Wow! i got a really good response to my last chapter for this story! At least 33 reviews you guys! Thank you so much!
Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail nor any other anime mentioned in this story.
Dear Journal,
So far, I've been doing well.
On Tuesday, I ducked behind a garbage can.
On Wednesday, I hid in someone's open locker.
Let me tell you, the boy that found me wasn't sure whether to be surprised or scared that someone had thought it was okay to take shelter in the place where he stores his school belongings.
And then yesterday, at the last minute, I jumped into the bushes.
So far, I've managed to avoid Gray and the rest of the A-Class Gang.
Now, all I have to do is do that for the rest of my high school life and then possibly move to Alaska to get a scholarship for a prestigious university there.
Then I will become a famous writer and look great.
Afterwards, when Gray approaches me, I will have enough self-confidence (and a reputation) to face him fully.
Until then…I'm going to be a ninja and hide.
Today, I walked in with a fake mustache with my hair hidden underneath a cap.
I was supposed to be a guy.
I guess the fact that I don't have a flat chest, I was wearing the girl's uniform, and my sweater is pink said otherwise.
All I got were curious stares and a few snickers.
"What the hell are you wearing?!" Cana asked me when I came into the school, and walked up to her.
We were gathered around our first class of the day.
Levy hadn't yet arrived.
"My name is Lucas. I'm new here."
"Cut the bullsh*t, Blondie! Do you honestly think I'm a dumbass enough to believe that sh*t?!" the brunette practically screamed in my ear as she ripped the caterpillar off my upper lip.
"Ow!" I yelped, nursing the stinging area with tears in my eyes.
My hair tumbled out of the cap as that too was ripped of my head.
It was the first time my hair was down for school. I hadn't had a choice.
If I had used a hair tie, the cap wouldn't have fit on my head.
"Look, Lucy. Why are you being so…so…overdramatic, about this all?" Cana asked me, placing her hands on her hips.
"Overdramatic?" I practically screeched. "Cana, I dumped Gray Fullbuster in front of the ENTIRE school. And to top it off, people now think I'm loony enough that I believe I have a herd of pet unicorns at home. I think that calls for a fake mustache, possibly a change of name, and a move to another country!"
The brunette crossed her arms across her chest." SO, WHAT DID YOU NAME YOUR UNICORNS?!"
Her voice was loud and clear.
I put my hand in my pockets.
Damn.
No coins today either.
"Lucy. This is life. You either accept it or get thrown out onto the curb to wait for your death."
"Is there another choice?"
"No. Now shut up as I'm trying to make my inspirational speech. My point is, if I catch you with garbage on your shoulders, in someone's locker, or with twigs in your hair AGAIN, I shall beat the crap out of you. You've got to face Gray sooner or later."
"But-!"
I stopped talking as a rush of voices flooded the hallway. I turned towards the front entrance of the school.
My heart filled with panic once I saw who it was.
Gray.
Damn it.
"Hide me!" I said frantically, covering my face and scooting behind Cana.
"You have got to be kidding me. There is no way you would be hidden behind me. Not even from the stupidest dumbass in the world."
"I don't know. You've gotten a little…wider…lately."
Apparently, this was the wrong thing to say.
The brunette grabbed onto my collar, pulled me forth, and shouted out, "Gray! Look who it is!"
Why?
Why me?
Why my life?
The black-haired boy turned towards us, and his eyes lit up when he saw me.
"Lucy!" he said, raising his hand in a casual greeting.
I had completely frozen up.
I couldn't even make my mouth work up into a smile.
He approached me with ease.
"What's the matter? OtakuGirl123 doesn't have anything to say to me?"
"It's OtakuGirl321 stupid ass!" I snapped immediately, stomping.
He smiled at me. I froze up again.
"Listen, Lucy…can I talk to you…in private?"
I looked around. The whole hallway was listening in on our conversation.
"Sure."
We walked together down the hall until we reached an empty classroom. He let me go in first, and followed me.
As soon as the door shut, an awkward silence descended upon us.
"So…" he said, the first one to break the silence. "I've…noticed you've been avoiding me recently."
"Avoided you?" I asked, mocking surprise. "Ah, no, no…no I haven't!"
"Really? Did you really not think I saw you jump into the bushes yesterday?"
"…"
"Exactly."
Another round of silence.
"Look, Lucy, just forget what I said on Monday. It doesn't matter."
"And what do you mean by that?" I asked. "You mean you were kidding about liking me?"
"No! I wasn't kidding about that. You're great. You really are."
His face had gone red.
I felt my face grow hot as well.
"I just mean that…even if I like you and you don't feel the same about me…can't you…can we still be friends?"
I stared at him for a few long minutes.
He was staring at me expectantly, nervously.
