After I got my movements back to me, and was able to dress myself again, Natsu and I got out of the dark dojo, our hairs completely messy and clothes crumpled, and our expressions completely guilty. Luckily, we wouldn't meet anyone at our walk of shame…

"What do we have here?" A heavy voice spoke up as soon as we stepped out of the room where we were misbehaving. My neck chilled when I heard that, as Natsu and I exchanged looks, before turning around to see who was that.

It was a tall, brawny man. He had a long, straight, black hair, and a dragon tattoo on one of his arms, alongside with a piercing on his nose and another one under his lips. The man was wearing all black, and combat boots on his feet. All in all, he had a punk visual. He was also competing in the judo competition, and I remember finding him really good by watching his matches, and rooting for him not to go against Natsu, fearing my boyfriend could get hurt. Luckily, it didn't happen, at least not yet.

The guy was resting his arm against the wall, with an annoying smile at us, while all I could do was to look down, blushing.

"What do you want?" Natsu shot at him, while his expression of amusement for walking on us fucking in the dojo wouldn't seem to go away.

"Natsu Dragneel, right? I'm Gajeel Redfox, from Kyoto University…"

"I know who you are." I poked my boyfriend on the arm with my elbow, seeing that there was no need to be so rude.

"I saw you on the mat today… You are good, not as good as me, of course…" Pink head snorted with those words, already pressing his hands into fists. "You know, I could really use what I've just seen there for my advantage…" My eyes popped when he said those words, and Natsu took a step further, but I grabbed his arms before he could jump on the man, who had a grin smile stamped across his face. "But I won't do that… I rather kick your ass fair and square, on the mat."

"Not if I kick your ass, jerk!" Natsu shouted at the man, as I pressed his arm more strongly, trying to keep him from advancing.

"Anyway, see ya!" He turned around, walking away.

The pink-haired boy was visibly annoyed by that encounter, his vein was popping in his forehead, and his body was trembling in rage as we watched that Gajeel guy go away.

"He is such a jerk!"

"Do you know him?"

"His reputation precedes him. Everyone tells this story about this Gajeel. He thinks he is better than anyone else, and treats everyone like crap. I can't wait to bury his face on the ground when I take him down!" Natsu spat those words out of his mouth, with anger.

"Okay, but you don't have to be so angry. If he's such a douchebag, he'll go down eventually."

"Yes, and I'll be the one who'll take him down."

I smiled at my boyfriend's confidence, it was one of the things that made me love him. After he calmed down, we kept on walking our way out of the building, when other people appeared in front of our eyes…

Erza. Kissing a man. Right in the middle of the hallway. My eyes popped and my jaw dropped, as I saw the uptight and reserved bossy redhead making out with some random guy with blue hair.

Natsu faked a cough so they would realize we were standing there watching them go at it with one another. And thank god he did that, because if that scene continued, I think I would have thrown up.

More embarrassed than us, though, was Erza as soon as she opened her eyes and saw us standing there. The ginger woman poked the man kissing her neck on the shoulder for him to stop, but apparently, he didn't get the signal, and kept going, while she was completely paralyzed seeing me and Natsu there. Erza had to push the man away for him to notice they had company.

After that, she and her date just stood there, blushing, looking at the floor, while me and my boyfriend stood in front of them, shocked.

"This is Jellal…" Erza swallowed hard, finally breaking the deadly silence that took over the hallway, introducing us to the guy standing next to her. "He is my boyfriend."

Boyfriend?! Erza had a boyfriend?! What was going on? I became even more shocked than before, whilst Jellal stretched his arm at my direction, for a handshake, and I took a few seconds to respond, trying to process everything I had just witnessed and heard.

"We met at the university…" A blushing Erza added, trying to explain herself, seeing my state of shock. "He was a senior last year, we've been dating for a year… That's it." That was the first time I ever saw Erza breaking out of her almighty, intimidating pose.

Jellal was standing next to her, quietly looking down as she explained their relationship to us. Besides his blue hair, that man also had an unusual scar crossing his left eye, though I guess it was his right. Anyway, he seemed very quiet, and wasn't showcasing any sort of emotion. I could see them working out after all.

"Wow, Erza. That's so cool…" Natsu finally said something, trying to make everything less awkward. "Anyway, we have to go, right Gray?"

"Bye…" I said, walking past the two of them, whilst my boyfriend pulled me away by the hand. "She has a boyfriend?" I whispered, after we got out of the building, finally, after all those awkward encounters.

"Aw, c'mon, I thought it was cute. It just shows that everyone can find love."

"Even someone as intimidating as Erza, I guess."

"It's not that bad, though. She is actually a really beautiful woman."

"I guess, if you can surpass all those threatening layers of intimidation and coercion…"

"So…" Natsu grabbed me by the arm. "Are we going to hit the party tonight?"

"The party? Wow, I had completely forgotten… I just thought you weren't in the mood for a party since we got here…"

"Yeah, I was sort of down, sure. But after my fights, and our little fight after, I cheered up. So, are you going?"

"Yes." I looked at my boyfriend's eyes, with a smile. There wasn't saying no to that face. "Yes, of course. Let's go to the party." He rested his pink locks on my shoulder. "We should celebrate your victory today, after all."

"It's your victory too, you know. I mean, you did come in first at your competition…"

"Okay, fine. Let's celebrate our victory."

It was eight o'clock when we walked into the hotel's lobby. We were all dressed up, and Natsu was grabbing my arm, as we passed by the students who were already there.

On the first night of the Olympics, the resort was hosting a party for all the students who came, either to compete or just to watch. It was a big event, with waiters going around with drinks and snacks, and it occupied two rooms as a whole, the lobby, where everyone could sit and talk and the dance room.

Suddenly, I saw Lucy passing by us, making a disgusted face, watching Natsu grabbed to my arms. I shivered seeing her, embarrassed to be with the boyfriend, that, technically, I "stole" from her.

"Why is Lucy here?" I whispered into pink head's ear, after she had already walked by. "Is she competing at something?"

"No, she is here as part of the university paper. She is a journalist student, remember?" Natsu then stopped walking, and turned over to me, facing me. "Look, don't let Lucy's presence here stop you from having a good time…"

"No is not that, is just…" The pink-haired guy started to mumble randomly, for keeping me from talking.

"No, I don't want to here." He put his hands on my shoulder, aiming his eyes at mine. "We are here to have a good time. Let's focus on that."

