Hello everyone!
Here's the new chapter! Finally. Late upload, got stuck on which song to use. Which is better HSM's "Breaking Free" or Owl City's "Shine Your Way"?
Anyway, here you go. . . Ah! Song used is "Shine Your Way" by Owl City. It's such a nice song.
I'll try to zip my mouth from here on out. Enjoy :D
. . . O . . .
Chapter 8: To Shine One's Heart
Dear Mama,
How are you over there? For me, I was having a fair share of trouble. But it's alright, there was no need for you to worry. Can you give a suggestion how to convince someone? There are quite a few people I want to have a change of mind but I'm having a hard time. It's okay though, I have my friends with me.
I decided to have a part-time job. Natsu helped me to look for one, and my classmate was working there too! Although, there was quite trouble on my first day and got fired. It's really embarrassing. Hehe. But I'll manage somehow!
Anyway, I'm going to be really busy so I'll end it here. Say hi to everyone for me!
.
Lots of love,
Lucy
. . . O . . .
Lucy sighed downheartedly and sunk herself deeper in the tub.
Now she really had done it now.
It's not like she really did it on purpose. It was just that she blank out when she heard her say those insults at her friend. Before she knew it, she had thrown the drink. Well, it's not like she regret it either.
She was angry and so she didn't apologize even when the manager told her to. She just wanted them to take those back. It felt like she didn't do anything wrong until the manager scolded her.
"Had you gone nuts!? Why had you attacked a customer!?"
"Sire, she was insulting –"
"Even if she had trash talk you, or your friend or whoever, you should have stayed calm and polite! That's common sense! This is a service industry, dammit! There are all kinds of customer out there, what are you gonna do about every single customer who you didn't like!? Throw a glass at them? Beat them? Think with that head of yours!"
She bit her lip. He had a point. She had forgotten her work ethics.
"Uggh! I thought it would be fine if I hired you since you looked fine but this happened. . ."
"I'm very sorry sire!" Lucy bowed her head.
"If you're sorry then you should have said that at the girl earlier when I told you to!"
"I apologize. I realize now my own inexperience and immaturity. I should reflect on this matter and improve. Please forgive me!"
The manager looked at her, a bit surprised. He sighed at her sincerity. It was because of this that he thought that she would make a fine worker.
"Argh, fine, fine. Just don't do it again or you won't get away with it so easily. Though I still have to make you stay here overnight and wash the dishes. Go and refresh yourself first then go to work".
And with that she was let off. . . or so she thought.
The manager looked calmer when she went out of the office. However, while she was assorting the inventory, she was called again. This time the manager looked so mad he was turning purple and veins can be seen at his temple. He looked ready to burst.
"You. . . you. . . I should have known. . . I should have known. . ." he seemed to have problem even with just spitting out the words.
"S-Sire?"
"Don't call me sire! You. . . you hoodlum! Acting all innocent with me. . . I should have known!"
"I-Is there a problem –"
"Problem? You don't see a problem!? You are the frigging problem here! You . . . and that friend of yours!"
"W-What?"
"Look at what you've done to our store! I should have known, because of you our reputation of the store will go down. Arrgh! I should have known from the incident. After all, only those trouble-magnets can cause such a ruckus at such a short period of time!"
"What are you talking about?" Lucy was perplexed.
He whipped his head at her. " . .about? You're asking me what I'm talking about? Huh brat!?"
Lucy flinched.
"You and your 'friends' from that. . . that Fairy Tail! That's what I'm talking about! I should have known that you were in the class of those trouble makers! Only you would have done such a thing!"
"S-Sire! That's a bit too much. . ."
"Too much? I'm too much? Don't you know that people recorded your fight at my store? There were even many eyewitnesses! There was a reporter that was even planning to put it on the news! They can even cast us charges for your assault!"
"I'm sorry!" Lucy bowed again.
"Don't you sorry me, missy! That won't work on me anymore! You, miss delinquent, are fired! You along with that friend of yours! Call her here and tell her you both are fired!"
Did he mean to include Cana!?
"Sire, that is unfair! Cana didn't do anything. How could you include her too!?"
"You will just cause more trouble in my store!"
She stood her ground. "Sire! It may be well understandable if you fire me for what I've done but Cana has nothing to do with it! Why would you include her!?"
