Chapter 8
Lucy POV
"Well I can honestly say this is one of the most amusing nights of my life" Cana said plopping down on the sofa pulling her flask from her bra and taking a long swig. "Here I was thinking I was gonna bring my dear Mira out with me. Maybe use her to attract a few guys so I could get laid tonight and lo and behold what do we find? You two rocking it out on stage" she said before bursting back into uncontrollable laughter.
"I honestly don't see what the big deal is" I mumbled out sitting on the opposite couch.
"It's not a big deal...I just don't understand why you'd keep it a secret Francis" Mira said as he put his hands up.
"Hey, it wasn't a secret. You never asked. You know I like music" he said trying to defend himself.
"You never even play the freaking piano we have upstairs!" Mira said as he just shrugged again.
"Hey, me and pianos don't have the best past together" he said before he took on a sly smirk.
Flashback
"FRANCIS! FRANCIS DON'T YOU DARE PUSH THAT PIANO INTO THE POOL!" Jude Heartfilia yelled damn near tearing his hair out as Francis kept smirking and pushing the large piano quickly.
"THIS IS WHAT I THINK OF THIS FUCKING PIANO DAD!" He yelled giving the expensive instrument a final push right into the pool.
Jude just stood there shocked. He couldn't believe Francis actually did it.
"I'm gonna be a guitarist...whether you like it or not" Francis said as Jude's shock turned into a hard glare.
"I'm gonna kill you...I'm gonna kill him...I'M GONNA FUCKING KILL YOU YOU NO MANNERED, UNGRATEFUL LITTLE BASTARD!" Jude yelled taking off around the pool after Francis.
Present Time
He was still smiling at the memory of that act. I remember it like it was yesterday. Mom thought it was hilarious. I'd often heard her voice Frankie's distaste for the large object. Dad never listened and in the end it cost him a ten thousand dollar piano.
"Any other hidden talents for us to discover?" Cana asked smirking as Frankie rolled his eyes at her.
"Why are you here? Go home!" He said shaking his head at her. She did spend an awful lot of time here.
"What's with all the noise?" Lisanna groaned from the top of the steps.
"Did you know Francis was a musician?" Mira asked as Lisanna nodded her head. Mira looked at him in disbelief. "He has twitchy fingers and he doesn't smoke and to my knowledge he's not a thief. That means he plays an instrument" Lisanna said with a shrug before going back to her room.
"You quit smoking?" I asked a little in shock. I honestly thought he just didn't smoke in the house.
"I haven't smoked since I left Jude, Lu-Lu" he said scratching his head. "Okay, I'm tired. You can kick my ass in the morning. Cana, get out of my house, it's starting to smell like a brewery in here" Frank said before waving his hand over his shoulder and walking up the steps.
"And you girly...didn't know ya had it in ya" Cana said smirking at me as I blushed looking away.
"You were amazing Lucy, sorry for not saying it earlier" Mira said with a sweet smile. "Go to bed, you have school in the morning. See you tomorrow Cana" Mira said before heading up the steps herself.
"Glad you're finally talking" Cana said getting serious on me. "Seems like you finally got that thing off your chest" she said looking at her flask as I looked at her shocked. That's who spoke to me at the pizza place that night.
"You knew?" I asked softly as she snorted a laugh.
"I knew it the second I looked at you...You looked like Mira the whole ride back to school on that bus five years ago...she couldn't put her attacker behind bars...but you can...and you should" she said before getting up and stretching. "See ya tomorrow kid" she said before letting herself out.
"Ms. Heartfilia may I speak with you a moment?" The music teacher another one of Mira's friends Ms. Evergreen said halting my exit. "I've been informed of your lovely singing voice...why haven't you entered the talent show?" She asked as I snorted a laugh.
"It's not a talent, according to my father it's a hobby. As is my writing" I said with a shrug. "I like it here, I'd rather not give him reasons to make me go back home" I said calmly. She looked sad at my answer.
"Do I seem unhappy or unfulfilled to you?" She asked as I thought about it for a second before shaking my head no. She seemed like she honestly loved her job and working with us. "Both my parents are doctors and in that aspect they wished for me to follow suit and take over their practice. My mother didn't speak to me for a year after I informed them of my decision. My father still isn't speaking to me. I love my parents, dearly...but I decided to do what made me happy and I have zero regrets about that decision. Why? Because I am happy" she said with a cheery smile that I couldn't help but return to her.
