Behind the scenes
Chapter 4
Savior
The next morning came quicker than it should have. I felt like I had gotten no sleep at all. Throwing off the warm comforter, my feet landed on the plush carpet that lay across the room. Yawning, I stood up and started my morning ritual. After showering and changing, I felt my stomach growling. I guess I should find something to eat. Everyone else is probably still asleep from a late night out so there was no one to ask to join me. I didn't mind eating alone though. I figured that I could catch up on my reading.
I was so excited about the new book I had bought, I didn't want to wait to read it. Propping it open in my hand, I walked down the hall as my eyes scanned the pages. Instantly the book pulled me right in, I was barely paying attention to where I was going. I felt the excitement building as I continued reading until I bumped into someone. I quickly apologized before looking up into the charcoal eyes of none other than Natsu. Of all people to be awake, it had to be him. Curse my luck, today was not starting out that well.
"Sorry for bumping into you, I wasn't paying attention to where I was going." My mood has definitely deflated now that he is around but I kept my emotions in check as I talked to him.
"It's fine but maybe you shouldn't do two things at once. Seems like you can't handle it." My temper flared as I glared at him. Of all the things he could have said, he just had to be an asshole about it!
"I said I was sorry, you don't have to get smart with me." I said through gritted teeth.
"I wasn't getting smart, if I was then you would know it. Besides, I'm always smart, unlike you." That's it! I have had enough! What the fuck is this guys problem? I have never seen him act like this to anyone else so why me? What could I have possibly done to deserve this?
"I am so sick of your attitude! What is it about me that you hate so much? Quite frankly, I don't remember doing a thing to you yet you always seem to be like this around me. I am tired of dealing with you. Leave me the hell alone unless it's work related!" I shouted. Turning on my heel I walked towards the stairs not caring about the people staring at me. It felt good to finally get that off my chest. He had that coming for a long time now.
I sat down in the restaurant section of the hotel and ordered a coffee. I needed the caffeine after that. My blood was still boiling but I took deep breaths in the hope of calming down. Once my coffee arrived, I reopened my book and let the words pull me back in. My anger quick diminished as I read more and more. I was on my second cup of coffee when a familiar voice broke the spell my book had on me.
Glancing up I noticed that Lisanna came walking in with none other than Natsu following closely behind. Great, and here I thought that I would have at least a little longer before having to deal with him again. It was just the two of them and I wondered if maybe there was something going on in between them. They are always together, they get along great, and right now she looks like she couldn't be happier. A pang of guilt hit me when I realized that I never asked if he was actually seeing anyone before this whole dating thing started.
But if he was then why would he agree to playing along with it? Well, I guess you can't exactly say no to Hiro, even if you wanted to. But if they really are dating it must be upsetting to her because that means that she would have to hide their relationship, and watch as everyone believed that him and I are dating. It must be painful to go through something like that. I do know one thing though, I was glad that the press wasn't around.
They would wonder why the new couple was at the same restaurant yet sitting at different tables and him with another girl. I should probably leave, just in case. At least if the press does come, I could claim that I didn't know about them. But as I paid the waitress and left a tip, I noticed that the only way out was to walk right passed them. Crap. I was going to have to try and sneak passed them without them noticing me.
I slowly approached, trying my best to look in the opposite direction, hoping they wouldn't notice me. Right as I was passing their table, my phone rang. Fuck! Damn, what is up with the timing recently. I seem to have no luck on my side. So much for lucky Lucy. Pulling out my phone, I noticed that it was my accountant calling. I quickly answered it acting as if I had no idea that they were there and hoping they wouldn't notice me. No such luck.
"Hey Lucy, over here!" Lisanna called. This was the last thing I wanted so I continued my conversation with my accountant and acted like I didn't hear her. I was silently cheering as I entered the hallway. It didn't seem like they were going to follow me. Putting my phone away, I sighed in relief as I reached for the door.
"Lucy! Hey wait!" Damn. I was so close. Turning around I faked a smile as she ran over to me. She panted slightly as she stopped in front of me. "Hey Lucy, I guess you didn't hear me calling you back there."
"Oh no, I didn't. I was talking to my accountant. Was there something you needed?" I wanted to end the conversation quickly so that I could be on my way. This vacation isn't much of a vacation. Not relaxing in the slightest bit.
"Sorry about what happened at the restaurant. If we noticed you sooner, we would have invited you to sit and talk with us." She explained. A smile was placed on her lips, and I felt like my assumption of her and Natsu being together was wrong. At least I wont feel guilty now.
"I doubt that," I whispered but the girl seemed to hear it. She chose not to reply to it and instead gave me a weird look.
"Look Lucy, you should really give Natsu a chance. He is a great guy and I know that you two would get along great if you just got to know him." What?! Does she really think that the current standing between me and Natsu is my fault? What the hell does he tell her?