"IT'S BECAUSE YOU HOODLUMS OF FAIRYTAIL THAT MY FATHER'S STORE WILL GO DOWN!"
That infuriated her. "That's going too far!"
Well, long story short, she had an argument even with the manager. Luckily, she managed to convince the manager not to pull Cana along with it and so she, alone, was fired. After all, the brunette was there long before her and hadn't caused any trouble worth firing for (although the manager seemed convinced that being from Class F is enough reason).
Cana and Levy were worried and infuriated when they heard the news that she was fired. However, it's not like it was unexpected since she went and argued at the manager.
"Well, no point fretting over it. Right. It's just a trouble of the past."
After bathing she dried herself and change to her clothes, all the while humming a song. When she was all refreshed and ready, she went to her living room.
. . .
"Yo! I heard you were fired" Natsu greeted. He was sitting quite comfortably on her arm chair, munching snacks from her refrigerator along with Happy.
She screamed and kicked him.
"Ouch! Is that how you greet your guests!?" Natsu held the spot she had hit.
"What guests!? What are you doing in my house, trespasser!?" she yelled at him.
"I'm a visitor! A visitor! Sheesh. what's with you?" he tsked and crossed his arms. He talked like entering her apartment as if it was his own house was normal.
"What the heck!? How did you even get in here!? Don't you know that's creepy!?" she said.
"Creepy!? It's not like I went to your room nor had ill intention!" he defended.
"Jut breaking to my house is bad enough, idiot!" she hit him again on his head.
"Ouch! That's the second time you hit me today!" he said holding the bump on his head. As if it even hurts! She saw him get punched harder by Elfman and get away with it with a small bruised. Still, it's satisfying to see that it had effect on him.
"Shut up! You deserve it. What are you doing here, anyway? Depending on your answer, I might hit you again" she held her hands on her waist, waiting for his answer.
"Geez, I came here to check on you since you might become a bit down. But your obviously fine with that energy of yours" he answered, annoyed.
Lucy blinked. Eh? He came to check on me?
She was certainly feeling a bit down earlier. Who wouldn't? When they get fired on their first day!? But now she was feeling really fine. She felt even elated. Seeing a friendly face had made her forget her troubles.
She sighed.
"Really, Natsu. Well, you're right that I was kind of down" she looked at him. "Hm, I guess hitting you helped me relieved my stress" she said grinning as she held her fist up.
"What are you, a guy?" Happy commented. She knuckled his head.
"Ouch ouch! I'm sorry!"
Natsu grinned. "Then I guess you're free today then?"
Lucy paused at punishing Happy and looked at him. She cocked her head. "Eh? Why?"
. . . O . . .
She thought he was up to something, but she didn't expect where he had taken her this time.
Natsu had brought her back to the castle-like building behind the school.
"Umm. Natsu, what are we doing here? We have no classes today" she asked.
Natsu looked back at her and smile, "you'll see".
Lucy gave him a quizzical look as he dragged her to the front door of the building.
"Okay! We're here!" He announced and opened the door.
All at once, people shouted at her along with the sound of a bang and confetti.
"CONGRATULATIONS!"
~. . . \oOo/ . . . ~
She blinked.
Everyone greeted her happily.
Lucy was surprised.
"For what?" she asked. She can't think of anything that was worth celebrating about.
It was Gray who answered. "It's a celebration on your first trouble as a student of Class F" he explained to her, grinning.
"Yeah, that was quite awesome!" Alzack said.
"Huh? But I caused trouble, that's not a reason to celebrate!" she said, perplexed.
"Silly. You should know already. Everyone here always get into trouble. It's not like you did it on purpose or ill-will. It's to defend someone right? You can consider it your initiation." Mira cheerily told her.
They sounded like they were encouraging others to cause trouble, honestly. This kind of celebration would be something to be looked down by people and comment that kids these days were losing moral and such. That it was this kind of people that should be avoided because they were bad influences.
But that's not the point. They were all celebrating, not because of the trouble that was made. They were celebrating to cheer their friend and the reason she did it. They were celebrating that she accepted them as their friend and she officially belonged with them. They were celebrating for the fact that another fond memory was added on to their lives. Fairy Tail believed that troubles like these were not something to be looked as a sad and regretful event. They simply believed that these kind of situations that come their way should be put on their past and be laughed about every time they looked back.
