Chapter 3

Lucy looked in the mirror for the final product of outfit. A heart-cut, rose pink gown that fell elegantly to the floor covering her simple, white heels. Her hair was styled as a half up half down look, the half down delicately curled, and diamond earrings dangling down. She had done her make-up so the existence of it was barely noticeable, pale baby pink eye shadow that had a glimmer to it, mascara and nude lipstick. She would kill to just go down there in some sweats and an oversized t-shirt. Maybe one day she would when she was feeling extra rebellious and needy to kick off those heels.

She stepped down the huge staircase, careful not to trip over her luxurious dress, which led straight into the middle of the fancy ballroom. The tiled white, cleansed floor was covered with business partners family acquaintances and plus one's scattered here and there. She commenced her skill for mingling and began giving good impressions of the Heartfilia name.

Eventually, her mouth became dry from all the socialising and being introduced as the heir to the business which she will inevitably have to take over when she's older. No questions asked. The blonde sauntered over to the buffet where her family friend, and fellow classmate was stationed. She picked up a thin glass of champagne and chugged it down.

"Woah there pretty lady, remember you've got an image to maintain with these people."

"Oh shut it Loke." He looked flawless, ginger hair swept fashionably across his perfect face, handsomely dressed in a designer suit and tie. He was hot, Lucy had to admit, but only until he opened his idiotic hole of a mouth. "I'm so over this…" Lucy huffed in annoyance.

"You and I both. I've already gotten with all these rich daughters I need fresh meat here." Loke answered as Lucy scoffed at his reply. "But on a more serious note… Natsu Dragneel, am I right?" He nudged her shoulder mockingly.

"What about him?" Rolling her eyes she sighed at the irritation that struck through her body at the mention of his name.

"I'm just saying Lucy, I would go gay for a night if it was with him if you know what I mean, and he wants you!" He tried to persuade her with effort worth an A+! Loke had noticed the way he looked at her. It wasn't the lust filled one that Loke looked at most girls but the caring one. So of course being the gentlemen he is, he thought he would help the poor chap out a bit.

"I honestly don't see what's so great about him…"

"Umm I dunno?" He spoke sarcastically as if the answer was incredibly obvious, which it absolutely was. 'Blondes' he thought. "Maybe his amazingly structured face and boyish charms." Loke continued. "Come on, he could make every country ruled by a man allow gay marriage with just a hot, topless pic. Even I don't have that ability no matter how much I support the homosexuals!"

"Is there a possible crush brewing like a tea bag in a newly poured cup of boiling water here?" She retorted attempting to change the subject if only slightly.

"Possibly, but it doesn't matter because you're the only one he wants once again." He repeated his point. Loke cupped his hand to her ear "Do you know how many girls send him nudes just to get an acknowledgement on Snapchat?" Roughly, she pushed his lips away from her face.

"Can you just be quiet?! I have a boyfriend remember!" She spat back before leaving his side. Stupid Loke making her doubt her choices even more.

x

"And they all lived happily ever after." Natsu finished in a gentle, warming tone. He kissed the temple of his little sisters' head before turning the, already dimmed, lights off and pulling the door to. He came down the carpet stairs in his grey sweatpants and ACDC t-shirt on as his Dad entered through the front door with his posh tuxedo on.

"Hey sunshine." His Father greeted him.

"Hey Dad, how was it?" Natsu asked.

"It was good thanks. I met a couple of the clients I'll be working with starting Monday." Mr Dragneel expressed. "Tell you what; Jude Heartfilia's daughter is absolutely stunning like you said. Why haven't you asked her out yet?"

"She has a boyfriend Dad…"

"Don't give me that bullshit excuse. Your Mother was in a relationship when I first met her and that didn't stop me from tapping that."

"TMI, but thanks for the inspirational words. But I'm going to bed." He sighed, turning himself and dragging his feet up the shallow steps.

He shut his wooden door and sat down on his bed burying his head in his hands as he ran them through his pink locks. He squeezed his eyes shut.

Red and blue lit the streets of Bosco a country north-east of Fiore.

"Pinkie! Pinkie! Come on or are you too scared?"

"Pinkie's a chicken!"

"Pinkie the pussy!"

"Ahahahaha!"

The cold sensation of liquid stretched over his fingers, hearing the weak beat of his currently slowing pulsed heart.

"Mum…" The word tumbled from his lips as salty tears dived into his throat and lumps of blood dived out. The hard, concrete ground scratched the left side of his face. The expansion of his arm was not long enough despite the fact that his arms were an abnormal length for his age anyway. He was so close, so close to touching her.

He wiped the destined wetness from his eyes and gulped the overwhelming regret and sadness down to the pit of his stomach and went to bed.

x

"Oh shut the fuck up!" Lucy smashed the button down of the screeching alarm. Dammit, she seriously needs to remember to turn it off on weekends. She sat up, instantaneously seeing the smudged make up down her face. Honestly, Lucy isn't the type of person who cleans of their make up before bed. Her personality reflects the type of person who waits for nature to clear it all off. However, her hair was in bed head mode. The messy hair was like a daily routine, it was always there in the morning unquestionably.