I sighed and harrumphed, turning my head away from him. "Were we EVER friends in the first place, anyways?"
I watched as his face broke out into a huge grin. "The best of. So…"
His face grew evil. "How are your…unicorns doing?"
I smirked back. "Elie and Haru are fine. I'm thinking about getting a few pegasuses though."
"Nice try Blondie. And the plural form of Pegasus is pegasi."
"Whatever, Grammar Freak."
"Ahahaha, better than trapping myself in my room watching the first season of Dragon Ball Z over and over."
I laughed as he opened the door and we walked out.
"I don't watch that show. I watch Pokemon."
"Like that's much better?"
"Pikachu could kick your ass any day."
"I'd like to see him face the wrath of my snow cones."
"What's up with that, stupid?"
"I'm not stupid."
"Sure. Sure. I'll believe that when you win the Nobel Prize."
"Is that a challenge?"
"Wahaha. You wish."
"And what would you win it for?"
"Being the nicest person around."
He snorted. "Nice try, AnimeGirl123."
By this time, most of the students have arrived at school.
I can see the Popular Group surrounding one of the classrooms.
Natsu is among them.
This time, his arm isn't wrapped around Sue, who is standing closely next to him.
It's obvious she wants his arm around her, but Natsu doesn't comply.
His hands are in his pockets and he's looking around at everybody else with a preoccupied look on his face.
Right across from him is Sting who is staring around at everyone's faces as well.
They haven't been acting normal since this Monday.
I wonder if they're sick.
Or is it allergies?
Contrary to popular belief, not all nerds have allergies.
I am one of those lucky few – I mean…majority – that don't have any.
I am rambling.
In a journal.
I am writing rambles.
Okay.
"Yo! Guys!" Gray calls. Everyone immediately turns to look at us.
I feel aware of Natsu's eyes sliding over us. The corner of his mouth is turned down like he's displeased.
The expression on Sting's face resembles the one you might use if you ever eat anything nasty.
"Gray!" Lisanna says, and when she looks at me, she giggles from behind her hand.
"What are you two doing together?" Rogue asked, lifting his eyebrows.
"Are you…dating?" Erza asked, her cheeks becoming a bright red.
"What? No. Can't two best friends have a normal conversation without dumbasses assuming they're involved in a relationship?"
Best. Friend.
I never thought I'd hear those words coming from a boy's mouth to describe our connection.
Natsu's mouth turns down farther. When he catches me looking at him, he covers up his unpleasant expression by forcing a smile onto his face.
"Hey, Luce!"
Everyone's gaze focuses on him.
"H-hi, N-Natsu."
A flash of annoyance crosses his face, and it disappears a millisecond later.
Sting smiles at me, and rubs his arm awkwardly. "Hey, Lucy. I haven't talked to you for some time, huh?"
"Y-yeah, I-I g-g-guess."
Damn it.
I hated stuttering.
The same look of irritation that Natsu got shone on Sting's features for a moment before it, too, disappeared.
On Gray's face was a look of pure amusement.
My right eye twitches as I see his smug expression. I turn towards him.
"Anything FUNNY, Grammar Freak?"
"Nah. Just thinking about my valuable collection of Pokemon cards back home."
I rolled my eyes.
"And my Yu-Gi-Oh dolls, or whatever."
"They're not dolls, they're action figures," I protested.
"Call it what you like but as long as it's got legs, a head, and arms made of plastic, it's a doll to me."
"So, you're basically saying you have a collection of dolls back home?"
Gajeel snorts as Rogue smirks.
"No…wait…sh*t…" Gray says, as he realizes his slip-up.
"Ha," I said, smiling. "I better go back to my friends now."
"All right," Gray said. "Say hi to Elie and Haru for me."
"Oh, ha, ha, Stripper," I said, turning around and walking away.
As I spun around on my heel, I caught a look of Natsu's face.
He was watching his black-haired friend with a look on his face that resembled…envy?
That didn't seem right.
No way.
Right?
I forgot that I have work today.
Yay.
So when school dismissed me, I sprinted home to change out of my uniform into some casual wear.
And then I ran all the way to the Dragneels' café, and changed into my maid outfit there.
Mr. Igneel was as…eccentric…as always.
Since it was a pretty busy day, a lot of people came in.
Mr. Igneel would strut over to some guys if there were any, and then say in a low, but somehow loud voice.
"You see that woman over there?"
That woman = Grandine Dragneel.
The guy he would be talking to would look confused and then answer, "Yeah?"
"You think she's pretty?"
"What?"
"I said…do you think she's pretty? Hot even?"
"Well…I guess?"
"Is she?"
"Yes."
"Well, you know what?"
"What?"