Lucy smiled upon seeing the happy faces that welcomed her. "Ehehe, Thank you everyone!"
She was genuinely happy.
"Cheers for Lucy! For being fired on her first day!"
Everyone raised their drinks. "Kampai!"
"Really, what's up with everyone?" she mumbled as she sipped at her juice. You can see the hint of a smile on her lips though, and her cheek was a bit red.
"What are you talking about? Everyone's happy for you!" Natsu said grinning. She sweatdropped. It's weird to hear it that way. A normal person won't celebrate being fired.
"I heard you kicked their butts and gave the manager a good manly punch! Your manliness is showing off!" the big guy with spiky white hair praised.
"I did no such thing. . ." Lucy told him, a bead of sweat dropping from her forehead. No one seemed to have heard her though.
"Aye! And she also sent them flying away with her mega kick! She's really a brutal violent gor –"
"That's enough! Don't spread false rumors about me!" She had sent Happy flying with a punch. The class applauded.
Max laughed. "To get fired on the first day of your job, I knew you had it in you! Though you don't look it" he said that as if it was a praise. "News spread that fast, huh?" Lucy commented.
"You don't expect such a matter to go quietly here, are you?" Gray said, smiling.
"Well, I certainly didn't expect a celebration" she smiled back.
"Hehe, that's Fairy Tail for you. Expect the unexpected." he grinned.
"Ne, Gray" Lucy said. He looked at her. "Hm?"
"Thanks for standing up for me yesterday. I really appreciate it" she realized that she was always thanking him lately.
"What are you talking about? I wasn't able to do anything! You can even say it was my fault. I should be the one apologizing. I would have knocked some sense to that guy out if Mira didn't stop me" he told her.
"Argh! I should have punched that guy" Natsu yelled, fired up. Even though he wasn't there. . .
Lucy laughed. "I'm glad Mira-san stopped you then. I don't want you guys getting into trouble for me. . . huh? You said Mira-san stopped you. . How come? She wasn't there." Lucy looked at them for answers. Natsu had started his fight again with the other guys.
"I guess you wouldn't know. Even I was surprised. Remember when Levy was with some blonde woman? It turned out that it was actually her" Gray said, crossing his arms in thought.
"Eh!? You mean she's Mira-san!? Why was she disguising as someone else?" She can think of some reasons but none of that fit Mirajane's image at all. Fairy Tail never seize to surprise her, it seems.
"Ara, I heard my name. What were you talking about?" Mirajane came to them.
"Oh, speak of the devil. Mira I was telling her that you were actually the woman with Levy" Gray said drinking his coke.
"I'm surprised Mira. You looked like a different person! But why were you disguising like that?"
Mirajane smiled. "I was actually helping Levy out. Though, I can't move freely around town without a disguise since I'm a model. There were a lot of paparazzi and stalkers around" she said.
"You're a model, Mira-san!?" Lucy was amazed, leaning over to her.
She nodded. "Yup. Have you heard of Sorcerer Magazine? I usually worked there as part-time job"
"Really!? I wanna see your pictures!" Lucy said, making a mental note to buy that Magazine.
Gray sweat dropped as she watched how she gushed over the fact. She turned into a fan of Mira.
"I'm flattered. I'm glad you think that way" Mira said, smiling. She was glad she didn't dig any farther than that.
Most people didn't know, but Mira had dark side behind that angelic smile.
She didn't lie, she was helping Levy. Though, she did have her own personal agenda. Levy, the blue-haired petite girl, was in the Newspaper Club. She was running into trouble because the articles were all boring and no one would want to read it. She had to find an attractive juicy gossip to post. Taking this chance, she suggested they stalk the four girls (who dare insult Cana and tried to hurt Lucy). She knew those four were bound into some trouble, or had dirty secrets they hide. So using Levy's excellent intelligence network, she'll be able to dig it up. And hence get the perfect blackmail to stop them. Of course she had other resources too, but Levy's one of the best.
On the stake out though, she had to disguise herself since she stood out too much, and she doesn't want those girls to know she was on their tail already. That was when the fight happened. Just remembering the incident irritated her. She won't let this one slide. Anyone who dared to hurt her friends will pay.
. . . o . . .
