How'd you like the previous chapter? 7th grade now 0: Maybe I should transition faster, but I feel like a longer story is better, because in my life, all the heartbreak is during 6th and 7th grade. 8th grade is just peaceful happiness.

I took advice from a reader, thanks TheShipWeirdo!

So anyways, enjoy.

* H F H *

Kisses, -Strawberry


Chapter 7: Blessed with Hope

Erza's POV

Lucy looked at me uncertainly, "Sorry, what were you gonna say?"

I gaped at her. "Natsu, and you? Really?"

My bestfriend giggled, "Yes."

I puffed out some air and laughed.

"I think I like Rei." I stated with a wavering voice, shaken from laughing.

Now it was Lucy's friend to stare at me open-mouthed.

"B-B-But what about Gray!" She stuttered after a moment of silence.

I chuckled sorrowfully, my laugh faltering after a few seconds. "There's no hope."

I recall seeing him dance with Ultear. It was okay, I knew she had always had a crush on him, now they were probably together, a couple that surfaced when the last few weeks of school had come. Perhaps their relationship would survive over the summer, because Ultear is our neighbor. Amaya and Derek told Gray and I that her parents had died when she was young and that she was living on her own, and I guess out of pity, they keep on inviting her over for dinner.

I sighed, with a forced smile on my face, "He and Ultear are lovey-dovey." I pointed over at Ultear's gang, they were all giggling and pushing Ultear and Gray together, meanwhile, I couldn't do a thing, or rather, I didn't feel the need to anymore.

There is no hope, I kept repeating to myself. I know that it feels like I was convincing myself, but I was sure that I'd be happier this way.

Lucy pouted, "I believe there is still hope. I sense it in my blondness!" She pointed to her hair and winked, laughing loudly.

I laughed with her, half-heartedly, it felt like nothing would go well.

But when Rei passed by suddenly, I caught a whiff of his scent, cinnamon and something sweet. I thought he was going to stop to talk to me, but instead he headed towards his swimming buddies.

Lucy giggled, "Were you just staring at Rei?"

I pretended not to hear clearly, but to be truthful, the music was actually quite loud.

"What?"

Lucy edged closer to my ear and said, "Do you like Rei? ~"

I gaped at her, I could feel my face flushing.

"Omigod, you do!" She squealed.


Gray's POV

I glared at Ultear's friends, I knew they were only being nice and helpful, but the giggling and pushing was getting annoying.

I huffed angrily and walked away, towards where my friends were, Natsu was holding a cup of punch, chatting with another friend of mine, Laxus.

I quickly joined the pink head's side, and poured myself a cup of red punch angrily.

I greeted the two males standing by my side, a grin placed on my face as I took a sip of the juice.

"I heard about Lucy." I chuckled, a slight smirk creeping onto my face.

"I heard about Ultear." He shot back at me, his eyes burning with fury.

"Do you know how much feelings Erza had for you? Do you know how hurt she was?!" Natsu glared daggers at me. I hadn't seen his scowling face for a long time.

"Well. Obviously she doesn't care anymore, because Rei." My tone hardened at his name, I didn't quite understand why my stomach felt like it was twisting around, why was I feeling envious when I shouldn't be. Erza had said "liked" not like, it's not like she still had feelings for me.

When Laxus turned his head towards us again, waving goodbye to his soccer buddies, Natsu grinned at him like he always had, as if nothing had happened between us.


Erza's POV

I know I'm happy. I should be right? But all I feel is dread while I walk back home with Gray. No words pass between us, everything was silent in the deadly hours of darkness. I kept on shooting sly glances at him, to look at his face, but all I got was expressionless nothing. Like he didn't care at all, but I guess he really didn't. Because he had Ultear. I should have known. She was beautiful, and they had been childhood friends since they were babies. I was just an adopted sister who had once fallen for her brother.

I should be happy for him, there was nothing between us that should make me feel sad, I should be happy because he's happy, but I dont feel anything that's close to happiness. As I said earlier, all I feel is dread.

We finally reach the Fullbuster residence after the dance ended, it still smelled minty like when I had first seen this house, but now, there was a hint of strawberries, the reason was me. I loved strawberry cheesecakes, and eventually, I had gotten Lucy to teach me how to bake them. Once a week, I would bake a slice of cake, that was the reason behind the strawberry scent. I don't know why I was thinking that, but it felt good to tear my mind away from the memories of the dance.

As Gray and I separated into our rooms, my phone beeped in my pocket. I actually smiled when I saw that it was a text from Rei.

Him: So we're good now?

Me: Yeah.

