Story of Us

A/N: Wow...I never expected so many favorites, follows, and reviews. Thank you for the continued support, guys! :D

i also kinda forgot to update yesterday...euehehe

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Fairy Tail.

Third Grade

Summer was different this year. Mom took me out of town to Osaka, which we've never been to before. I guess it was a present because I'm halfway done with primary school.

I had a lot of fun this summer. But, I mostly think it's because I was excited to see Natsu again.

So, when the first day of third grade started, I begged Mom to let me put on my own clothes again. I already knew by the way her eyes glinted the night before that she was going to fit me in a stupid pink dress.

With a sigh and a slight nod, she agreed. I squealed (which was...weird) and I hugged her tightly.

I didn't want to look like a wreck like last time. I decided to fit on black skinny jeans and a blue shirt that I tucked in. The thing that I loved about my school was that there wasn't a designated dress code. But, I know when I get to middle school, I'll have to wear a dumb skirt. Then, I'll have to look prettier and wear perfume and- ugh.

I frowned at the thought of it. Though, I brushed past it because I have three years left until I go to middle school.

Before I left the house, Mom looked me over. She held up her thumb of approval. Then, I made my way to the train station.

I was very ecstatic. I didn't have to worry about those bullies anymore. I have a new friend. Now, I can finally look forward to school everyday.

I just hope my good luck doesn't run out soon.

When I got into the classroom, Natsu immediately saw me. I grinned at him, skipping over to where he was seated. Which was not any where near his "clique."

The clique, however, were burning holes into my body with their eyes. I didn't care. That's what they get for trying to keep someone who didn't want to be with them.

"Lucy! You made it!" Natsu exclaimed.

I nodded, setting my pink lunch box beside the desk. "Of course."

"How was your summer?" he asked, leaning closer to me.

I forgot how touch-y he was. "It was fun. I went to Osaka. How about you?"

He sighed, placing his chin in his palm. "It was horrible. My parents are always fighting. They shout, argue, and throw things around the house. I hate it."

I blinked. He has family problems? And here I thought he was perfect. Well, anyone would think he's perfect at first glance. "I'm sorry to hear that…"

Natsu shrugged. "Don't say sorry, Lucy. It's not your fault. I hope they stop their fighting and fall in love again. That's all I want."

It felt like my heart just became a big hole. I thought about my life when Dad was still alive.

Mom and Dad were the perfect couple. They never fought. They were always happy with each other. When they were smiling, I was smiling. When they were laughing, I was laughing.

But, Dad had an addiction to smoking. The house always reeked of cigarettes. Mom told Dad to stop, and he did. But, only for a year.

He would sneak cigarettes in every night when Mom wasn't looking. But, when I was looking, he told me to keep it a secret from Mom. I nodded, obeying him.

I shouldn't have done that.

Five months before I graduated from preschool, he passed away from lung cancer. I didn't cry that day of his funeral. Mom was sobbing, though. Everyone was, really.

Except me.

I only stared at his lifeless body that laid in the casket. All of the memories that we had together as a family come back through me.

After the funeral, Mom put her hands on my shoulders and said, "We're going to be strong without Daddy around, okay? Let's be strong. Always. No matter what happens."

I nodded. She brought me in for a hug.

And, at the moment, I could feel tears running down my cheeks.

I looked Natsu straight in the eye. "I wish you the best."

Natsu stared at me before smiling weakly. "Thank you, Lucy."

Then, Yamamoto-sensei came in. I really wish she can stay in one grade for more than a year.

When it was time for lunch, I grinned. Lunch was my favorite part of the day. I don't know if it's because I love the way the wind feels against my face. Or, by the great food Mom makes every night. Or...Natsu.

But, what ever one it is, I still love lunch time.

I reached for my lunch box and quickly ran outside. Then, I noticed how light the box feels. I'll see what's wrong once I get to my spot.

When I was seated on the wonderful green grass, I opened my lunch box. I widened my eyes at the horror.

My food was replaced with disgusting bugs.

I swallowed down the vomit that was tempting to get out. I closed the box calmly. I probably know who did it.

The clique.

I remember during a lesson, I asked Yamamoto-sensei if I can use the restroom. The clique must've grabbed my lunch box while Natsu wasn't looking and sneaked the bugs in it.

I hate them.

I hate them so much.

I wanted to cry. I thought this would stop. I just want it to stop. I never did anything. I never try to do anything. Why can't they leave me alone for once?

I bet they're laughing their faces off right now.

I don't care. They can laugh all they want because they won.

I nuzzled my face in between my legs. I was about to sob, but then, I heard someone come near me. "Please go away!" I shouted, looking up.

It's Natsu.

I thought it would be one of the maniacs from the clique.

He smiled. "I'm not going to go anywhere, Lucy." He settled on the grass next to me with his blue lunch box in hand. "Are you going to eat, Lucy?"

I gulped. "Y-yeah," I lied, taking the box in my hand. I looked over to what Natsu was eating. My stomach started to growl instantly at the good-looking sandwich that laid in his hand.

When Natsu noticed my intense staring, he raised an eyebrow. "Why are you staring at my food?"

"O-oh...I'm just hungry," I said.

"Well, eat your food. What do you have, anyway?" Natsu asked, reaching for my lunch box. I widened my eyes as he snatched it from my grasp. When he opened it, his eyes went as wide as mine. "Oh, my Gosh...Who did this?!"

I sighed. "Please, don't get involved."

"It was them, wasn't it?" Natsu asked, his eyes narrowing.

I kept quiet.

Natsu's jaw clenched as he stood up. I took his wrist. "Natsu, don't do something you're going to regret," I proclaimed.

"I told you that I was going to protect you. This has gone on for too long, and I don't like it," Natsu said sharply, shaking off my hand.

I inhaled. I watched him go over to the clique. He told them something. They shouted back at him. Natsu's face reddened in anger. He raised his fist and was about to swing until a teacher stopped him. My breathing hitched in my throat.

The teacher took Natsu's shoulders and was probably scolding him. Then, she took his hand and dragged him off the playground.

I didn't see him for the rest of the day.

Natsu didn't come back for a few days. A few days turned into a few weeks. A few weeks turned into a few months. Until, finally, it was time to promote to the next grade.

The clique didn't take this opportunity to bully me either. The teacher must've been watching them like a hawk. I was extremely relieved.

Promotion day came up. I told Mom that Natsu almost got into a fight with these kids on the playground, but the teacher caught him and took him away. Mom said that he didn't get suspended or expelled because he didn't throw the punch at anybody.

Well, what happened to him, then?

When promotion was over, Mom decided to take me out to ice cream. I thanked her with a hug.

We went to the ice cream parlor. But, when we went inside, my eyes widened.

Natsu!

Without thinking, I ran over to him and embraced him as tightly as I can. Natsu seemed taken aback because he didn't wrap his arms around me. I let go of him a few moments later.

I looked over to see his parents glaring deadly at me. I gulped, remembering the story that Natsu told me at the beginning of the year.

"Where have you been, Natsu?" I asked, putting my hand on his shoulder. I could hear Mom come over to us. She put her hand on my head. This made me turn around. She gave me a look like 'We should leave.'

I looked back at Natsu. He was avoiding eye contact with me. I blinked, looking between Mom and Natsu. "W-why aren't you talking, Natsu?"

Mom took my hand and dragged me to the door.

I shook my head, shouting, "I'm going to find out sooner or later, Natsu! Just you wait!"

The last glance that I could steal from him was his eyes meeting mine.