LonelyBallerina's Note: Whoa. People are having complaints about my cliffhangers. It kinda makes me feel weird and...in control. Lol yea! Don't chase me with pitchforks, though, okay?

Research. Research. Research! You don't know how long I've researched on the perfect dress, the perfect hairstyle and the perfect everything for Juvia's date but here it is and I hope you'll like it as much as I do.

'Nuff with the cookies. Brownies are better! Here you go *hands a plate of freshly baked brownies*

FAIRY TALE

Chapter 13: Her

Her hands were trembling as she arranged her hair. On top of her drawer was the latest issue of Sorcerer Magazine turned on the page of 'Hairstyles that Male Mages Find Attractive'. She bought it especially for tonight's event. The date. Which was, as her ex and escort specifically stated, a formal event. It should be really simple for she hardly want anything to be complicated but seabiscuits, was she wrong.

Her fingers felt numb from curling her hair in bulky waves. Sculpting her locks have stolen an outrageously huge amount of her time that she almost wished she was bald. Also, it took her almost a day to scavenge the town for the perfect evening dress. The shoes cost more than her rent and after she put it on, she bitterly found out that it couldn't even be seen by the outrageous length of her gown. Don't even get her started with the make-up. Juvia's face felt sore near to painful since she had to remove and redo every little imperfection, whether it was the eye shadow or the blush on, as illustrated in another magazine.

But, finally, her efforts had paid off and she had surprisingly finished on time. Giddy, she gathered herself and the remaining nerves she had left and exited the door to her room, hoping to wow her ex into getting back with her.

Bora glanced at his watch for the umpteenth time and tsked to himself. Sure, he was a little early but that didn't mean she shouldn't be the same. He groaned and stood up from the sofa he was occupying. He glanced around the lobby of Fairy Hills. No one was there even though it was just the start of the evening. He guessed that they were rampaging inside their guild like the reckless mages they are. He was about to climb the staircase when the main door opened. Standing there, half-naked, was Gray with a determined look on his face.

"Why, Gray, what brings you here?" he asked jovially.

He approached him. "I heard that you're having your date tonight so I rushed here"

"Oh? Why's that?"

Briefly, Gray hesitated, then he replied. "I need your help"

With this, he grinned. From Gray's view, it was harmless but for Bora, it had a deeper and much more wicked meaning. "Help in what?"

"Make Juvia remember who I am," he stated. "I've been to Porlyusca, Wendy and every potion dealer in town with no success. Can you help me?"

"No," he simply replied.

Gray was unsure of what he heard. "What?"

"Why would I help you?" he sneered. "Now that I have her, I won't be handing her back just as easy. So why don't you scamper off to your little guild while I have the time of my life?"

Gray's eyes widened. "You bastard! You made us believe that you changed! For her!"

"Have you ever heard of the word 'acting'. No? How about 'trickery'? God, you Fairies are worthless and naive creatures, aren't you?" his arms were crossed in front of him in an intimidating manner.

Gray's hand was already posed for him to attack and just as he released his fist and before it hit Bora squarely on the face, he was stopped by his remark. "You're going to hit me again?" He only glared at him when he continued. "Just look at the situation you are in, Fullbuster. The tables have turned. If you hit me now, what would Juvia think when she sees me sprawled on the floor?"

"She'll believe me," he muttered through gritted teeth.

"Are you sure about that? She doesn't even know who you are!" he smirked. When he heard this, Gray angrily lowered his arm and cursed inwardly. He was right, of course. And if she finds out, she'll hate him, for sure. "Now that's better," Bora chuckled evilly. When Gray resorted to giving him death glares and clenching and unclenching his fists, Bora added insult to the injury. "You know, I really have to thank you. No, it's a must that I thank you. Ask me why"

The Ice Make mage snarled at him and he laughed at his reaction. "Fine. I'll tell you either way. You see, when Juvia and I were still together, it was always raining. Always! The day finally came when I got so irritated to have to bring an umbrella while flirting with other women. You know how hard that is? Well, I don't think you do. But it really is difficult. Nevertheless, when you took away the rain, she became more appealing to me. Imagine..." he laid a hand over Gray's shoulder and stared at a space as if an image of it appeared before them "...having a girlfriend who was previously a member of the Phantom Four! That could do miracles to my dating career!"

Unable to contain his fury, Gray grabbed him by the collar. "Why are you doing this?"

Bora watched him with fascination. "Because I can," he replied with such malice that Gray didn't care for a moment. He raised his hand again but instead of hitting his face, he punched the wall. Hard. Enough for it to crack and for Bora to snigger.

"Good boy," Bora leered.

Juvia emerged a little while later. She was surprised that naked-san was there, stiffly standing in front of Bora. When they sensed her presence, both eyes were on her and the looks she got from them were nothing short of satisfaction. Bora beamed with delight and naked-san's blue orbs were obviously stunned and his mouth was slightly ajar. The feeling of beauty, she welcomed wholeheartedly.

She wore a lovely evening dress that was both an impossible reality and a wonderful dream. It has a rich but soothing color of deep blue chiffon which resembled the underwater shade of an exotic deep dark azure or a mystical midnight in a fairy tale, twisting across a strapless and fitted bodice with an empire waist and cascading softly into lighter blue ruffles that had the similitude to that of gentle ripples on a calm sea. The edges reminded them of shimmering water and seafoam.

There are no other description on how she went down the staircase and approach the two bewildered young men except the word 'glide'. Yes, she moved in such a smooth, effortless, and graceful way that she seemed like a vision come true.

It wasn't just the clothing that sent the men reeling. It was also that timid smile that gave them the idea of innocence and a lady of secrets. Her skin, although as white as snow, exuded elegance like a faint light, full of extravagance and modesty and was traced with a blush of the fresh pink rosebud. Her eyes were painted in a way that she looked flirty without being too seductive.

The hair was no less than smashing. Her bangs were braided continuously to the side and bouncy curls flowed behind her like a waterfall. In addition, when the light hit her just right, her locks gave off a tinge of purple highlights. The impression she made with the perfectly-polished and radiant tresses was simply stunning. So, when she asked, "Does Juvia look okay?" the men had nothing to say.

Bora neared her somewhat eagerly and said afterward. "No beauty can compare to yours, my dear"

She smiled. "Juvia is happy. Thank you, Bora-sama," she then turned to Gray who was silently eying her, "Why is naked-san here, by the way?"

"My name is Gray," he replied sulkily.

It seemed like he wasn't going to answer her question so Bora spoke up, "Gray was just leaving. Aren't you, Gray?"

He nodded rigidly after Bora sent him a shrewd look.

"Shall we, my love?" he offered Juvia his arm. She, on the other hand, accepted it with uncertain eyes directed to the third party. "We shall be going now, Gray-san," she said to him.

He was silent but as she passed by him, he mumbled. "You're..." their eyes met, blue against black "...beautiful, Juvia". He seemed pained as he said those words but she couldn't reply for Bora had already dragged her toward the main entrance. Before he closed the door, he whispered to him, "Tonight, she'll be screaming my name".

Oh my fudge bars. It's finished in half a day. I'm on a roll! Another cliffhanger for all you readers. Isn't it great (insert sarcasm here)? Just joking. I get really mean sometimes.

**Note that Gray said "You're beautiful" and not "You look beautiful" just like every man says when he picks up the girl for Prom, Homecoming, etc.

Fun Fact: The page on which Juvia was reading titled 'Hairstyles that Male Mages Find Attractive' is the actual title where I found Juvia's hairstyle, of course it wasn't actually 'Male Mages' but 'Men'. Just so you know :P