"She's MY wife! Muhahha! So you can't have her! Wahahaha!"
At this point, I would be forced to step in so that the customers wouldn't be scared away and take their orders.
Because of Natsu's damn weird dad, I was busy for a good half hour or so when a group of people shuffled in.
I almost dropped the empty tray I was carrying in surprise.
It was the football team, and the cheerleaders. They looked super annoyed as they tromped into the petite place.
People looked up at them curiously, but then went back to their meals as it became apparent that they were associated with Mr. Igneel and Grandine.
Natsu headed the group, looking peeved.
"What's the matter?" Grandine asked.
Natsu sighed, running a hand through his hair. "The coach forgot to tell us that we had no practice today so we stood out there waiting for thirty minutes for no reason."
"Well…look on the bright side," Grandine said.
"Yeah?"
"You can help me."
"Wow…thanks Mom."
"Anything for you, Natsu."
The pink-haired boy smiled, and gestured to his friends. "You guys go sit. I'm going to go change."
Sting emerged from the gathering. "I've got work today, too."
The two of them headed for the changing rooms as the large group looked for a place to go.
My eyes widened when I spotted him.
Let me give you a hint.
His name is a mixture of black and white.
Gray.
I squeaked, and tried to hide my face with the tray in my hands as they walked past me, but-
"Lucas!"
Mr. Igneel was looking around for me. "Lucas! Landon! Luigi! Where the hell are you?!"
I wanted to facepalm myself with my hands…or maybe facepalm the redheaded man with a dictionary.
And how is it even possible for him to think it makes sense to think I have three varying names?!
I have corrected him at least every time.
Either he needs to clean his ears.
Or I need to use a megaphone to drill my name into his memory.
Everyone whirls around to see who the man is making a raucous for.
I reluctantly pull the tray down from my face. "Yes…Mr. Igneel?"
"Right! Larry! There you are!"
"A-actually, s-sir…m-my name is…"
"I want you to take the orders from these people, Lard-o!"
THAT was a new one.
"L-Lucy, s-sir," I squeaked, raising my finger.
"Louis?"
"L-Lucy."
"Lucas! Get to work! Stop standing around and repeating your name!"
I stared at him in awe. And then complied to his directions.
Gray was staring at me with complete disbelief as I asked in a strained voice. "May I t-take your o-order?"
He looked like he was going explode from his suppressed laughter.
As everyone else requested what they wanted – they had no need for menus, since they had come to Natsu's family restaurant so many times that the foods were practically imprinted into their memory – Gray stared at me in shock.
"And you…Gray? "I asked with a sweet smile on my face as my left eye twitched.
"Huh?"
"What would you LIKE?"
"What was that?"
"She SAID, what would you LIKE?! You KNOW…What do you want to ORDER?!"
We all sweatdropped – or we would have if life was an anime – as Mr. Igneel butt his head in.
"I…uh…uh…" Gray said, a smile creeping up onto his mouth.
"Yes, sir?"
Then it happened.
He cracked up.
"I'm sorry. I can't take you seriously while you're wearing that."
My cheek twitched as I fought to keep the smile on my face.
"You're lucky that customer service is number one priority here, Grammar Freak, because I would have-"
"Is there a problem?" asked Mr. Dragneel as he butt in again.
"No, s-sir," I said quickly.
"Then, why'd you just stutter, Lyon?" he asked narrowing his eyes.
Just. Damn. Freaking. Amazing. This man.
"S-sir…I a-always st-stutter w-when I t-talk t-to y-you."
Mr. Igneel's face became confused for a minute before the light bulb clicked in his head.
"Oh yeah, huh?" he said, laughing, and patting on my back. "Wahaha! Go back to work, Lassie."
A dog's name?! What the-?!
"I haven't ordered what I've wanted yet," said Gray.
"Well, why don't you?"
"This moment is too priceless to let go of."
"Just shut it and order."
"Gelato, please...Maid Lucy."
I shot him a glare.
"I couldn't help it."
"Sure. Sure."
I took the order to the kitchen where it was soon picked up to be made.
I exited the kitchen.
Someone else would bring it to them. The number of employees have increased lately, so we all have specific jobs so that everyone has something to do.
My task is to get orders only.
Grandine has suggested that since they have so many workers now, I can stop volunteering.
I assured her that I have nothing else to do on Fridays.
Plus, the fact that I actually have a part-time job pleases my mom so much that she lets me watch anime as much as I want.
Anyways.
Right.
Back to the café.
A soon as I had left the kitchen, I walked straight into Natsu.
Luckily, he wasn't carrying food or anything…because I bet I would have managed to slip in it.
"Oh! Uh, s-sorry, N-Natsu, a-are y-you o-okay?"