As these people had fun, there was another girl in trouble. The brunette was in the corner of the room, watching as the new transfer student chat with others.
"What are you doing here in the corner? Weren't you the one who suggested this?"
The raven haired lad asked. He had excused his self from the table when he saw her. He remembered last night when Cana called everyone here and told them what happened. She asked everyone's participation, suggested ideas, and helped in organizing it with Mira. Everyone was very eager on it.
Cana looked at Gray. "What are you doing here?"
"I heard what happened while I was gone. What you were doing – "
"It's none of your business" she snapped at him.
Gray crossed his arms behind his head. "Maybe, but you should at least thank her or say sorry. It's better if she heard it from you".
Cana looked down. ". . . I know," she mumbled, barely audible.
Gray sighed. "Really, Cana. . ."
He patted her behind her back and gave her a slight push. He grinned at her encouragingly.
"Really" she scowled, but then sighed. "Whatever goes, I guess".
She walked towards her and called out. "Hey Lucy! Wanna talk with me for a sec?"
"Sure," she stood up and followed Cana along outside.
. . .
As they went outside, Cana faced Lucy. "Okay, first things first . . . Thank you. . . for standing up for me" she said, blushing a bit. Urk, I'm not made for awkward situations like this. And what am I embarrassed for!? I'm not usually like this.
Lucy looked at her and then smiled. "Oh, you heard about that? Ehehe, don't worry about it! Isn't that what friends do for each other?"
"Uhh, yeah. Though there's another thing I want to say. . ."
Lucy cocked her head to the side.
"I'm sorry. . . I really can't create a club with you".
It was plain to see that it hit her quite hard. You could see the gloom hanging on her head. Still, she tried not to show it much. "No no, it's alright. I guess it's wrong to force a person to something they hate."
"It was Mavis who set this up, right? It's alright, just tell her you did your best. She knows it's true and she won't fuss over it. I'll even have a talk with her, so you don't need to worry about it" Cana told her.
She straightened up. "Umm, can I at least hear your reason? Do you really hate it that much?"
There was that complicated expression on her face. ". . . Yeah . . . I guess you could say that. It's not really fun to have to do bothersome activities with others, you know? Most teachers are annoying and it's just impossible to get permission and approval from the higher ups." There she said it.
Lucy was saddened as she listened. It's just as Mavis said. . .
-Back to the time Mavis asked her the request
"I want you to start a club with her." she said as she looked at her with those determined emerald eyes.
Lucy still hadn't fully understood yet. "Club? Why a club?"
Mavis took a pause before answering. "I am assuming you already know and noticed how your class was being treated."
She flinched. She remembered her conversation with Max and how other people reacted when they hear class F.
"Class of failures with no future, a den of monsters, trash can for hopeless trouble makers . . . there were many defamatory nicknames for them. It really is a notorious class which was why people tend to avoid them. Due to lack of contact, they were never able to understand them. People started to fear them, others put blame on them, some even started ridiculous rumors that had spread wide enough for everyone to believe it. You see the situation, right?"
She nodded.
"Out of all the classmates who received such harsh treatment, you could say Cana had it the hardest. Being the only girl in such a class, she was easily singled out. People will wonder why a girl was in a den of monsters, and so they start sketching her character that would be fitting for a class of hopeless hoodlums.
"Cana just made it easier for them to draw conclusions with her drinking and her fashion sense. And I don't mean to blame Gray, but his fan girls who were jealous of her for being a childhood friend had spread quite nasty rumors. That's why no other people approach her without that first impression and bias besides those who knew her.
"Cana naturally lost trust on people. It's not really obvious because she acts like a social butterfly, but she was quite a loner. If you look at her closely, you'll see that she doesn't interact with people outside the circle of friends she made."
"Huh? But she was fine with me?" Lucy pointed out. Her past conversations with Cana were quite friendly . . .
Mavis thought about it. "Hmmm. It's probably because you were on the same class. She must have felt that you were on the same boat, so she could trust you. Besides you are so simple and see-through".
"I don't know what I should feel on that comment but okay" she said.
"I remember she used to have friends outside of class but then rumors got worse and they all left her. That was the time she completely avoid contact with other people as much as possible. She must have felt betrayed then. She vehemently distrusted teachers except for Macao-san since she knew him ever since she was a child. She doesn't associate herself with anyone" Mavis carried on.
