Just High School Life
Chapter Thirteen
Lucy Heartfilia felt like Thursday had been a total flop; she has tried her best to grab Natsu Dragneel's attention for a majority of the day. But, it seems like Natsu is constantly distracted by Erza Scarlet.
Erza was everywhere today – always close and conveniently around for a wholeheartedly conversation. Lucy observes that Erza has a strong friendship with Natsu – quoting inside jokes, talking about old memories, poking fun at each other just because.
Natsu and Erza are just friends. The words echo through Lucy's head like a mantra. Friends. Friends. Friends.
Thankfully, the air is not as heavy as it was on Tuesday. The ruckus at the lunch table is almost normal.
Elfman had baked some brownies yesterday night and was now passing the box of pastries around the table. The Strauss sisters and Wendy gladly boast and tell the others they helped by decorating the top – which were just randomly shaped sprinkles. Jet and Droy both take a piece and hand it to Levy McGarden in union (they both squabble over who's brownie Levy should take, she takes her own piece to silence their ridiculous argument).
Erza reaches for a brownie, delighted to eat the delicious baked good. But before she could, Natsu swoops in and grabs the piece she wanted.
"You brat!" Erza laughed at his antics and punched Natsu on the arm playfully.
"Ow, my arm!" Natsu exclaimed but stuffs the brownie in his mouth regardless.
Erza threatens that she would hurt Natsu even more if he ever tried that again. Natsu responses by making a face and moaning into the brownie like it's the best thing he's ever tasted.
"You're missing out," Natsu said.
Erza pulls on Natsu's ear as if he was a misbehaving kid. "You're only saying that because you took my piece."
"I think you mean my piece." Natsu sassed.
"That's it, you're dying today!"
Lucy thinks it's nothing more than horseplay. But then, Lucy sees it; Natsu flashes Erza a grin – his signature grin – the one that Lucy thought was only meant for her. Lucy feels a lump in her throat.
"Lucy, do you want some?" Elfman asked politely, a smile plastered on his face.
Lucy eyed the treat blankly before blinking away pressure building behind her eyelids. She tries to smile back at Elfman and said, "No thank you, I'm not feeling hungry."
"I'll save you the last piece." Elfman told her out of curtesy.
Lucy nodded her head because she doesn't think she can manage another smile.
Natsu wasn't paying attention to her like he normally did – he wasn't talking to her as much, he wasn't making jokes or smiling at her.
Lisanna glanced at the blonde who's been awfully closed mouth.
Natsu then burst out laughing at something Erza has said and Lucy doesn't dare look at the grin on his face.
Her heart sting a little. Why is she feeling this way?
…
"Lucy!"
A voice rings through the hallway as Lucy is deep in thought.
"Lucy!"
Ugh, why was she so down about this? It wasn't like Natsu knew Lucy well either way. What does she know about him? Heck, what does he know about her?
Natsu knew Lucy transferred from Celestial Institute but he didn't know why. Lucy's got her secrets – her dad and his business. And Natsu's got some childhood friend she didn't know about. It's whatever!
"Lucy!"
Something hits the back of her head.
"What the heck?" Lucy touched the her pony tail, snapping out of her train of thoughts and turned around.
"Lucy, wait up!"
"Huh – What?"
She's greeted by Lisanna Strauss looking at her with a worried face. "I was calling for like five minutes straight, are you okay?"
"Erm …" Lucy trailed off, trying to ignore the students around her.
No, she wasn't okay. She hasn't been okay for awhile now. Something's been stirring in her chest lately, an uncomfortable feeling, something negative.
The thing was, Lucy was conscious about these negative feelings. Lucy knew she shouldn't be feeling this way yet … she was. There wasn't really a finger to point at, no specific person to blame, but the uneasy feeling refused to go away – the pang that's driving her up the wall.
Brown eyes stare back at blue one. "Umm …"
Lucy can't help but feel Natsu slipping away from her. She feels like they aren't as close as they used to be. Granted, it's only been a solid three days since Erza decided to be friendlier towards Natsu, but still, Lucy could feel the gap.
"I guess I've just had some stuff to think about." Lucy answered.
Lucy wanted to tell Natsu everything – the play, Erza, their friendship – but she had this itching feeling that if she told Natsu then he'd get the wrong impression from her. That she got worked up over nothing. That she was too emotion. There was a fear that Natsu wouldn't understand and Lucy might just risk losing Natsu forever.
I can't tell him. The words echo in Lucy's head. I can't.
Lisanna cocks her head. "Is it about Natsu? You've been staring at him a lit lately."
Lucy tried not to look guilty. She failed. "… Maybe,"
"My best friend is dense." Lisanna sighed. "I wouldn't blame you if you felt a little confused."
"Confuse could be one way to put it."
"This also has something to do with Erza, doesn't it?"
Wow, Lisanna is really hitting the nail on the head. Does she have sixth sense or is she just really good at reading people? Lucy guesses since Lisanna's known Natsu and Erza for a long time, she can distinct certain patterns.
The blonde lifted a shoulder weakly. She didn't really want to single Erza out.
"I'm sorry," Lisanna apologized for her friend's behalf. "Erza can get a little extreme sometimes if she has a goal in mind. Years of being in the Drama Club with her have shown me some pretty wild things Erza's willing to do to get to perfection."
Lucy looked down at her shoes, trying to distract herself.
"Last year's play for example. Man, Erza was just –" Lisanna stopped herself, seemingly embarrassed. "Anyways."
Lucy looked back up.
"But that doesn't excuse the way you're feeling. That is, if you figure out what you're so muddle over about." Lisanna said. "I mean, you don't seem like the type to get jealous so I know it's not that. But I can't really guess what you're feeling either."