"You're right…" I said, after the few seconds I took to process that motivational side of my boyfriend that had just appeared. "Damnit, you're right. Let's have a good time!"

"Gray! Natsu!" We heard a voice calling us, and turned around to see Erza sitting at a table with her boyfriend.

Not knowing what to do, the pink-haired boy and I exchanged looks. I didn't want to go sit down with Erza and her mysterious boyfriend, but at the same time, we couldn't just ignore her calling. Realizing that the staring was taking more time and it should, I decided to make a move and accept our fate.

"Hi, Erza! And… Jerald."

"It's Jellal…" Natsu whispered next to my ear.

"Jellal! How are you?" I walked to them and we both sat on their table, while the blue-haired guy rested his arms around his girlfriend's shoulders. That was really uncomfortable to watch.

"We're great." The redhead took the liberty to respond, sipping from her glass of wine. "Have any of you seen Levy?"

"No, we just got here. Listen, Erza" I was about to ask the question that was bugging me since the beginning of the trip. "who is that girl?"

"She is my protégée." The ginger woman asked like it was no such thing.

"Your what?" By then, I just wasn't sure she was already drunk or she was being serious. It was hard to know with that woman.

"My protégée." She repeated it again with the same tone of voice, as I replied with a confused expression. Only then, the redhead bothered to explain. "Ever since I started this crusade to look after our institution, I realized I needed pupils to carry my task of threatening the Tokyo University with the dignity it deserves, and to guide its students to their place along the stars"." As Erza continued her passionate speech, my head grew even more confused, and even a bit terrified "That's why I had decided to look for my apprentice amongst this year's freshmen. Enters Levy. She had everything I was looking for in a protégée. She is smart, her grades are really something else, she is focused, she is kind, she is majoring in education, like me, I thought she really got what it takes to pass my legacy along." After she finally stopped talking, my jaw was wide open trying to process everything the ginger sitting in front of me had just said.

"So… You find this random girl in our university, and coerce her into following your weird cult around, and she accepts, weirdly enough, because… Because, of course she does because you're Erza and you're terrifying as hell…" I concluded my own line of thinking, seeing the intimidating woman I was referring to sitting in front of me agreeing with everything I had said, not realizing how bizarre it all was. "Okay. It's official, I need a drink."

"Natsu!" A loud female voice shouted from beside me, and we all turn around to see that one Lucy friend that was sitting with her on the bus.

"Hey, Cana!" Pink head stood up, greeting her by kissing her cheek. "How are you? It's been a long time…"

"Yes, it has." The brunette gave me a discrete look after saying that, not seeming very pleasant. I got the message instantly.

"Anyway, let me introduce you. Everyone, this is Cana, and they are Erza, Jellal, her boyfriend, and my boyfriend, Gray." He landed his hand on my shoulder after saying my name.

"Hi…" Again, the unpleasant look at my direction, as she sat by the end of the table. "Lucy wasn't feeling well and went to her room, leaving me here, I am totally here only to meet hot guys, by the way, and I saw you here. It's been a while since we talked so I decided to come here, and well, here I am."

As Cana told us her life story, I finally got the waiter's attention, after innumerable failed tries.

"Hi, so, I would like a glass of wine please…"

"Make it a whole bottle." Natsu's newfound friend barged in, making me look at her, and we exchanged looks, again. "And bring the glasses."

"Anyway…" Erza's voice popped up again, breaking the silence that took over the table after the waiter left, and we all turned over to her. "I brought a deck of cards so we could play…" The redhead picked up her purse, and searched inside of it, as all of us stared at her cluelessness about what actually goes down on parties like that. "Here it is. I wished Levy could be here so I could show her my tricks, but she isn't so…" The ginger girl finally lifted her head, seeing the surprised expression on my face, and the one in Natsu's face, not understanding them. "What?"

"Nothing, Erza… Anyway, let's play, shall we?" My boyfriend tried to get out of that awkward situation by going along with Erza's planning.

"I know what we should play." I barged in. "Remember that game we played when we met?" I asked the redhead sitting in front of me. "That one where the last person to put their cards down had to take a sip of whatever beverage was in display.

"I'm great at that game." Cana said, out of a sudden, making all the heads at the table turn over to her, as if remembering she was there, after being quiet for a while. Her timing couldn't have been better, because exactly after those words left her lips, the waiter came, putting the wine bottle and the glasses down on the table.

"Well… I'm great at that game, too." I defied her, taking that chance as something we could bond over.

"Let's see about that…" The brunette stretched herself over to the cards, picking them and shuffling them back in her sit, all while staring directly at me with a defying smirk on her lips.

Very similar how my game with Erza, Loki and Lyon went on the day I moved to Todai, everyone eventually got too drunk to keep on keeping track of what was going on, and who was winning, but me and Cana both won at least three rounds.

"You're so cool…" The brown-haired girl who was giving me the side-eye moments before said, grabbing my hand. "I can't believe I thought you were a monster or something…"

"Awn, you're amazing too!" I replied, with the same drunken voice she had.

"Guys…" Natsu interrupted our affection of love. "I found Levy…"

My boyfriend was staring at something, his eyes were popped, and he seemed shocked. We followed the direction of his face, and I chocked on my wine, seeing the small blue-haired girl who were following Erza around the whole trip, was pressed against the wall by Gajeel, the brawny punk that caught me and Natsu getting out of the dojo after having sex on the mat, and his tongue was going at it inside her throat. Out of all the things that surprised me that day, seeing the muscular bad-boy-like man making out with the cute, shy, nice little girl was by far the top of the list.

"Levy?!" Erza screamed, interrupting the weird couple during his make-out session.

They both looked behind, to see the blue-haired girl's mentor completely stupefied by the fact her apprentice was kissing a man of dubious character, pressed against the wall.

"Oh, my god…" The small woman blushed, pushing her fling away.

"What's happening?" The brunette guy asked, confused.

Facing down, Levy came towards our table, not noticing her fling from before was following her steps. She stopped in front of Erza, completely ashamed.

"Levy, what's going on?" The redhead asked, plain and simple, while everyone in the room, except for Gajeel, was expecting her to freak out. A dead silence followed the ginger's woman question, except for her hiccups.

"Yes, Levy, what is going on?" The man behind her repeated the question.

"Yes, Levy, what is going on?" Natsu shouted the same question, standing up, whilst everyone turned over to him in surprise. "That man is evil!" Pink head pointed to Gajeel, who's face had cracked, realizing his rival was there.

"Wait, are you friends with that loser?"