"I'm that's true but I am not the one preventing a friendship. It's him. For some reason he doesn't seem to like me." I stated as she looked at me in disbelief. What was so hard to believe about that, it's the truth. "Every time I try to talk to him, he just gets mad and has an attitude with me so I just stopped trying."
"Natsu could never dislike someone. He is just too nice, you should try talking to him again."
"Oh I see. So I have to be the one to do it. I have to be the one to try. Well guess what, I'm done trying. That's all I ever did since I met him was try to befriend him but he is the reason that it never worked. And quite frankly, I am tired of trying! Why should I waste my time on someone who doesn't want it? If he wants to be friends, then it's his turn. Let him try for once, and don't think that I wont give him the same treatment that he gave me!"
With that, I turned and stormed out of the lobby leaving a shocked Lisanna standing there. I walked and walked as I let my anger fumigate. Why me! These words repeated in my head several times recently. That man has done nothing but bring me trouble so why should I try? He isn't worth my time, no matter how nice he is to others. He just not like that with me. It took some time but my anger slowly started to edge away and now it was replaced with guilt. I shouldn't have yelled at Lisanna like that.
She probably doesn't even know what is really going on between us. She only has Natsu telling her what happened and who knows how much he twists it around to make him look good. I just really didn't like the idea of her thinking that it's all my fault. Finally prying myself from my thoughts, I noticed that I didn't recognize any of the landmarks that I was near. Where the hell am I? The streets seemed to be pretty empty and place looked like it was in bad shape.
Not only do I get into a fight with both Natsu and Lisanna but now I am lost and stuck on the bad side of town. How long have I been walking for? Two men were strolling this way and I figured that they were my best shot at getting back to the hotel.
"Excuse me, would you happen to know the way back to Hilton Bently Hotel?" I asked politely. The mans eyes scanned over my body causing a shiver to pass through me. Why do men have to do that? It's a disgusting habit they have, and a total turn off when it comes to women. Or at least for me it is.
"Is this who I think it is?" The first man asked. He used his thumb to point at me as the second man repeated the actions of the first.
"Yeah, your the hot actress from that show right? I think it's called Fairy Tail. I don't care much about what happens in it, I just like watching for the sexy chicks in it." Ugh, so disgusting. Such perverts.
"I could really use directions if you have them." I tried to avoid their question, hoping they wouldn't ask again. Once more I ask myself, why me?
"Well why don't you come and have some fun with us first then we will give you the directions." The first man offered. I cringed at the idea of what 'some fun' meant to them. That was not going to happen.
"Thanks for the offer but I really need to be getting back. If you would I need those directions, if not then let me be on my way." I stated, putting a firm voice on hoping that they would just back off.
"Oh come on. It will be fun." The second man chimed in. What is wrong with these men. Are they that desperate?
"I said no. What is so hard to understand about that?" The men chuckled at my response. Clearly they were amusing themselves with me. At my own expense. It was apparent that I was getting nowhere with these two so I turned and started walking. Something cold clasped down on my wrist and pulled me backwards. Turning around, I saw the the first man was now pulling my back with a tight grip. I felt a trickle of pain shoot through my arm as I bit my lip.
"You are not going anywhere until you show us a good time." The man demanded. My heart started racing when I realized the situation I was in. No, this can't be happening. I tried to pry off his grip but it was surprisingly strong. All my flaying did nothing to loosen his grip. Panic started to take over as I grunted, using as much strength that I could trying to escape his hold.
"Leave me alone or you'll be in big trouble." I felt like an idiot saying that when there was clearly no one else around and I couldn't even squirm out of his hand. The man smirked and tightened his hold. I could feel my hand throbbing from the lack of blood flow.
"Oh yeah, and what kind of trouble is that?" Closing my eyes, I didn't want to see what was going to come. This man was clearly not going to let me go. I must be cursed or something, nothing ever goes right for me anymore.
"This kind." Someone answered. I recognized the voice immediately as I felt a wave of relief flood through me. The firm grip around my wrist released as I opened my eyes. I found myself eye to eye with Natsu. I then looked to the side to see that both of the men that were once standing there, were now on the ground unconscious. I gawked at the sight before me. I never would have guessed that Natsu was that strong.
"Come on Lucy, I'll take you back to the hotel." Grabbing my wrist, he made sure to avoid the one that was now bruising and pulled my in the opposite direction. I would never be able to describe how grateful I was of him that day. Tears burned in the back of my eyes as I followed, elated that he had saved me from whatever these horrible men had planned for me.
"Thanks," was all I was able to say. No matter how happy I was, how thankful, I was still in shock from what could have happened. These men could have easily hurt me, killed me, or worse...raped me. That is probably the worst thing that they could have done to me. Rape me, rid me of my virginity then to leave me to live.