Lucy felt down. "Cana. . ."
She looked up her emerald eyes unfaltering. "We must do something. If this continues she won't be able to widen her view of the world. Right now, she and those students must be on their illusionary haven thinking they found a place where they belong, where they found people that understand and the same as them. Well, that's certainly true but it won't last long. They won't have any stronghold once they reach the world outside the school's reach!
"I want them to develop into people who can stand on their own. I don't want them to stay at their nest forever. I want them to fly higher than the clouds, without anyone or anything stopping them. I know they can do it, but they should see that too. All of them should see that. From rough stone they will shine brightly as jewels of stars in heaven. And the next generation will see their effort and will do the same. I want to light the way that will lead them to that path."
"That's a nice dream" Lucy told her. "No matter who they are, no matter the circumstances. You want to show them that it is possible. You can fly freely and see the whole wide world for yourself. That will be hard though. So what's with the plan?"
Lucy smiled, her eyes full of spirit.
Mavis noticed and smiled. "It's alright we will certainly help her in some way. Not only her, but also the whole class. You see, my plan is to have a club that would help others. With this, we will be able to connect people to class F and there may come an understanding that will clear misconceptions people have with them. Your classmates will also have the chance to connect to the world."
"So you want a club that helps everyone? Hmm. You want Cana to be the president of that club, aren't you?" she guessed.
"Correct. She was the most qualified. Aside from the qualities of a leader, she also had everyone's high respect. They would listen to her. Most importantly, since you can arguably say that she got the worst treatment she can empathize with everyone much more than any other. Also, no one will argue that she doesn't understand them. She was the ideal one".
Lucy noticed that there was a hint of pride as she said that. "Ne, have you tried convincing Cana yourself? You know her much longer than I do, right? She will trust you more".
Mavis expression darkened. Her face shadowed by her bangs.
". . . I already did."
Her voice was barely audible. She decided not to delve deeper into it. She doesn't want to see her with such a sad expression.
"Alright! I'll convince her" she said grinning. Mavis expression effectively brightened. "You will? Have you figured something out?"
"Nope. I have no idea" she answered. She saw Mavis expression turned 'how-can-you-be-so-confident!?' look. She laughed. "Don't worry! I'll think of something. There's always a way!"
Remembering that sparked her spirits again. "Cana, even if you say no. I won't give up. I'll definitely have you make this club with me. I won't back down just like that. I made a promise." she told her.
Cana saw her eyes filled with resolution. She frowned, feeling guilty on having to be the one to break the spirit she was carrying. She sighed.
"Lucy just give it up. What you're doing is useless" she told her.
"No! You won't know until you try!"
"LUCY!"
She flinched at the sudden shout.
Cana took a breath then exhaled. "You just don't get it do you? It's not really a matter whether I wanted to or not. Even when I said yes and agree, what you want won't happen."
"What do you mean? "
. . . O . . .
Macao was on the alone, preparing the next lesson when Lucy burst into his room.
"Sensei! Is it true!?"
"What!? What true? Wait Lucy, is that you? You didn't even knocked!" he reprimanded her, fixing the memos and papers that scattered as she entered.
Lucy slammed her hands at the table. "We can't even make our own club!? What's up with that rule!? Isn't that discrimination against us students!?"
Macao looked at her for a moment then sighed. "So you've heard about that, huh?" he eased his self at the chair.
"Sir! Why can't we? We all had rights and freedom to create our own groups and organization! Why can't we have a club!?"'
"Don't yell at me. As for that rule, it had long been decided that we can't let any students of class F have a club of their own" he told her.
"And are you among those who decided that?" Lucy was angry. She thought he was a good teacher. Cana trusted you a lot too.
He sighed heavily again. "Whether I agree or not doesn't matter, it's the majority that counts".
She was at least relieved that their homeroom teacher wasn't one of those people. "But that's stepping on our rights. . ." she complained. She had not expected this.
"Lucy, they do have a reason on putting students from class F out. It was before you came, there were those who decided to form a "mystery club". Later, when they inspected the club activities, they found out that they were using it for a "base" and wasting club funds for nonsense stuff. Teachers don't really trust them in the first place, and that incident had caused for them to be more . . . Well, you know what happened.