"You're the loser here, douchebag!"

"Oh, it's like that? Do you want me to tell what you and your boyfriend were doing lying down in the mat during this afternoon?" I swallowed hard, seeing I was being dragged to the middle of that madness.

"I want to know…" A deranged by the alcohol Cana said, giggling stupidly.

"Everyone, listen." I stood up, trying to end that hysteria. "Levy clearly has something to say, so let's listening to her, shall we?"

"Yes." Erza agreed. "Levy?"

"Nice way to get yourself off the hook…" Natsu whispered into my ear, while we sat down, making me smile and roll my eyes at the same time.

"Erza…" The small girl started her speech, looking down and swallowing hard while doing it. "I know I agreed to be coached by you, and to enter your sorority…"

"Fraternity…?" I said to myself, shocked with Erza's ability to bullshit.

"And I'm glad you chose me. But," The blue-haired woman said, firmly, finally looking up, to her mentor's eyes, making me shiver, since I'd never seen someone stand up to Erza like that. "I won't let you boss me around, saying who or not I should date or make out with, especially when I found the sweetest guy, with whom I have a lot in common with. I'm sorry Erza, I respect you, but I'll just not put up with this type of stuff."

We all stared at Levy in shock, the silence had taken over the room, as the small woman looked directly into her instructor's face, who, on the other hand, wasn't showcasing any sign of emotion.

"Hum…" Natsu forced a cough, trying to break the ice, making my eyes roll and my body shiver, seeing, that whatever it was coming next, it couldn't be good. I grabbed his arms as my boyfriend started to get up, but he freed himself from my hands and got up anyway. "Levy, even though I couldn't agree more with what you said, I still don't think you should go out with this monster!" The pink-haired boy pointed to his nemesis on the other side of the table, reaching newfound levels of drama.

"Oh, c'mon people, she was just making out with the boy, it's not like they are going to get married on the next day…" A wasted Cana barged in, seemingly bored with the whole situation.

"Thank you… Whatever your name is…" The short woman said towards the drunken brunette.

"Gajeel…" Those were the first words to come out of Erza's lips after her protégée confronted her. Her boyfriend, sitting right beside her was completely silent, as he was ever since we sat down on the table with them, before the chaos started. He really wasn't a talkative guy. "Can you please sit here?" The redhead gave Jellal a sign, and he sat on the chair next to the one he was sitting on, so that the punk man could sit next to the ginger. "So, I would like to go through a questionnaire with you, if that's okay, just to get a sense of the type of person you are…"

"Oh please, just take a look at him. He is a rude, ignorant man." Natsu said, already sat down next to me again, but still talking loudly and offending his enemy. He, too, was completely wasted.

"That's not true." He tried to defend himself to Erza, instead of engaging in a fight with my boyfriend. "I mean, I may look like this, but I'm not mean spirited, I study hard, I come from a poor background, so I value the worth of working hard, I also do charity, I'm a psychology major, even though I did get my scholarship through judo."

"And what about your behavior during the competitions? Everyone says you are mean, and brute." Natsu shot again at Gajeel.

"That's true?" The redhead asked.

"No! That is a character I pull, I'm not actually like that. I'm just very competitive and insecure, that's the way I know how to channel those emotions without them getting the best of me…"

I was actually surprised by the brunette's attitude. I never knew if that side of him was true, or if he was actually that in love with Levy that he came with that out of nowhere, even though they had just met, but the fact was, my boyfriend was getting really annoyed with that stunt his rival was pulling, deconstructing everything pink head was shooting at his way. Taking a glimpse at Natsu, we could notice how enraged he was, pressing his hands into fists and clenching his teeth, seeing Gajeel succeed playing the good boy.

While the Natsu versus Gajeel battle continued, having Erza as the judge, I turned around to Levy, who was sitting at the opposite end of the table from Cana, embarrassed with the whole thing.

"Can I give you one piece of advice? Get out of this while you can." I said, turning around to Natsu and Gajeel again. "I date one of them, you don't want that for you." The blue-haired girl giggled with those words, coming out of her blushing shell.

"Why does everything has to turn into an act of a play?" She whined, lying her head on the table.

"Hey, Gray!" A voice calling me caught both of our attentions, making me and Levy turn around to see who it was. Kei, from the swimming team, was standing there, visibly drunk. "What are you doing sitting here? Come dance!"

"See? Why can't you go for guys like him? He is so sweet, look at that smile…"

"Wait, are you trying to set me up with your friend? Dude, I'm gay…"

"You are?!" I said, in surprise, but it was probably the alcohol speaking. "Could it be that everyone in the swimming team is gay?"

"I don't think Jiro is able of showcasing interest in anyone. I don't think he is able to showcase any emotion, for that matter…" The drunk dark blond answered.

"Nah, I caught him staring at my butt once…"

"Okay, what is your deal?!" Our conversation was interrupted with a shout coming from our side. The three of us turned our heads, to see Gajeel standing up, slamming his hands at the table, facing Natsu, also standing up, with rage.

"I'm just tired of this little act your pulling, we all know who you are, so quit acting!"

The two of them grabbed one another by their collars at the same time, raising their fists at each other's direction, with gritted teeth, as everyone else sighed in commotion with the fight that was about to go down, until they were, once again, interrupted by unknown voices.

"Look what we have here…" Everyone turned around again, with the sudden voice that interrupted Gajeel and Natsu's moment. Standing there were two men who also were competing in the judo competition. One of them had short, blond hair, and blue eyes. He had an ironic smile on, seeing the two rivals about to punch each other. In his right ear, he had a ring, and was wearing a shirt that left his belly button out. "Don't you think you should leave your fighting on the mat? This way you'll wear one another out. Well, but then I guess it doesn't really matter, because you're bound to lose to us anyway, right Rogue?"

The blond turned around to the man by his side, who was watching everything with a blank face on, almost like he was bored with the whole thing. He had black, medium length hair, hitting the end of his neck, with half a bang covering his left eye, and a scar crossing his nose. In his body, he was wearing a gray sweater, jeans and dress shoes.

"That is why I don't like interacting with other judo fighters. They all act like animals…" The black-haired man said, in a monotone voice.

"What do you jerks want?!" Natsu yelled at the pair, he and Gajeel had turned around to them.

"Do you want me to kick your asses too?" The brunette added.

"Why don't you take it down a notch?" The blond man asked, with a smirk. "It's starting to draw attention to yourselves, and it's not cute."