Him: Umm. Btw I've liked you for a long time.

Me: I guess I feel the same way.

Him: Okay.

Me: Okay.

My heart was beating, I don't know whether it was from joy, anxiety, or something. Maybe dread again.


The rest of ninth grade was great. Epic. Desperate. I clung onto every chance I got to talk to Rei on Skype. I didn't want to lose him before summer break arrived. That would be pitiful. Meanwhile, another relationship was getting warmer. Ultear and Gray. Every time Gray had a sports competition, Ultear would be there cheering him on. Of course I would be there too, but he would only smile at Ultear, and his eyes would go blank when they saw me next to Lucy in the stands.

So I gave up on him. Not because I didn't care, but because he didn't. I barely go to his games now, I spent some days watching Rei practice swimming, and then some days I would watch Rei racing.

But soon, the doomed Summer Vacation arrived.

I would wake up late, sleep late. Chatting with Rei on Skype all the way until we both fell asleep. But it didn't feel enough.

Eventually I decided to surprise him on his birthday on July 2nd.

In the morning, I woke up frighteningly early and baked a few chocolate chip cookies and two slices of my signature strawberry cheese cake. After packing these into a box and sticking a nice sparkly ribbon on. I wrote a card. And biked over to Rei's house.

His house was in our neighborhood, but not so close to my house. So it took about five minutes, but every second was worth it when I saw his surprised face.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" I exclaimed, extending my hand that was holding the box of sweets.

Rei took it looking flabbergasted. "I.. Thank you!"

I dragged him outside before he could enter his house again.

"We're having a picnic." I informed. And dragged him to his bike shed, pulled out his bike and parked it next to mine.

"Get on and don't ask where we're going." I ordered.

Rei grinned, his eyes sparkling and hopped on his bike with the box of sweets still in his hand, "Yes, ma'am."

I laughed and started biking away.


After ten minutes, we reached a little hilly, grassy area that was out of town. It was deserted, not a single house in sight. This was actually kind of close to Rosemary. But I didn't want to think about my hometown. But I just had to wonder how Kagura was doing.

After parking my bike, I sat down on the plush grass and smiled up at Rei.

He sat down next to me, his unnaturally long hair, at least compared to other guys, was just barely flowing in the wind. Meanwhile my crimson-colored hair was basically moving everywhere when the wind blew by.

"The box I just gave you." I told him in a commanding voice, but couldn't help chuckling, I sounded too funny.

Rei obediently gave me the box. I opened it and presented to him the cookies and cake, which was hopelessly crushed. It didn't matter, it still looked edible. At least it wasn't all mashed up.

He laughed, it was a jolly noise, it comforted all the worries in my heart. I loved the sound of his laugh.

"I never knew you baked, Erza!"

My stomach felt like it was filled with butterflies, the beautiful kind, the kind that made you feel good and warm inside.

My stomach also fluttered when he said my name, my name sounded so good when it came out of his mouth.

"Ahahaa." I chuckled slightly, taking a cookie from the box and wafting it under his nose.

"See this? It's a cookie. And you eat it because it's your birthday." I said sarcastically and took his hand and wrapped it around the cookie.


After we finished the snacks I had made, we just lay on the grass and talked like we always had. But then something unexpected happened.

Rei rolled over to face me, his head propped up by his arm.

"I love you.. I think." He whispered softly, his voice hushed even though there was no one around.


Gray's POV

Erza left early today. She never wakes up that early. Is it possible for that scarlet sleepyhead to wake up so early in the morning? No. I don't think so. But I can predict what she did. As I went downstairs, I could smell the fading scent of strawberries. Mom told me that she had left in a hurry after baking some stuff. I guess it was for Rei.

I still remember when she used to bake me cookies. Now she only cared about Rei.

I don't understand. I should be happy for her. But I don't feel happy. I feel terrible. I feel like something was stolen away from me. I don't know what, but I've been robbed emotionally.

I guess I don't care anymore.

I got out my iPhone and created new text message to Ultear.

Me: I don't like you.

In a few minutes, the phone finally beeped and I could tell she replied.

Her: What?!

Me: Yep.

And that was the end of it. Whoosh, there goes Ultear's contact, deleted from my list. It felt good really, clearing away boredom.

She deserves someone that's not feeling empty, like me. Someone who actually likes her. But.. I felt like I don't need to do anything else, except for watch. I'm an observer. Not someone who's on defense or offense. Just a lone observer, watching, and studying.


Wheee! New chapter updated.

That was kinda fast. Okay, next chapter is gonna be 10th grade. Lets seee xD

Review and Recommend!

Until next time!

(edited)