"It wasn't much of a problem since they are not interested in it in the first place. If you really wanted a club, you can just join other clubs. They won't stop students from joining other clubs, in fact, I encourage it".
"You know that other clubs won't accept us!" she told him. Isn't that why they were never interested in the first place?
Macao looked at her incredulously. "That's ridiculous. Why wouldn't they?"
He doesn't know. She realized. He doesn't know her class standing to other students. Being a teacher, matters such as reputation and gossips of students wouldn't normally reach his ear. Even if it did, it would seem like a small matter and gloss over it.
She was about to say something when someone knocked.
"Ah, come in" Macao said. And a lady with long scarlet hair came in. She was wearing a red blazer and a blue skirt. She has fierce brown eyes and an upright attitude. Lucy recognized her immediately. She remembered when she first came to class F and how she went around disciplining other students.
"Oh, Erza. What brings you here?"
"Sir, I'm just here to inform you that Zodiac will be arriving tonight. Also, your class was misbehaving again. They tried to shoot fireworks in the school grounds without permission".
Macao groaned at that. Lucy sweated.
Erza noticed her. "Oh, who's this?"
"I-I'm Lucy Heartfilia, ma'am!" she straightened. This girl just gives off a very intimidating aura.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Lucy-san. I am Erza Scarlet, from class S." she greeted.
"The pleasure is mine" she answered back. Looking at Erza like this gave her a nicer impression. She looked scary at first but she seemed very nice. She was also very beautiful.
"Umm. How are they?" Lucy asked.
"Hm? Who?" Erza asked, not knowing who she was pertaining to.
"My classmates. They were shooting fireworks. . ." she clarified.
Erza's eyes widened. "Oh! You were the new transfer student! I heard you from Gray and Jellal."
"Hm? You were friends with them?" Now that Lucy thought about it. She did saw them together at the principal's office and off school grounds.
"Yes, I am. I am the manager of their band"
"EH!? Heaven's Tail manager!?" She didn't expect that their manager would be Erza Scarlet.
"You've heard about our band, huh?" Erza looked pleased.
"Argh! Now I have to write another report for them. This is the seventh time this week already!" Meanwhile, Macao was writing about his class behaviour. "I presume they were in the infirmary?"
"Some, though the others escape. I have confiscated the fireworks though".
"I'm sorry about that. . ." Lucy sighed. In a way, she also felt at fault. After all, you could say that she was the reason why they were feeling so festive.
"Oh, you don't have to feel that way. They were the one who initiated it." Erza told her.
Macao stood up. "I have to go to the infirmary before the head nurse start complaining at the principal. Erza, come with me. I'll need you in case those students start causing another ruckus".
"Yes sir!"
"Lucy, about what we were talking about earlier. Just look for a club to join in. Even if you send in an application letter, it will just get rejected. You can't make an official club." And with that, Macao and Erza left.
. . . O . . .
Lucy was aimlessly walking on the school grounds. She sighed. 'How did I even end up in this situation?'
Now that she thought about it, the real reason why she was here in the first place was because of Loke. Ever since coming here, she hadn't seen a sign of him. 'I wonder how he's doing. . . Is he really here? What would he do in this kind of situation?'
She didn't realize that she ended up in front of the music room. She looked around, there was no one in the area.
She took a deep breath and opened the room. No one else was inside. The piano stood there alone with the other instruments.
She smiled sadly. Right, if Loke was here, he would definitely sing her a song to calm her. Then they would talk about their problems.
Lucy sat in the corner of the room, crying. Then the door opened. "Lucy! Here you are! What are you doing here alone? Layla-san is looking for you."
She quickly tried to wipe away her tears. She doesn't want to be seen crying by him. He walked closer to her though. "Are you crying?"
She remembered that fond memory as she walked closer to the piano.
"So what if I'm crying? uhhh. . . It was Mama's fault. . . *hic* she's a . . . *hic* . . . she's a liar! She said if I did good and get good grades. . .papa will . . . papa will . . . uwaaah!" she cried.
Loke looked at her, panicked. He doesn't know what to do when a girl cries. He then took his green jacket and covered her with it. "There there. Don't cry. I'm here."
"Uwaah! Go away! You're a liar too! You said Santa is real! Uwaah!" she cried.
