"Gray there better be a good excuse for why you didn't bring your assignment!" the english teacher yelled.
"Um... Well... I forgot to do it?" Gray responds. Gajeel was across the room, trying not to laugh.
"So you're saying nothing interesting happened over your vacation?" the teacher challenges.
"Um... Pretty much? All I really did was work." Of course that was a lie. Juvia played a big part in his vacation, but he didn't want to mention her because there'd most likely be more questions. The bell rings saving him from an almost certain demise. The teacher sighs.
"Have it in tomorrow or it'll be counted as a zero." Gray nods, grabs his bag, and rushes out of the classroom.
"Hey stripper." Gajeel sneers when Gray leaves. "You're gonna be in big trouble."
"Shut up Gajeel. I barely did anything over vacation, you can't blame me."
"Yeah well sucks to be you." he laughs. "Hey did ya hear? Two new students are coming next week."
"Yeah it feels like everyone is talking about it." Of course he knew because the babbling bluenette wouldn't stop talking about it. He was glad that she was excited, but he was more worried her hopes would be crushed when she realizes how awful school is. But then again, maybe she was ignorant enough to think it's fun, but Gray wasn't betting on it.
"Wanna play a prank on their first day?" Gajeel asks. Gray bites his lip. He didn't want to see Juvia the victim of one of Gajeel's pranks. She was most likely going to be having a bad enough time without a prank.
"Nah, let's not." Gajeel stares at Gray like he had two heads.
"Are you feeling alright? You've never passed down a prank before!"
"I was just thinking that Ur would kill me and probably cut my pay if I got detention. I'm a bit broke right now so money is a must." it wasn't a lie. If he got caught, Ur would be furious.
"Whatever, your loss." Gajeel shrugs. "Anyways, I've been meaning to ask, you signing up for football again this year?"
"Maybe." Gray shrugs. Gajeel was the football team captain, known as Black Steel Gajeel since he was rarely knocked over and when he tackled, you could get seriously injured. A few years ago, Gajeel had dragged Gray into football. Gray did find he actually enjoyed it and became one of the star players. Of course that made his popularity soar, especially during season. Although, now he wasn't so sure since he had no idea how Juvia would react to his popularity.
"Geez you've gotten boring. I'm gonna drag you to tryouts wether you like it or not."
"Isn't that what you always do?" Gray rolls his eyes. "Anyways, I'm going to my next class. See ya."
"I'm home!" Gray calls. He expected the cheery Juvia to come running to him, or at least yell a greeting. Neither of them had work today so Juvia was definitely at home. He sighs before going to the bedroom. Juvia was asleep at the desk surrounded by papers and books. Gray sighs again before shaking her awake. Juvia bolts up, looking around wildly.
"Oh! Gray-sama! Welcome home." she yawns.
"Did you stay up all night again?" Gray asks. Since Juvia was starting school soon, she had years of knowledge to be made up. Ur had given her a week long vacation to study and (hopefully) catch up with the rest of the class. The only problem was that Juvia would stay up all night and day to work. This meant that she often fell asleep and was less attentive overall.
"Yes..." Juvia yawns again. "But Juvia is almost complete with this book!" Juvia sleepily holds out a practice workbook.
"Keep up the good work, but remember to sleep, OK?"
"Got it..." The doorbell suddenly starts ringing furiously. Gray sighs.
"I'm going to get that. Wait here, K?" Gray leaves the room. He makes his way to the front door and opens it. A familiar, and not pleasing, mop of pink hair was the first thing he saw. "No." Gray closes the door on Natsu.
"Wai- ow!" Natsu screams. Gray opens the door again and Natsu is hopping on one foot and holding the other. "Who closes the door on somebody's foot?!"
"Who puts their foot in front of a closing door?!"
"Now you have to let me in and give me some ice!"
"You injured yourself!"
"I just need some ice! You seem to have plenty in your heart."
"Ouch that's harsh man." Gray feigns hurt.
"Yeah well-"
"Natsu." a feminine voice comes from behind Natsu. Gray raises an eyebrow and looks behind Natsu. A girl with golden hair stood behind him.
"Oh! Sorry Luce!" Natsu laughs nervously and puts his foot back on the ground. Apparently it wasn't actually hurt, he was faking it. "Gray, this is Lucy. Lucy, this is Gray."
"Nice to meet you." Lucy smiles.
"Likewise. So you finally got a girlfriend?"
"What?! Luce isn't my girlfriend!" Natsu yells. "She's my friend that's a girl!"
"Whatever you say, man." Gray holds up his hands in surrender. "So why are you introducing me to her?"
"It's complicated. Can we come inside?" Gray rolls his eyes.
"Fine, I guess you can." Gray gestures for them to enter. Natsu walks in, throws off his shoes, and immediately makes himself at home. Lucy on the other hand, politely thanks him before scolding Natsu. "Can I get you guys a drink?" Natsu opens his mouth, but Lucy cuts him off.
"We're fine, thank you!" she smiles. Gray shrugs before going to the kitchen to pull a chair from there to the living room.
"So tell me why you're introducing me to Lucy?" Gray asks. Natsu and Lucy exchange looks.
"He's your friend." Lucy says. "I mean we just met today."
"OK fine. So Lucy is one of the new kids joining school next week."
"Oh cool. See ya around then." Gray responds. Lucy gives a polite smile.
"But I have basketball stuff. Do you think you can drive Lucy home the days I have practice." Natsu asks. Gray rolls his eyes.
"You came all the way to my house just to ask that?!"
"Sorry, but I mean Lucy doesn't know anybody and I doubt Gajeel would do it!"
"But why couldn't you call me or something? I don't even know where she lives!"
"I live with Natsu." Lucy replies.
"Thank you, Lucy... Wait you live with Natsu?!"
"That's the complicated part!" Natsu responds. "Yeah she lives with Igneel, Happy, and I! Got a problem with that?!"
"No! I'm just surprised is all!" A sudden creaking of the door, turns all heads towards the bedroom door. The wavy haired bluenette stood there, frozen in her spot.
"S-Sorry! Juvia just wanted to know what all the yelling was!" Juvia stammers, clearly embarrassed by being put on the spot.
"Um... No... It's fine..." Natsu responds, clearly surprised and puzzled by this strange girl. Lucy looked even more shocked.
"Juvia?! Juvia is that you?!" Lucy stands up and rushes over to the bluenette.
"Lucy?" Juvia asks. Gray and Natsu exchange looks, neither of them knew how to respond.
"Thank Mavis you're safe!" Lucy envelops Juvia in a hug.