"I'll show you what is not cute!" My boyfriend yelled at the arrogant duo.

"I only solve my problems on the mat, we don't pick up fights at hotel lobbies like wild beasts."

"Then you better pray that you don't get pared up with me, 'cause I'll break your bones!" The tall man next to the pink-haired guy shouted at the two new figures.

"Your ego has to be really big to think you can win against Sting." Rogue finally spoke up.

"Well, we'll see about that!" Natsu barged in.

"Indeed, we will. Come on, let's go." And holding hands, the two turned around, going out as suddenly as they appeared, while everyone's eyes popped by the realization that those guys were actually a couple.

"Do you want to come dance?" I grabbed Natsu from behind, hugging him, while he was still bummed out with everything that went on.

"Please." He turned to me, smiling.

Holding hands, we went onto the dancing room. I pulled him by the hand to the middle of the dancefloor. We started dancing with our bodies glued to one another, Natsu was smiling at me. The sort of smile that made my heart feel genuinely at piece with the world.

I loved the way he danced, it was so goofy, but there was no way I could feel ashamed about it. There was nothing quite like watching pink head do the robot dance, or something resembling a breakdance. Soon, a circle formed around my boyfriend, cheering him as he moved. No one was as good at putting a smile on people's faces like him.

When the music ended, Natsu took a bow and straightened his clothes. He looked straight into my eyes, coming to me, while I smiled at him. Putting his arms around my neck, as I landed my hands on his waist, pressing his lips on mine. We stayed like that for a while, that seemed to last forever, until our lungs went out of air, and we pulled apart.

"I'm sort of thirsty, I'll think I'll go to the bar. Do you want something?"

"No, thank you." I replied with a smile, as he left me to grab something do drink.

Unfortunately, right when he walked away, the DJ announced it was time for a slow dance. Seeing all the couples grabbing one another while I stood there in the middle of them, by myself, was a little uncomfortable, but I knew my suitor would come back anytime soon.

That's was when I felt someone grabbing me by my waist. A smile appeared on my face, until I turned to the side and saw who was actually holding me.

"Daiki?!" I said, surprised, trying to push him away.

"Hey, babe." His alcohol breath went straight into my nose, while he held me tighter so I couldn't get out.

"Stop!" I yelled, unleashing myself from his arms. "What is wrong with you? I have a boyfriend!" This time I said those words really slowly so that he could finally understand.

"You mean that idiot with the hair? C'mon you can do better than that…"

"You're drunk…" I turned around, suddenly feeling his hand grabbing my fists tightly, making me face back at him. "Don't make me hit you…" I threatened him with the scariest tone of voice I could find within me.

"Please, you're not going to hit me…" The tall senior got closer to me again, pressing his body against mine. "You want me."

Before I could raise my fist and bury it on that jerk's face, Natsu appeared out of nowhere, and, pushed him away with his arm at the speed of light. Daiki staggered to the side, whilst I watched him move, not sure of what had happened. It was only when I heard Natsu's voice shouting at the blond man that I realized he was even there.

"What is your problem?!"

"So, your little boyfriend decided to come to your rescue after all…"

"What?!" The pink-haired boy yelled at my former teammate.

"Natsu, it's okay…" I tried to calm him down, by pulling my hand on his shoulder.

"No, it is not okay, not until I kick this jerk's ass!"

Sooner than I could do anything about it, Natsu ran towards the tall man in front of him, implanting his fist into the guy's cheek, punching him, while everyone around us turned to them, in commotion to what was going on. Just as Daiki fell on the floor, two security guards approached the scene.

"All right, let's go." Each one grabbed one of the two boys by the back of their collars, escorting them around.

"No, wait…" I tried to reason with those men, but they alt-right ignored me, whilst I followed them to the outside of the room, into the lobby. "Natsu!" I ran towards my boyfriend, as everyone around watched us.

Daiki passed by us, massaging his injured cheek, giving us both a despise look, walking away. As I watched my former colleague disappear, I realized the eyes of the people with whom we were sitting with at the table moments before aiming at us, looking for explanation, while I replied to them with an expression that said that was not the time.

"He better walk away…" Pink head said in spite, as I turned back to him again, still shaking from what had just happened, giving the boy a disappointed look. "What?"

"Nothing… Let's just go."

Not giving him a chance to reply, I walked towards the elevator, and we followed in silence until we got to our room. As soon as Natsu closed the door, his mouth opened;

"So, are you going to keep the passive-aggressive treatment forever?"

"I don't know what you are talking about." I answered, while undressing myself, to put my pajamas on.

"Oh really? So, you haven't been treating me passive-aggressively since we left out of there?" I took a deep breath, finding the strengths within me not to make that into a fight.

"What do you want me to do Natsu?" My body turned to him, already with my clothes changed.

"Well, you could say 'thank you', for defending you."

"Yes, but here is the thing; I didn't need you to do that. And when I said it was okay, that didn't translate to 'punch that guy'.

"Well, sorry for trying to get your back, then." Now he was the one with the passive-aggressive treatment.

"No, it's…" I sighed, realizing that was going off the trails quickly. "Come here…" Walking towards my boyfriend, I pushed the pink-haired guy by the hand, pressing our bodies. "I know we all have been under a lot of stress since we came here, and I don't want our first day on this trip to end with a fight…" As I talked, he rested those pink locks on my shoulder, replying to my display of affection. "So, can we just leave these behind? Huh?"

"Yes…" A smile appeared on Natsu's lips, as he lifted his head to answer me.

"Okay, then." I sat on our bed, while Natsu changed his clothes to put on his PJs, me watching he do it. "Can I ask you for one more thing?" I said, as he approached the bed, already changed. "Can we spoon tonight?"

"Sure." Pink head lied in the bed, turning his back towards me, shrinking himself so I could fit, embracing him from the back.

"Uh, babe." He turned back to me. "This time I was actually thinking you could spoon me…"

"Oh… Sure."

And so, I lied down, with my back pointing towards my boyfriend, while he involved me, cuddling with me. The lights went out, and we stayed like that, his warm breath hitting on the back of my neck and our feet touching. That was a really great first night sharing the same room we had, after all.

"You can do this Natsu. One more victory and you'll be classified to the semi-finals…" I said to myself, eating the popcorn in my hands compulsively, while I watched the pink-haired boy prepare to his last fight of the day.

On the other side of the mat, was that boy, Sting, from the night before. He was acting too cocky for his own sake, acting like he owned that dojo. He should know not to underestimate my boyfriend.

