I don't think I've ever been so inspired to write/update a story. Wow. Don't expect this once Spring Break ends lol, I'll probably end up going back to being a lazyass.

Shoutout to all the amazing people who followed/reviewed last chapter! Especially to the Guest; you are probably the sweetest person I have ever met :)

Chapter 4: A Push In The Right Direction

DISCLAIMER: I CAN DRAW A VERY SHITTY CAT, AND THAT'S ABOUT IT.

The door slams shut as Juvia stomps her way into their shared dorm room. She kicks off her boots; and, removing the folder from where she's stashed it, tosses her coat aside and collapses face down on the bed with a muffled groan.

"Sooo, anything interesting happen in the hour and twenty minutes you spent outside?" Lucy beings conversationally.

Juvia's only response is to halfheartedly attempt — and fail — to toss the folder in Lucy's direction. It doesn't make it more than a few inches from where she's lying prostrate on the bed, but at this point Juvia doesn't possess enough energy to care.

Chuckling, Lucy slips out from where she's been lounging under a pile of sample screenplays, her laptop, and an absurd amount of snack wrappers for the amount of time she's been left alone. She plops herself down beside Juvia and scoops up the folder for closer inspection.

"Don't Stop Believing, by Journey," she reads out loud, face lighting up as she speaks. "And it's the Glee arrangement, too! Where did you get this?"

"Wi fondi ime modetoriyum afwer glei dod ip," Juvia mumbles back into the comforter.

Lucy rolls her eyes, "Can you sit up and talk to me, please?" Juvia lets out a groan and pushes herself into something that better resembles an upright position.

"I found it in the auditorium after Gray dropped it," she repeats.

Lucy raises an amused eyebrow, "You went to spy on them again?"

"Shut up," Juvia shoots back. "They were being really loud and arguing about how some girl hadn't shown up, so I went to see what was happening."

"Suuuure," Lucy teases, "That's the only reason why you went into the Arts building when you're a science major — whose building, I might add, is on the other side of campus."

Juvia swats her her and mutters an annoyed, "Whatever," in defeat. "My point is, they've decided that they need to find a replacement for the girl by tomorrow. Meaning I need to return this to them by tomorrow, which also means that I have to actually talk to him by tomorrow." She stuffs her face in a pillow residing innocently beside the headboard and lets out a muffled scream. "I mean, what am I supposed to say to him? 'Oh, sorry, I was just spying on you the other day and watched closely as you dropped this'? I might be sort of a stalker, but I don't want him to actually think that I'm one, you know?"

This is the first time Lucy's seen her best friend in so much turmoil over a boy since the 9th grade, and so she can't help but let out a poorly-concealed snicker. Then, as Juvia shoots a glare in her direction, she says quickly, "Just say you found it in the hallway or something when you were waiting for me. And didn't you say they were looking for a new singer? You love this duet! And you did say that you missed singing, right?"

That sobers her up. "I honestly don't know," Juvia replies. "I mean, yeah, I miss it. Of course I do. But I'll never be as good as I used to be. I feel like going back is going to hurt me almost as badly as the accident itself."

"But you'll never know until you try, right?" Lucy plows on. "Just try it right now, I mean —"

"Lucy. Just drop it," Juvia interrupts forcefully. Her brows are furrowed as she stares into her hands, and her comically flustered demeanor has now completely disappeared.

Lucy starts out of her ramble rather guiltily, reaching over to give Juvia's hand a squeeze.

"Sorry," she apologizes quietly. She's gone too far now, and Lucy's painfully aware that she's just left a permanent footprint in what they both know is very dangerous territory. "Go for it whenever you're ready; I just don't want you to spend your whole life avoiding something that makes you so happy, you know?"

Juvia's expression softens as she hears Lucy's best efforts to make amends. She also knows that her best friend would never push her so hard if she didn't think it was right; and so she squeezes back and gives her a small smile.

"Yeah, I do, Luce. I know."

Sorry if there are any grammar things, I just didn't have the patience to reread and edit it a hundred times like I normally do. If you spot any, lmk in the review box, or PM anytime.

Lotsa love,

Tiffany, out.