~Chapter Ten: Escape~
"Why do lovely flowers dance in the moutain air?"
Roslyn sighed and hugged herself, softly singing into the pitch black night. Everyone in the Tower of Heaven was resting, not a peep being sounded. Everything was still and silent. Roslyn began crying softly. It had been two months since Erza left them and so did her dragon. She was losing everyone and Jellal was getting very handsy on her. All hope was lost.
That's when she saw it.
A patch of stones was settled in one particular spot. For some reason, that intrested her more than anything. Usually rubble would have been cleaned up for Jellal. She had no idea why, but her dragon always told her to follow instinct. And instinct, her newly found best friend, was who she listened to. Crawling over to the pile, she quietly began moving rocks as quick as she could. If she could do this before midnight, maybe she would have something of intrest to Simon and the others. Moving as quick as the eight year old could muster, she finally removed a big one with a squeaky grunt and gasped at what she found. A hole sank deep into the ground. Her eyes widening in shock, she began to daydream an escape, something she forbid herself to do, but it looked possible.
Smiling, she stumbled and ran as fast and as quiet through the dark as she possibly could.
"Simon!" Esther called, shaking the boy she looked up to. She often called him big brother.
The tanned twelve year old groaned and vaugely answerd her, voice filled with sleep. She hated waking him since he hardly got rest, but if the two escaped he could get all the naps he wanted without wandering if Jellal would try anything with any of his friends. Especially Roselyn.
"Rosy…? What are you doin up? Had a *yawn* nightmare again?" He questioned, sitting up. There were massive bags under his eyes. That just made Roslyn feel worse. Yet she kept assuring herself the same thing. Escape equaled to infinite naps! Simon just grew up to fast. All of them did.
"Simon! I was wandering around the tower and—"
"What the hell were you doing roaming the tower?! You know how iffy the construction of this place is. If something fell on you and we weren't there, you could die!" Simon interrupted with anger, having to explain this to her more than once. He worried about her. With Jellal going crazy and her sister, his love, dissappearing, he promised himself to take care of this innocent girl. She was making it hard though with her quizzical nature.
"I know, I know! But I found a hole and it looks really really deep and it might be a way to get out! Please, before you say something, come see!"
Simon groaned but nodded, just wanting to go back to sleep.
As the two walked, they heard a chuckle and turned around. No one was there. Roslyn shrugged and began walking again when the laugh got louder. Simon squeezed her hand.
"Stay close to me." He ordered and she squeezed his hand tighter in agreement. She began speed walking, not even caring if they made noise. Roselyn just wanted to show Simon what she found, and maybe even escape.
A.N.: the end! Ha, sike! Though that is the end of the chapter. But that was so short! Yeah, here's something that'll make you feel better. Valentines was last month but who cares? Here's FairyTail Academy.
Fairy Tail Academy: Episode One
The locker closed with a bang and the young woman blew black bangs from her eyes. Clutching her books tightly to her large bust, she scanned the hallway annoyed with the atmosphere.
On her left down a few lockers, her older sister, Erza Scarlet, exchanged gifts with her boyfriend of two years, Seagrain Fernandez. Down the white hallway on her right, Levy McGarden passed out cupcakes with red hearts topping them to random students. Even in her face, Kana Alberona and her boyfriend from a diffrent school, Bacchaus, were interacting in a heated make-out session.
Valentine's Day.
Balloons, flowers and teddy bears were distributed everywhere Esther Roslyn walked. She even stepped on some candy hearts that someone spilled on the ground. Rolling her eyes and reporting to section, she even noticed the classroom seemed over festive in her eyes.
She saw a mix of Valentine's Day and Happy Birthday balloons floating all around the place and kids were cheering and circled around a certain area in the classroom. She noticed her homeroom teacher sitting at his desk, listning to music and munching on a cupcake. Walking over to him, she bent over and slid a headphone over his ear and rose a brow.
"May I ditch, Dreyar-Sensei?" The blonde twenty-something math teacher snorted and shook his head.
"Nope! The birthday-boy asked for you specifically. Go pay him a visit."
"But I do not wish to. In fact, is this not a too early time to devour sugar? It is eight-twenty in the morning."
Laxus Dreyar chuckled and simply bit another piece of red velvet cake and swalloed evilly. He knew she hated being around people, but she was in high school and she needed to enjoy it. He made a vow that before she graduated, she would get over this phobia of interacting with other specimens of her own race.