"Ah. . eh. . . you heard that, huh?" he sweated. He only said that to Lyra because she was crying about it.
She turned her back on him. "I don't need liars!"
"I'll never lie to Lucy!" he claimed.
Lucy stayed quiet for a while . . . then turned to him. "*sniff* how. . . how can I know that's *sniff* . . . that's not a lie too?"
"It's not! I'll give you my word!"
"Really?"
"Really!" he nodded his head.
She smiled. That was after her birthday. She was sad that her wish didn't come true. She was so disappointed because she thought that the small wish she was always asking every Christmas and birthday cakes would come true on that day. But it was also the day they became friends.
"B-But. . . uuuhhh. . . uhhh. . . uwaah!" Lucy cried again now that she remembered why she was crying.
"Wah!? Why are you still crying?" Loke asked.
"Because. . . because. . . everything else is a lie. . . uuh. . . A-All I've done . . . they were for nothing! Uwaah! I-I made Libra-chan cry when I beat her at the test. . . *sniff* T-The s-singing contest . . . They were. . . they were . . . they were all for nothing!"
"No they're not! You did well. Everyone was happy and you like it too. Nothing's wrong with it! And I . . . I like it when I see you sing and every time you smile the most because . . . you . . . you were shining" he looked down on his last words, trying to hide his blushing face.
"T-That's sounds like a lie . . ."
"I-It's not! I told you I will never lie to you! So . . . don't cry."
"O-Okay" but she can't stop herself crying. "J-Just wait. . .uhhuhh . . . I can't . . . stop . . . my tears . . . uhhuuh"
He took her hand and pulled her along. "Then come with me."
"Where we going?"
He grinned at her. "Don't you know? Tears will dry faster in the sun?"
She only looked at him.
Her fingers brushed at the keys. She sat and then began to play.
He had taken her in the church. The sunlight passing through the stained glass windows made colorful lights on the hall. There on the side of the hall was the old piano used for the choir. Loke took her there and sat on the piano.
"I calm down every time I play some song you know" he explained. He pressed a few keys and then began to play a tune. Lucy watched him. He cleared his throat and sang.
"There's an open sky,
And a reason why,
You shine, shine your way,
There's so much to learn,
And now it's your turn,
To shine, shine your way "
Lucy knew this song. Loke looked at her and beckoned her to come closer and play along with him.
"There's a feeling deep inside,
You can let it be your guide,
To find, find your way,
And there's no time for us to waste,
Got to take a leap of faith,
And fly, fly away"
She sat down next to him and together they played the piano. Later, she sang along with him too.
Remembering that song made her thought things through. Maybe, just maybe, she could help. There was still something she could do. She sang the next lines.
"Don't have to walk,
Now you can run,
Nothing can get in your way"
She and Loke sang the next lines.
"All of your tears will dry faster in the sun,
Starting today,
Shine, shine, shine
Shine your way"
. . . o . . .
Gray was walking on the school grounds. He was one of those people who managed to escape Erza. "I knew we were going to get caught. I told them to do it at the rooftop, at least. Stupid fire-maniac!" he scowled. He knew the yard was easy to spot so they got caught easily.
"Morning is breaking,
Darkness is fading,"
He was just on the way to the music room to practice when he heard the melody. 'What? No one was supposed to be there' he thought. There was no one who practices there at this time but him.
. . . o . . .
"We found a way to the light,
It's such a beautiful sight"
Lucy was in the rhythm now, singing that beautiful dream.
"Any time, anywhere,
Turn around and I'll be there,
To shine, shine your way"
Loke sang, smiling as he looked at her. Remembering that inspired her.
Like a star burning bright,
Lighting up the darkest night,
I'll shine, shine your way
Young Lucy looked at him. Her tear-streaked face smiled back.
"Now I can see,
You are the one,
Sent here to show me the way"
Gray's eyes widened at the beautiful voice.
"All of your tears will dry faster in the sun"
Lucy sang.
"Starting today,"
"Shine, shine, shine,"
Gray hurried his pace.
"We're on our way"
"Shine, shine, shine"
Loke's smile became wider he was almost laughing.
"That's what we say"
"Shine"
"shine"
"shine"
"Shine your way"
. . . o . . .
Gray opened the window . . . to find no one inside.
