilly dresses and lacy things. Those were out of the question.

Lucy set aside her normal garb, toiletries, binder of self composed songs, and favorite books. She shoved them all into one suitcase, and was relieved to see that it all fit. However...

"How am I going to bring my instruments!?" Lucy shouted, horrified. There was no way she could bring all of them, so she was forced to choose. Her keyboard wouldn't fit, the bass was not even an option, and her clarinet, flute, and violin didn't seem necessary enough to bring. Her electric guitar had too many wires attached, so she was left with only one choice: her acoustic guitar.

The guitar fit perfectly into the suitcase. Lucy pulled the zipper , and with one long resolute ziiiiip, she had thrown away her old life and was ready for something new.

"Hime," Virgo said as she entered Lucy's room later that evening. "Your father has been informed that you shall be attending a dress fitting this evening. Are you prepared to leave for the train station, or is it punishment time?"

"No Virgo, I'm ready. I really am." Lucy grinned nervously as she wheeled her suitcase out the door.

They made they're way outside carefully, so as not to disturb Jude. Once outside, Virgo pulled up a long, black car for Lucy. Her servants all gathered and bade their tearful goodbyes, and soon enough, Lucy was off.

The ride to the train station was a short one. There, people bustled all over the place, some cheerful, some grumpy. It was a whirlwind of chaos, and the moment Lucy walked onto her train she knew she loved it. Though she would miss her servants, her only friends, she was also ready to find her own for a change. With that in mind, Lucy began to write out the lyrics and notes to a new song, titled Second Chance.

The ride to Magnolia took about four hours, which was just enough time for Lucy to finish composing her song in full. It was the middle of the night by the time the train halted, but Lucy didn't mind.

"Have a nice night, sir!" she greeted the ticket officer at the train station, who smiled wearily back at her along with the few other passengers.

"Now to find Strawberry Street!" Lucy grinned and ventured off into the night, city map clasped firmly in her hand. After what seemed like forever, she managed to locate her new apartment.

The lady who handed her her room key didn't look very happy after Lucy woke her up for it, but consented after a few minutes of Lucy chatting amiably towards her. Lucy just smiled, and practically skipped up the stairs to her apartment. Down a short hallway, a peeling wooden door greeted Lucy. The lock consented to the key, and with a long creak, the door opened.

There was only one thing Lucy could see when she first viewed her apartment.

"Yes! A balcony!" the excited individual cheered. Though the room was small, it was cozy and had everything Lucy would need to be fully independent, including a balcony. With sudden inspiration, Lucy grabbed her acoustic guitar and the song she had just written, and headed outside on her balcony. From there, she could see the sun peeking slightly over the horizon, and the train tracks she had just ridden on disappear into the distant mountains. Lucy balanced her music on the railing and began to sing.

My eyes are open wide
By the way,
I made it through the day
I watched the world outside
By the way,
I'm leaving out today

I just saw Halley's comet
She waved
Said, "Why you always running in place?"
Even the man in the moon disappeared
Somewhere in the stratosphere

Lucy closed her eyes and sang from the bottom of her heart.

Tell my mother,
Tell my father
I've done the best I can
To make them realize
This is my life
I hope they understand
I'm not angry, I'm just saying...
Sometimes goodbye is a second chance

Please don't cry one tear for me
I'm not afraid
Of what I have to say
This is my one and only voice
So listen close,
It's only for today

I just saw Halley's comet
She waved
Said, "Why you always running in place?"
Even the man in the moon disappeared
Somewhere in the stratosphere

Here is my chance
This is my chance

Lucy's voice rose as she sang the climax of the song. Nothing else could be heard except her powerful and soulful voice.

Sometimes goodbye is a second chance

On the last line of the song, a second voice joined in.

Sometimes goodbye is a second chance

Lucy opened her eyes, once again awake to the world. Only she didn't see what she expected to see.

"Who are you!?" Lucy screamed at the strange, pink haired teenage male who was currently sitting on her balcony railing with a cocky grin. "How... how'd you get here?" she asked, more calmly.

"I climbed, duh," the stranger stated simply. "You've got a real voice on you, better than I've ever heard."

"Th-thanks," Lucy replied, eyeing the boy. "Now, who are-"

"You go to Fairy Tail?" the stranger asked. "I've never seen you there before, though."

"I just applied this month. I'll be in my Junior year." Lucy was surprisingly calmer now, knowing she was talking to another student. However, the matter of the fact that he had climbed up onto her balcony and started to sing with her had not yet been discussed.

"You'll fit in great! With a voice like yours, who wouldn't?" The pink haired man peered into her apartment and gleamed her unpacked suitcase. "I guess you just moved in?"

"Like five minutes ago, yeah. I'm L- Ashley. Ashley Davis," Lucy said quickly, for a second forgetting her new name.

"And I'm Natsu! Natsu Dragneel!" With a toothy grin, Natsu stuck out his hand. As soon as Lucy held out hers, he shook it so hard Lucy feared that it would fall off. "I'm in my Junior year too!"

Lucy grinned, glad to have already met somebody her own age. "So..." she began. "What are you doing up and about at three in the morning?"

Natsu scowled. "The stupid ice freak was having girl problems. Some girl he met in a bar was too clingy, and Gray's not good with touch feely stuff."

"Gray... does he go to Fairy Tail Musical Academy?" Lucy asked timidly.

"Just call it Fairy Tail. And yeah, he's a junior, an ice princess, and plays the bass. I play guitar!" Natsu exclaimed excitedly, stealing the guitar from Lucy's grasp and playing a few chords. "My friend Erza plays the drums! I think your song would sound better with drums. And an electric guitar, not acoustic. But whatever. That's your choice."

Lucy smiled, deciding that she liked the strange boy who had climbed onto her balcony. "Yeah, it would. But I was only able to bring my acoustic, so..."

"Hey! Here's an idea!" Natsu danced around the balcony while playing random chords on Lucy's guitar. "You come over to my place tomorrow, and I bring Gray and Erza to record your song with us!" Lucy blinked. Go over to a strange man's house just as soon as she moved into town, along with a bunch of other complete strangers... sure. Why not?

Natsu seemed friendly enough, and she could use all the help and friendliness she could get.

"Sure! That sounds perfect!" Lucy answered. Natsu whooped in celebration and quickly wrote down a time and address on the back of Lucy's sheet music with a spare pen he found in his pocket.

"See ya later, Ash!" Natsu hollered, leaping over the balcony and then running down the street, waving a hand over his head as the sun began to rise. Lucy watched him run as she took in what had just happened.

"Hmm..." she contemplated. "Well, I guess I'll see what happens tomorrow."