They bowed to one another and walked to the middle of the mat. It was starting, I couldn't contain my nervousness and excitement.

Sting had a really violent approach. He grabbed my boyfriend by the arms and advanced onto him, trying to make him fall at any cost, it seemed kind of desperate, even, the way he pushed Natsu over, but the pink-haired guy didn't seem to be bothered by his opponent, and continued to be standing, no matter the blonde's efforts.

Suddenly, pink head pulled his adversary by one of the arms he was pushing my boyfriend around, finally deciding to defend himself. Losing his pose, Sting tried to release his arm from Natsu's hand, in vain, it was kind of sad, really, seeing him all desperate like that, until the cherry-treed haired boy pulled his competitor with all he's got, making the Osaka University's student fall on his knees.

Standing up like he was no big deal, Sting went to his end of the mat, before advancing on Natsu again. And the fight went like this for a while; the blond advancing on the Todai's student, who didn't seem to react, he just went to whatever the spot his rival was pushing him, without falling, like he couldn't be threatened by the other man, until he took advantage of a misstep committed by his opponent and grabbed his arms, trying to take him down, while all the other guy could settle to do was trying to release himself.

Now, the tables had completely turned, Sting couldn't disguise his desperation by the fact his moves weren't having any effect on Natsu, and even worse, the pink-haired boy didn't seem to be taking his adversary seriously at all, what was visibly getting on the blonde's nerve, while my boyfriend was now the one who seemed to be too cocky for his own sake, which was, actually, worrying me, because he could fall from his tower at any minute, just like it happened with the man right in front of him.

Going back at each other's direction one more time, it was crystal clear Sting had had it with his fellow fighter, whilst I was sitting with the crowd, having to eat the popcorn from the bucket in my hands like there was no tomorrow, my eyes fixated on the two men in their kimonos down on the mat.

In a desperate move, the Osaka University's student grabbed the guy in front of him by the arms with all he'd got, and when Natsu showcased a slight intention of defending himself, his adversary pushed him by the head into the floor, making me stand up from my sit in nervousness, but pink head fell with only his hands on the floor, his back arched as his feet were still touching the ground.

It was obvious that the blond was completely done when, not waiting even a split second after his opponent stood up again, he ran towards him with everything he'd got, grabbing him by his arms, pushing him back, desperately. C'mon Natsu, do something; I thought to myself, seeing my boyfriend be pushed around by his enemy, without actually defending himself, until they got out of their limits, and the judge whistled.

I smirked seeing the blond get a penalty, whishing that this was enough to get Natsu to actually respond his opponent's attacks.

And so, they went back to their ends of the mat, and then back to the middle of it, where Sting once again grabbed my boyfriend by the arms, but this time he seemed to finally decide to respond his attacks in the same way, grabbing the blonde's arm and refusing to let them go, while his rival tried to unleash himself.

Taking advantage of his opened legs while his adversary desperately tried to get his arms free, Natsu put his foot behind one of his ankles, turning around so Sting could fall in his back, and then, he dropped the other man on the floor, in his back. It all happened so fast, but it was won, and all Sting could settle to do was lie on the floor, feeling his defeat.

I jumped out of my chair, screaming from the top of my lungs to pink head's victory, while the blond man he had just defeated had to swallow his pride and shake his hands.

After that, a huge smile appeared on Natsu's face, as he ran around the mat with his arms lifted, while the crowd cheered. I loved to see his smile, but it was more than that, I was seeing him genuinely happy ever since that trip started, and it warmed my heart.

Then, he went to the locker room, whilst a voice announced that the four fighters who had classified to the semi-finals, that were going to take place on the next day, that is, the last day of the event, were Natsu, Gajeel, that Rogue Cheney guy, and some exchange student from Keio University called Julio Rodriguez.

I squeezed through the crowd trying to get out of the grandstand, to see my boyfriend. When approaching the locker room, I started to hear a discussion.

"Why are you yelling at me, I won, didn't I?!"

"You let that guy push you around for two thirds of that fight, do you call that a dignified victory?" A heavy voice shouted back at Natsu.

"I don't care if you consider it worthy or not, it is still a win!"

"You know what Dragneel, you've been giving me attitude ever since you came into my school, and I have put up with it since now, but you're really close of hitting my last nerve." The man said, in a threatening voice.

"Well, out of all of your students, I am the only one that classified to the semi-finals, so I'll suggest it you either put up with me or accept your failure!" I rolled my eyes when pink head said that. He simply had to have the last word every time.

"What did you say?"

"You heard what I said." My boyfriend shot back at his coach, in a defying tone.

"You know what, you do whatever you want to do, I don't care. Just know that I'll report you after all of this is done."

"Fine by me!" Like I said, always had to have the last words.

"Your boyfriend is here…" His coach, a man in his early forties who had light brown hair and a small beard, said, walking by me in the hallway.

"Gray?" He said, from inside the locker room, after the sensei had already walked away. "You can come in now…"

A smile appeared in my lips with those words, and I went into the locker room. Natsu was still in his fighting clothes, sitting in the bench in the middle of the room. I cautiously walked to him, trying not to trigger more fighting from out of him, seeing my boyfriend was still on a hot head.

"Hey…" I sat next to him, putting my hand on his shoulder, while the pink-haired boy was facing the floor.

"I take it you heard that, huh?"

"Yeah… Can I ask you a question?" Natsu grumbled with those words. I knew I was walking on eggs with him on that state, but I just went ahead and asked anyway. "Why are you constantly fighting with your coach?"

"Are you serious right now?!" Pink head stood up in a jump, facing me. His body was visibly shaking in anger. "Didn't you hear what that jerk said to me? Detracting my victory like that?" That would be the most terrible time in the world to confess that I actually saw where his sensei was coming from, so I simply took a deep breath, refusing to make that into a fight.

"I know… I'm just asking because…" Natsu face turned to the floor, standing up in front of me, as I tried to phrase what was coming out of my mouth. "Well, ever since I know you, you had always acted like you hated your training, and your sensei, and your colleagues, and I never understood why someone who got a judo scholarship would act like he hated doing it so much. And sometimes you act like you love it, like when you win your matches and all, but during the matches, especially this one…" Natsu loudly growled when I said those things, and I immediately tried to make it better. "No, it's okay. I guess, all I'm asking is... Is there something going on that I don't know about?"