He entered the room and looked at the old piano. The song was still echoing at his ears. Such an amazing voice. . .
"I wonder who that girl was. . ."
. . . o . . .
Upon the end of the song, her mind cleared and an idea sparked on her mind. Lucy had quickly left to look for Cana and Mavis.
She had found the brunette outside the old school building. She called at her.
"Lucy, where have you gone off to? We can't have the star of the day be absent at her own party, you know?" Cana said.
Lucy stopped at her tracks, panting. "Before that. . . Cana, will you help me?"
Cana looked at her. "Huh? Did you get into another trouble? Sure, I'll help"
"Really? At anything?"
"Uhh, yeah. What is this about?" she frowned.
"Then make the club with me!"
"What!? I thought I already told you. Any application passed will just be rejected. Just give it up. You can't make any official club." Cana was surprised that she still hadn't given up on that subject.
"Who said it have to be an official club?"
"Huh?" Cana looked at her incredulously.
Lucy looked at her with determined eyes. "Let's make an unregistered club! A club that will help out students! We don't need approval from others to do that!"
That was her answer.
"Anyway, you said you'll help so let's meet after I talk with Mavis!"
Before Cana could react or gave any comment, Lucy had run away.
The brunette sighed. "I can't believe how she can be so adamant about it . . . and you too."
Her gaze shifted to the front door of the building.
"Why are you staying quiet over there, Mavis?"
Behind the door was the blonde child with emerald eyes. "Pfft. . . Ehehehe . . ."
"Wait, are you laughing?"
"Ehehehe. Sorry. I can't help but laugh. She got you there . . . fuhuhu . . . I knew I could count on her." The child was trying to stifle her laughter.
Cana sighed. "I can't believe this. Why are you so stubborn about this? You even involved Lucy in it."
Mavis opened the door and faced her. "She was the perfect piece. You saw it too, ne?"
"Her aura was certainly radiant. But it felt like dark clouds were surrounding her. . . What are you planning, Mavis?"
Mavis only smiled. "Everything is for my dream, Cana."
. . . O . . .
The raven-haired lad lied on his sofa, thinking. The song was still echoing at his ears. Such a beautiful voice . . .
His phone vibrated and he checked who was calling. He didn't know if he should scowl or sigh upon seeing the caller ID. Still, he answered it.
"Finally calling back, huh?"
"Sorry, sorry. I have to turn my phone off, you know. Diana keeps on calling me," his friend answered back from the phone.
"I take it you've finished your business?"
"Yeah. I just got back from Crocus . Thanks for waiting! I just got down from my flight, I'm on the station now" the man on the phone said, he was wearing a black suit with a red tie.
"Attention: The train to Magnolia Town is arriving. All passengers please step behind the yellow line and wait until the doors opened"
"Whoops! The train's coming. I'll catch up with you later!" he told him as the train approaches.
"Oi! Wait a minute! You're not even saying sorry for the sudden leave? You got us worried you might not make it in time!" Gray protested at him.
"Ah, about that. . . Sorry, sorry. I did come as soon as possible" the guy said with that half-assed attitude.
'As expected' Gray thought. He doubted he came as 'soon' as possible. Most likely, he played around with some girls and after getting bored came back. Well, he did get back a bit on him for that.
"Ah, that's right we got a new transfer student. And before you ask, yes, it is a girl. And I'm warning you now. Don't attack her. She's our classmate. She's not someone you should lay your hands on. Keep your tendency to yourself". He warned him. This guy can be such a pain . . .
He sound amused to hear that. "Oh really? Interesting. I wonder what kind of girl she is to have the Ice Prince fuss about her."
"Oh please, stop kidding around. And I'm serious here"
"Ahahaha. Still as cold and serious as ever, Gray? You won't get a girl in that way" he teased.
"Like I need one, I have more than enough fill on that matter. And don't change the subject! I don't need to have you cause any more trouble with girls. Erza's full of it."
The train then passed and slowly reached to a stop. His long spiky orange hair swayed in the wind.
The man only smiled. "The train just passed by so I didn't hear you properly. I got to go now. The girl seems interesting. See ya!"
"Leo –!"
He cut him off by turning off his phone. Smirking as the doors opened.
Leo Zodiac has entered the stage.
. . . o . . .