"I'll think about it" I said as she nodded her head at me letting me leave the class.
"Man, you sure took a long time getting outta there. I'm starving" Natsu grumbled walking next to me down the hall.
"You didn't have to wait for me" I said as he sighed rolling his eyes.
"You're so weird" he breathed out rolling his eyes as I shrugged it off.
Why the hell was I weird? I didn't ask him to meet me here and join me for lunch.
"Don't be a jerk Natsu" I mumbled out rolling my eyes back at him. He was about to say something and then he just stopped and ducked into the stairwell.
"YO! You forgot your lunch" Frank grumbled out walking over to me with a bag of leftovers.
"Oh yeah, thanks" I said taking the bag as he scratched at the back of his head. "You okay?" I asked as he looked confused.
"I don't know, I kinda feel annoyed right now for some reason. Like there's a pest nearby or something" he said before shrugging and walking past me down the hall.
"The exit is the other way Frankie" I said as he waved his hand over his shoulder at me.
"Mavis loves me. I think I'll stop by and say hello first" he said of the head principle of the school.
Once he turned the corner Natsu came out of the stairwell.
"That was a close one" he breathed in relief as I looked at him and then back down the hallway. They could actually sense each other nearby... it was ridiculous.
"You two are utterly ridiculous" I sighed before continuing down the hall as Natsu stepped into an easy stroll next to me. I was beginning to get used to his presence. It was nice.
"Hi Natsu"
"Hey Natsu"
"Come and sit with us"
"No Natsu, sit over here"
"You have endless options" I grumbled out finding where Levy was sitting with Gajeel and Gray already.
"Sorry, I'm eating with Luce" he said with a bright smile before picking up his pace to catch me.
I sat down next to Gray in the empty seat. Natsu slid down next to me knocking Gray out of his seat.
"HEY! YA PINK HAIRED BASTARD!" Gray yelled standing up quickly.
"What ya gonna do about it Ice Princess?" Natsu asked with a devious smirk.
"Your jokes are so lame" Levy groaned shaking her head before looking at me. "This is so your fault Lu" she said as I looked at her with an innocent surprised look. How was I supposed to know Natsu and Gray would get into a fight over seating arrangements? Natsu and Gray fought over everything I laughed to myself.
"Problem boys?" Erza asked appearing behind them out of nowhere.
"No ma'am" they both said quickly before sitting down. Erza smiled a content smile before making her way over to the teachers section of the lunch room.
"This ain't over flame brain" Gray grumbled out glaring at Natsu.
"Bring it on frost bite" Natsu grumbled back returning the glare.
"Both you idiots cut it out" Gajeel grumbled out.
"SHUT UP!" They both yelled at him as Gajeel joined in on the glaring contest.
"So immature" I sighed shaking my head and taking my lunch from the bag to eat.
Francis POV
I loved Mavis from the second Mira introduced me to her. She was wise and down to earth at the same time. She fought for me to keep my job coaching the football team but the bastard Praecht went and got the school board involved. I decided to just leave so Mavis wouldn't have to have all that extra nonsense on her plate.
Her husband happened to be Natsu's older brother. He was a sickly guy, always in and out of the hospital. I'd met him once or twice, he and the pink haired idiot were complete opposites in every way. I actually liked Zeref, deep down I liked Natsu too but I'd never tell him that. Kicking his ass was too much fun.
"Are you alright Francis?" Mavis asked breaking me from my thoughts as I looked over at her.
"Yeah, I'm good" I said with a smile. "Just thinking...how's my sister doing...really?" I asked. Mira wouldn't tell me shit but Mavis was just as good at opening people up as she was if not more.
"When she first got here a few months ago she was a recluse. I worried for her often, but she's made a complete 360. She's smiling more, making friends. Evergreen has even convinced her to take place in our annual talent show. Her writing is amazing, Ultear has suggested she take up journalism in college. She's doing really well Francis, stop worrying so much" Mavis said placing a hand on top of mines. Then she gave me that damn smile, that innocent damn smile that could make the coldest of men warm up immediately. That's what made Mavis, Mavis.