"Rose!"
The girl flinched as Jellal Fernandez placed an arm around her shoulders. She shied away and nodded a greeting. Laxus watched the scene with veiled eyes. Turning down his music to hear every word, he watched Jellal take Esther's hand and twirl her around.
"Happy Valentine's day. It only seems appropriate for me to ask you to be mine." Jellal suggested slyly and Esther looked every which way. "You see about that…" She started before he pulled her closer to him. Esther panicked and almost screamed but Laxus saw her anxiousness.
"Hands off, Fernandez. PDA is not allowed on campus and you know it. As senior class president, I expect you to know more." Laxus glared coldly and Jellal layed off with a wicked grin. Esther shivered and was about to thank her teacher when Lucy Heartphilia ran over and began dragging the teen towards the crowd.
"Look who I found Birthday-Boy!" She cried as the crowd split like the sea to show the honoree of the block. Esther's amethyst eyes locked with vibrant and bright charcoal ones and the boy smiled. He had light salmon colored hair and tan skin. He was in the Academy's usual uniform, white button down untucked and scarf from his father tied around his neck. The lean musclar teen smiled wildly and stood so quick that Esther jumped slightly at the sudden movement. He was in her face, never knowing personal space lines.
"Esther-Chan! Happy Valentine's Day!" He exclaimed, throwing his arms around her in a warm hug.
"And Happy Birthday to you, Natsu-San."
Natsu smiled and dragged her over to the table which held valentine themed cupcakes. Everyone started muttering about how sweet the two looked. He presented her with a special made cupcake that looked nothing like the others and kissed her on the cheek. Esther blushed but thanked him quietly. Natsu blushed and Laxus called them to their seats to begin class. After a quick fourty-five minute review out of their hour-an-half-block, the class resumed back to partiying and hanging out with Natsu. The young man was quite popular with his charming boyish looks and fiery personality. Everyone wanted to be around him. To feel a lick of that warmth. Some nameless girls were drooling over him and showering him with gifts and attention.
Esther rolled her eyes and turned towards the classroom's door. In came Laxus's second senior aid, Gajeel Redfox, and almost barfed at the sickly sweet scene of love and presents. He looked so out of place with his piercings and permanant scowl with a cigarette in hand. Esther chuckled and wandered over to him, much to Natsu and Jellal's dismay.
"Sup, Brat?" Gajeel grunted, throwing a pack of cigs to the teacher who nodded his thanks. Esther rolled her eyes and looked between the two.
"Appearently you both's chances of not actually having lungs to breathe." She muttered sarcasticlly and the two laughed. She pulled up her pants and reached into Gajeel's bookbag. "Ah, this should do nicely." Esther exclaimed, pulling out a bottle of brandy. Usually she drunk on Valentine's and read jokes about the day on her phone. Gajeel let out a quick 'gi-hee' and smirked as Natsu approached her. She waved goodbye to her (human) best friend and followed Natsu out of the classroom since the bell had rung.
Natsu sighed and turned back to Esther with nervousness rushing through his veins. They were on top of the Language Building's roof and he kept opening and closing his fists in an assuring way.
"Is something wrong, Natsu-San?" Esther questioned, wanting to get to her next block period. Natsu gulped and a blush settled on his cheeks. He looked so much like a cute little boy that it made Esther want to look away.
"I-I-I w-was won-d-d-dering..."
"Yes?"
"I-if you w-would…"
"Spit it out, Moron, I do not have time to—"
"Go out on a date with me!"
Esther coughed and looked at Natsu with surprised eyes. Did he really just ask HER of all people, on a date?! Where you had to go out and socialize with one another? The girl gulped as well, never having to been on a date because all of the boys in Fairy Tail Academy were to scared of a strong woman. Well she wasn't really strong now. Esther's heart was beating frantically out of panic.
"I… I do not know how to respond, Natsu-San. Maybe?" She added quickly when he saw his smile fall a bit. The black haired woman bit her lip as Natsu stepped closer.
"Please? C'mon it's my birthday! This could be my present from you. That or a kiss." He joked which actually made her sweat a bit. After what had happened last Valentine's Day with Jellal, she would rather just forget the day all together. Though it also did double as Natsu's birthday so if she wanted to forget the day of love *shiver* she could replace it with the birth of the man asking her out. Sucking it up like a big girl, she pulled out her cell phone from her pants pocket and typed in on her calender 'Date with N'. She showed it to him and he beamed, wrapping his surprisingly strong arms around the junior.
