Where we left off:

"Yeah, sure." He stated. After he ate he left and I was left to ponder if my fate was going to change. Was I made to always feel alone, or could I change that. The answers swarmed in my head as I shut the lights off. I was glad the goodbye was long with Natsu because it would be the only one for a long time.


LUCY

Well, I could say my morning was absolutely uneventful, but that would've been a huge lie. Apparently my house staff told my father that I had played the piano again and well he had actually joined me for breakfast which was just weird for me. However, when I ate I was absolutely sure he could see the drowning sadness deep in my eyes. When I was done eating I had to go to school and the thing is I really didn't want to.

However, there was no choice. I knew even if my father had seen just how upset I was that he would always send me off with his demeaning look on his face. Though if he could see how upset I was he wouldn't try to talk to me about it either. He'd just pretend like I was the child who never existed as per usual.

With that knowledge in my mind before class I got up out of my seat and then walked out without saying a single word to my father. Not a 'See you later.' nor a 'Have a good day.' All I wanted to think about was how absolutely tired I was from the night before. Capricorn pulled the car around and I got in right before he sped off towards the school and let me out a block before school. One thing I wasn't expecting was the head of pink waiting for me, "Heya, Luigi!" He grinned and then the grin faded when he realized I wasn't talking to him. He looked me in the eyes, but all he got from me was a pleading look that was the pure picture of a cry for help before I walked away.

He followed behind me and I could tell he wanted to try to talk it out of me because he kept talking, but I didn't answer until we got to school, "Shut up, Natsu. Seriously, I'm fine. Just tired and considering I get angry when I'm tired you should really leave me alone."

I ran into the school and even when Sting tried to conversate I didn't even talk to him. I knew Natsu would be watching from a distance, but it wasn't until Sting said something, "Hey, Luce. Why the long face. Something go wrong with daddy Heartfilia?"

My dead eyes formed a scowl and my right hand seemed to connect with is face, "Say something to me again today and we are going to have a murder at the school, got it!?" I yelled at him and then slammed my locker shut as he fell to the floor.

I stomped my way to homeroom where I was simply steaming. No one approached me except for Levy which I thought was totally acceptable, "Lu, are you alright? You look a little.. I don't know... peeved?" She asked raising an eyebrow, "It's not like you."

My eyes met Levy's and then looked at Natsu and then my face hit the desk, "I'm fine. Why does everyone keep asking that?"

"Well, because you aren't acting fine, Lu. You are acting like you have something to hide and we want to help you. Let us." She said softly as she placed her bangs behind her ear, "Please?"

I hated the way her voice sounded hurt. I didn't want Natsu to know because he would lose his mind in math. So, I did the only thing I could think of, "Meet me in the bathroom during Lunch and I'll explain, okay? Just you and you can't tell anybody, okay?" I said looking up at her with desperate eyes.

She nodded, "I promise. Not a soul will know." Levy smiled and it made me gain a small smile of hope.

"Good because I'm going to need a friend." I said softly and then held my hand out to her and we shook on our oath of secrecy. Though when I glanced at Natsu he looked almost hurt like he knew what was going on already. Like it had happened before.

He looked at me and for a brief moment we made eye contact. The anger on his face was evident. His eyebrows were pulled together and his hand was gripping at his pencil like he was really trying to hold himself back. It made me feel bad that I couldn't talk to him to comfort him. I wanted to tell him everything was alright, but I didn't know that to be a fact. So, I couldn't tell him anything.

I gulped and then I heard Levy ask the question that was on my mind as well, "Natsu, are you alright? I haven't seen you this worked up since..." She cut herself off because he looked a little down and the way he immediately looked at me said a lot, "Oh." She said, looking at me and then back at Natsu, "Did you guys have a fight or something last night when you were studying?"

I shook my head, "No... Not at all. My issue is a little more personal at this point. I'm fine." I looked down at my desk and then shut my eyes like I was shutting flood gates. I didn't want to pull anyone into this. Besides, Levy couldn't hurt a fly or so I hoped. However, all the color and warmth was being pulled right from underneath me again. I had to get out of the room so I stood up quickly and then ran. The whole room got silent.