Lucy felt her shoulders slumped. Great, if she can't figure out what she's feeling and Lisanna can't figure out too, who's gonna figure this mess up?
"But," Lisanna continued. "It's okay to be concerned. I mean, we're feeling these things because we're all afraid of something right? Sadness because we're afraid someone won't like something we like and therefore cry out. Anger because we're afraid someone won't see eye to eye so we get mad and raise out voice. No one wants to lose a battle."
Lose …
Lose!
Then it hits her like a train. Lucy gasps.
Lucy realized the negative feeling wasn't jealousy or envy. It was fear. She realized she was afraid of losing Natsu to Erza.
After spending one month bonding with Natsu, Lucy felt comfortable around the pinkette. He was funny and nice and kind. And Lucy really liked being guided by Natsu (even if he didn't know what he was doing eighty percent of the time).
Lucy was still new, she had friends but just barely while Natsu had his entire life here – family, childhood friends, a best friend.
Her and Natsu's friendship was built on a mentor-mentee foundation while Erza and Natsu's friendship was something else.
Lucy didn't want to lose Natsu as a friend. They just started hanging out, they just started getting to know each other. If Erza wanted to spend more time with Natsu, who was Lucy to object? If Natsu had a choice on who to pick, Lucy was sure Erza would win in a landslide.
They had history while Lucy had only known Natsu for a short period.
It might seem silly for Lucy to think of such a thing but she's afraid she'd fade into the background once the play is over and once this extra credit is earned. Would Natsu still want to spend time with her? Erza was without a doubt a friend Natsu would not be losing. Lucy on the other hand ...
Lucy was nothing compared to Erza.
"Lucy?" Lisanna voiced after she notices the look on her friend's face. "Are you okay?"
"I – I need a moment to myself to think." Lucy said.
"Did you figure something out?"
Lucy nodded.
"Okay, then I hope you –" Lucy turns before Lisanna gets to finish her words. "– sort it out …"
Lisanna watches as Lucy walks away.
She grumbled under her breath. "Natsu, you idiot, look what you've done to poor Lucy."
Lucy Heartfilia could only sigh in defeat when the final bell rang and told her school was over. Her mind's all over the place.
It's been several hours now and the blonde is still down about the whole ordeal. Dinner had just ended at FAIRY TAIL HILLS, leaving the residents to go about with the remaining of their night.
Lucy Heartfilia and a few of the girls walked away from the chilly autumn air and into the warmly heated of their accommodation building.
Levy McGarden was trailing after her friend, her brown eyes never once leaving the screen of her phone. If Lucy guessed right, Levy was either intensely texting her mom or leaving a long and heartily written review for Lucy's fanfiction that she had just updated an hour ago before dinner.
"Cana?" Lucy called out in an uncertain voice.
"Yeah boi, what up?" Cana Alberona replied, turning around to face her friend as she took off her scarf.
"Hey, um," Lucy twisted a finger in her hair and tugged on a blonde lock nervously. Natsu invades her mind once again. "Do you think this party is a good idea?"
"The Halloween party? Duh," Cana throws in her option casually.
Lucy raised her brow in response. "What if no one arrives? What if it's a fail?"
"Chill,"
"I don't think I can."
Cana sighed at that response and Lucy can't help but feel like a worry-worth.
"Look, if we play our cards right," Cana said, beaming, a huge grin on her face. "Everyone who's anyone is coming. I've organized my Bacchus's parties many times. It's always lit AF. Trust me, you'll be meeting people from all types of places. Different school and, I know for sure, some college hotties."
The blonde hums, her faith was lacking. "Are Bacchus's parties really that popular?"
Cana's face twists from Lucy's sceptic question.
"Ask anyone from the school district, they've all been to at least one of Bacchus's parties." Cana begins ticking her fingers. "I've seen kids from Lamia Scale, that girl's boarding school Mermaid Heels, Blue Pegasus All Boys Academy. Heck, even kids from places like Celestial Institute."
Lucy's brown eyes almost pop from her sockets. People from her old school have been to Bacchus's parties? She racks her brain, trying to remember if there was ever a mention of wild parties. Was it invite only? Were they only meant for older kids?
"Lucy, I think you're forgetting that Bacchus's a college student, is throwing a party. No shit everyone wants to come. He promises free alcohol and snacks. He always throws them at his mansion. He has a pool and a huge garden. Who wouldn't pass on the offer?"
"I guess you're right …"
"You don't have to feel so nervous. Bacchus and I have everything under control. I've already printed out the flyers for tomorrow. Everything's set up for Saturday. It'll be great." Cana said then added with a laugh. "Earlier this year, we threw a party. It was so lit that we whipped all the party competitions off their feet! Like, literally no one attended any other parties except ours! It was hilarious!"
Lucy's lips press in a thin line.
Seeing the blonde not react to her story, Cana stopped her proud boasting. She can't help but click at something. The brunette asked, "Okay, what's wrong?"
Lucy looks away, eyes staring at anything but Cana. Lucy glanced at Levy, sending S.O.S signals at her friend before recognizing the bluenette was on fanfic. Damn it, it'd be ages before Levy put down her phone if she was on that website!
"I know you're not worried about the party. It's something else, isn't it?"
"Well …" Lucy bit her lip and did another side-glance at Levy. She wished Levy would get off her phone and join in the conversation. But it was no good, Levy was sucked into another world known, tuning out Lucy and Cana's talk.
"Spill," Cana commanded.
"You see … what I said I yesterday, about wanting to hang out with certain people, I meant ... a certain someone. A person not a group but I didn't want to make it too obvious or weird." Lucy replied, her pitch getting higher and higher from embarrassment.