"Don't worry about it but you really need to watch where your going. First bumping into me then getting lost?" It was a rhetorical question, I knew, so I gave no response. I did feel bad though. I had just bad mouthed this man not that long ago. Yet here he is when I really needed him.
"Sorry." I could no longer hold back the tears as the flowed freely down my cheeks. Lowering my head, I was embarrassed my stupidity. Walking around, not paying attention to where I am going. It's all my fault, I put myself in that position. The tears came not only of the fear I felt but also of the gratitude that I now held for this man. Who knew that out of everyone I know that he would be there when I really needed him to be.
"Hey L-" He stopped mid-sentence when he noticed the tears that were falling. I really wished he didn't turn around, maybe I could have stopped before he noticed. He moved closer to me with an uneasy look on his face. "Look, don't cry. I'm no good with crying girls."
The expression he was giving me reminded me of why I used to think he was cute. Giggling slightly, I thought it was ironic that of all the things out there, he was weak against a girl crying. His cheeks tinted a light shade of pink before he turned to where I couldn't see his face. He was embarrassed but I found it adorable.
"Thanks again Natsu. Really." I smiled warmly at him, knowing that for now on, I was going to try and cut him some slack. He faced me once more, and briefly smiled in return before his hardened features replaced it and we continued walking.
"Your welcome. And next time, call someone when your in trouble like that. Yell, scream, fight back. Do something other than just standing there and letting them take you. You can even call me."
He smiled at me as my heart skipped a beat. His smile is truly amazing when he lets it show. I saw the hotel just a little bit away, and knew that I was back to safety. Even though I felt completely safe with Natsu, I just wanted to get back to my room right now. I stopped a few feet away from the entrance, and he did the same since he was still holding me by my wrist. Turning to face me, I threw my arms around him quickly in a hug to show my thanks. He may not have wanted it but it made me feel better knowing that I did it.
Pulling away, I felt the heat that colored my cheeks. It seemed like I wasn't the only one though as Natsu's cheeks now matched the color of his hair. Saying thanks once more, Natsu left my outside the door and walked the other way. I wanted to know where he was going but decided to mind my own business. Walking into the lobby, I was suddenly crushed into breath taking hug. Literally.
"Oh Lucy, where have you been? We have all been so worried about you!" Came the voice of Mirajane. Her eyes trailed over me, checking for injuries when they landed on my bruised wrist. "What the hell happened?! Are you okay?!"
"Yes, I'm fine. But it's a long story so I'll tell you guys another time." Mirajane and the others nodded as her concerned face suddenly changed. Now smirking, her eyes gleamed demonically at me. I gulped as I started to tremble. What is up with this woman?
"So Lucy," She paused knowing what this look was doing to me. It made me want to find a dark corner and hide from her frightful eyes. "What was that about?"
"What was what?" I was confused, not sure what she was talking about. Her smirk grew wider if possible before she inched closer.
"You and Natsu. I saw you hug him, what happened?" Oh.
"W-well, um, y-you see..well h-he."
"Spit it out already!" Mirajane was growing impatient. There was no way to avoid telling her why I hugged him but at least it was for a good reason.
"Alright, I was mad earlier and stomped out of the hotel and got lost. I asked these two guys for directions but they refused. Then one grabbed my wrist causing this bruise and wouldn't let go. They kept talking about me going to have fun with them. But then Natsu came and helped me and brought me back here. So I hugged him as thanks. It was nothing serious."
"So, these guys wanted to take you somewhere and most likely rape you, then Natsu came and saved you?" Mirajane asked summing it all up. Nodding, she looked at me for a few moments, her serious expression not changing.
"How romantic!" She yelped in utter happiness. Her eyes sparkled at this crazy idea she was currently imagining of me and Natsu.
"It wasn't romantic at all!" I defended. "It was scary, and I didn't know what would have happened if he wasn't there. I am grateful to him but there was nothing romantic about it."
"Tsk, tsk. Lucy don't you read romance novels? You should know that its normal in a book for the main female role to get caught in a bad situation then the man of her dreams comes and saves her. Then they fall in love, get married and have kids one day with their own happily ever after!" She was far to excited for my liking.
"Mirajane, that only happens in books and movies. This is real life and that will never happen. At least not to me." I sighed knowing that she was too far gone in her dreams of my love life to notice anything. The girls were all conversing with one another so I took this chance to head towards the elevator. It dinged right before opening as I took the first step inside.
"Oh Lucy, I forgot to mention that later we are going to the amusement park. Want to go?" Mirajane called over to me. I quickly nodded as I loved amusement parks. Roller coasters, all the games, raffles and of course the ferris wheel. All good things at the amusement park so I knew that nothing could go wrong there. Right?