"Gajeel I can't believe you!" Juvia said irritated.
"What? You said that you always wanted to come to one of my shows." Her brother told her.
"Yes but I never said that I wanted to sing on stage."
"What's the big deal? You have a pretty set pipes."
"But I haven't sang a song since I was thirteen. I'm not even sure that I'm still any good besides I'm busy tonight."
"No Juvia don't you lie." Their mother Ur said. "The only thing you plan to do tonight is sit in your room and read. Why don't you go dear? You could meet Gajeel's friends and his girlfriend."
"Girlfriend?"
"How do you know about Levy?!" Gajeel said blushing.
"I'm your mother I know everything about you and it hurts me that you haven't introduced us to her."
"Well if Gajeel's girlfriend is going to be there tonight then maybe I will go." Juvia said with a teasing smile. "Oh wait I can't go, Dad wouldn't like it."
"I'll handle him you just go out with your brother and have a good time."
"Alright Mom, but I'll only go if Gajeel promises not to make me sing."
"Okay sis you win. I won't make you sing tonight."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
That evening when they arrived at where the concert was being held, Gajeel introduced her to his band mates but when the time came for him to perform he made an announcement.
"Hello Magnolia!" He exclaimed to the crowd through his microphone. "First of all I'd like to thank you folks for voting my band the most popular in town and to show my appreciation I have a very special treat for you all. Tonight you will have the privilege of hearing a new type of music song by a new singer. Put your hands together for my little sister Juvia."
"What?!" She squeaked before being pushed out on stage by Elfman and in front of the applauding crowd. She gave them a shy smile then nervously walked over to her brother and whispered in his ear. "Gajeel what do you think you're doing?"
"I'm giving you the spotlight." He whispered back to her.
"Gajeel you promised me that you wouldn't do this."
"I had my fingers crossed."
"Gajeel I'm gonna kill you for this!"
"Relax and just sing."
"But I can't sing your kind of music."
"I know that's why we're going to play your favorite song. Remember? The one you used to sing when we were kids."
"Gajeel please don't make me do this."
"Don't worry you'll be fine. Trust me."
Juvia sighed and thought for ba couple minutes.
"Gajeel I swear if I end up embarrassing myself you are so dead."
...
Gray had just arrived at the concert. He wasn't sure if he should be here. Gajeel had told him that Juvia would be singing tonight and that she still had a small crush on him which meant if she saw him here then she would most likely be fawning all over him. On the other hand though he had always liked hearing her sing, even when they were kids and he had always been curious about what her voice would sound like after all these years.
Part of him thought that she had probably lost her voice over the years and now she sounded awful. But if she sounded awful then why would Gajeel have her sing on stage in front of a crowd? He definitely wouldn't do it just to humiliate her so maybe she still sounded good. Then again nobody had heard her sing since she was thirteen years old so he didn't know for sure if she was still good also Gajeel wasn't exactly the sharpest knife in the drawer.
Then he heard soft music start to play followed by a voice that began to sing.
"Share my life
Take me for what I am
'Cause I'll never change
All my colors for you."
Gray looked toward the stage and saw that the singer was indeed Juvia.
"Take my love
I'll never ask for too much
Just all that you are
And everything that you do.
I don't really need to look
Very much further
I don't want to have to go
Where you don't follow
I will hold it back again
This passion inside
Can't run from myself
There's nowhere to hide
Don't make me close one more door
I don't want to hurt anymore
Stay in my arms if you dare
Or must I imagine you there
Don't walk away from me
I have nothing, nothing, nothing
If I don't have you, you, you, you, you."
She hadn't lost anything. Her voice had become more beautiful than ever and it was enough to soften even the hardest hearts.
"You see through
Right to the heart of me
You break down my walls
With the strength of your love
I never knew
Love like I've known it with you
Will a memory survive
One I can hold on to?
I don't really need to look
Very much further
I don't want to have to go
Where you don't follow
I will hold it back again
This passion inside
I can't run from myself
There's nowhere to hide
Your love I'll remember forever
Don't make me close one more door
I don't want to hurt anymore
Stay in my arms if you dare
Or must I imagine you there
Don't walk away from me
I have nothing, nothing, nothing."
Gray felt his heart pounding and his palms sweating. He felt hot and cold, he wasn't sure how that was possible but he was feeling both right now.
"Don't make me close one more door
I don't want to hurt anymore
Stay in my arms if you dare
Or must I imagine you there
Don't walk away from me
No, don't walk away from me
Don't you dare walk away from me
I have nothing, nothing, nothing
If I don't have you, you
If I don't have you, oh, oh."
When she finished the crowd appluaded her wildly. She had the voice of an angel and looks to match. Gray had never heard anything more beautiful in his entire life. He felt as if his heart was going to break right then and there.
He watched her exit the stage and as soon as she was gone Gajeel and his band started to play another one of his songs. Gray took this opportunity to slip backstage and see her though he wasn't sure what he would say to her. He still couldn't believe that little Juvia Lockser made him feel this way. Despite the fact that they were around the same age, he had always seen her as little girl but now he was seeing her as a young woman. A very beautiful young woman. It was so weird.
"Gray?"
He was snapped out of his thoughts when he heard her voice say his name in confusion.
"Juvia!" He gasped nervously.
"What are you doing back here?"
"I...I...I uh...I just wanted say hello. Heh, heh and uh...I heard you sing."
"Oh!" She said blushing. "You heard that? Oh...I must've sounded so silly up there."
"Are you kidding? You were wonderful."
"Thank you...So um...What do you think of my brother's music?"
"He's great. He's really improved on his lyrics."
"Yeah I know." She shyed away a little bit and looked down at her fingers which she was fiddling with. "Listen I was wondering... Would you like to...Come to lunch with me and my family tomorrow? My parents said that I could bring a friend."
"Sure what time?"
"Noon. You still remember where we live right?"
"Uh-huh."
"Good. See you there."
"You too."
R.I.P Whitney Houston
