A/N: Thank you so much for being so patient! Usually I update on Tuesdays, but I was hanging out with a friend that day and had to work the next day unlike my regular schedule. A new chapter will also be posted on Tuesday/Wednesday as well for thanks for your support.

This is a shorter chapter than normal, but goes over a lot of information :)


One month had passed since Lucy got the job at Juvia's shop. She had begun to clean the cobwebs in the corners and work on reorganizing the shelves this week, and Juvia was very thankful. The woman had started spending time with Gray more often, and even though he didn't seem to enjoy it much, he was starting to get used to the woman following him around.

As she swept the floors, she realized she had been living with Gajeel, Gray, and Natsu for almost a month and a half. Time really slipped by when you weren't being hurt on a regular basis. Lucy grinned as she swept, and Juvia took notice.

"What is Lucy grinning about?" Juvia said with a smile, setting out a glass of lemonade for her employee.

Lucy wiped the sweat off of her brow. The floors were disgusting. Who knew it would be this much work to just sweep simple wooden paneling?

"Oh, nothing. It just came to me that I've been living with the guys for a while," Lucy said, sauntering over and sitting on one of the stools they had set out in front of the bar to make it more homey. They were thinking of hiring a bartender soon, and Lucy knew just the person. Mirajane Strauss, Cana's girlfriend, went to bartending classes and was quite efficient. She was also sweet and great with customers, and Lucy was sure that Mira's looks would turn in some people as well.

"Lucy has been living with Gray-sama for that long?" Juvia asked once Lucy told her how long the length of time had been, "Juvia would love to live with Gray-sama!"

Lucy laughed. "Well, maybe someday that will happen, Juvia."

Juvia went off to dreamland while cashing out the next customer bringing up some crystals, who sweatdropped when she told them about her Gray-sama. Lucy just shook her head with a sigh and began mopping the floors, which was even worse than just sweeping them up.

Around an hour later, Natsu and Levy made their way into the shop, looking around at all the crystals. Natsu headed over to the star charts after saying hello to Lucy and Juvia, and Levy awed over the sight of the store.

"This looks great, Lu-chan! I can't believe that you and Juvia cleaned up the store to look like this!" Levy said, staring around the room in shock.

"Thanks, Levy! Hopefully we'll be able to hire a bartender soon so we can have drinks in here as people look. It will be like a bar and store all in one!" Lucy exclaimed, throwing her arms up in the air and twirling around the room with a laugh.

Natsu looked at her and noticed for the first time how beautiful her hair was as it glimmered in the sunlight, but kept his thoughts to himself. His heart quickened as she laughed, and it brought a smile to his own face. She was gorgeous.

"By the way, Lucy, a few girls and I were wondering if you'd like to sleep over at my house tonight. I'm sure the boys wouldn't mind. Would you, Natsu?" Levy asked, turning to look at the man who was currently looking at the moonstones and sneaking glances at Lucy.

"Nah, not at all! Luce lives with us, but she's your friend. Go ahead and have some fun!" Natsu said with a grin. "Oh, here's your lunch. Iron Brain sent it and told you to 'have the dishes and the water bill paid by tomorrow'."

Lucy accepted the lunch with a smile. "Thanks, Natsu. I appreciate it!"

"Don't mention it, Luce! Someone's gotta watch out for ya, after all!"

Lucy grinned again and then turned her eyes toward Levy to discuss plans as she ate her soup.


"Here we are!" Levy swung open the door once Lucy grabbed her things at her apartment and ended her shift successfully.

"Hi, Lucy!" Lisanna said before practically jumping on her friend with a hug. Lisanna and Evergreen ran a shop down the street from the strip mall that Lucy had interviewed at before.

"Hi, Lisanna! Hey, is that shirt I like still on sale?"

"Yep, and I'll put it on hold for you. I might just put some earrings with it too," Lisanna said with a wink. The girl was a pure angel, and that wasn't just because of her white hair. The woman had a heart of gold, but she became a real animal while defending her friends. The time that Lisanna attacked a woman who was calling Cana an alcoholic asshole and Mira an airheaded dyke was forever burned into Lucy's mind.