NATSU

I was angry, sure, but I wasn't about to let her get herself hurt. I cared about her. Lucy was one of the best friends a guy could ask for. Yeah, she had a lot of emotional damage from her past, but I wanted to be there for her. Especially after last night, I never wanted to see her that bent up again. I looked at Levy, "Hey, Levy. Can I ask you to do something for me?"

"Uh, yeah, I guess." She responded and I knew if I asked I would get what I wanted.

"Can you tell me whatever she tells you in the bathroom? Please, it's important." I pleaded with her, "I need to know. She's hurting, Levy."

"She is stronger than she looks, Natsu, but sure. I'll tell you whatever she tells me." Levy nodded and then smiled, walking over to Gajeel.

After that Gray walked over and started a fight with me and Juvia seemed pretty into that as she was cheering for her boyfriend. I was winning though up until Erza stepped in and the fear was instilled into both of us as we hugged and Erza was pleased.

The remainder of the day was much the same until I got to English and saw Sting with a large shiner forming on his left eye. I, of course, knew that Lucy had punched the jerk earlier in the day. It was kind of pleasing to see, "Man, you got messed up." I smirked, "That's what you get for pissing off the wrong person." I said as I flipped the bird at him and then turned around.

Sting had the bigger smirk on his face, "So, how is Luce doing?" He seemed to like how I tensed up and looked back with a smile on my face.

"Well, Luigi is fine. I don't know who this Luce person is." I smiled and then the conversation ended as I steamed. That and I was lucky that the teacher had started talking otherwise, I don't know what would've happened. Though, I was tempted to slam my pencil into his throat, but that could wait.

English passed quickly and then it was off to Chemistry. We had a lab to work on in class and Lucy didn't show up until the middle of class with a note from the nurse. I don't know why she would've went to the nurse, but hey at least she was alright and her smile was back, "Luigi! Come on. We gotta finish this. I'm half way done."

I watched her form a smile that didn't meet her eyes, "Yeah, of course. Let's work."


LUCY

As we worked on our lab Natsu asked me a question, "So, what happened to you?" I didn't know what he was referring to so I raised an eyebrow and he elaborated, "I mean, where did you come from? What happened to you?"

I shrugged, "I went to the nurse because I wasn't feeling very well. I had some trouble sleeping last night, so she let me sleep for a few hours." I looked down at what I was doing.

"Well, that explains the puffy eyes and the fact you weren't in class. You were clearly crying weren't you?" Natsu spoke with concern and I just shrugged and kept working.

"Don't know what you're talking about, Natsu. I wasn't crying." I replied, "Don't worry about it. It doesn't concern you."

"I'll have you know as your friend it concerns me." He said with a hissing tone to his voice and that made me go on edge, "I get it you can't tell me what's wrong, but I can tell by the way you are acting. You aren't a very convincing liar, Luigi."

"Okay, something is wrong and I don't want to talk about it, okay? It's not a big deal and I can handle myself." I gave him a warning look that said to back off, "Besides, if anyone has to get hurt I would rather it be myself than you or anyone else." I said under my breath, but just loud enough where he could hear.

He looked at me with widened eyes and then glared, "Just tell me Lucy!" He yelled through a whisper, "I care about you. If last night didn't prove that than what else can I do to prove it. I will be here for you. You just got to tell me what's wrong."

I bit my lip and shook my head, "No, I can't tell you anything. It would hurt too much." I kept working and then sighed and gave him my notes so he could study, "Please don't ask again, okay?"

I could tell he got the message, "Fine, but I will find out eventually. I don't care how much it's going to hurt. If it has something to do with Sting I already know what he does." He stated and I cringed, "Lisanna told me.." I looked at him and then down at the table, "It's why she moved away."

I felt my entire body run cold and rigid. My eyes went wide and I starred at Natsu, "No... I won't go anywhere. I promise."


After chem I ran to the bathroom closest to the cafeteria. I left Natsu in the dust and waited for Levy to enter. I had to tell her the secret and what was happening with Sting. Upon her entrance I jumped in surprise, "Oh, Levy. You scared me." I stated and then I took a deep breath, glad that it was her and there was no one else.

"I told you I'd meet you, didn't I?" She chuckled and then leaned against the sink, "So, what is it that's bothering you?"