"Alright" I said softly smiling back a little.
"And I have other news for you. I'm actually glad you stopped by, I'd been meaning to have Mirajane reach out to you for me" she said as my interest piqued in her next words. "Several of the parents are unhappy with the coaching of our athletic teams. Long story short, they would like to see us winning again. Your name came up...Several times" she said with a smile as I snorted a laugh.
"What's Praecht got to say about that?" I asked not hiding the sarcasm in my voice. The mans opinion really didn't mean shit to me. My own fucking dad hated me, what that old bastard ate didn't make me shit.
"He tried and tried until Makarov Dreyar put his foot down on the matter. He's a big supporter of the team and this town. Money talks" she said.
"And bullshit runs a marathon" I finished knowing Mavis didn't like to let profanity cross her lips no matter how much she wished to speak it.
"You want the job? Basketball season starts in three weeks" she said as I snorted a laugh folding my arms across my chest.
"Igneel won't be pleased that I'm quitting" I said looking up at the ceiling. "He paid me quite handsomely for my work as well" I added as Mavis giggled rolling her eyes.
"I'm sure a handsome salary won't be a problem since sports happens to be a high priority in Magnolia" she said writing something down.
"Handsome like me or handsome like less than me?" I asked as she slid the piece of paper over to me. I looked at those numbers and damn near fell out of my chair. Now Mira could let go of the hospital and take more classes at school.
"You got a deal" I said with a smile as we shook on it.
Lucy POV
School had let out, I was heading home with my second shadow.
"You know he's gonna chase you if he sees you right?" I asked as Natsu folded his arms behind his head shrugging.
"Good cardio" he said with a bright smile as I snorted a laugh.
He was a complete idiot if I'd ever seen one. Lisanna and Levy seemed to always disappear around this time as well. I wasn't stupid, I'd have to be blind not to see them trying to set me up with Natsu.
"Say Luce, ya got plans Friday night?" He asked as I sighed knowing where this was going.
"Yeah, I promised Frankie I'd help him with something" I said thinking on my toes quickly.
"What about Saturday?" He asked as. He was persistent I'd give him that.
"Mira" I said quickly.
"Sunday for breakfast?" He just wouldn't let up.
"Look Natsu, you're a nice guy and you're a good friend" I started as his smile left his face. He was waiting for the "but" part of the response. "Natsu, I'd need both hands and feet to count the girls you've slept with" I said as he looked shocked. "Don't give me that face Natsu. Just because I don't talk much doesn't mean I can't see and hear. Your fan girls happen to be a thing I just don't have the time to deal with. I don't wanna be with somebody that's been with everybody. I could probably tell you about every inch of your body right now and I've never seen you naked" I said as he sighed looking down sadly. Regret, that's what his face said.
"Lis said this would happen" he said softly as I looked at him confused. "Nothing...we're here and the douche is not...I'll see ya later Luce" he said giving me a not so bright smile as he kept on walking up the street to head home. Bastard. He'd actually succeeded in making me feel bad about turning him down.
"Awww, why does Natsu look like a kicked puppy?" Lisanna asked watching him walk up the block with his head down.
"He asked me out...I said no" I answered as Lisanna sighed nodding her head.
"I warned him this would happen" she said giving him a sad look as well. "Last year I told him. Told him he was gonna meet the girl of his dreams and she'd want nothing to do with him because he was a man whore. Lo and behold...I was right" she said shaking her head at him. "Pat yourself on the back Luce. You broke thee Natsu Dragneel's heart just by saying no" she said snorting a laugh and heading back into the house.
That was really not my intention, I didn't mean to hurt Natsu's feelings. Great, now I'd feel bad all day.
"Hey, where's Natsu going?" Frank asked jogging down the steps shirtless in his track pants and running sneakers. I pointed at Natsu turning the corner as Frank looked at him curiously.
"Looks pretty sad. What'd you do to the kid?" He asked as I looked at him in disbelief.
"I did nothing!" I said loudly before shaking my head and walking into the house leaving the jerk where he was standing.
"I GOT ALL DRESSED UP TO CHASE HIM AND EVERYTHING" he yelled out before muttering something and coming back into the house with his own frowning face.
A/N: Reviews are always nice people, I love opinions
