Just as I started writing this chapter I put on a random playlist and the first song that came on was named $TING by The Neighbourhood. Coincidence? I think not.
Writing this chapter reminded me on why I love writing fanfics. Just getting lost in the writing world for a couple of hours never fails to make me want to just jump back in it once I leave. And just knowing people are enjoying what I write is just.. ah. uwu
I'm rambling and all of you just want to get to the story, I get it. I hope you all hate/love evil Sting just as much as I do! :3
I step out of Natsu's classroom with a heavy feeling in my chest. Sting's expression of pity replays in my mind over and over, taunting me. Hundreds of emotions swirl inside of me ranging from anxiety to anger. I walk through the vacant hallway with my head down and arms with piercing pain behind my back, intertwining my fingers together.
"Lu-chan!" Levy shouts, her voice coming farther up from the hallway.
I rise my head and put on a forged smile. I trot up to her, "What's up?"
"I've looked everywhere for you! It's picture time, come on," she links her arm with mine and leads me to where everyone is at. I try to ignore the agonizing pain coming from my arm.
The whole group is together in a line already, minus Sting, and they cheer once they see me. I glance at the person holding the camera and my heart throbs along with my arms. Natsu and I eye each other blankly.
"Come come," Levy says energetically, standing beside Gajeel. To the left of me is Juvia.
"Juvia wants to go see Gray-sensei," she whines to me.
I stare at her as she begins to babble on but I tune her out. I turn my head to Natsu and he looks back at me with careful eyes. He tilts his head to the right slightly and when I don't make any movements back he goes back to directing his attention to everyone else.
"Okay, everyone smile!" Natsu raises his voice to get our attention.
We all get into our positions; Gajeel's hand creeps up behind Levy's head giving her bunny ears. Romeo puts his arm around Wendy's shoulders. And Cana does nothing but smirk with a water bottle in her mouth.
Natsu begins to count down from three and I feel more knife-like pain when Juvia links her arm with mine.
"Cheese!" we all shout once the flash pops up. I force the best smile I can put on.
"How did it come out?" Levy asks.
"Not good at all," Natsu does an exaggerated frown and shows the camera screen to Levy.
Levy snatches the camera with a panicked expression and sighs in relief.
"I love this picture so much!" she gushes, showing everyone else the picture. I see a glimpse of the picture but feel the need to step away.
"I'm going to go to the restroom," I announce and leave before they can object.
I leave the noisy hallway and shuffle to the restroom. Silence is the only thing that seems to comfort me although I rather have Natsu by my side.
I take a small sips from the water fountain beside the restroom and lean against the wall. I shut my eyes with a small sigh. I hear footsteps and I stand back up to see who it is. Natsu strides towards me with wary eyes.
"Are you okay?" he looks down at me with pure concern.
"I'm alright," I answer with a deep breath.
"What happened?" he asks softly, reaching over and gently placing his hand on my cheek.
I gaze at him and try to think of the safest way to start. I somehow can't seem to form the words correctly.
Natsu's hand on my cheek slides down to my arm and as soon as his fingers skim over the bruise, I can't hold back my wince. He swiftly pulls back, looking at his hand with a puzzled look.
"Is your arm hurting?" he leans down to examine my arm and when I feel Natsu's eyes land on the bruise, I hold my breath.
"Who did this?" he asks urgently. He looks at my other arm and his eyes widen to see one there as well.
"Luce," he repeats when I don't respond. "Who did this to you?"
"Sting did," I whisper, looking down at my shoes. "He knows."
"About us?" Natsu finishes my sentence.
I nod wordlessly, refusing to look up at him.
"We need to get you some ice," he states with a low voice. "Go to the nurse's office right now."
"What are you going to do?" I raise my head as I see his shoes moving.
"Find Sting," he replies. He turns around and speed walks away to where everyone is. I follow him, trying to keep up but he's moving too fast. When I'm about to call his name out to tell him to slow down he makes an abrupt stop and spins to face me.
"Go to the nurse," he commands with a tight voice. I open my mouth to protest but he shakes his head. "Go now."
"Okay," I reluctantly nod. He returns to walking away quickly to look for Sting. I watch him get farther away and when I feel he's far enough, I follow him again. How could I possibly go to the nurse with all of this happening?
Natsu opens a door that leads to outside and slams it behind him, loud enough for me to jump. Once I get to the door, I turn the knob and close it behind me lightly so Natsu doesn't hear. His pink hair is far away now so I use that as my guide.
I squeeze through everyone and never let his pink hair out of my sight. I stop walking as I see Natsu speaking to Sting. They're too far away for me to hear, but I see that Natsu's eyes are as hard as a rock. Sting isn't effected in the slightest as a smirk plays across his lips.
Natsu nods his head to the side and Sting trails behind him. They walk to the side of the school and I tip toe behind them. I stand at the corner of the school, using the wall to cover me. I peek out to look at Natsu.
Although the only noise at the side of the school are the distant voices back where everyone is, I can't hear what Natsu and Sting are saying. I watch their lips move silently. Then suddenly, Natsu grabs the collar of Sting's shirt and pushes him up against the wall. With wide eyes, I strain my ears to hear them.