Cana's stormy blue eyes immediately sparkle. "Ohoho, do I smell a crush?"
Lucy feels her face warm up. "What – No! You can't just say that out loud!"
"I just did!"
Lucy frowned in reply.
"If you wanna know what tricks I've got up my sleeve, I can tell you." Cana wagged her eyebrows for effect.
"Tricks?" Lucy repeated, curios.
Cana smirked. Looks like someone is interested! "I don't mind sharing."
"Sharing what?" Levy finally joins the conversation. There's a quizzical look on her face telling Lucy and Cana that she zoned out during the entirety of the talk.
"Tricks apparently," Lucy answered.
"Yeah, these little tricks always keep Bacchus close to me." Cana said, almost in a bragging manner. "I mean, he's in college, I'm in high school but he still finds himself coming back to me."
"I think that's called 'love', Cana." Levy pointed out, her expression looked flat.
"Nah, it's all about planning and knowing when and how to act." Cana told. "You gotta throw in a few winks and give it some razzle dazzle."
Levy replies by making an inhuman noise.
When Lucy doesn't object, Cana gets bolder.
"Step into my candy store, Lucy. Boy, do I have some treats for you." Cana chuckled. "I love me a good challenge,"
"There's no challenge, Cana." Levy spoke in a matter-of-fact voice, face squishing up in a look that said, Oh no, here comes trouble!
Lucy merely raised a brow at her friend.
"So, I hear you wanna learn to flirt?" Cana said and wrapped an arm around Lucy's neck, ignoring Levy's words. "I can teach you."
"I – I don't want to flirt," Lucy speaks. "I just want to catch his attention."
I want just to keep my stable friendship with Natsu! Lucy's mind screamed but there was no way Lucy was going to tell Cana who she her mystery guy was.
"And you can earn that through flirting," Cana told the blonde like she has infinite knowledge on things like this.
Levy sighed. "Cana, no."
"Cana, yes." Cana chimed.
"Don't do this!"
"Levy, I'm talking to Lucy."
"Just because you have a boyfriend doesn't mean you know everything about flirting," Levy tried to save her friend from a mistake.
"Hush now, young one." Cana placed a finger on Levy's lips before she turned back to Lucy. "I know a little app that can help you on your flirting skills!"
"Cana," Levy said in a warning voice.
"What are you talking about?" Lucy finally spoke, confused as ever.
"Lucy, my dear, I would like to introduce you to an old friend of mine – Tinder."
Lucy swears she almost chokes on her own spite at the same time Levy whispers a horrid, "Oh no," under her breath.
Cana covers her entire palm on Levy's face to silence the girl before she continues her persuasion. "This lil baby will teach you all the skills you need to get your man."
Lucy tried speaking but isn't given the luxury to explain herself. "He's not –"
"C'mon, let's turn this boring night into a fun one." Cana said, tightening her hold on Lucy's arm.
"I –"
"Don't you want him to notice you?" Cana purred.
Lucy bite her lower lip.
"You want your senpai to notice you?" Cana asked. "Just like how I make my Bacchus notice me and keep him close to me?"
"This is ridiculous!" Levy exclaimed, throwing her hands up in the air.
Regardless of Levy's logic, Cana's words made Lucy think.
Keep him close, huh? Lucy looked at Cana then thought to herself, I guess it wouldn't hurt to keep Natsu by my side just a little longer.
Lucy slowly gives into the temptation.
"Senpai ~" Cana spoke like she was in a 90's anime "Senpai, notice me!"
"Okay, that's just annoying now." Lucy said, her face morphing into discomfort.
"Sorry." Cana apologized sincerely but regardless bats her eyelashes at Lucy. "But you know you want to."
Lucy's lips are still in a thin line but she gives in after the silence stretches on.
"Okay, fine. But only if Levy-Chan comes too."
"What?!" Levy exclaimed. "Why me?"
"I need a voice of reason." Lucy explained. It was only reasonable that the most logical person join in on this nonsense.
Levy made a face. "You're lucky I'm a nice person, Lu-Chan."
The corners of Cana's lips twist into a triumph grin. "Perfect,"
And the next thing Lucy knew, she, Levy and Cana were sitting in her room. Tinder was already downloading in Lucy's pink Lacrima phone and Cana would not hand the cell phone back. Cana said she would guide Lucy. And that was how the whole adventure began.
…
After two hours of random conversations with horny dudes, Cana Alberona had manage to show Lucy Heatfilia the ways of making a guy think he was eligible to get into a girl's pants. Lucy didn't expect much but Levy McGarden knew the whole ordeal was going to go horrible wrong.
Cana had managed to describe in detail the simplicity of a guy's mind, how to assess their characteristics through their profile pictures and which guys to avoid. Despite having the option of swiping right to every guy, Cana was moody and fussy when it came to selecting options for Lucy.
"Only the best for my girl Lucy," Cana had said after swiping left to a guy who seemed sketchy.
Cana had managed to make a final decision after much debating. Sting Eucliffe was going to become their main practice dummy.
"Cana, why did you insist on choosing this guy?" Lucy asked, brows knitted with concern.
Cana answered the question as if it was nothing while Levy wanted no part in this. "Hmm? Because it says on his dating profile that he's from that prestige Sabertooth School."
"And?"
"And he's become our victim because Fairies and Sabertooth has had beef with each other for ages."
"Don't you think that's a little bias to fool someone just because of some bad blood?" Lucy questioned even further.
Cana rolled her eyes, fingers flying on Lucy's phone keyboard to reply to Sting's flirty suggestions.
This time, Levy answered, "You wouldn't understand, Lu-Chan. I forget you're still new here sometimes."
"Hey, I've been a Fairy Tail student for a month." Lucy defended herself.
