Natsu Dragneel
"Natsu," my manager says. "Don't be like that. School might be a great experience to enhance your understanding of a high school student for your next drama."
I shrug, slouching on my chair. I don't understand why they want me in school so badly. I did fine with private tutoring, why did I need to go to a school? To study school life, all I had to do was watch a high school drama. What was the point of all this? I could be earning money right now! Not going to school.
"We're here, Natsu," my manager says, getting out of the black van and getting ready to pull the door open for me. I can already hear screams from my fans. I grin a bit. I can never get sick of hearing those screams.
Once the door opens, I see crowds of students in uniform shouting and waving. Reporters are also here with cameras. I step out of the van and wave. "Hey!" I shout loudly. Watching my fans wave back encouraged me to be a bit more optimistic about school, but I still wished that I was back at the shoot practicing my lines.
Suddenly, I see a blonde girl pass through the crowd, trying to get into the school building with another boy. Lucy? was the first thought that came across my mind. But I know better that it is not her. I've been through that awkward situation too many times. Me tapping a random blonde's shoulder, thinking it was Lucy every time.
But why does that girl's back of head feel so familiar to me? Could it really be her?
No, I'm just being stupid.
"Natsu?" my manager says. "You okay? You look pale."
I quickly shake my head. "I'm fine," I say with a smile. "Just a bit nervous about my first day of school."
I hear more screams, shouting "You're so cute!" or "I'll show you around!" I turn back to the crowd and wave with a smile. "Thank you!" I shout. Then I begin to make my way into school grounds. The girls part to the side so I can walk pass.
I walk over to the principal's office and meet my homeroom teacher, Ms. Alberona. She tells me to wait outside classroom until she calls me in, so my manager leaves me. I lay my head against the wall.
I can't help but think about that girl. How many girls in Japan even have blonde hair? And this is the countryside. I doubt anyone would dye their hair here. So that girl…
No, Natsu. Lucy was always a city girl. It can't be her. What are you even thinking?
"Please come in," I hear Ms. Alberona say.
I take a deep breath and open the door. I take a step in, instantly hearing girls screaming.
"Class!" Ms. Alberona says. "Please be quiet!"
I am tempted to laugh. I find my fans quite cute. Without them, I would not be where I am today.
I look forward with my signature smile. "Hey!" I shout, looking around the room to make eye contact with everyone. "I'm Natsu Dragneel. I won't be here often because of my acting career, but I—"
I feel a lump in my throat as I make eye contact with these familiar chocolate brown eyes. I feel every muscle in my body tense up. My pulse begins to accelerate dangerously as I focus my eyes on her facial features. They are different but familiar. And that shade of blonde… I could never miss it.
"Lu… cy…" I say without thinking.
Instantly, she freezes.
It's her. She responded to her name.
Everyone around me just seems to disappear. The only person I can see in front of me is her. I take a step forward. Then another. Soon, I find myself running towards her, embracing her body into my arms. Tears roll down my face.
"Lucy!" I cry. "Lucy! You idiot!" I keep on screaming, completely forgetting about my new classmates around me. "Where have you been? I've been searching for you everywhere!" I shout. I can't believe that the person right here is Lucy. I can't tell if I am happy or upset at her. All I know is that I am relieved to see her in one piece.
Lucy doesn't say anything. She is speechless.
"You're an idiot!" I exclaim. "A real idiot!" Why did she run away? Why did she leave me and Wendy behind? I had so many questions to ask, yet none of them can leave my mouth.
Suddenly, Lucy pushes me away, her eyes widened. My mind quickly goes back to reality. Aw, shoot! I completely forgot that I was in the middle of introducing myself! I look around and see that all my new classmates are staring, confused.
"Y-You got the wrong person," Lucy says, trembling. "Please don't get so close to me."
