Welp, forgot to say that this will be uploaded Friday. Oh well. It's now Tuesday, one day before the festival. One last training session, let's hope it goes well. #Jerza. Reviews and constructive criticism is welcome! Enjoy!

Chapter 21

Gajeel's POV (Tuesday, training.)

"Faster Gajeel!" Levy moaned as we headed round the track.

"You're slowing me down McTiny." I snarled back. It was Tuesday, and tomorrow we had a competition to win. The other groups were going down.

"I am not. You aren't running correctly." Levy growled. For such a sweet girl, she could be really mean sometimes.

"Well I am. You're just not keeping up." I snapped back.

"Because you're bigger than me!"

"Then grow up, Pipsqueak." I cackled as she slapped my arm at the new new nickname. She did it often, but it didn't hurt. It was her way of showing I'd got to her. And I loved it.

"Ok!" Erza shouted across the field. "Everyone can have a 10 minute break. Than back to work."

"Finally." Levy gasped as she sat down. I plopped down next to her and put my arm around my girlfriend. "Girlfriend huh? Even after a month, that still sounds weird to me."

"Gajeel?"

"Yeah?"

"Are Lucy and Natsu, not talking?"

"Huh?" I glanced in the direction of the two. Sure enough, Lucy and Natsu were sitting at a distance away from each other, facing opposite ways. "Looks like it. Why?"

"Because they always talk. They're best friends. Something is wrong." Levy stood up. "I'll talk to Lucy, you talk to Natsu. We'll find the problem." Before I could argue, she walked away. I didn't even notice her untie the rope that bound us. "Guess I have no choice."

"Hey Salamander!" I yelled to Natsu. He looked over. "What's up with you? You ain't talking to Lucy."

"Nothing." He answered. Not good enough.

"Talk. What happened." Natsu looked at me, to Lucy, than back. Then he stood up and whispered in my ear.

"After school. My place. I need advice." He sat with his back against me, signalling the end of our conversation. I shrugged and walked back over to my end of the track. Levy was waiting, but looked nervous.

"What did you find?" I asked.

"H-Huh? Oh, nothing, don't worry." She said frantically. She was a terrible liar. "What did you find?"

"He didn't say. Idiot." I grumbled. Erza called for us to start training again, and off we went.

Jellal's POV

Training ended a little earlier than normal. Erza said we needed rest for tomorrow, something no one complained about. In the changing rooms, Natsu spoke up.

"Um, guys. Can you all come to my place around 7? I need advice." He looked worried.

"Sorry mate, I kinda have a hot date later." Loke said. He seemed concerned about Natsu though. "A girl called Aries."

"The shy girl with bright pink hair?" Gajeel asked. Loke nodded.

"It's fine Loke, you have a good time. Can you lot?" Natsu turned to us. We looked at each other and nodded.

"Yeah, we can make it." I said. Natsu gave a small smile. We headed out of the changing rooms, just to see that most of the girls were gone. Only Levy was there, waiting for Gajeel. He linked arms with her and waved us off. Gray and Natsu went one way, while Loke went another. They all didn't see me as I went a different direction.

I knew she went this way. It was her usual routine. She kept to the same routine each day. Probably how she made her life manageable. Following a strict timetable, split between school, social and personal. One of the reasons I admired her. Not the only reason, obviously. She was pretty, duh, and kind-hearted. She may come off as harsh, but she cares for us. Yep, I definitely had a crush on Erza.

But turning the corner made my heart drop. Erza was standing a little down the road, surrounded by ten or so guys. They had her bags, and stood in a close circle around her. I recognised one of symbols on one of the jackets. This group were from Phantom Lord. Not a pub like ours, but a gang, a proper one. One Gajeel used to be apart of.

I ran down the street at full force. I was going to let Erza get touched by a Phantom Lord member. As I got closer, I could hear what they were saying.

"Aww, look what we have here boys. Isn't she precious?"

"You are so sexy miss. I love that red hair." Anger flew through my veins at what they were saying. They were vile, and had no respect. They also didn't know who they were dealing with. Erza could take care of herself, I knew that much. But she could take out a whole group. Not unless she had unlimited weapons. So I had to help.

"Erza!" I cried, stopping a few feet from her. She turned and faced me with a confused expression.

"J-Jellal? What are yo-" She didn't have time to finish. I pushed the closest member to the side and grabbed her. I forced her behind me before the others knew what was happening.

"Who's this?" One asked.

"Looks like her boyfriend. You should've told us sexy." Another said. I ignored their comments. I wasn't her boyfriend, and she sure didn't have a crush on me.

"What do you think you're doing?" I asked them calmly.

"Just making a new friend, blueberry." The first one snarled. "You got in the way of my future wife." Erza opened her mouth to retaliate but I cut her off.

"As if she would go with a pig like you." I grinned as their faces twisted with rage.

One of the men swung for me, which I ducked. I pushed Erza further behind me, and, ignoring the soft feeling in my hand, I leapt into action. The one who called Erza his future wife was my target. I ran up and punched him in the gut. He grunted in pain, but before he could recover, I elbowed him in the face. He stumbled back, which allowed me to deliver a harsh kick to his chest. He fell in pain. One down, nine to go. Two more charged at me. I slipped past one but the other got me. He grabbed my arm and swung his leg forward. I raised my own leg to stop it. It hurt like hell, but Erza's presences kept me going. I twisted the man's arm around, causing a yelp. The other one moved forwards, fist raised. I dragged the first one around on top of the other. A satisfying crack was heard. But I didn't have long to bask in the glory. A fist made contact with my head, knocking me to the side. Staggering, I saw three others cracking their knuckles. A swift fist caught my face. Blood spurted from my nose and my eyes watered. I jumped back to regain my surroundings.

"Jellal!" Erza called. Panic was in her voice.

"I got this!" I shouted through a mouthful of blood. I turned my attention to the three in front of me. Wiping my nose, I raised my fists. The others growled and moved forward. I had to fight smart, taking on three people wasn't the best. The guys began to spread out around me. The four others were silently watching, waiting for an opportunity to jump in. The guy who punched me charged. I quickly sidestepped him and lashed out, knocking him off balance. Than a quick kick to the jaw knocked him out. Another guy tackled my back, almost pushing me to the floor. I whipped round and caught a jab to the gut. It didn't knock the wind out, but it hurt. The guy came in for another hit, but I was quicker. I dragged my foot into his ribs, causing a yell. One headbutt later, and he was down. I spat out blood and span to face the remaining five. Each one had a look of terror on their face. They ran in the opposite direction, dropping Erza's stuff.

"We'll get you blueberry!" One shouted down the road. I wiped my nose again, which stopped the blood flow. I heard footsteps behind me. Whipping round, I saw Erza running at me.

"Erza?" I didn't have time to continue. She rushed forwards and planted her lips on my face. Warmth rushed through me as I stood there awkwardly. Her lips tasted like strawberry, soft and sweet. She pulled away.

"Jellal, thank you some much. That was incredible sweet." I stood there dazed. "Jellal?" I raised my hand to my lips, confirming what had just happened. Than darkness fell as I dropped backwards, fainting. "I just kissed Erza Scarlet."

Lol poor Jellal. Fainting after his first kiss. I had loads of fun with this chapter, writing fight scenes are great. Hope you enjoyed! Next chapter is Wednesday! Get ready for the festival!