"For the last time, I didn't touch Lucy!" Sting's voice fills my ears loud and clear.
"Where did the bruises come from then?" Natsu demands, staring at Sting with intense eyes.
"I don't know!" he replies innocently.
My legs move automatically as I step up to the two. Natsu releases Sting as he notices me, followed by Sting trying to get his breath back.
"Why didn't you go to the nurse?" Natsu questions.
"I couldn't," I shake my head.
"Luce, go," he pleads softly.
We stare at each other for a few seconds and I hear Sting chuckling.
"You two are disgusting," Sting says in between deep breaths. "Not only are you together, but you have nicknames for each other?"
"I'm going to ask again," Natsu closes his eyes to calm himself. "Did you touch Lucy?"
Sting and I blink at each other and I point a finger to one of the bruises he left. I feel that if he lies again, I'm going to burst.
"Yeah, I did," Sting answers with a shrug.
Just his unconcerned tone angers me but infuriates Natsu. He takes a hold of Sting's collar again but instead of shoving him against the wall, he raises him up to where his feet dangle in the air.
"Don't you ever put your hands on her again," Natsu spits out, lifting up a threatening fist.
Sting glances down at Natsu's fist and snickers, "Are you really going to hit a student?"
"I will if I have to," Natsu responds.
"After this, I'm going to tell everyone about your relationship with Lucy," Sting declares with a devilish smile. Natsu gives Sting a glare that Gajeel will never be able to pull off.
"If you don't let go right now, I'm going straight to Makarov-sensei," Sting coughs, Natsu's hold starting to affect him.
Natsu's fist trembles but soon falls down. He releases Sting roughly, his knees buckling from the impact and dropping to the ground.
"I'll make a deal with you," Sting proposes after picking himself up.
"What?" Natsu and I ask together.
"I won't say anything about your sickening relationship," Sting states. I hold my breath to the hear the next part.
"Only if you break up with Natsu," Sting looks at me. "And be my girlfriend."
"No," I decline instantly.
"But Lucy," Sting begs with desperate eyes.
"She said no," Natsu hisses.
"Well, that's alright," Sting sighs, a smirk forming on his face. "At least I know what it's like to kiss you."
Sting turns to Natsu, "She's a great kisser, don't you agree?"
"You—"
"Ah," Sting lifts a finger to remind Natsu that he'll go straight to Makarov-sensei if Natsu touches him again.
Natsu groans and runs a hand through his hair.
"Are we done here?" Sting asks after a yawn.
"Leave," I order.
"Okay," he gives me a smile. It's the same smile like always; where the scar on his right eye disappears. Yet this time, it does nothing but nauseate me.
Sting strolls past us and before he turns the corner he looks back.
"It's a shame that we won't be able to graduate together, Lucy," he says. "If you need me, I'll be here."
He turns the corner and I stare blankly at where he just was. My hands are uncontrollably shaking and a new lump forms in my throat.
Before I can turn back to Natsu, two arms wrap around my shoulders behind me. I feel Natsu's forehead press against the back of my head.
"Everything is going to be okay," he mumbles.
"Are you sure?" I ask with an uneven voice.
"Yes," he replies. "And if I do get fired, it doesn't matter."
"It does," I squeak, looking down at his arms.
"I'll always love you," he whispers.
"I'm scared," I whisper back.
"I'll be right here with you," he assures.
I spin my body around so I can lean against his chest. By the way he's hugging me, I can tell he doesn't want me to move my arms.
I soak in Natsu's familiar smell and it soothes me enough to where the lump sitting inside of my throat fades away. I sigh loudly into his chest.
"That tickles," Natsu slightly pulls away so we can look at each other.
"So when Sting says something—"
"Luce," he shakes his head. "Don't worry about it."
"But—"
"I'm going to kiss you if you keep trying to bring it up," he threatens playfully, bumping his nose against mine.
"Fine," I pout. Maybe focusing on ourselves is the best choice right now.
"You need to get some ice for your arms now," he unwraps his arms around my shoulders and takes a step back to examine my arms again.
"It doesn't hurt that bad," I say stubbornly, trying to cover my grimace when he lightly grazes it with a finger.
"Really?" he asks. "So it doesn't hurt if I do this?" He pokes the bruise with his index finger.
"N-no!" I respond even though I yelp.
"If you don't go to the nurse I'm going to do it again," he wiggles his finger dangerously close to the bruise.
"Okay!" I reply in defeat. I take one last look at Natsu and turn around to go back to where everyone is.
"Oh, I forgot to say," he calls out. I twist back around to see him. "Let's not meet up at the rooftop today. Just to be safe."
"Yeah," I nod.
"Everything is going to be okay," he reassures again with a warm smile.
"I know," I smile back. Then I turn back and continue to leave and head to the nurse's office.
If Natsu says it's going to be okay then I believe it will be. Although it is a little hard to consider when I could see his finger rising and begin to get twirled around in his scarf.