"Still, you wouldn't get our history with them." Levy replied in a matter-of-fact voice.
Lucy could do nothing but give into Cana and Levy's 'reasoning'. The blonde had no choice. Especially after Cana managed to flirt up and convince String to drive to FAIRY TAIL HILLS.
Did Cana feel guilty? Heck no! Did Lucy and Levy feel bad? Heck yes!
"I can't believe you made us drive all the way here for a Tinder date," Lucy heard Sting's friend complain as the three Fairy Tail students hide in Lucy's room, surrounded in darkness and silence, spying on their victim.
"Chill," Sting replied, clearly not wanting a lecture and took out his phone to contact Lucy.
Lucy watched her pink phone light up and buzz in Cana's hand. The whole ordeal gave Lucy anxiety.
After several rings, Sting sighed. "She's not picking up."
"Honestly, Sting, I can't believe we came all this way just to fool around with some blonde bimbo."
Sting only frowned and said, "I'm blonde too so shut up,"
This only got his friend to groan in reply.
"Don't fight you guys," Another friend spoke up.
Lucy was so wrapped up with Sting and the complaining friend that she hadn't realized there was another person. So Sting had brought two friends with him. Lucy wasn't really able to see Sting's friends in the dark. Both had dark hair and looked pretty emo. Lucy decided to name the complaining dark haired friend Emo One and the concerned dark haired friend Emo Two.
"I can't believe they came," Levy whispered to Lucy in the dark room.
"Me too," Lucy squeaked while Cana snickered. "How are we supposed to get them to leave, Cana?"
"They don't know our exact room, they'll understand sooner or later," Cana replied, clearly amused by the fact that Sting drove forty-five minutes to get here from lord knows where.
"Where's this Lucy girl, Sting?" Emo One said while eyeing Sting and Emo Two with annoyance. "If we get catfished, I'm never driving you guys anywhere ever again,"
"We're not going to get catfished," Sting reassured, trying to contact Lucy again.
Several moments passed, Lucy still refused to pick up while Emo One continued to complain and Emo Two tried to calm everyone down.
"Why are we even friends?" Emo One continued to complain.
Emo Two answered, "Because our cats like each other,"
"That's the stupidest reason for us to be friends!" Emo One said.
"Bullshit, you love it when our cats play together! You have a shit ton of pictures of them on your phone!" Sting said to Emo One. "Shut it, Rogue!"
Rogue shouted back, sensitive from the cat comment. "You shut it!"
"Stop fighting!" Emo Two butted in. "Just meet up with this girl already, Sting!"
"I'm trying, Zeref!" Sting snapped, getting impatient by Rogue's complaining and Lucy's lack of effort to pick up her phone.
Zeref frowned. "Don't yell at me!"
"What – Are you going to cry like you did back in elementary?!" Sting accused.
"You guys are the worst friends ever!" Rogue threw his hands in the air. "We were supposed to chill and have pizza!"
"We're the only friends you have!" Sting replied.
"HEY! SHUT UP!"
Lucy recognized Erza's voice shouting. The blonde saw Erza open her bedroom window and peek outside. Erza has her red hair in a messy bun and had green goop all over her face.
"SOME PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO STUDY!" Erza shouted, waving a fat textbook in the air.
Zeref whispered in horror. "Oh my days, what is that thing?"
Sting and Rogue stood still, staring at Erza like she was death reincarnate in the body of a teenage girl.
"HONESTLY, CAN'T YOU PEOPLE UNDERSTA – WAIT A MINUTE!" Erza stopped her rant and adjusted her reading glasses. "YOU AREN'T FAIRY TAIL STUDENTS! HOW DID YOU GET ON CAMPUS GROUNDS?!"
"Holy shit, guys, let's go!" Rogue said, panicking. He began dragging Sting and Zeref away from FAIRY TAIL HILLS.
"I'm here to see Lucy!" Sting called out, hoping it would clear the air.
"I don't give a shit if you're here to see God himself, you're making a lot of noise and disrupting my studying!" Erza argued, not happy that these boys were making a fuss. "You better leave now!"
"But –"
"I'M CALLING SECURITY!" Erza threatened.
Lucy swore she had never seen anybody run so fast in her entire life. The Sabertooth boys whipped around, shouting at each other for being stupid and fled away from the dorm rooms.
When the boys were nothing but small dots running out of the gates, Cana peeked out of Lucy's window and spoke.
"Thanks, Erza!" Cana called happily which earned Erza retorting something in her strict voice before the redhead closed her windows.
"You knew Erza would save us." Levy said, catching the drift, still crouching by the window.
"Yeah, duh! I told you they'd leave," Cana said, smirking to herself before unlocking Lucy's phone and deleting Sting from the Tinder match.
"We're never doing that again," Lucy swore and snatched her phone back. "I nearly had a heart attack."
"Agreed," Levy replied and threw herself on Lucy's bed in relief.
Cana rolled her dark blue eyes and went over to switch on the lights.
"No offense, Cana, but that was too wild for me. I appreciate you trying to teach me how to flirt and everything, I think I did learned something. But –" Lucy said, pausing for effect. "– I think I'm just going to take it slow and do it my way."
Even if it isn't as obvious as Erza flirting. Lucy adds in her head.
"I second Lu-Chan's decision." Levy answered, nodding her head.
"If you want the boring way to success, go ahead and fall in love with Natsu." Cana joked.
Lucy's face paled at Cana's accurate guessing. She never told Cana who the boy she was having issues was.
"Natsu as in our Natsu? Pink hair Natsu? Goofball Natsu Dragneel?!" Levy looked at Lucy as if she had made a horrible decision.
