Chapter 3
I slammed the door to my room, locking it in the process. I ignored the loud banging that was Sting-nii. I wished on my lucky stars for him to go away, yet the pounding continued. I buried my head into the pillows and let out a breath. My emotions were all over the place. I didn't know what I said to make Gajeel mad at me. Then Grandfather grew angry with me and on top of everything, Sting-nii and Laxus-nii are still furious with me. I let out a small whimper, and the pounding on my door ceased.
"Lucy… We only meant the best for you…" Sting-nii said through the door. "I know you like Gajeel and all, but he's not the kind of person you think he is. He gets in fights a lot. He has a tendency of flirting with girls and leading them on. He's a heart breaker. I don't want you to suffer through that."
"It'd make a good song, though," I laughed bitterly.
"Of course you'd say that." He paused. "You know Laxus feels the same, and you know he never wanted to yell at you. I wanted nothing more than to stop him, but you know how he gets when he's hurt. You're not just a sister to him, Lucy. You're like his own kid, too. He was not only Big Brother, but Dad too, because god-forbid that man ever bother to come home to his family. Sometimes I wonder if he even gives a damn."
I smiled at this. It was true. Daddy was never really around. Laxus-nii became Daddy for us, since Mama had frail health.
"And Lucy, you know if you want to talk, I'm here. You don't have to power through this on your own. We're here for you. If you wanted to go as Ashley then we could have talked about it."
I stood up and unlocked the door for him before resuming my position on the bed, face down on my pillow.
"So, what's wrong? What happened with Gramps?" he asked.
"He said he was proud I sung, even if it was with Gajeel. He likes hearing my voice, but he was mad that my singing instigated a fight between Gajeel and Laxus-nii."
"That's why you're so upset? Come on, he said he was proud! You bring honor to the Dreyar name!"
"What you said about Gajeel earlier was wrong though, Sting-nii… Gajeel doesn't flirt. He's made mistakes, but he doesn't have meaningless feelings…" I said thinking back to our conversation.
He locked the doors behind us before turning to me. There was something unreadable in his eyes. He stared at me as though he had something waging war in his mind.
"What's up?" I asked.
He stared at me a moment longer before turning his eyes to the dark grey dashboard of his car. "I'm sorry I got you singing. It's just you look best when you're singing…" he mumbled.
I smiled softly at him. "Yeah, Sting-nii says that, too."
Gajeel sighed. "Sometimes, I just don't understand ya."
I blinked at him. "What do you mean by that?" I was a little hurt by that comment. He was one of my closest friends, other than Laxus-nii, Sting-nii, and Juvia-chan. Did he not want to be friends with me anymore?
"You don't seem to even realize that your entire fan base are males, perverts, or die-hard wanna-be's. You have all these guys claiming their undying loyalty, yet you can't see that-"
A knock on the window cut him off, and he glared at Laxus-nii's angry gaze. He rolled down the window and growled, "The fuck do you want?"
"Lucy, go to class. We have some things to discuss." He smiled at me.
I let out a small smile towards Gajeel and unlocked the car. "See ya back in class, ne?"
I walked back to class, briefly looking over my shoulder to find Laxus-nii and Gaj bashing foreheads like normal. Yet, I brushed off the feeling that it wasn't "like normal" and went on about my day.
I told Sting-nii this, and he busted out laughing…
"What are you laughing for?!" I snapped.
"Nothing, Luce. If you can't see it, he's hopeless. I actually feel bad for him." He turned to me with a smile gracing his features. "Well, maybe you'll smile after this. I got a call from Ultear of Fullbuster Productions. Her client wants to set up a show with you in a week. What do you want to do? This is the fourth time this month she's asked."
"Fullbuster Productions? Oh! Gray did say something about wanting to sing with me. Okay, I'll do it!" I pumped my fist into the air as Sting-nii dialed the number.
"Ultear-sama? Lucy said she'll take you up on that offer to sing with your client. She apologizes for not getting back to you sooner. She's been busy." Sting paused before smiling largely. "I'll let her know, thanks." He hung up and looked at me, that goofy smile stuck on his face. "How does a little stage competition sound between you two?"
I matched his smile. "It sounds great! I would love to! It'll be like the one me and Gaj did!"
*Won't you write your story on my heart?* I quickly answered my phone, seeing as it was Gajeel's ring tone.
"What's up, Gaj?" I asked.
"Can we talk? Alone?" He paused as I hummed my answer. "Good. Meet me in the abandoned part of Magnolia Park, say half an hour from now?" he answered.
"Sure. Sounds good." I hung up and turned to Sting-nii. "What's that face for? You know what, I'll talk to you later. Now out, I have to get ready!" I pushed him out of the door and locked it behind him. Moving to my closet and ignoring Sting-nii's pounding on said door, I looked at the amount of dresses I had collected over the years. Deciding on a black dress with a sweetheart neckline outlined with lace. I slipped on a pair of black heels and unlocked my door. I pushed past Sting-nii and walked into the bathroom.
"Lucy, you can't be serious about going to see Gajeel in that. I mean, come on, Luce. Put on some pants or something," Sting-nii pleaded as I curled my hair into a bun.
With my hair in my hands, I smiled at him. "Come on, Sting-nii. Gajeel doesn't even look at me like that."
He sighed and mumbled something I couldn't quite catch.
"What was that?" I smirked.
"Nothing. Just don't let Laxus see you walk out like that. He'll make you dress in a nun's outfit before you go anywhere," Sting-nii laughed.
I gave him another smile as I finished up my hair and walked passed him. "I'll be home late so tell Laxus-"
"Tell me what?"
I turned around to see Laxus-nii standing cross-armed, looking at us. "Oh that I'm just going to go see Gajeel."