I gulped, "Okay, long story short is I'm being blackmailed with a secret from my past. Sting found out and now I just... He said that I can't talk to Natsu anymore and I just.. I don't know what to do. He is forcing me into a relationship with him and I'm scared. I haven't felt this empty since my mother died, Levy." I gripped the sink and didn't notice the gold light that seemed to be radiating from me. It's a story from my child hood, but only so many people are bless with the gift of light.

Levy's eyes widened, "You are a child of the light? Lucy, your mom... She.. oh. I'm guessing your dad knows, right."

I nodded, "The light died when my mother died and it only comes when I need it most if I get cut off from people it doesn't work. It only works if there are people around me who love and care about me. I'm guessing that's why Sting wants to cut me off. Usually the most cheerful people are blessed with this gift. Apparently it's because I'm the child of an angel. The gift has run in my family for generations. These days it's hard to even get a spot of light to come from me without me getting a huge headache afterwards."

Levy nodded, "It's a very rare gift indeed. I didn't even know magic still existed. I knew it was a things hundreds of years ago, but to see it now." She couldn't tell Natsu this. He wouldn't even believe it if it left her lips, "Wait if you are a child of an angel does that mean that your mother was one?"

"No, the Heartfilia angel is not of this world anymore. My family just inherited the trait. Apparently, my family is the only family left with the trait because the others were wiped out. When the light is snuffed out the person with the trait becomes hollow and it becomes very hard to reignite the light again. It's like giant electrical circuit, if everything was broken. It takes time to fix. Usually what happened to my mother was her light was snuffed out and she became sick. Very sick. With some sort of incurable decease and it killed her. It happened from over exertion of the power she had. It was my fault she died. That's the secret. I killed my own mother." I explained and then looked down.

Levy nodded, "Lucy, it wasn't your fault if she was using her power because of you. It's not your fault. I know you feel that way, but no." She hugged me and then smiled, "I'm always here for you. I am your friend, so is Natsu, Gray, Loke, Mira, Lisanna, Erza, Juvia. We all love and care about you, okay?"

I sniffled and nodded, "I know. This situation is just delicate right now. We should go to Lunch... Everyone is probably waiting on us." I smiled softly and wiped my eyes quickly, "Let's go."

We walked to the lunch room and sat down next to each other and for the first time today the smile touch my eyes. Natsu was next to me and Levy on the other side of me. I never felt more tense or more happy that someone understood about my tense situation. Everything seemed to be perfect up until Sting showed up at the table. Everyone seemed to see how my attitude changed from happy to a little desperate, "H-hey Sting!" I squirmed out of his arms and then saw his eye and smirked, "That's gotta hurt.." I didn't like the look in his squinty looking eyes.

"Well, yes. It does, but that's okay, Luce." He smirked and then he sat down and then everyone saw how I nearly gagged at him using that name.

"Call me that one more time and I swear I'll make your right eye match your left." I muttered and opened up a notebook. I was happy that he wasn't looking at my hands under the table because I was writing a noted to Natsu. I crumpled it into a ball and lightly elbowed Natsu like it was some sort of accident, the paper landing right in his hand. Please help me. Get me out of here anything!

"Hey, Luigi. Didn't you say you were going to help Ice Freak with his art project today?" He commented and I was so thankful that Gray seemed to remember the project, "Right, Gray?" He urged like it was important.

"Right, Lucy we should start working on that." He agreed since he could sense the dark atmosphere around the table.

I nodded, "Oh my! Natsu is right! I totally forgot about that. Sorry Gray! I promised we'd go to the art room today." I got up with Gray and gave Natsu and Gray a thankful look. Then I shot a look at Levy a look of gratitude that was so beyond the other that I was sure everyone saw the relief.

Gray took my arm and led me out of the room asking, "Glad that's done with. What's with that guy?" He asked, only to see me shrug.

"No idea, but I'm just glad I don't have to look at him. Kind of glad that Natsu came up with that idea." I said with a sigh of relief, "Thanks for going a long with it."

Gray shrugged, "It's not a big deal. Besides, I really do need to get that project done with, so it worked out." He smiled slightly, "What kind of friend if I didn't pick up on that dark mood you were putting off all day anyways?"

I didn't want to admit he was right, but he was right, "Well, not a very good one I guess. I really want to make his right eye match his left though. It would bring me great pleasure." I smirked as Gray nodded.

"Trust me I think it would bring all of us great pleasure. Lisanna saw what you did to him earlier and it cheered her up too." He said, looking forward.

