...and I'm back. Like I said before, I'm new to this whole she-bang but I take pleasure in writing this story. The title, Paradise Circus, is actually a song from Massive Attack. Characters may be OOC but it's kind of a fresh breath for me to imagine that they live in a different place and that they have different lives. So, without further ado, Chapter 1 here we go!

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Fairy Tail

CHAPTER ONE

BORN TO RUN

Friday night. A time for people to come alive and prowl the city streets under the night sky. Here and there, people are dressed to kill. Bars and nightclubs were swarming with bodies, laughter and drunken talks hovered in the air.

Cana Alberona rolled her eyes and slammed her empty glass of rum cola on the wooden table when a pink-haired idiot started provoking Laxus who was sitting beside her. She didn't bother to listen anymore and allowed her eyes to roam around, bored. Across her Mira was talking to Freed while sneaking glances at the blond man beside her. Cana inwardly snorted and wondered when will Mira finally confess to Laxus. She knew that Mira had liked the guy for years now and Laxus was an idiot for not taking notice.

Lisanna finally arrived with a new round of drinks for them and Cana did not hesitate to grab one, gulping it down straight up. It was nothing unusual for them, just a typical night out, and everyone knew that she would be the last woman standing. Hell, even Gajeel and Laxus can't beat her to it.

"Natsuuu," Lisanna whined, "let's dance. Come on." She dragged her boyfriend, who was already tipsy, away from the table towards the dance floor and joined the sea of bodies swaying and grinding all over. They were sitting outside, at the back portion of the bar since it was packed inside.

"Looks like someone's going to get laid tonight." Cana smirked and eyed the closed crystal door of the club which showed the darkened space inside. Mira slightly frowned at her friend's remark.

"I still don't approve of how their relationship has been going on. She's still my little sister." Mira said and drank her liquor.

"Don't worry. Natsu may be an idiot but he loves her." Levy said, perking up beside Gajeel who was in a heated conversation with Gray.

"Where's Erza, by the way?" Mira asked.

"On the dance floor with Jellal." Gray said and grinned, lighting up a cigarette.

Cana was getting really, really bored and snatched Freed's untouched beer in front of him. She only raised an eyebrow at him when he started to complain. From the corner of her eyes, she saw a flash of blond hair on the corner of the street, walking towards the bar. As the figure moved closer, Cana's eyes widened in recognition.

"Shit!" She stood up, ready in action until her eyes met hers.

"Guys, hurry, after her!" She shouted, no longer paying mind to the things around her before sprinting towards the blond who turned on her back and ran away. The guys were surprised but followed after her, leaving Mira, Levy, and Gray.

Lucy was getting irritated. Her dealer was out of town and she was nearly out of ice. The amount was not enough. She decided to hit the streets instead, to look-out for someone who might have some. It doesn't matter who, it doesn't matter where. What matters is that she needs to fill her empty cup again. No one cares anyway and she doesn't give a rat's ass about her predicament anymore. Money was never a problem and her dad doesn't care as long as she stayed away from him.

Wearing her usual ankle-high brown leather boots, a pair of white-washed ripped jeans, a white top that hugged her curves and a black jacket, she left her hotel room and brought a new bottle of gin from the liquor store along the way. She was already buzzed and her head was cramped with thoughts of here and there. Midnight was approaching.

Lucy turned on the corner and passed by a couple on a darkened alley eating each other's mouth out. She smirked.

"Get a room!" She said, making her voice loud enough for them to hear before walking away.

"Fuck off, bitch." The girl shouted after her as Lucy sniggered, trying to make a beeline towards nowhere. Reaching another alley, she went in and hid inside. After making sure that the coast was clear, she took out a zip lock from her bra and snorted some, enough to somehow keep her going. She tasted salt at the back of her throat and walked away. Her stomach was acting up but it wasn't her main priority for now.

She was alone. She had nowhere to go. It has always been this was for her since the last few weeks after she moved away from Crocus and the rush of discovering Magnolia proved to be interesting that she decided to stay here for good. Her uncle and her cousin was expecting her since Lucy was moving in with them but not for a few more days. Lucy arrived a month ago without telling them that she left Crocus earlier than what was planned. She wasn't ready yet and hoped every day that she will not run into either of them.

Then she met him. He was more than enough to keep her company. He was cool and good in bed, not the type of person who gets attached easily and he had been willing to fool around with her. Lucy wondered where he was and she almost took out her phone to text him but decided against it. Her moments with him were fleeting yet she knew that she was only using him for company and for his body. Hell, he barely even knew her and she had long ago decided not to get too close to him. It's only a pain in the ass, it will only lead to nowhere and she can't afford to drag anyone down with her.

The bottle of gin on her hand was almost empty and her mouth was getting dry. She looked for an open store and bought a bottle of water, enough to keep her thirst in check before discarding it on the bin. She knew she had been walking around, in circles even, until she decided to take a new route. Spotting a familiar looking bar, she headed straight to it only to see a familiar face looking at her. Then and there, she knew she was doomed. Cursing under her breath, she turned around and ran for her life.

TBC

There you go! Don't forget to R&R! Until then.