"Alright, alright! Natsu-San, you know I despise sentimentality."
Natsu released her reluctantly and held her hand, escorting her to study hall. Why he knew her schedule, she would never know.
"Yeah! I'll pick you up around eight, Esther-chan! I promise you'll have fun!"
"Date?!"
Esther flinched as her best girl friend, Juvia Loxar, screeched about her plans. They were in the blue haired woman's dorm room, and Esther confessed her sudden change of plans.
"That is amazing, Esther-chan! So Esther really is a woman!"
Esther shot the woman a deadpanned look and Juvia laughed in delight. "I do not know how to… interact on a date, Juvia. I need *gulp* advice." Esther looked down in shame, feeling as though she failed as a female. Her head bowed low. Then again it wasn't her fault, after what Jellal did to her she avoided and scorned the advances of men. Afraid to be hurt once more. Juvia saw that and sighed. Knowing she was nervous to be alone, she thought and snapped her fingers.
"Esther-chan need not worry about a thing! Juvia has it all covered! Let's just get you all dolled up!"
So here Esther was, in heels and a dress. The thing was a pretty knee length black dress with gold shimmers everywhere. It was sleeveless with a sweetheart neckline and it drew attention to the tattoo she gotten two years back. It was simply her school's emblem. Her heels were strappy with gold spikes. Her lips were painted black and her night hair was braided beautifully. With all the black going on, she looked extremely pale. "I am so nervous! Is this to much? Where are we going anyway?!" Esther whispered to herself, sort of talking to her cat back in her dorm. The purple cat was asleep and was quite frankly, ignoring her owner's silly talk. She was beautiful. Anyone could see it. A little to dark, but beautiful none of the less.
A knock on her door made her palms sweat. Opening it, Natsu stood in simple jeans and a red button down. Scarf tied around his neck. He froze when he saw Esther and blushed horribly.
"Y-You look really pretty."
Esther blushed and for some reason felt incredibly shy. Stepping out into the hallway, she thanked him and they head towards the dormitory's exit. At first it was an akward silence to Esther and she wondered if Natsu would give up and take her back, but the man had plans. Determined to see the girl he loved since junior high, smile.
"Carnival!"
Esther looked around in awe as Natsu smiled, watching her bashfully.
"I thought it would be pretty cool to just get lost in the crowd. Not to much talking needed. We can go if your uncomfortable!" Natsu added quickly, scratching the back of his head. Esther shook her head and shrugged shyly. Blushing, she turned away and looked towards a sweet stand.
"It is fine. It IS your birthday, Natsu-San. So let us go get some candy to kick off the night." Natsu smiled and to Esther's surprise, took her hand.
"Great idea!" He exclaimed as they ran over to the stand.
Entering the park was Erza, Juvia, Lucy, Levy and Mirajane with their respective 'dates' (and partners in crime) for the night. Seagrain, Gajeel, Gray, Droy, and Fried sighed as they were dragged along for this spy night with their girls. Erza's eyes lit up in determination to protect her little sister from the evil clutches of the male species advances of her heart. Levy and Mirajane giggled as the red-head gave a powerful speech about how important this was to her.
"Fire rocks for me and some pralines for the lady." Natsu ordered which surprised Erza. No one really knew that Esther was obsessed with the southern Fiorian sweet because she kept it under lock and key. Esther looked surprised too, but her eyes melted into something resembling a melted puddle.
"Thank you, Natsu-San. How did you know I enjoyed pralines?"
"I remember when we went on that field trip with Dreyar-Sensei and you had got a whole box of them when we went to the Candy Shoppee."
The woman over the stand smirked at their conversation as she fixed their order. Smiling when Natsu tried to hand her money, she shook her head and winked.
"It's on the house. Have a nice date you two!" She covered her mouth so only Esther could read her lips. 'He's a keeper!' She mouthed and Esther blushed hard. In a daze, Natsu had to drag her away. The stand keeper chuckled and watched the two walk away.
"Why did I have to go?!" Gajeel demanded, glaring down at his bluette friend. Juvia smiled sadly and hung on to his arm.