Lucy couldn't help but think back to the sleepover she had at the Strauss household a week ago. Lisanna's words ring in her head, "Besides, if it's anyone who's a perfect fit for Natsu, it's Lucy."
Did someone spill the beans? There's no way Cana could have known that unless Mirajane told her. It was unlikely that Mirajane would have told Cana, especially since the head cheerleader had kicked Natsu out of his room so that there was no possibility of eavesdropping. Cana was probably just guessing randomly.
"I never said was in love with him! He's just a good friend!" Lucy's face burned a light shade of pink. The blonde threw one of the stuff animals she had on her bed at Cana.
"Yeah right!" Cana only laughed as she deflected the throw before tossing the stuffed toy back to Lucy. "You're gonna get all flirty with him during the Halloween party. One of you is bound to fall in love."
"Cana!" Levy warned despite being confuse about the sudden news. Levy was still going to side with Lucy who was now positively pink.
Cana replied by shooing the warning away before speaking, "Anyway, since fun time is over, I'll head back to my room. I promised Bacchus I'd Skype him and I think he's getting impatient."
With that, Cana exited Lucy's room with a playful wink and gave them a salute before Cana sauntered back to her room.
Feeling emotional exhausted, Lucy tossed her phone to Levy who gave her a look.
"She's right you know," Levy said.
Lucy questioned, "About what?"
"The flirting. Someone's gonna fall for somebody."
Lucy grumbled into her pillow. "I know,"
Levy told her friend, "You better delete that app off your phone this instant."
"I will."
"Are you going to take Cana's advice and flirt with Natsu tomorrow?"
Lucy answered loudly, "No!"
"Then why did we even go through this whole thing if you're just gonna chicken out and not admit your feelings?"
"I don't have feelings for Natsu!"
"If you're not catching the feels then what was the whole point of the party?" Levy asked, still confused. "Wasn't that what the scheme was all about?"
"No, I just –" Lucy tried to defend herself, pouting as she rolled over her bed and grabbed a pillow to squish. "I just – I don't want to lose."
"Lose what?" Levy offered, spinning herself in a circle on the swivelling chair. "Your dignity?"
Lucy quipped. "Hey – My dignity is fully in tacked, thank you very much."
Levy was still spinning around. "Your spotlight in the play?"
"I'm the only antagonist, what is there to lose?"
"Then what is it?"
"I don't know!" Lucy lied even though she knew what she was afraid off.
"Lucy," Levy spoke in a steely voice. She had stopped spinning and was now looking directly at Lucy with serious brown eyes. "What are you afraid of losing?"
Lucy sighed, she doesn't even want to think about it.
"I don't know." She said. "I just don't want to lose."
Levy told Lucy, "Well, I don't like this. But whatever you're fighting for, it better be worth it."
Then the small girl decides tonight was too wild for her. Levy bids Lucy a good night and goes back to her own room.
Lucy is then left alone with nothing but her thoughts. Usually, Lucy would take this free time to refresh her fanfiction page, lift up her mood by reading reviews from the readers but, this time, not even positive feedback could cheer her up. Lucy could only let out another sigh.
She's about to roll over and attempt to sleep early when her pink phone buzzed. Lucy unlocked it without a second thought. There's a message blinking on her screen. It was from Erza.
It read, No more funny business.
Lucy squinted at the words. The blonde was sure Erza had meant the text for the whole Tinder fiasco but Lucy took it as another message. Something clicked in her brain. Erza was right, no more funny business.
Lucy realizes where she has made an error. So far, Lucy Heartfilia has done nothing but act when she fully knows what she should have been doing was talk. Talk it out with Natsu. Sure, their first meeting wasn't exactly sunshine and rainbows but Natsu managed to pull through. After finally coming to proper speaking terms, Natsu and Lucy found themselves easily starting a conversation with each other.
They need to speak to each other – or at least, Lucy needs to speak with Natsu and give him an explanation.
Lucy has been fighting and arguing with herself so much for the past few days. She's been irrational and moody and not herself. She didn't understand it at first. The blonde figured it was due to her discomfort for Erza being suggestive with Natsu but now, after talking to Lisanna and Levy, it suddenly made sense. The answer popped into Lucy's head before she could second guess everything. Lucy realized what she was being so careless about.
Lisanna and Levy were right, Lucy was afraid of losing. But it wasn't until she put 'Natsu Dragneel' and 'losing' together, did she really enforce on her earlier realization. Lucy was afraid of losing Natsu, it was a through and through kind of thought. Goofy, loud, easy-going Natsu Dragneel to beautiful, driven, perfect Erza Scarlet.
Especially after all that's happened. Natsu had been so helpful to Lucy so far. He gave her advice, he sits with her during lunch, he helped encourage her during practice which lead Lucy to land a role in the play.
If anything, it seemed like Natsu had done enough as his job as a mentor. Natsu could easily be off the hook now if he wanted. He didn't necessarily have to stick with her anymore, he's done enough. And that was what scared Lucy. She was scared Natsu would pick Erza over her. She was scared of losing him as a friend.
And Lucy wasn't going to let that happen – didn't want it to happen. It was time to stop fooling around and be serious. Lucy was going to sit down and have a nice chat with the pinkette. She'll sort it out. She'll explain her feelings. She wasn't going to act like this anymore.
But above all, she wasn't going to let her feelings blind her and drive her up the wall. Lucy wasn't going to lose Natsu. This is going to be worth it.
"You get a flyer! And you get a flyer! And YOU get a flyer!"
Is the first thing to be heard in the halls of Fairy Tail Academy on a Friday morning.
As soon as Natsu Dragneel and Lisanna Strauss separated from Mirajane and Elfman who had other matters to attend, the best friends heard someone enthusiastically bouncing around the crowded halls.