"Gray…"

"I mean, something that is making you uncomfortable or…" My voice was interrupted by a huge slam, caused by Natsu punching one of the lockers. Afraid, seeing my boyfriend visibly in rage, I stopped talking. But the worst thing was; I had no idea what could possibly make him that mad.

We stayed there, in silence for a while. All that could be heard was pink head's deep breathing, his fist still touching the locker, and his face looking down, while he tried to calm himself down.

"Gray…" Natsu finally spoke up, in a deep voice, still facing the floor. "I can't do this now. Please. I'll meet back in our room, we'll go out tonight, but I just need a moment. Please."

Without saying anything, I stood up and walked to the door, only the sound of my shoes could be heard, as I left silent locker room, still shaking and wondering what could have possibly triggered such a reaction in the man I loved.

"Hey, Natsu!" He heard a loud voice coming from behind us, right after we picked our cotton candies. Turning around we saw Gajeel and Levy standing in front of us. "So, apparently, we are fighting tomorrow, huh?" The tall man said, in an unusual friendly tone of voice.

"Yeah, so?" My boyfriend shot at him, making me press his hand, so him would be nice. "Ouch. I mean, yes, we are."

"You had a good run today." The brunette spoke again in a unnatural tone, which made me look at the small blue-haired woman next to him, who was giving him a look like she was supervising his behavior. Soon I understood where all of that was coming from.

"Thanks, I guess…"

"So… Bye. Ouch!" Gajeel looked down to the woman holding hands to him, who had just pulled the same trick I did, pressing his hand, giving her a look that asked if he really had to say those next words, but her face continued inexpressive. "Fine. And, uh, Natsu. No hard feelings, right?"

"Uh…" Now, I pressed his hand again. "Ouch! Yes, no hard feelings…" With those words, the odd couple in front of us turned around and disappeared into the crowd.

We were standing in the middle of Yokohama's amusement park, while the night sky hovered above us, and the lights of the streets enlightened where we were, while a lot of people walked by me and my boyfriend, holding hands and eating cotton candy.

After everything that took place on the locker room earlier that day, Natsu finally showed up at our room, an hour or more later, and things were tense between us, but I had decided I wouldn't ask anything and let him keep his space.

Even so, pink head was the one that suggested we should keep our plans for the evening, and go to that amusement park, like we said we would, and I went along with his idea, thinking everything would get better once we got to the park.

But there we were, holding hands in the middle of the streets of the park, and things were still awkward. While people walked by us, children ran, conversations and laughter took place all around, me and Natsu couldn't seem to be affected by the joy that usually is contagious in places like this.

We never went through that weird phase where neither part of a couple knows what to say to each other, or how to start a conversation, not since before we even got together and didn't know how to manage our sexual tension when we shared a room. And I never thought I was going to go through not knowing how to talk to my boyfriend, because that usually happens with couples about to get divorced or old couples that stopped loving each other over the years and never got the guts to split up, but that wasn't the case with us. I very much loved my boyfriend.

But also, that was the first time I saw Natsu like that, so vulnerable, exposed, and he didn't seem to want to talk about, and I had to respect that. The only problem was, whenever I looked at him I remembered him in locker room, in the middle of a rage tantrum, and about to broke into tears, and I didn't know how to get past that.

"So… Apparently those two were not just a one night thing, after all." I tried to slip some conversation between us, as we walked by the park.

"Yeah, I'm only sorry for her…" He said, looking to the side.

"Oh, c'mon. He was being friendly…"

"Sure, whatever…" Apparently, our conversation wasn't going very far from that.

"Oh, look! The Ferris wheel!" I said, in relieve, seeing the giant circular structure in front of me, so I could use it as a way to implant some time before we fell into the giant pit of silence that we found ourselves during that moment. "It is one of the tallest Ferris wheels in the world, we have to go!" I looked, excitedly, towards my boyfriend, who just went along with my joy about that wheel, disappointing me, who thought he would buy my forced happiness and cheer up.

That reminded me of my first birthday we spent together. We went to a fair, the one we couldn't go to the day my mom had a heart attack. Except that day we were happy, and talkative towards one another, and laughing and actually having a good time. In comparison, that night on the Yokohama's amusement park was a huge flop.

"Wait. Babe." Natsu called my attention while we were waiting on the line to go on the Ferris wheel, as I was looking down, in defeat.

"Yeah?"

"Aren't those guys from your swimming team?"

"Oh my god." My eyes popped, seeing Jiro and Daiki a few meters away, kissing one another. "Oh my god. Yes. Yes, they are. That's Jiro and Daiki. Oh my god." I said for the third time, as Natsu laughed with the whole thing. "Okay, act normally, they are coming over..." I looked down, pretending I didn't notice they were there, trying to hide my head, as they were now walking behind me, holding hands.

"Okay, they are gone." Pink head let me know, making me lift my head again, still in shock. "They are kind of dumb though. It's obvious that there will be people from college here, visiting…"

"I can't believe I never noticed it." I said more to myself then to the pink-haired boy standing next to me, staring blankly into the front. "I mean it's so obvious…"

"What is?" Natsu asked, making me turn over to him.

"The way they hated each other's guts, I mean… It is always something like that hiding under all that hate…"

I stopped talking, gradually realizing I was describing my and Natsu's early romance, until he pushed me by the waist into a kiss. Initially, I was surprised, but soon let my body loose and closed my eyes, feeling pink head's tongue inside my mouth.

"I love you." He said to me, after we took our lips apart, his forehead touching mine.

"I love you, too." A smile formed in my face, responding to his. Calmness filled my insides, as he continued to hug me by the waist. The tenseness had disappeared, finally.

Without even noticing it, we got to the beginning of the line, and entered on one of the cabins. Sitting down, we looked at each other's face once again, smiling, our hands touching.

As soon as the wheel started rolling, neon lights were turned on, on the both sides of it. None of us said much, we just looked at the view from our sides of the cabin, but our hands were touching, and it was different this time. It wasn't awkward anymore. It was peaceful.

"Gray…" The pink-haired boy said when the Ferris wheel stopped with our cabin in the highest point. I turned over to him, seeing him still facing the window, seeing the down from above.

"Yes?"

"I'm sorry I yelled at you, at the locker room."

"It's okay…" I grabbed his hand tighter.

