Helloo ~ It's been a while but school started and I'm so tired. I get to my class 10 minutes late each day because I stay up late for anime.

I work on chapters every few hours while doing homework but it's just not enough!

Sorry D:

Chapter 10:

It's been a month since Rei had left. It almost seemed like he never existed in the first place. But the moment he arrived at his destination, he texted me, saying that he was alright, and that Levy was too. It all seemed like a dream, like it wasn't reality that Rei had been here. I missed him, I really did, but it felt like it didn't matter that he was gone.

I laid on my bed, my arms sprawled on my sides, I do this a lot, to just do nothing but think. I've thought of dyeing my precious scarlet hair, but it was too important to me. Maybe I could cut my hair short? I wasn't so certain about this, my hair was my treasure, it was all I had left of my mom, she used to have crimson-colored hair too. It was silk-soft and I loved to stuff my face between the strands of hair she had, it had made me feel safe.

It's almost been 10 years since I've come to live with the Fullbusters, I was four back then. It's quite surprising how everything changed. In the new school trimester, there are a lot of new transfer students. One has particularly caught my attention. I don't know him quite well yet, but since tenth grade started, Rei had always been in all my classes, and after he left, this guy came along. His name is Ayato. He's rather interesting, he's also become friends with Gray and his gang, I still don't know what I think of Ayato. So far, my impression of him is "good student".

At home, Amaya and Derek seem to be coming home less than usual, which leaves Gray and I to cook dinner for ourselves. Usually Gray avoids me, making dinner and then rushing upstairs with food, leaving me to eat by myself. I wish he wouldn't do that, I wish he could just be his usual self and laugh with me like we used to.

Natsu still talks to me, and so does Lucy. They're still happily together. Natsu tells me that Gray doesn't have eyes for anyone but me, I doubt it. Gray gets over crushes easily, especially if they're only for a short time period. I was probably just that crimson-haired girl who lives in the house, who he once kissed. He probably didn't care.

Gray's POV:

Erza was growing farther away from me. I frequently try to talk, it seems like all my attempts have fails. Maybe I should just stop. She probably finds me annoying. Mom and Dad have been away more, I don't know what Erza thinks when we're alone, so I'd rather not face her. Instead, I just run away to my room whenever we're supposed to be alone. It just doesn't make me comfortable anymore. I don't know Erza's true feelings, and she doesn't know mine, perfect.

/Time Skip: Grade Eleven /

With a yawn, I woke to the noise of my alarm clock beeping. Groaning, I slammed my fist down on the button of the clock. It was winter, yet I wasn't feeling cold at all, how odd. By now, Erza would be shivering, wouldn't she? That thought brought a smile to my face, but it disappeared as quick as it surfaced. I shouldn't think about her, she's not here anymore.

Oh yeah, that's right, Erza had gotten a part-time job and rented her own apartment. Apparently she had gotten a part-time job and saved up some money for a fairly-spacey apartment. Now, she was just a faded smell of strawberries and red velvet cake. Mom still invited Erza over once every month, so I got to see her, but just not as much. One more thing, Erza had a boyfriend now. My stomach twisted, I hated to think that Erza belonged to someone else. But then again, she never did belong to me.

The moment I got out of bed, I did all my business and immediately stuffed a piece of toast into my mouth and hopped on to my bike and raced towards the school. I didn't want to get to school early, I just wanted to see if I could find Erza, alone.

Erza's POV:

I was actually enjoying this feeling of solitary. Except, I wasn't completely alone. I had Ayato. He made me feel important, unlike other people. Rei was just the smell of cinnamon and fresh books, a wafting scent in my memories. I can't even conjure up his face anymore. Gray was just the smell of ice and mint, someone I used to love.

I got out of bed, made myself an omelette and packed my bento for school. I quickly jogged to school, my hair flying around me in the wind. I no longer used the bike Amaya had gifted to me, I wanted to part with anything that reminded me of them. As I arrived at the school gates, I could see the familiar mop of dirty blonde hair, and as I got even closer, I could see those mesmerizing emerald hues. Lucy had once asked me why I liked him so much, clearly, he was very different from Gray. I didn't want to explain then, I wasn't even quite sure why back then, but after we got together, I realized I only liked Ayato because he was nothing like Gray.

I greeted Ayato with a smile, he returned the smile. I liked that about him, he was never expressionless. As students started pouring in, I realized we were no longer going to be alone, so I grabbed his warm hand and pulled him into the school, trying to start a conversation at the same time. I could feel his eyes looking at me, that burning sensation. I was tempted to turn around, just to see if he was really watching. But thought against it, instead I hugged Ayato's arm, which was completely unlike me, and kept walking.

Gray's POV:

I know I shouldn't be jealous, but I thought I was supposed to be the one there, walking with her, in school. I cringed, I didn't deserve to think like this, I like her, she liked me. I should've realized earlier, I had a chance before, now, I was just.. that dude that she used to live with. It tore my heart up to think that I meant nothing to her anymore. That she didn't even bother to look at me.

Yay finally updated.

byebye ~

(edited)