Natsu raised a brow, giving Lisanna a look. He asked, "What the heck?"
Lisanna merely shrugged and tried to peer over the mass of people.
Natsu then said, "I'll go check it out, stay here. This crowd looks dangerous."
"Yes, mama." Lisanna rolled her corn flower blue eyes.
"Lisanna Strauss," Natsu said, his voice peaked with fake strictness, stopping dead in his tracks from moving towards the crowd.
"What?"
"Don't talk to your mama that way."
Lisanna let out a snicker and shooed him away with a flick of her wrist. "Just go investigate."
"Ay, ay!" Natsu does a little salute and made a beeline towards Cana and the crowd.
When Natsu finally got closer to the booming voice, he saw Cana Alberona handing out flyers like she was Oprah handing out free cars.
"You get a flyer! All of you get a flyer! Take it! Limited offer, people!"
Natsu approached Cana, battling through the sea of students grabbing the flyer. The moment the pinkette got close enough, he was pushed away by the crowd. Natsu honestly thought it wasn't worth it on the third shove but he somehow made it close enough to speak to Cana. Natsu opened his mouth to ask her a question but got a flyer shoved in his face in response.
"Hey!" He whined, pushing the piece of paper away.
"Read it," Cana replied, she was clearly too busy to talk.
"But I want to ask you a question,"
"Well, tough titties, Natsu boy. I don't have time for your questions." Cana said, turned away and continued handing out stacks of paper.
"Ugh," Natsu grunted and slipped out of the crowd towards Lisanna.
"You got it?" She questioned.
"I got it!" He said and raised the paper in the air as proof.
"What is it?" Lisanna asked, cupping her hands around her mouth so he could hear her over Cana's shouting.
"Uh," Natsu said and looked at the handout.
It was printed in black and toxic green. There were words in bold, fit in a font like dripping blood and a nasty looking pumpkin in the bottom right corner.
He didn't bother to even read the flyer. Natsu only handed it to Lisanna once he was close enough to her. "It's a party, I guess."
"A party?" Lisanna echoed and reads the paper out loud.
.
TRICK-OR-TREAT!
You're invited to Bacchus Groh's Halloween party!
Free alcohol and food!
Starts at 8PM, ends when you drop!
.
"I like how Bacchus underlined the word free alcohol. Shows how desperate he is," Natsu said, unimpressed as he poked the words on the flyer. "Sounds lame."
"Natsu, have you been living under a rock? Don't you know who Bacchus is?" Lisanna gave her best friend a look.
"Cana's boyfriend?" The pinkette guessed.
Shaking her head, Lisanna explained to him, "Bacchus is more than that. Mira-Nee told me about him. His parties are usually wild. He throws it at his mansion all the time,"
"Mansion?" Natsu repeated and let out a low whistle. "Okay, I take it back. Not lame."
"Duh, Sherlock,"
"Lisanna, that is still no way to talk to your mama. You're grounded,"
"Grounded? You can't ground me." Lisanna pushes Natsu playfully by the shoulder. "You're not my parent."
Natsu couldn't help but point out. "Mira grounded you once."
"Okay, you got me there. I'm sorry, mama." Lisanna joked, raising her hands in surrender. "Do you want to attend this party with me?"
"Sure," Natsu said and pointed to the pumpkin icon before speaking again, "It says here, only those with flyers can come.
"One flyer lets in five people." Lisanna confirmed.
"I guess even someone as wild as Cana's boyfriend wants to keep things under control."
"Do you have anyone on your mind that you want to invite?" Lisanna asked.
Natsu shrugged in response. "It depends on who has the flyer. I don't mind anyone tagging along."
Lisanna nodded. "Mira-Nee and Elfman-Nii aren't here so I assume it'll be too late for them to get one."
Natsu bobbed his head in agreement. "True,"
"Is Wendy still a no-go?" Lisanna asked.
"I think it'll take awhile for her to recover from her flu. Besides, Wendy already asked her pen-pal from Lamia Scale Academy to accompany her. They're having a scary movie night."
The white haired girl hummed.
"So, I guess it's just me, you and my siblings." Lisanna said, ticking four fingers. "Guess there's one spot left."
Natsu mirrors his best friend, humming in reply and then lets the conversation become an open one. He wasn't sure who else would want to tag along but the invitation was there.
…
This was Lucy Heartfilia's chance!
Lucy heard everything – everything.
From the information she's gathered from Natsu and Lisanna's talk, Natsu Dragneel is down to go to the party. Which means he wouldn't exactly say no to her if she asked him to go with her, right?
She just needed a moment to talk to him.
The blonde follows Natsu walk down the hall and strikes once he's rounded the corner where there are less students walking around.
"Natsu!" Lucy called, coming out of nowhere and scaring the crap out of Natsu.
The pinkette exaggerates, does a little jump and everything. "Fairies, damn it, Luce! What are you: a ninja? Are you trying to kill me?"
She ignores his accusation and grabs the sleeve of his hoodie. "Go with me to the Halloween party."
"Huh?" Natsu asked.
"Go with me. Attend the party with me." Lucy repeated.
"Uhhh … yeah sure."
Lucy opens her mouth to tell him why she wants to go with him but Natsu talks over her.
"I mean, I was already planning to go with Lisanna." Natsu told Lucy. Natsu rambles on, not sensing Lucy's urgency to say something. "Wendy's been feeling under the weather since Wednesday night so she'll definitely be sitting the party out. I'm not sure about Elfman and Mira but if they agree to come with us, that means all five of us could go together and –"
"I need to talk to you." The words slip out of Lucy's mouth before she can stop herself.
"I – Oh, did I do something to upset you?" Natsu asked, instantly giving Lucy all his attention.