Laxus watched me with a pained look. "Go. Be back before nine, or I'll come get you myself."
"Thanks, Laxus-nii! I'll be back soon." I ran out of the house and passed the family car. I didn't want to drive, driving would take too long. No, I kept running toward Magnolia Park. I reached the park in five minutes by taking short cuts and dodging press wandering the streets, seeing as how I looked like Lucy Ashley at the moment.
Faintly, I could hear songs being played quietly on an acoustic guitar. I crept closer to the sound to find Gajeel sitting against a large oak tree, acoustic in hand. At the moment he seemed to be at the beginning of a song I don't remember him ever playing.
I like this girl so much Ya I put my hands up in the air I'm in The Friend Zone I go the blues 'cause we're not knockin' the boots Ohh! I put my hands up in the air I'm in The Friend Zone I know you don't notice, but there's no excuse I just can't walk away I'm in The Friend Zone I put my hands up in the air I put my hands up in the air I'm in The Friend Zone
She's always on my mind
We have an awesome time
We never crossed the line
She don't wanna mess-up the friendship
"Friendsies"
I'm in a frenzy, 'cause my bedroom's empty
And I'm gently attempting to win her over
By being as good as friend as I can be
She's tempting but riddled with doubt
Friend Zone is like the mafia
You'll never get out!
She doesn't know the half
In my wallet I keep her photograph
I've made my decision
For you, Baby girl, I'd change religions
'Cause in your eyes I see heaven
Girl, I think about you 24/7
Before this story ends
I wanna know can we be more than friends?
Try to act like I don't care
But tonight I'm all alone
Because now I'm in the Friend Zone
I'm in The Friend Zone
I'm in The Friend Zone
Now, I'm in The Friend Zone
Now, I'm in The Friend Zone
Now, I'm in The Friend Zone, Oh Ya
We're talkin' gossip news and shoppin' for shoes
I hate when you make me watch Sex and The City until the day ends
I'm not your gay friend!
But I'll do it, just to get next to you.
Just to prove I can best the rest the dudes
I'm obsessed with you. I pester you.
'Cause when we ain't together, I'm probably texting you
You make me the maddest
I just want to change my Facebook status
To "in a relationship"
But "it's complicated"
Well you're makin' it hard for me
'Cause I just can't walk away
I just can't walk away
I just can't walk away
Try to act like I don't care
But tonight I'm all alone
Because now I'm in the Friend Zone
I'm in The Friend Zone
I'm in The Friend Zone
Now, I'm in The Friend Zone
To date that other dude, he's a total douche
He's got a few broken screws, I'm so confused
That Imma have to show the dude
That you deserve better, and you know you do
Always feel free to cry on my shoulder. Boo
'Cause if I e'er go with you, I'm sure I'll stay
I wanna leave now, but I just can't walk away
I just can't walk away
(I just can't walk away)
I just can't walk away
(I just can't walk away)
I just can't walk away
(I just can't walk away)
I just can't walk away
(I just can't walk away)
I just can't walk away
(I just can't walk away)
I just can't walk away
I just can't walk away
I'm in The Friend Zone
I'm in The Friend Zone
Now, I'm in The Friend Zone
Try to act like I don't care
But tonight I'm all alone
Because now I'm in the Friend Zone
Try to act like I don't care
But tonight I'm all alone
Because now I'm in the Friend Zone
I'm in The Friend Zone
I'm in The Friend Zone
Now, I'm in The Friend Zone
I walked over to him and gently sitting next to him. He looked so heartbroken. "Gajeel?"
His head snapped in my direction. "You're early."
"Well, when you call, I'll always come runnin'." I smiled, imitating the words he had told me when we first met in his voice.
He smiled sadly at me. "What do you think that song means?"
I put a finger on my chin. "Well… it means that a guy is in love with a girl that is interested in love, or is interested in someone other than that guy. What brought that on all of a sudden?"
"July 7th, X777, I lost the battle I desperately wanted to win."
"July 7th… What happened on July 7th?"
"It was the day you started dating Hibiki."
"Okay but… Wait a second… I didn't. I couldn't have friend zoned you…" I looked at Gajeel. "I'm so sorry. I made you wait like this for two years. Oh Gaj, I'm so sorry! Why didn't you say anything?" My heart was beating so fast, I was almost sure he could hear it.
He laughed. "It's not you that's friend zoned me, Luce. I wrote that about someone I met but she left me for someone she thought was better. That's all." He took my hand in his, and it felt so right, his calloused hand holding my soft one. It felt like they were made to hold each other by the way out intertwined fingers fit perfectly.
"Who knows, maybe she'll return your love. She must deserve it since hardly anyone is allowed to see that adorable smile of yours." I squeezed his perfect hand.
"Enough sadness. Let's go get some ice-cream. My treat." He winked before flashing me a smile and pulling me off the soft grass.
I giggled. "I can't keep letting you pay for me like this, Gaj." I returned his smile as he strapped the guitar to his back and reclaimed my hand. He was just too perfect, but why do I feel like this all of a sudden?
I hope you enjoyed this chapter of Falling into Song.
As always, a huge thanks to my lovely beta, Leoslady4ever! She's amazing!
Song- "Friend Zone" by YourFavoriteMartian
Song used for ringtone - "Write Your Story" by Francesca Battistelli. (I HOPE I SPELLED THAT RIGHT! XD)
I just posted a new Fairy Tail FanFic called "A Dragon's Powers"! There's a poll on my profile to see who Lucy's mate will be, so go vote! (It's looking like it's going to be Sting if that's any encouragement to go vote! XD)
Love 'n Lucky,
-SFL