High School Reunion

Chapter 14

"Fine, I will stay but please don't expect too much." A smile tugged at both the silver haired girls lips and Natsu's. He couldn't describe how happy he felt that she was actually willing to give him a chance and it's all thanks to Lisanna. He would have to remember to thank her later.

With a huff the blond took her seat once more before quickly taking a gulp of the ruby red wine. Natsu slowly sat down on the other side of her, his eyes shined with excitement and she scoffed. He really thought that this was her giving him a chance? Please, this was her pleasing her friend in the hopes that this would make them calm down with their match making attempts with her and Natsu.

"So um Luce, tell me what's new with you?" Natsu asked slightly nervous. He was incredibly worried about messing up once more. Everything was depending on this one dinner and he'll be damned if he let something screw it up.

"Absolutely nothing." She replied in a monotone. She finished off her glass of wine quickly before signaling for the waiter to bring her another. The light in Natsu's onyx eyes dimmed some and now she felt the guilt beginning to form. Damn. Why does he cause such reactions within her? With a sigh, she decided to try and at least be peaceful about this situation. Being snappy with Natsu wasn't going to improve the situation she was in any.

"As I am sure you know, I am a writer now. I enjoy what I do but at the moment I don't have much going on in my life. I just recently started a new book but my writing is off and on. Not much of anything else." She added. Natsu's smile returned to his face at her reply. So she was trying, that was something.

"I have read all of your novels, each one very well written and immensely satisfying." Her brown eyes widened at his flattering words before they narrowed. This was completely different than the Natsu she knew from before. Such words never existed in his vocabulary before. But none the less, it was still a rather decent complement and she felt a light blush coating her soft cheeks.

"Thanks." She mumbled. A chuckle was heard from the pinkette before she raised a brow. She wondered what changed him from the boy who once hated reading and anything to do with books to this man who seemed actually well read and seemed to enjoy reading now.

"You're thinking about how much I have changed aren't you?" He asked of the blond. She thought it over, whether it be wise to admit or not but gave up and nodded. There was really no point in denying it, since it was true anyway. "Just remember Luce that it's been ten years since the last time we really saw each other if you don't count the most recent times. Of course over such a long period of time, someone would change. Especially with the way things played out for us."

"I'd rather not talk about that." She commented dryly. The waiter finally returned with the wine she had requested but this time she grabbed the bottle from his hands and sat it on the table before motioning for him to leave. She knew that it wouldn't be the smartest thing to do if she were to get drunk right now, obviously from what happened the last time but she didn't honestly care. The wine was helping with her nervousness.

And here she thought that she would be more angry then nervous once she sat down with him. Natsu nodded his head, fully understanding that what happened all those years ago was a sore subject for her. Hell, it still is for him as well but he thought that she would at least be willing to talk with him about what happened. He watched as she slammed down another glass of wine and he began to worry. Was she trying to knock herself out with all that wine?

"Lucy, I think you should slow down." Natsu suggested. Alcohol can do many things to people and hetr wasn't exactly sure which way it would be for the blond. He just hoped that she knew her limit. She chocolate eyes landed upon him and his heart skipped a beat. He didn't care that they were glaring at him, the only thing he cared about was the fact that he was able to look into them once again.

"And who are you to tell me what to do?" She questioned. She wasn't slurring or showing any signs of the wine having any affect but Natsu knew that it was only a matter of time with how quickly she has been drinking.

"I'm not trying to tell you what to do, I'm just worried about you." Her brown eyes widened just the slightest, as if she wasn't expecting him to worry before she scoffed.

"Don't be." Natsu tried his best to think of ways to woe this beautiful woman in front of him but always came up short. Nothing seemed like it would ever be enough. That was why he sent so many flowers, because it felt as if she needed more. He knew that flattery never worked on her, she would always kindly thank people for their complements but brush them off never really giving it any thought.

Natsu had seen how all the boys in their school flocked around the blond and he knew that she never once accepted any of them. But what he didn't know at that time was that she was waiting for someone. She was waiting for him. If only he had known sooner then things would have never played out the way they did. Unfortunately, there is no changing the past so he has to do what he can to make it up to the girl of his dreams even if it takes him forever, it would be worth it.

Lucy sat there trying to drink away all the emotions swelling up inside her. These type of feelings would do her no good in the future. She hated looking into those charcoal eyes full of worry and regret. The longing that she could clearly feel from him was growing inside her but she refused to let it show. Why did everything have to be so hard?

"Natsu." She spoke his name in a whisper and once more his heart skipped a beat. He missed this woman so much. Everything about her was just perfect. He loved hearing the way his name rolled off her tongue. "I don't exactly know what you expect to happen from this forced dinner. You of all people should know that I don't like being forced into anything. But my question is, if you know that I hate such things then why would you do it anyway?"

"As I said earlier, I had no idea what Lisanna was planning. Granted, I did come here with the intention of talking to her about you but I didn't realize that something like this would happen so I don't actually have any expectations for this dinner. And even if I did know of this, I still wouldn't. I can't expect you to forgive me and I won't either. That is something for only you to decide, and I will wait as long as it takes, even if that means that I'll waiting for the rest of my life."

Lucy sat there shocked at what she had just heard. Why does this man continue to surprise her at every turn? When did he ever become so...wise? Is that the word? She couldn't think straight after hearing something like that. Natsu could see the light blush upon her cheeks and smiled lightly at her. He isn't sure if what he said got to her but it was the truth. He just hopes that she would believe him.

"Um, I have to go." Lucy stood up from her spot, fighting back the tears that were threatening to fall. Why was she crying? All he did was say a few sweet sentences and it had her already a mess. What was she going to do with herself. She grabbed her purse and began to walk towards the door.

"Wait Lucy! What's wrong? Was it something I said?" Natsu pleaded. His eyes showed the panic that he was going through and once more she felt awful for doing this but she just shook her head. No, this wasn't his fault, at least not this time. It was her fault for letting such words get to her.

"No. I just...I just have something to do."

"When will I see you again?" Natsu asked, hurt written upon his handsome features. Lucy sighed, unsure whether she wanted to see him again or not. No, that was a lie. She knew that she would always want to see him, it's just a matter of if it was smart of her to do it.

"I don't know." And with that she walked out the door leaving behind a man with tears rolling down his cheeks. Did he lose her once again? Yes, he knew that the dinner, or more like drinks, wasn't going so well but at least she was there and speaking to him. Now she ran off and he has no idea when he would get such a chance again. He just prayed that this wasn't the end for them and that one day he could show the blond just how sorry he truly was.

Lucy walked home with a quick stride. She couldn't believe that once again she was running away from her problems. Is that all she ever does? Run away when the going gets tough? She used the back of her hand to wipe away the tears that were rolling down her cheeks as her other hand rubbed her body trying to provide warmth. It had definitely gotten colder during the time they spent in the restaurant.

Goosebumps broke out across her pale skin but she continued as quickly as possible only wanting to hurry home and get under the covers. A good night sleep seemed to be the best way to help her with what just happened.

Finally she rounded the last turn to her home and smiled as she looked up at the inviting place before her eyes settled on a dark figure sitting on her stone steps. She cautiously walked closer, her eyes never leaving the figure until she was able to make out who it was under the dim light on the streets. Her eyes widened when she spotted the dark haired man sitting there, tugging at the shirt he was wearing with a worried look upon his face. She took another step closer before she called out to him.

"Gray?"