I knew I shouldn't have asked, but I needed to know, "So, what exactly happened between Lisanna and Sting? I don't mean to pry, but it's important."

He pulled up to the art room and got his supplies while explaining, "Well, a lot happened. It didn't exactly end happily on either side. She was blackmailed and eventually felt so uncomfortable that she had to leave town for a few years. I guess Sting finally let her out of his claws when he was done with her. She was really broken up when she returned. So, having him here again must feel like a stab in the back." He explained.

"Oh..." I said as I sat in a chair he placed me in and posed. He started working and we kept talking, "I'm sorry. At first I thought she hated me, but I guess that wasn't the case."

"No, Lisanna doesn't hate people, she just knew someone like you is vulnerable to stuff like this since you were so sheltered before." He said as he drew on a canvas, "She feels sorry for you."

I sighed and smiled, "She has no reason too. Me being sheltered was my own fault. My father is kind of protective of me." I watched him and then sighed, "Well, used to be."

"Oh..." He commented, "I get it. Nothing last forever does it." He smiled and then his smile dimmed and then sighed, "You don't have to tell me what happened. I won't make you, just know that we are all worried about you. It's like you put up a protective barrier and won't let any of us help you."

"Don't be silly, Gray. I wouldn't block people out. I just... It's not something I can explain." I commented and then the rest of the time was filled with comfortable silence.


NATSU

I looked at Levy and raised an eyebrow, "So? What did she tell you?" I asked in a whisper. I was hoping it wouldn't be very big, but it seemed it was going to be bad.

"Well, I don't think I can really tell you. Natsu, it was really personal. You wouldn't understand even if you tried, but if you really want to know it's Lisanna's case all over again." She whispered back, "I'm sorry, Natsu. There is really nothing you can do unless she takes care of this herself."

"No, I did nothing last time and look what happened. I need to do something this time. I have no choice." I sighed and then I glanced at the disappearing figure of Sting from the cafeteria, "I can't let this happen again. Not to her, Levy." I sighed and Lunch ended, "I already know what he'll do. He'll tell everyone anyways."

"I know, Natsu, but this is something she is really going to have to work through on her own." Levy stated as Gray and Lucy seemed to come back, "They are back and Lucy looks better.


LUCY

I returned to the table and smiled, "Hey, guys. Sorry about that. Thanks, Natsu." I gave him another look of thanks and then looked at Gray, "Thanks for cheering me up." I smiled and he bowed his head.

"Hey, Luigi, no problem. I got your back during math too." Natsu smiled and I rolled my eyes.

"Did you know that you are an idiot?" I asked him and then laughed and his eyes widened it was like she was blinding him.

"Yeah, I know. It's not exactly uncommon for me to be told that. Oh and by the way, I'm glad you are feeling better." He smiled soft and my heart melted. I could tell I was going to be okay by the flash of color that rushed into my eyes, "By the way, Can you actually tutor me in Chem?"

I smiled, "I promise and I don't break my promises." My smile turned into a grin and everyone seemed so light after that. I guess I found my way around Sting's unruly mess of rules. Besides, he didn't have to know that Natsu was coming over every day after school.

Levy gave Natsu a look, but I was happy and that's all that seemed to matter to her, "Sweet, see you at the same spot as yesterday?"

"Of course. My father will be home tonight, so just a warning in case he kicks you out." I smirked and then got up as the bell rang, "Time for Math, Natsu. I'll uh.. Talk to you after class I guess."


A/N: Hey everyone! Now you know the secret. You'll learn more about that in the next chapter. Yes, Natsu had clear perspective on how Sting ran around doing this to girls.

Anyways, Yeah, she did get around Stings tricks and schemes. I'll also explain more about the child of light thing. Natsu is going to eventually find out I don't know when or how, but he will. I promise.

REVIEWS:

31: Okay, Well, now you know the secret. She doesn't want to tell him she barely wanted to tell Levy. Natsu will find out, but when she is ready to talk about it. Natsu isn't going to feel the same hurt and that will make more sense in the next chapter if you continue to read the story. She knows just how much he is hurting. I promise, Natsu is more determined to get this to stop. Besides, there has gotta be some sort of conflict or this wouldn't work.

Much Love,

~StellarLucy