A/N: Hey there!~ I'm still alive. :D Have fun reading it. The next chapters will be a bit longer.

Chapter 21

Juvia's POV

So, it had been almost three weeks since that thing happened. And although I wasn't one of those girls who acted like their breakup meant the end of their world, the incident hurt me more than I thought I could take. At first. I mean, yeah, who wouldn't feel the same anger, disappointment and especially the pain? The whole time I asked myself what I did wrong so that something this bad could happen to me.

But then after some days, I realized that I obviously met the wrong guy.

Maybe it was wrong to say that I was now a bit glad that he didn't come home very often before that thing happened.

Honestly, I can't even remember the last time he came. I think it's for the best.

I tried to erase this unpleasant memory of him. Thanks to Levy and Lucy, who were there for me I could move on a lot better than I could have on my own. I couldn't tell them what was going on, cause I somehow was feeling too embarrassed that I was cheated on. I mean, I've always told them how happy I was with him and what a perfect guy he was. In the end I just felt pathetic.

But Gray, well, he helped me out and informed them, that it was better to have girls around who could comfort me at such a difficult time. Even now, when I remember how I was sobbing and clinging to him, my face flushes red. His hand was laying protectively over my head while he was gently stroking my hair at the same time. And with his other arm he embraced my back, pulling me further to him. I didn't know if it was for the strong grip, the calming words he whispered to my ear or the familiar scent he had, that made me feel safely in his arms.

Until now, I thought that he hated me abysmally and that he enjoyed it when I got hurt, but somehow my mind changed. Mira once said that Gray cares for his friends. I wouldn't say that he sees me as his friend but on that day he cared about me. He didn't have to, he also could have just told me how miserable I was and then leave. Instead, he stayed with me.

I'm really thankful to him.

As I walked down the street I reached the guild.

"Hey Juvia!" Lucy came greeting me. "How was your mission?"

Oh yeah, that's right. After the breakup I went on a lot of missions, mostly to distract myself and have some time alone to clear my head.

"This one was tough, but I did it!" I smiled back.

"That's good too hear." She lightly clapped on my back. "You wanna a drink? Mira has some good new stuff."

"Sure, sounds great!"

I made my way to Mira's bar. Lucy went back to the table with Natsu, Levy, Erza and Gajeel who all waved at me. In the end, it's nice to have lovely friends around, I thought as I smiled.

"Hi Mira, how's it going?" I said to the white haired mage behind the counter.

"Oh Juvia! I'm good, how was the mission? Wanna try my new tropical cocktail mix?" She asked preparing the ingredients. I nodded and sat down on one of the barstool.

"Well, it was kind of challenging and dangerous at one point but nothing I couldn't have finished." I laughed jokingly.

Mira's expression became a bit worried. "You know, you don't have to go alone on such missions. Wouldn't it be better if you at least bring someone along with you?"

"..I know. I will, now that I feel a lot better. But before I really had to do it on my own. So I could prove myself, that I'm strong after all that happened, I guess.." I explained while looking determinately into her eyes.

"If that's the case. *chuckle* I'm glad that you're doing fine!" Mira said and handed me the drink. "Here. It' on the house!"

"Thanks Mira!" I smiled at her, taking a sip.

"You're welcome! Oh by the way, have you decided where you want to move?"

"Mmmh.." I thought. "Almost. Well I did find a nice place in a hotel-like apartment. It's expensive but still cheaper than living in a big house on my own, now that he doesn't pay his part of the rent anymore."

"I see."

"Well, thanks to those missions, I could earn enough money to afford this apartment. But who knows, maybe I'll find something better." I said, sipping my drink again.

"Huh? You're moving, Juvia?" I looked to my right, where the voice came from. There stood Lucy and Gray, their eyes wide opened.

"Eh.. well.." I couldn't finish my sentence when Lucy interrupted me.