Lucy suddenly feels like she's under the blinding theatre spotlight again.
"N – No. I just – There's something I want to address," She tried to be formal but it sounds too awkward.
"Hey, are you okay?" Natsu questioned, a worried look on his face. "Do you want to talk about it? You can tell me now."
Lucy sucked in a deep breath. No, not now. She's not prepared yet.
"Tomorrow," Lucy promised Natsu. "I promise it'll be real quick. It's not even urgent."
The pinkette's eyebrows are still knitted. He asked, "Are you sure?"
"It's just about the play." Lucy replied then thought, More or less …
Almost all the worry seemed to melt of Natsu's face. "Are you still going on about that? You don't have to stress about it. You blew us all away during the audition. You managed to land one of the big roles. You'll do great."
Lucy smiles at his words. "I –"
The blonde almost tell his everything. Almost. But she thinks it's too early.
"I … I have to go to class now and uh – I won't be seeing you during lunch. I have this thing with Levy," Lucy tells him.
And the reason she says this is because she needs time – time to think, time to plan, time to discuss it with a friend and see if the thoughts haunting her weren't stupid.
Not only that, it was also because Lucy was embarrassed. She was embarrassed that she acted moody towards her friends, Natsu and Erza. It seemed so silly now that she had given herself a moment to think and dwell on second thoughts.
After all, the blonde couldn't just word vomit all her insecurities. Lucy needed to give Natsu a heads up. He needed to be prepared – simply dumping all her worries on the pinkette would be cruel and selfish.
And Lucy didn't want Natsu to think of her as so.
"Thank you for understanding." Lucy reaches out and gives squeezes his hand. She sees him flash her his signature grin. "Just … pick me up, okay?"
Then she turns and leaves the conversation.
Natsu doesn't get a chance to add anything. He does, however, get to chime in a "See you tomorrow, Luce!"
This sudden proclamation somehow eases Lucy. She's nervousfor tomorrow's talk but there's also a new spring in her step because Lucy knows, she's going to handle her irrational feelings with reason and good conscience.
Hey!
Read Gray Fullbuster's text blinking on Juvia Lockser's phone.
Not wanting to make him wait long, Juvia let her fingers fly across the keyboard and replied within seconds.
Hi, Gray-Sama! She texted followed by a conga-line of smiley faces.
Do u hv any plans for Halloween? Gray asked.
Juvia took some time writing her reply, nervously chewing on her bottom lip. She wanted to sound casual yet also interested in the conversation. Play it cool, girl!
Juvia isn't sure. Juvia was thinking for taking a shift at one of her work places since Gajeel-Kun is doing the same thing.
The second she sent Gray that piece of information, she almost wants to take it back yet also add more.
She wanted to tell Gray, considered telling, that she didn't know if she could afford certain necessities next month. Money had been tighter than usual. Especially after Gajeel decided the Element Four wouldn't be stealing any more expensive items from the SEVENTH mall.
It has only been two weeks since the incident with the mall cops but Juvia knew she couldn't risk her and Gajeel's safety.
Juvia couldn't – wouldn't tell Gray about her thieving life-style. Mainly due to the fact that she knows she has to return to the dirty career.
Her phone chimes.
Gray answered with a disappointed, Oh …
Juvia immediately felt bad once she read Gray's reply.
Why? She asked and waited in anticipation. Is there something you wish to ask Juvia, Gray-Sama?
Gray wrote, There's a house party this Saturday. Cana and Bacchus are hosting it. I was wondering if u wanted to go with me.
It took everything in her not to scream and freak out.
Was this a date? Juvia thought and blushed.
Can attending a party together be called a date? Either way, she would show up as his plus one and that was something, right?
The temptation was so strong. Juvia has heard of Bacchus Goh despite never attending any of his parties. But that was only because she considered going to such a thing as somewhat of a gate crash. Phantoms weren't exactly invited.
The only problem was, the party was literally tomorrow. Juvia wasn't sure if she could suddenly just jump on board on a wild party.
Maybe Juvia could just whip out the old costume she wore last Halloween (and the one before that and the one before that). She's been dressing as human Ariel from The Little Mermaid for three years in a row, the fourth time wouldn't hurt. It was just a simple blue dress with a matching bow in her hair.
Juvia nervously pinched the hem of her pyjamas and typed, Will Gray-Sama be dressing up?
Gray responded within seconds, Uh, u mean my costume?
Yes. Juvia wrote.
Jack Frost. Gray replied and added a snow flake emoji.
Juvia's shoulders slumped. Juvia doesn't know why, she blames her overreaching imagination but she suddenly has the urge to wear a couples costume with Gray. She doesn't even know if she's going but still!
If only Gray had told her about the party sooner. She could have somehow made a matching costume with him. Elsa from Frozen perhaps? Juvia was good with a sewing machine (and knitting) but she knew it would be impossible to craft a magical ice dress overnight!
What about u? Gray asked a second later.
Juvia replied, eyebrows furrowed, Juvia doesn't even know if she can go.
I know. But what would u dress up as if u would go? Gray writes anyways.
Ariel from the Little Mermaid. Juvia told him and mirrors Gray's earlier text, adding different fish emojis.
That sounds cute. Gray replied and Juvia finds her face grow warmer and warmer as they exchange texts.
Juvia will tell Gray-Sama if she's free later on. She hasn't gotten any replies from Juvia's bosses. Juvia writes.
Gray sends her an okay emoji. Good night then.
Even though the series of texts was a simple way of checking up on her and basically asking about her day, Juvia couldn't help but feel hopeful that they were more than just … whatever they were.
She said aloud, "Good night,"
"Who the fuck are you talkin' to?" A voice asked.