At that moment her phone vibrated. The bookworm picked up her glasses from her bedside table and slid them onto her ears. Then she picked up her phone, put in her passcode. Next, she opened up her messages.

"Can I take you out today? – Love your prince charming." Was it bad that when she read the text in her head she read it in his voice?

"How did you get my number, Natsu?" Lucy replied.

"How did you know it was me? We are so in sync princess; I think it's meant to be." His flirtatious, rough voice echoed through her head, which of course Lucy would say was irritating if anyone asked.

"I highly doubt our banterous relationship could lead to anything more." She responded coldly, but countered the words with a bite of her lip that he would never get to see.

"Pfft, I beg to differ. I bet you my precious scarf that we will get married." Natsu cockily answered.

"I'll hold you up on that one." The blonde smirked to herself.

"Alright, back to my question. How about it?"

"Sorry I have plans today…"

"What about tomorrow?" He inquired further.

"Depends whether you can sweep me off my feet or not." She couldn't help but go along with his flirty remarks. They just made her smile and giggle so much and it's not like he can see her reaction so what's the problem?

"I'll pick you up at 3:00." Natsu ensured her.

"I hate to burst your bubble but you don't know where my house is." She bitchily sent back.

"Yes I do. My Dad works for yours and he went to that fancy ball yesterday so I have your address. Although I am pretty hurt I wasn't invited I could've been your plus one y'know ;)"

"Whatever weirdo."

The wealthy family member switched of her phone and planted it back in the objects original spot.

Lucy had planned to visit Sting today. He would have most certainly forgotten about their little fight so there was no present concern about that topic running on a wild goose chase in her mind. They have little arguments all the time anyway, it's no biggie. Instead, the female felt it was needed to just drop in and make sure he was still alive. After all, it was expected of her by her own conscious.

She chucked on some black leggings, a grey jumper, ugg boots – with fluffy sock underneath of course – also a black coat on top of it all to keep herself nice and warm. Wiping off the smeared make up under her eyes, after removing the glasses, she didn't bother to reapply any blusher, foundation, mascara etc. in replacement. Out of lack of effort to poke her eye whilst desperately attempting to put contacts in, she deducted her black, nerdy, squared glasses would be the better options. Stuffing her hair into a messy pony tail with strings of stray hair leaking out the rim of her face, Lucy strode down the hallways, out the door and into the car of her chauffeur.

"Don't worry about me Scorpio, you take Aquarius out. I'll just walk or get the bus home." Lucy reassured the tanned, with red hair, man.

"If you are sure Miss Heartfilia Call if there are any issues." He replied ever so politely.

"Will do. Bye!" She called out as her hand flew in the air signalling a goodbye.

The blonde hopped to the other, very familiar, blondes' door. Ringing the bell she waited patiently but still no answer. Obviously, she knew Sting well and he never brought his house key around with him with the risk of him losing it when he was drunk or in any other kind of delusional state. Lucy lifted the corner of the doormat outside, picked up the key and unlocked the door.

To her dismay he wasn't there. Usually he was there in the daytime. It's only during the late evenings and night was when he was no longer present here. She searched his home, upstairs, downstairs, everywhere in the tiny house. The female concluded that he, indeed, was out. So she left a note.

Just dropped into say hello. Call me when you see this.

-Lucy xox

Then left.

Lucy walked along a pavement with a black fence mirroring her every step. She walked into the entrance of the community graveyard and began making her way down the short cut of a stoned path surrounded by grey, white, black stones rising out of the rugged mud and grass. Most had scriptures on, whilst others diverged from the word love. Cold and lonely.

She kept her eyes focused on the ground, careful not to catch the alertness of a mourning pair. She really did hate seeing people crying. The look of pain and the verge of abandonment of one's self. I guess this isn't a grey day for them at least. Out of the corner of her eye a strand of pink hair in the distance caught her full attention. Lucy tilted her glasses from side to side on the ridge of her petite nose in attempt to gain a better image of the distinct panorama in front of her. She snuck up behind a tree to get a closer perspective. Peering her head to the right he was caught in her sight. He squatted down placing some pale, pink Lillie's in front in front of the grave, then left. Lucy waltzed over to where he once stood before walking off. Hands in his jackets pockets. She knelt down to get a better view of the writing engraved.

In Memory of loved friend, wife and mother.

Grandine Dragneel

Gasping, she rose her hand to her mouth in shock.

"No, no it can't be… I can't believe it…" She whispered shakily in a concerning delicate tone. Gazing at the ground where the bouquet laid, her stomach sank miraculously. Patches of wetness soaked into the dirt. The water in her eye awoke and began dwelling at the border of her cheek.

"Natsu. I'm so so sorry."