"No, it isn't. You were right. That is something going on, that's keeping me from enjoying judo as much as I used to…" With those words, I slid to his side of the cabin, realizing there were silent tears falling down his face, as he looked the city from out the glass, as the wheel started moving again. I put my arm around him, resting my head on his shoulder, while he was still fixating on the window. "My whole life I lived in a small town. There, it had a dojo where I learned judo ever since I was a little boy. My sensei was the same ever since, he was like a second father to me. He accompanied me to every tournament I participated, we travelled the country because of it. He was the one that believed in me the most, and it was because of him I got my scholarship. But then…" Natsu's tears fell more violently, and he choked on his own words, as I pressed my arm against him more tightly, getting even closer.

"It's okay…" I waited for him to recover himself, so he could finish his story. That was the first time in our relationship I saw pink head's broke down like that, since he was normally had such a violent approach over everything, like he was always in control, like he couldn't crack. It was nice to see him trusting me in that way, even though all I wanted to do was to pick him up in my arms and move him around until he was calmed down.

"I came back to my hometown from a trip, before college started…" He came back to his story, in a weak voice, taking deep breaths before every couple of words. "And he had died. He was driving in a rainy day and…" Natsu's voice cracked again, and his tears came back, but he continued his story even so. "And there was a landslide… I got back two weeks after. No one bothered to call me to let me know, because they didn't want to "ruin my trip". Fuck that stupid trip!" In a rage move, he punched the window, as I tried to press my body against him even more, to show him I was there, with him. "And after that, I had to run to Tokyo, because the classes were starting, and, as a result, I didn't have any time to grief… And I had chosen to major in physical education, because I thought I loved judo more than anything, and didn't want to do anything else with my life…"

"But, as it turns out, you loved your judo trainer, and not judo…" I finished my boyfriend's sentence for him, as he, once more, had burst into tears.

"And now, I don't know what I'm doing anymore…" He said, after the time it took to recompose himself. "It's not the same to fight. It only makes me sad, and angry at myself, because I feel like I'm letting him down. And I just can't listen to that jerk they have as a sensei in Todai, because I can't take him seriously…"

"Because he is not your old sensei…"

"Actually, I would say it's because he is a lazy amateur." We both laughed when those words came out of his mouth, and he finally turned over to me, undoing our hug, and grabbed my two hands, looking directly towards my eyes. "It's just that… I realized whenever I fought, I was doing more because it was something to bond over with Guildarts-sensei, that was his name, then because I loved doing it. And now that I found out I didn't love doing it, and that he is dead, I don't know who I am anymore…"

Before Natsu could dismantle into tears, this time I grabbed him for a hug, while his head fell into my shoulder, and the tears started falling again.

"It's okay…" I said, almost whispering, trying to get him to calm down. "You don't have to continue practicing judo just out of obligation." I then grabbed him by the arms, pressing them, making him look directly at my eyes. "We will find something else for you. A different major, a different passion…"

He smiled at me, as his tears gradually stopped falling, and I smiled back. Then, I pushed pink head into a kiss, a gentle, kind kiss, that said everything was going to turn out fine. As our tongues danced with one another, the Ferris wheel moved, and the city lights sparkled from behind us, reflecting on the window's glass.

There I was again, sitting on the grandstands, waiting for my boyfriend to show up for what could be his last fight. The silver lining was that, he winning this one, Natsu would go straight to the finals.

Another thing that made me get even more nervous for the fight that was about to happen down on that mat, the same one we had on top of, two days ago, was that, on the other side of it from my boyfriend, was Gajeel Redfox, the tall man with long black hair and a punk style, that had become pink head's rival since day one.

That day I didn't have a popcorn bucket on hand, so I had to settle for biting my nails compulsively seeing how everything unfolded itself.

They bowed to one another, and walked into the middle of the mat. At a certain point of the first seconds of the fight, Gajeel held on tight on Natsu's arms, trying to pull him down. They starting walking in circles like that, my boyfriend trying not to give in into his opponent wishes, until he tripped and fell on his stomach. I stood up, gasping, but he soon got up again and it restarted.

Again, the brunette held on to the pink-haired man's arms, trying to get him down, while his opponent walked around, trying to set himself free. At a certain point, the tall guy fell, sitting down, but still not letting Natsu's arms go. My boyfriend tried to get his adversary to unleash him, but couldn't manage it. Soon enough, hi also fell because of the other boy's weight, who took advantage of that to lock one of his rival's leg, closing his own legs around it. Natsu was, then, lied down on top of Gajeel, trying to get out of that position, while the long-haired man closed his legs tightly, not giving his adversary the chance to get away.

Finally, the judge interrupted them, as they rolled around on the ground, it was becoming pathetic, really, and they each went to their sides of the mat, for another confront. The same thing repeated itself, with the man with dark hair grabbing my boyfriend's hands tightly, refusing to set him free, while Natsu randomly walked around trying to unleash himself. Then, he quickly fell on the ground, on purpose, pushing the punk with him, making him trip on pink's head body, and fall on his back. That was it. It was won.

My eyes immediately went to Gajeel, as the pink-haired boy ran around the dojo, celebrating his victory, to see if Levy's date was too sour of a looser, but strangely enough, he appeared to be coping well with his defeat, by the expression of his face, I mean. The boys shook hands, and Natsu walked out of the dojo, probably to the locker room, to get ready for the finals.

I decided not to go to him, leaving him some time to focus, and kept seating, watching Gajeel battle that exchanged student for the third place. That Julio kid had already lost to Sting's boyfriend, Rogue, who was going to fight against my boyfriend for the gold medal.

Nearly not as excited for that fight as I was for Natsu's, I watched the brunette who was going out with Levy win over the Spanish man, getting his hands on the bronze medal.

A few minutes after the ending of that dispute, it was finally time for the final confrontation. Rogue was already standing on his side of the mat, with the same unfriendly expression on his face from the night I met him, but Natsu was nowhere to be found.

I was starting to bite my nails out of nervousness, while the voice in the microphone called his name again, and again, and again. Just when I stood up, deciding to go look for my boyfriend, that same voice announced he appeared, and a few seconds later he showed up in front of my eyes, walking to his side of the mat. Sitting down again, I took a look at his face and realized something wasn't right. Pink head seemed mad, pissed off. Which could only mean the black-haired boy who was standing across the room from him was screwed for fighting with that man when he was angry. Nothing would hold him back now. But I was still worried with what got him to that state.

They bowed to one another, and walked into the mat. I could only assume Rogue was planning to get revenge on my boyfriend for eliminating his boyfriend. Violently, he grabbed pink head's kimono, trying to pull him down. His adversary, however, only stood still, trying not to get pulled down by his enemy, but wasn't making any active moves to fight.