Juvia looks up from her phone, only to see Gajeel standing by her bedroom door.
"Ju, what's good?" Gajeel asked.
Juvia noticed Gajeel is still wearing his work clothes – He works at a nearby diner as one of the chiefs. There are bruises under his eyes from tiredness and lack of sleep.
Regardless, that doesn't stop Gajeel from spending the little amount of time he has with Juvia. That puts a smile of her face.
Juvia playfully told Gajeel, "Not you,"
"Ouch," Gajeel touched his chest with one hand like she shot him while the other hand was holding a brown paper bag. Probably spare pastries or leftover food from the diner. "And I was gonna share some fries with you."
"Juvia wants fries." She said, stretching out her hand to accept it.
"Well, too bad. Your lost,"
"Sharing is caring."
Shaking his head, Gajeel joked, "Nope. You've fucked up."
Juvia gave him a look.
"That is …" Gajeel paused for affect. "Unless you have something to exchange?"
"Like what?" Juvia let out a laugh. "Gajeel-Kun already reads books for free when he visits her at the bookstore during work,"
Gajeel rolled his read eyes at this. "And then I read fanfiction for free when I can't get enough of the series." He waved the paper bag of fries as if it was a tempting offer. "So, no dice? Nothin' to exchange?"
"Nope," She said and pops the P with amusement.
"Then I guess it's all mine."
"But technically, Gajeel-Kun got those fries for free so it doesn't really belong to you. Gajeel-Kun didn't buy it."
"Free stuff is still stuff. That's what we get for being poor." Gajeel said it like it was an inside joke.
A smile touches Juvia's lips. "Gajeel-Kun must think he's so cool having all the power,"
"You bet the fuck I am," Gajeel replied with a triumph grin. "I'm the cool one in this family."
"Dork," Juvia snorted, covering her laugh with her hand.
Gajeel gasped. "How dare you insult the cool one?"
Juvia rolled her doe eyes again and changed the topic. "So, how was work?"
Gajeel shrugged, plopping on the ground before throwing the bag of fries at Juvia. "Same old, same old. Got some good tips. I'm taking two shifts tomorrow and since it's a holiday, the pay is more."
Juvia hummed in reply, eating the salty treat.
"What 'bout you?" Gajeel asked, extending his arm to grab some fries.
"Juvia's bosses haven't replies." Juvia answered. "Juvia isn't sure yet but Juvia is free the whole day tomorrow."
"Do you want to work?" Gajeel questioned.
Juvia raised a brow. "What do you mean, Gajeel-Kun?"
"I mean – Don't you have plans? Y'know, did that Fairy ask you out again?"
Juvia made a face. How did he know?
Reading Juvia like an open book, Gajeel said, "So he did."
Juvia doesn't answer.
"You should go." He told her.
"But," Juvia's lips turned into a frown. "It's not fair that Gajeel-Kun works on Halloween and Juvia doesn't."
Gajeel sighed. "This isn't a competition, Ju. 'Sides, you aren't even sure you've got anythin' to do. Better spend Halloween havin' some fun."
Juvia mumbled a reply that Gajeel distinct as a negative response. He then replied by throwing a fry to her head.
"Gajeel-Kun!"
"Stop bein' so down, rain woman."
"But Gajeel-Kun doesn't even like Gray-Sama!"
"Doesn't matter. I don't like a lot of people." Gajeel shrugged then drops a bomb by stating, "But you like him, right?"
Juvia squeaked, frowning at Gajeel's statement.
He knows it's a sensitive topic. Anyone with a pair of eyes can see Juvia having strong feelings for Gray but saying out loud was a little difficult.
Gajeel continued, "Then you should enjoy time with him."
"Why is Gajeel-Kun being so supportive?" Juvia questioned. "Gajeel-Kun always complains about Juvia being a love-struck sissy."
"Because you are a love-struck sissy." Gajeel told her. "But that Fairy makes you happy and that's all that matters –" Gajeel stops himself before he can get sappier. "I mean – It's whatever. Better than you bein' a rain woman."
"Awww," Juvia chimed.
"Shut up!"
Juvia cooed with a knowing smile, "Gajeel-Kun is so sweet!"
"No, I'm not! I'm badass!" Gajeel defended himself.
"Juvia thought Gajeel-Kun was cool,"
"That too," Gajeel said in a voice that said, I am bad ass AND cool. And don't you forget it!
Juvia let out a humorous giggle. "Juvia is glad to have Gajeel-Kun by her side."
Gajeel's hard features soften. He looked like he wanted to say something equally kind but, of course, he would never admit such thing. So instead, he said, "You're a sissy."
"I love you too, Gajeel-Kun!"
"Now you're just bein' gross. I'm leavin'," Gajeel told her and turned to exit her bedroom.
"Have a good night's rest! Sweet dreams!" Juvia called as the tall boy shuts her door.
"Ew," Is all he replied and the blue haired girl lets out another giggle.
Just before Juvia tucked herself into bed and fall into a peaceful slumber, she sends one last text to Gray and told him, Juvia will be joining Gray-Sama tomorrow for Halloween!
He answered with an excited, U're my date to the party then!
– one-third BETA-ed by Checkmate-13 so thank you! –
– Special thanks to AnnaYasashii, KingofBlacks, Onyxravenstone, dakotas1210, SingingAngel327, Animenerdd8, BabyCakes25 and an unknown Guest for saying kind things to me when I expressed my need to go on hiatus and take care of my mental health –
Notes
Here, take it! TAKE MY GARBAGE! GRUVIA IS CANON IN HIRO MASHIMA'S FAIRY TAIL AND I DON'T CARE ABOUT ANYTHING ELSE! Fairy Tail ended, here's my contribution.
– 21 July 2017