"Thanks, Lis. You're the best," Lucy said, smiling genuinely at her friend. Then she saw Evergreen filing her nails off in the corner sitting by herself.

"Ever! You came!"

"Well of course I did! Elfman kept telling me to get out of the house and that it was 'good for the baby'. And, of course, I wanted to help you with your ratty hair," Evergreen mused, pulling Lucy in for a hug. Evergreen was kind of like the vodka aunt of the "family" of girls they were in-except for the vodka, she drank milkshakes like crazy. The woman was also a licensed cosmetologist and did hair, makeup, and nails on the side. If anyone needed to go on a date, it was to Evergreen's they went.

"It's always nice to see you. How's Oliver?" Lucy asked, her eyes flicking to Evergreen's belly. She was about seven months pregnant, but she looked as if she was about to pop. Oliver was Elfman's baby, alright…

"Kicking like always. Little brat," Evergreen said with a bite to her voice, but unconditional love was at the base of her tone. Lucy knew that the woman quite loved her little boy, but she was sure that his kicks could be powerful.

The rest of the group waved and shouted their hellos. Cana was sitting watching a show with Mira in the corner snuggled up on the couch, and the rest of the girls were playing a board game. Kinana was the quiet coffee shop owner who had a love for scones, and her best friend Laki was one of the baristas who enjoyed creating new drinks. Her favorite was a mocha with caramel syrup and peppermint curls on top. Yukino and Minerva ran a jewelry shop across town that had sparkling gems delivered on a daily basis.

The party quickly begun, with alcohol and chocolate flowing heavily. Cana was now snuggling up with Mira fiercer than before, and Kinana and Laki were playing a card game silently. The rest of the girls were either passed out or watching a movie with more fruity alcoholic drinks.

"C'mon, admit it. You like Natsu," Levy said, hugging Lucy close to her. Lucy flushed and told Levy that it was false.

"He's cute, but not as cute as Gajeel," Levy said, downing her drink and giggling once she finished.

"Ohhh, so you like Gajeel then?"

"N-no!"

"Why don't you ask him out then if you're so hesitant?" Lucy asked, and Kinana popped up from her spot.

"Is that that guy I always see you around with? You better snatch him up quick, Levy. Otherwise other girls won't hesitate to do so!" Kinana said before slumping over with giggles, drink in hand.

"Oh yeah? Well I think Lucy should ask Natsu out!" Mira added with a grin, and Cana whooped in agreement.

"That hot piece of ass isn't going to last for long, blondie!" Cana said, taking a drink from her whiskey. Mira kissed her girlfriend on the cheek softly before turning on another movie and laughing when the credits came.

"I barely even know him!" Lucy shouted, and that woke everyone up. All eyes in the room were locked on her, and Lucy felt painfully aware of what she felt at that moment.

Oh no. She had a crush on Natsu.

When the hell did this happen? Was it when he rescued her for the second time, or maybe the first? Was it when he smiled at her or looked at her like she was the only person in the room? Or was it when he defended her against that woman who called her a drowned rat?

She couldn't have a crush on someone. She just couldn't. Her relationship with Dan had ended so badly that she couldn't risk it. And hell, what if he liked her back? Lucy couldn't get into a relationship now! Not after what Dan did to her…

Her anxiety seeped in at the edges of her body, and icicles formed at her ribcage and pulled her into an attack harsher than she'd had before. She reached for the carpet to stim, but it was too late. Her anxiety had a hold on her once more.

Lucy gasped before feeling pain in her stomach. Her anxiety didn't mix well with alcohol, and she was either about to pass out or throw up. And she guessed that it was both.

"Lucy?" Levy's voice was the last thing she heard before she puked and then passed out.

Things couldn't get any worse than this.


A/N: Just letting you guys know, I do have commissions open! I am going on a trip to help rescue my friend from a not-so-good home, and I need your help with the money for that. Please message my tumblr or PM me for my if you are interested. Thank you 3