A few seconds after, the Osaka University's student put his foot behind one of Natsu's ankles, making him fall on his side, but his feet were still touching the floor. The boy, then, jumped down on top of the pink-haired man, who squirmed against the floor a bit, before completely stopping to move.

My heart stopped, as the countdown started, seeing Natsu completely immobile, while everyone cheered and screamed. He had plainly given up. Moved by the heat of the movement, I joined the people yelling at him to do something, but it was too late. The countdown reached twenty-five seconds, and his opponent was deemed the champion of the tournament.

I watched, shaking, as pink head shook his adversary's hand, and after, while Rogue walked around, "celebrating" his victory, his face as if he was attending a funeral. His walk around the dojo wasn't as charming as my boyfriend's.

It still hadn't hit me that Natsu lost in such a sad, and even humiliating way, as I walked towards the locker room. I understood he wasn't passionate about judo anymore, but to outright lose in that pitiful form, was hard, even for me. I just had to know what made him do it.

"Natsu…?" I put my head inside the room, to see if he was there.

"Are you here to yell at me, too?" My boyfriend said, sitting down at the bench.

"What? No."

"It's okay, I figured you'd be disappointed at me for doing that…" He replied, as I sat down next to him.

"I just… Don't understand. Even with all your feelings you still put up a fight till now. What made you do it?" I tried to say as calmly as possible, to not make him feel that he let me down.

"I just had it with that sorry excuse for a sensei. He walks in here like he owns me, saying that he didn't expect me going as far as I did, that I wasn't who he'd like to see winning out of the guys he trains, but that he would have to settle for me. And even worse, that it just goes to show how great of a coach he is, for getting me into the finals, even with all my attitude. Let me tell you something, you jerk, if I got where I did, it had nothing to do with you!" Natsu raised his voice saying the last sentence, making me hug you, trying to calm him down.

"It's okay… And I'm not disappointed at you. I'm proud of you."

"You are?" He gave me a silly smile, turning over to me, as my eyes met his.

"How can I not be?" I smiled back, and glued my lips with his. We kept kissing for a while, channeling everything we were feeling on that moment to our lips, as our tongues danced with one another. I really loved him.

"What is going on?" I asked, walking into the room from where all the shouts were coming from.

"It's the fencing finals." Levy, who was close to the door explained, turning around to me, who was holding hands with Natsu.

"I didn't know fencing attracted so many people…" I said, seeing that the room was really crowded. There were no more places on the grandstands, and a lot of people were standing up, watching and cheering to the two people sword-fighting in front of them.

"It's just that Erza is on it, and we might have a chance on winning this."

"Oh…"

"Go Erza!" Pink head yelled, standing beside me.

"Do you even know which one is Erza?" I thought that question was worth asking, seeing as the two women were both using a mask, and their bodies were really similar.

"No idea…"

"Me neither… Go, Erza!"

Everyone watched. An excited silence took over the room as we saw that fight develop. With every move, I got more and more nervous, as excitement was building up inside of me. Finally, the girl on the left touched the other one's torso with her sword, and was deemed the winner.

Suddenly, an explosion of screams went off from the side I was standing in, making me get lost at what was actually going on.

"Did we win?"

"We won!" Levy screamed back at me, jumping in celebration, while me and Natsu joined her.

The two women finally took their helmets off, Erza's blood-red hair falling from its bun. She shook hands with the girl in front of her, who had also unleashed her hair, that fell like a purple waterfall from the top of her head. She was called Kagura, the voice on the microphone announced, and that was not the last I saw of her.

"Everyone with medals, come join the picture!" Erza screamed, as we were all walking towards the bus, seeing it was time to go home.

"Go." Natsu looked at my direction, with his silver medal around his neck.

I left him and entered the vehicle, watching from the window as everyone gathered around for the picture, Erza in the middle, acting like the ruler of everything, which, in fact, she was.

My eyes, then, met Gajeel and Levy, holding hands, saying their goodbyes. I smiled at the sight of that odd couple, of whom I grew found of.

"Lucy, wait. What is the problem with me talking to him?!" Cana's voice could be heard, entering the bus. Before her, however, walked in Lucy, who was stupefied to see me sitting on the first bench on the left. She stopped for a few seconds, watching me with a disgusted face. "Lucy…" Her black-haired friend finally caught up with her. Her face also cracked realizing I was there.

"Here." The blond turned over to the other woman. "Stay with your friend!" My eyes went down, in shame, realizing I was the one they were arguing over.

"Lucy, it's not like that… Bye, Gray." She whispered with a friendly smile, before walking over to her friend on the back of the bus.

"Hey." Natsu finally walked in, along with other people who came behind me.

"Have you noticed that this was the first time we shared a room together?" I asked him, resting my head on his shoulder.

"What about that time we slept in your room back in your house?"

"That didn't count!"

"Sure it did!"

And so it started. That was going to be a fun trip.

"Hey." A voice comes from behind me. It's my brother's. "Thanks for staying her these couple of days." He put his hand on my shoulder.

"It's okay. She is my mother too, you know. I'd stay as long as she needed to recover." I reply, my eyes still fixating on the glass window in front of me, watching the judo class happening on the other side.

I'm standing on my mother's sports school, peaking at the little boys and girls repeating the moves their teacher is doing. My heart warms, I'm standing there for a few minutes, unable to look away, as memories from my ex-fiancé keep popping into my mind.

"Are you okay?" Lyon finally asks, after a few seconds of silence.

"Yes." I take a while to respond, shrugging my body, trying to snap out of that. "Yes. I just need some time to clear my head, that's all…"

"Okay… When you're done, the dinner is already ready." He says, walking away.

I shrug my body once again, trying to pull out the strength to look away from that class. I finally do it and walk away. But not to my home. I take a turn still inside the school, and end up in front of the pool. It had been a while since I swam for the last time.

Pulling out a bittersweet smile, I take off my clothes. I'm all alone in there. Just me and my thoughts. And so, I step into the water, feeling its cold temperature surround my body, feeling a shock wave inside of me from it, but I'm too numb to care.

Doing something I haven't done for a long time, I emerged all of my body into the water, waiting on it to take my problems away.

After a while, I pull myself out of it, breathing deeply from the lack of air inside of my lungs. Then I lie down on that blue immensity, looking up, feeling every muscle in my body surrounded by it, waiting on it to clear my head, and show me the way. Just like it used to do all those years ago. And god knows how I need some sign of clarity. Now, more than ever.