DISCLAIMER: I do not own Fairytail or any of its characters. Hiro Mashima does.

A/N: Natsu and Lucy just admitted their love for each other. Somehow. Anyway, here's the next chapter. o.o

Lucy could not believe it. Did they really just..?

The blonde stared at the lunch box waiting to be unwrapped in her hands. Yesterday, Natsu-her sworn guard-had kissed her. They were caught in their own passionate battle for an hour or so, until Lucy (and the pink-haired young man) was called for dinner. It was evident from the sheepish grin Natsu had shown her that he had enjoyed it while it lasted, and that it was kind of disappointing for it to have ended so soon (so soon for them, that is). But the best part? Natsu did not try to place any more distance between them. He had kept his word, and had promised Lucy that, since they have admitted that they both liked each other more than friends, he would stop resisting and just go with the flow-so long as Lucy permitted it. So-who was she to deny him?

"Lu-chan, you're red. Really, really red." Levy pointed out as the blue-haired young girl leaned close toward her friend. The blonde snapped out of her daze, her chocolate orbs showing her surprise.

"S-sorry! I was thinking of something." She said in her defense. Erza scrutinized her for a whole minute, before her lips cracked into a knowing smile.

"Something? Or do you mean someone? You know it's obvious what-or who-you're thinking about, Lucy." The older female pointed out. At this, Lucy's face brightened even more, her eyes turning into lines as she pleaded for them to stop.

"Mou...stop teasing me already. Anyway," she then transferred her gaze toward Juvia, who also had a dreamy look on her face.

"What is up with her?"

"Oh...that. I mean her." Levy corrected herself as she transferred her gaze to their other friend, who was evidently way up in the clouds again with her Gray-sama.

"The dance that we're having at FAU is just around the corner. I guess she's excited to have a dance with Gray. Again." The blue-haired female answered, a small smile creeping to her lips. Erza nodded knowingly, her eyes closed as she took a sip of her tea.

"Indeed. I believe Levy shall be going with Gajeel this year." Erza said matter-of-fact, to which Levy accidentally spat out her drink at Juvia ("Hey!"). The blue-haired female turned twitching eyes toward their scarlethead friend, her lips twitching as well as she spoke.

"W-who told you that?" Levy asked. Erza just shrugged.

"A little birdie. Anyway, how about you, Lucy? Have you decided who you'd be seeing at the dance? Or are you going to go random?" The blonde tilted her head to the side. If truth be told, she would have wanted Natsu to be the one escorting her there. But the rules of the dance stated that they were either going to pre-choose a partner from FAU, or they choose once they get there. She sighed. Whoever made that stupid rule should burn in eternal damnation.

"I heard Loki has his eyes on you." Levy piped in after a while, glad that the attention was not on her anymore. Lucy shook her head, a chuckle escaping her lips.

"Loki has his eyes on everyone and anyone. I'm not going to go with him."

"How about that Sting, then?"

"Eh...no. I really don't know the guy, and I think he's already going out with someone-or so that is what the rumors say. Anyway, I'll worry about this during the dance. For now, I better hurry up and eat my lunch or else I'm going to spend an afternoon of classes on an empty stomach." Lucy said, trying to change the topic. Fortunately for her, Erza picked up on her tone, and left her to her thoughts.

Natsu drummed his fingers on the steering wheel, his head tilted back and his eyes closed. He kept on going back to that moment where he and Lucy were kissing each other passionately in her room. He grinned. It was the best moment of his life so far. As long as his secret was safe, Lucy should probably be safe as well. He would face the consequence of telling her the truth later, but now, he would not worry himself about it. No, sir, he would not be worrying about anything for no-

Buzz!

His mobile phone vibrated in his chest pocket, making him crack his eyes wide open. Who would be calling him right now? He fished out the device from its hiding place, and checked the number calling him. It was unregistered. Frowning, he answered it, his face showing the curiosity that had welled up inside him.

"Hello? May I know who's on the other line?"

"...Squinty, you would never have been this polite to me, if you already knew it was me who was calling." Drawled a voice on the other end of the line. It was Gray. Natsu could not help but smirk as he heard his friend throw his usual greeting at him.

"Shut up, Droopy. How'd you get this number?"

"From one of Lucy's maids."

"Huh, thought so. Don't let Juvia find this out. Anyway, why'd you call?"

"I was going to ask you if you were going to attend the masquerade." Gray asked lazily. At this, Natsu frowned.

"I can't, can I? If I go, Lucy would find out who I am."

"..So what are you planning to do with the Strausses?"

Natsu's eyes widened after hearing 'Strausses'. How could he have forgotten! It had escaped his mind that his cousins were going to visit them-after attending the masquerade. And he had forgotten that they would go directly to their home after the ball! If they did that..!

"Gray, I need to find a wig. I can escort Lucy to the ball, but I have to be disguised." He suddenly said, his onyx orbs checking if his ward was anywhere near. It was almost time for them to head home, meaning that any moment now, the blonde would be heading for the car.

"Wig? I know a place where you can buy one. I'll give you the address, wait."

The pink-haired young man scribbled the address of the store Gray had given him on a memo pad beside him. He had to be in disguise. Everybody in the school would recognize his pink hair. And the last thing that he wanted to do was for Lucy to find out who he was. No, it was not yet time.

Not yet.

Damn that masquerade.