"Juvia is afraid she can't give Gajeel the specific reason why Juvia's worried about Esther, but Juvia will assure Gajeel-kun that Esther has a definently good reason to not trust men."
Gajeel grunted but let it go. Everyone had their past and Esther trusted Juvia enough with hers, though he had a reason to believe it had something to do with that Jellal guy. The boy was Seagrain's twin brother (one of triplets) and he creeped him the fuck out. Leaving elaborate and witty love notes in Esther's locker, dropping roses in her chair when she disappears to the restroom and even paying for her lunch for a whole month. The drama club president and senior year student council president was a little to determined for Gajeel's liking. And when Gajeel asked his friend did it have something to do with him, she gave a curt nod with a growing scowl. All the evidence he needed to bash the bastard's face in.
Suddenly Juvia dipped her head and Gajeel disguised themselves into the crowd properly. Catching the couple they were spying on, Gajeel strained to hear what they were talking about.
"I do not know, Natsu…"
"C'mon Esther-chan, it'll be fun!"
"Karaoke? In front of people?"
"Yesh! Please?"
"I… I guess so…"
Natsu cheered and Esther had to give a small smile. Gajeel smirked.
"That was as close to force on Esther the dimwit would ever commit." Gajeel chuckled softly and Juvia flinched. Then it clicked.
Forced.
"The bastard…he didn't!"
Juvia just nodded. It was then that Gajeel promised to choke the living shit out of Jellal Fernandez.
Erza and Seagrain laughed as they ate cotton candy and kept tags on Erza's younger sister. Holding hands, the two were surprised to hear Esther agreed to karaoke with Natsu. Erza hummed and looked Seagrain in the eyes.
"I guess she liked him more than we thought."
Seagrain agreed and gave a soft smirk. "To think Erza Scarlet is letting her baby sister go on a date without having it be a double one." He murmured, kissing her on the cheek. Erza blushed and watched as Natsu began poking Esther in a certain spot on her side (which she was positively ticklish) and Esther tried to hold back the laughter.
"She is a junior in high school. I suppose a love life is a bit eccentric in this stage of our lives. It doesn't mean that I'm letting her out of my sight though." Erza said quickly and Seagrain laughed at his girlfriend's protectiveness.
"That was amazing!"
Esther was practiclly shaking once she stepped off stage. There was a stage in the center of the carnival and people came from all sides of the fair to see the karaoke contest.
Tonight was Disney-themed and so all of the songs sung was produced by the company. Esther, trying to rush and get it over with, sung 'Let it Go', originally sung by Indina Menzel. It was from one of her favorite movies, Frozen. Natsu had not lied when he complimented her. People were still murmuring and cheering when she got off. In the crowd all of their schoolmates cheered as well.
"I had no idea she could sing so beautifully." Lucy commented in awe and Gray grunted beside her with a smirk. Mirajane was jumping up and down while clapping, boobs bouncing in her halter top. Much to Fried's dismay. Although, he too though Esther's singing was beautiful. So it was no surprise when they announced the winner, the title went to Esther. Esther was doing alot of blushing today. It would ruin her tough girl persona at school wouldn't it? The prize, you might ask? A reservation for two for the nicest restraunt in Magnolia!
"That was good, Esther-chan! We should make you sing more often to, huh? How come you never took chorus?" Natsu asked as they began heading home. Esther shrugged and looked up at the stars. It was almost eleven, curfew time for Juniors and Seniors. Suddenly Natsu stopped her and Esther looked up from long lashes.
"What is wrong?"
Natsu, seeing Esther look so worried and bashful and PRETTY, gulped and felt his cheeks grow hot for the billionth time. Holding Esther's hand, he smiled and looked her in the eyes.
"C-can I? Can I kiss you?"
Esther bit her lip and inched closer to Natsu's mouth.
"I don't know. Can you?"
The two was so close yet it felt so far. Esther's heart pounded when there lips barely grazed against each other when suddenly, Natsu stepped away. Well technically, he didn't step away. Her sister…tackled him?!
"Erza-nee?!"
"What the hell do you think your doing, Natsu?!" Erza roared, flames from her mouth.
"I'M SORRY!"
And for the next half an hour, Seagrain and Esther had to try ripping Erza away from Natsu several times while laughing at her behavior. Natsu was afraid—very afraid. But he was only afraid of Erza.
That didn't ruin his decision to accept her offer to have the second seat for the reservation she won and declared it a second date.