He stares at me for a moment before his mouth breaks out into a hesitant wide smile.
"Yeah, Luce…I'm all right."
He looked at me a bit more.
"W-what? I-is th-there s-something on m-my f-face?"
"No! Nothing on your face," he said, and his voice trailed off. "Hey, Lucy, can we talk in for a moment in private?"
This was my second personal conversation of the day.
"N-no, p-problem, N-Natsu."
He led me into the kitchen, and into the pantry where all the extra flour and sugar were stored. He closed the door behind him.
Unlike Gray, he didn't allow there to be an awkward silence.
"On Wendy's birthday…" he said. His face grew red. "Did you see…that?"
"Th-that?" I asked. And then my eyes widened as realization came down on me. "Oh, THAT."
His kiss with Sue.
"W-well, th-there, a s-slight ch-chance I d-did, b-but..uh…I…s-sorry?" I said.
I was growing flustered. What else could I say?
"No, it's fine. I just…wanted to see…find out…"
Then a moment of quiet filled the space between us.
"Luce."
I jump at his sudden utter of my name.
"Y-yeah?"
"Stop that."
"H-huh?"
He looked up at me, his face portraying a look of total devastation.
Oh Mavis.
What did I do now?
"Why do you always stutter when you speak to me?"
"I st-stutter t-to e-everyone I sp-speak to."
"Not Cana."
"Sh-she's…d-different. S-scary. S-scary e-enough th-that I s-stopped s-stuttering around h-her."
"Not Levy."
"Sh-she g-gives me ad-advice. It's h-hard to st-stutter around s-someone wh-who g-gives you advice."
"Fine. Not Gray."
I pause at that.
"He's annoying," I say without hesitation or even a falter.
Natsu looked at me. "You didn't even stumble over any words when you said that."
"Wh-why are y-you dr-driving m-me up a w-wall about this?" I asked, feeling slightly annoyed.
If I was not mistaken, this was the second time he had confronted me about my stuttering.
"I'm NOT driving you up a wall. I'm just asking why I don't get equal treatment like the rest of your friends."
"Equal?" I say incredulously. I'm too surprised to stutter much now. "What? Now I'm not tr-treating you like a h-human being?!"
"That's not what I meant," he said hotly. "I'm asking why I can't get a normal conversation with you."
"This IS normal!"
"No, it's not. You always stutter and look like you want to pee your pants when you speak to me. And now we're arguing! They only time when you don't stutter when we converse is when you call me hot!"
"What the hell?!" I practically shouted, my cheeks growing red. "Can you really blame me?!"
"What?!"
"I've been unnoticed for years, I have had no friends until now, people have laughed at me for years, and I'm used to being alone! Having friends, talking to people in school…it's all new for me! I'm anti-social! Why do you keep bringing it up?!" I shouted. "Can't I have a conversation with you where you don't remember things like that?!"
"Luce, I-!"
Tears were appearing at the corners of my eyes.
"You're such a BASTARD, Natsu Dragneel. You're the one I hate most!" I screamed and ran out of the pantry.
Grandine and a couple other bakers looked surprised as I emerged from the room.
"Wait, Luce!" Natsu called.
I looked at Grandine. "I QUIT!"
I stormed out of the kitchen, ignoring the surprised stares sent after me.
I charged into the locker room, where I quickly changed into my clothes, threw the uniform into a hamper, and charged outside again.
I headed for the front entrance.
Natsu speeded out of the kitchen. "Wait, Lucy!"
"Oi, Lucas, where are you going?!" Mr. Igneel called, marching to me. "Your shift's not-!"
"FOR THE LAST F***ING TIME!" I screeched. "MY NAME IS LUCY!"
And I ran out of the café, slamming the door behind me. I didn't care about Gray, or Sting, or Natsu, or everyone else calling me to come back.
I ran all the way home, where I stomped up the stairs, and threw myself onto the bed.
There, I screamed into my pillow to vent my anger.
When my father came home hours later, my voice was hoarse and my throat was scratchy.
When asked about my day, I said, "Just f***ing, flipping okay, Dad!"
I was sent to my room, and here I am now!
My hand's getting tired.
And I'm tired of high school!
I am going to set that Alaska plan in motion!
Let's go!
Signed,
Lucy
Signed a very enraged Lucy! Natsu and Lucy's first fight! Wah! What did I tell you? One thing after another, huh? But if you think about it, the rejection of Gray happened on a Monday for her, and from the beginning of this chapter, it's a Friday, so a span of at least three or more days have passed since that Gray Incident. So, I'm not making these things happen to her day after day. I'm not a totally horrible person who likes putting her characters (or in this case, Hiro Mashima's) in total misery...
Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this chapter!
Please review!
Until next chapter!