I shake my head. She is lying. There is no way that my instincts could be wrong. The girl that I was searching for seven years is right here. I can't be wrong. "You're Lucy, right?" I say, grabbing her shoulders tightly. "It's me, Natsu!" I say, almost pleading. "Remember? I was in that movie Sabertooth with you! I played Henry, remember?"
Lucy doesn't look back at me, but once I mention Sabertooth, she flinches. It is definitely her. But why is she hiding like this? Why is she in the countryside? She should be in the city, promoting herself. She was a prodigy actress. What happened?
"We were co-stars!" I exclaim. "With… Wendy."
"No!" she screams loudly.
I instantly let go of her. My eyes widen. I had hit a nerve. I knew I did. Why did I mention her sister's name? Crap. I should've thought before I spoke. What do I do now? Shit.
"G-Get away from me!" Lucy screams, in the brink of tears.
"No!" I shout back, grabbing her wrist. How could she say that when I have been searching for her for so long? "I won't let you go this time," I say. "I've been searching for you for nearly seven years! Do you really expect me to let you go again?"
I hear the class whispering behind our backs, confused. But I could care less. I couldn't let Lucy go. But why is she so afraid? I can feel her trembling at my touch.
"Natsu Dragneel," I suddenly hear my teacher interrupt. "Can we leave personal chats for later? I need to start class now."
I loosen my grip around Lucy's wrist and let go. I turn to the teacher and bow. "Sorry," I say.
"The seat behind Lucy is open," she says. "Sit there."
Obediently, I go behind Lucy and take my seat as Ms. Alberona begins class.
As the teacher lectures on proofs on algebraic functions, I stare at the back of Lucy's head. I know it's her. I can't be wrong. I just can't. I can't be mistaken.
"Lucy?" I spot a blonde boy next to her say. "You okay?"
She smiles at him, nodding. "Yeah," she says. "Thanks… Sting."
The boy, apparently named Sting, turns slightly pink. He runs his hand through his hair. "N-No problem."
Who does he think he is? And what kind of name is Sting? Did his parents name him after some kind of bee? I roll my eyes. Whatever.
Suddenly, I overhear some girls close to me talking.
"Look!" I hear a girl whisper. "It's true! Lucy was a child actress!"
"Woah, holy crap," I hear someone else say. "But why is her last name different? The movie credits say that her name is Lucy Marvell."
"A stage name?"
"I don't know! But it seems that she was pretty famous—"
"Class!" Ms. Alberona shouts. "Please be quiet!"
I watch Lucy's small back shake in fear. My eyes widen. Could it be that she hid her identity on purpose? The girls did mention that her last name was different. Did she change her name? Since when? Was that why I could not find her? Why would she go through such lengths just to avoid me? So many questions linger in my mind.
The blonde bee-looking boy Sting takes out a handkerchief out of his bag and sticks his hand out, leaning toward Lucy. He then dabs her eyes. Was she crying? I should've known and given her a tissue! What am I doing?
"If you're going to cry, at least don't make a mess on your notes," Sting says gently with a comforting smile.
Lucy looks back at Sting. I notice that her face is red. "T-Thanks, Sting," she says, taking the napkin from his hand.
How did this guy… just how? I should have been the one to notice that she was hurt first. How did I not notice? That guy is taking my place. No. He took my place. When did he even meet Lucy? They seem close. Is he her boyfriend? But… she was mine first. Why is he does he have what is mine? This doesn't make sense.
That should be me.
- End of Chapter 8 -
~ Previous Announcement ~
Hey, guys! Sorry that I haven't uploaded in so long. School started about three weeks ago and this year really decides whether I get into a good college or not, so I have been focusing a lot on my studies. From now on, I can't guarantee when will be the next time I upload a chapter, but I do promise that I will finish the story. Like I always say, I will never leave a story unfinished! That would be just too cruel for you guys and me, haha.
Anyway, thank you to those who will be patient :) I'll try my best to make time and hopefully upload a chapter soon!
~ Metallic Snow