"NO! You can't leave us! I know that you perhaps are still reminded of that douchebag here, but here are also your friends, so don't you dare leaving us, you hear me!" She held my hands and stared very upset into my eyes.

"L-Lucy, you're misunderstanding..." I sweat dropped and back away a little. "Yes I'm moving out, but I will still stay here in Magnolia."

"..." She remained silent for a second. "Whaaat?! Why didn't you tell me before? I feel like an idiot for making such a scene."

"He he he... sorry!" I smiled awkwardly. Mira just giggled.

"Jeez! …Whatever. Mira, could you make us two of your new creation, please?" Lucy turned to Mira. "Sure!"

While the two girls chatted with each other, Gray came around to my left and chose to sit next to me to wait for his order. I wouldn't deny the fact that lately I felt a bit nervous around him although I didn't really know why. I wondered what he was doing right now, so I briefly glanced at him. Unfortunately, he looked at my way and then I averted my gaze out of instinct and took a big gulp of my drink instantly.

"Oi Lockser.." I shrugged at the sudden sound of his voice and almost choked on the liquid in my mouth. He must think that I'm weird now..

I faced him wanting to know what he is up to.

"Did he call you again?" Gray asked with no expression.

"Huh?" Why is he asking me that? "N-No." I answered, looking at the counter. "Why do you wanna know?" I glanced at him again.

"No reason." He said bored, resting his chin in his palm.

"Gray?"

"What?"

"Thank you for helping me." I said quietly, but loud enough for him to hear it. "I couldn't tell you properly but I was really grateful that you were there for me."

His eyes widened in surprise. "And I'm sorry you had to see me so.. awful."

"You don't need to apologize for that. I've already said it once, it wasn't your fault, so just don't think about that asshole ever again, okay?" He smirked at me.

"Yeah." I nodded happily with a hint of blush on my cheeks. Seriously, he only smirked at me, so why is my heart beating faster?

"Here is your drink, Gray~!" Mira said, giving him his order. "Thanks."

"..."

"…Mira?"

"What is it, Gray~?"

"Why are you still grinning? It gives me the creeps." Gray shuddered.

"AH~ Well you know… Lucy just now was so kind to tell me who 'your girl' at the Grand Masked Ball was.~" Mira's smile was now bigger than before, if that was even possible.

"Oh. Shit-!" Was all that Gray could say.

"Why didn't you tell me earlier? And Juvia, I thought we were friends who have no secrets." She faked a tear drop.

"Honestly, I've forgotten about that thing.." I sweat dropped.

Just when I watched how Mira teasing Gray, Lucy tapped on my shoulder to have my attention.

"Juvia, if you need some help with your moving I can lend you a hand, okay? Don't hesitate to ask." She smiled.

"Thanks Lucy, I really appreciate your help!" I smiled back. I am really glad to have such nice friends who are always there for me.

"By the way…"

"Huh? What is it?"

"Where do you wanna move to?" She asked me. "Have you found a place yet?"

"Yeah kinda. I'm thinking to move to a hotel-like apartment here in Magnolia."

"Ah, is that so? Which one is it exactly?"

"Hmmm… I don't really remember the address but it shouldn't be so far away from the guild. I think the name was Star…Starlat…Starlot.."

"Do you by chance mean Starlight?" Lucy asked a bit too curious.

"Yeah! I think that's the right name!"

"Wait- Juvia, did you just say your moving to Starlight?" Mira chimed in, leaving Gray open mouthed.

"Y-Yes." Okay, what's going on..?

"NO, you -mmpft!" Just when Gray obviously wanted to say something, Mira put her hands on his mouth to shut him up.

"Don't listen to him, Juvia! I think that's a wonderful idea~!" Mira grinned at me like nothing was happening. "Don't you agree, Lucy?" Mira winked at her.

"Of course!~ Juvia, believe me when I say that you'll regret it if you don't move there!"

"O-okay."

I'm not sure what is going on with them. And why do I have this strange feeling about it?