Lucy knew Natsu was lying when he said he wasn't jealous, she though it was sweet, but he could have been honest with her. She wasn't looking forward to see her father, who ever he was going to marry her off to she still wouldn't like it, and the punishment he hadn't told her yet. She knew it was going to be bad but she wasn't going to get married to someone she wouldn't love, getting married only to save her father's company, she rather take on the punishment.

She was scared though, she told herself over and over that whatever he was going to do to her couldn't be as bad, but really, she knew it would be knowing her father he'd do anything for money, even if he had to marry her off. She knew he never actually loved her, he never cared about her, did nothing to calm her down when her mother died, the only thing he did do was yell at her when ever she wanted to talk to him, and then when he called saying he needed to talk, she actually thought he changed, even if she left only for a few months for school. She shouldn't have gotten her hopes up though, inside she knew he'd never change and that made her sad the most. The only thing she always wanted was her fathers love, but now she has something else.

Her thoughts turned to Daren, she noticed how everyone acted when she entered the cafeteria, how when Natsu meets him he acts like Daren's some threat who needs to be taken down. They were hiding something from her, the only thing they did tell her is not to hang out with him. And she wasn't, at least not on purpose. Which brought her back to her father. Ever since she left the house after telling her she's to get married, she hasn't been paying much attention to any of her friends. She talked to them yes but she hasn't really listened to a single word the said to her. She hoped they didn't notice.

It was Christmas Eve, everyone met at the pier, Erza found a nice restaurant. It was two stories high, the floor made of marble, the walls were decorated with ornaments, and a huge christmas tree was in the back corner, covered in bright colored lights and shining ornaments, presents underneath. A long table was set for them in the back. Natsu took a seat next to Lucy. Gray next to Juvia who sat next to Mira who sat with Elfman and Lisanna. Gajeel sat between Levy and Erza. Loke sat between Erza and Gajeel.

" So what are your plans for tomorrow? Anything special?" Mira asked.

" Nope, just hanging out with my parents." Natsu said.

" Juvia wants to be with Gray." Juvia said. Gray smiled.

" Sure."

" Wait are you two together?" Lucy asked.

" Yup"

" W-why didn't you tell us?" Erza asked.

" I didn't think it was important besides we were to busy tra-" Gajeel stepped on his foot.

" He means that he was too busy thinking of what to do for Christmas."

" Anyway how about we give out presents?" Loke suggested getting up.

Natsu went to Lucy and shoved a red box with a green ribbon in her hands.

" For you, your probably too old for this stuff but I heard girls like cute things, and well it was there so I got it." Lucy opened it. Inside was a stuffed dog like animal with a carrot for a nose.

" Thanks its really cute, but when did you have time to get this?"

" Well I was with my sister during Thanksgiving, she wanted to go shopping and dragged me along, I thought I'd save it for Christmas since I didn't know what else to get." He shrugged.

" Thanks." She noticed Gajeel behind Natsu holding something green. Mistletoe. He was standing above and behind Gray and Juvia sticking it on the roof.

" Hey Gray look above you." Loke shouted. Everyone turned to see.

" You guys have to kiss!" Gajeel said.

Gray hesitated. Juvia was blushing.

" Be a man and do it!" Elfman yelled.

" Fine." Gray moved closer to kiss Juvia, it was short, they were both red.

" You call that a kiss?" Loke asked.

" We're not use to doing it in public."

" Well you should get use to it."

The party lasted until midnight. By then everyone left with their parents. Lucy walked back to the school to find a limo waiting for her.

It was Christmas evening, Lucy waited in her room for her father. He said he was going to tell her more about the marriage today, but he hasn't talked to her since she arrived. She guessed he was going to say it at dinner. Her maid Virgo came in.

" Mistress your father is waiting in the dinning room."

" Thank you Virgo I'll be down soon."

When she arrived downstairs her father was doing the usual when she was home, reading the newspaper. When she sat down he looked up. He was trying to smile, but failed. He put the newspaper down on the table.

"I've thought over your marriage and I've found the right person, his family is wealthy," he said," You will get married to Daren Yamanashi."

Daren? Daren was the guy everyone told her to stay away from, the guy Natsu hated, and the one that liked to talk to her. She knew him but she didn't know him enough, if everyone hated him there was probably something wrong about him. She wasn't going to get married to him.

" I will not."

" Young lady I will not tolerate this behavior any more!"

" What behavior all I'm saying is that I will not get married to someone I barley know!"

" You will do as I say, I'll give you one last chance, answer wisely."

She didn't hesitate to answer right away. " I refuse to get married father and that's final."

Her father stood up and turned around.

" Then I will have to punish you, for disobeying me, maybe it'll change your mind. I'm disowning you."

Her mouth dropped. " You can't do that. I'm not even 18 yet!"

" You will be soon, you have until the end of this year. Maybe you could reconsider by that time."

She shook her head," I don't care, I'm not getting married," Besides I'd be better off without you! She screamed in her head.

" Don't come to me again until you change your mind."

He can't do this if he gets rid of me he can't continue his company. But she knew he would. Anyone who disobeyed her father was fired. He'd do the same to his daughter too.

" Fine, Good-bye father." She left.

She wasn't planing on telling anyone. But she needed help, and she knew one person she could trust the most. She'd tell him, and he might help her. No she knew he'd help her no matter what. They were friends after all.

~End of Chapter~

Okay this wan't as long as I hoped it would be. But I hope you liked this chapter.

Please review