Authors Note:

Just wanted to give a shoutout! And it's great news.

I've found a new friend/beta reader. She beta read this chapter and really helped me to improve in certain aspects. I also learned a few new words! So,if your looking for someone to beta read your story, look up NaLu-4tw! She's really nice and understanding. Oh,and this is the first,and only chapter as of yet,out of all of my stories that has ever been beta read. So I was really excited when she offered to do it.

Off of that note,this chapter is way shorter than any of my previous ones. So don't be surprised!

And also...pay close attention to this chapter. A lot of the things might seem a bit random,but they will play a very important role in the continuation of this story. So I'll tell you again—pay close attention.

And enjoy the chappie!

A Surfers Love

Chapter 26

I rung the doorbell to Natsu's home.

Once,twice,no...three times.

After no response,I began to knock loudly and yell his name. Still no response.

I crossed my arms as I huffed in agitation. We're suppose to be going to the interview today! How could he possibly sleep in?

I walked around the house till I reached his polished,wooden deck heavily decorated with stylish furniture. I placed my hands on the railing,hoisting myself up.

The wind began to blow wildly as my hair strew all over my face. Stealthily,I walked up to his glass doors,and checked to see if they were locked. A wide grin spread across my face as I slid the door open just enough to squeeze through. Once I was inside his cool home,I slid it closed.

Breathing a sigh of relief,I glanced around to see if by any chance he was in the kitchen or living room.

Guess not.

I tiptoed to a doorway I had never even paid any mind to. When I think about it,I've only ever been in this one section of his house.

Walking through the doorway, it lead to a long hallway with about four doors on each wall.

Should I really look in them? I feel like I'm invading his privacy...

I nodded my head as I convinced myself that if I didn't see him in a room,I'd close the door immediately.

And even more stealthily than before...I tiptoed down the hallway.

The first room was a surprisingly neat bathroom. Not to big,not to small,and not to fancy. Obviously, Natsu wasn't sleeping here.

The second room was a bedroom. Glancing around,I concluded this was not his. Afterall,the bed was bare and the room was decorated a light pink color. It seemed as though...it was a room meant for a little girl. What would a room like this be doing in Natsu's home?

In the third room, there was nothing in it at all,and well...that's pretty strange.

The fourth room was...another bedroom...? Why is this house so huge when there is only one person living in it? I closed the door seeing as Natsu wasn't in it.

I walked a bit further down,until I came to a door with a wooden handle. The rest of the door handles were made out of a shiny silvery metal,so I wonder why this one is different? Maybe it's his room.

I creaked the door open as I peaked my head inside,and blinked in bewilderment.

This was definitely not a bedroom.

It was more like a study,filled with pictures and old antiques. Like souvenirs,I assumed. Old surfboards were neatly stacked against the walls,bookshelves in their company. Their were also weird looking glass vases upon tables, exotic seashells scattered around,vibrantly colored beads sitting next to them...it was almost as if...I were taking a glance at the hidden treasures the world had to offer.

The room felt somewhat...adventurous.

On the small desk,my eyes caught sight of a picture frame. A man with fiery red hair stood bared chested in the bronze glow of the evening sun,and sitting on his shoulder was a small pink haired boy.

Natsu, when he was younger.

Widening my eyes in realization,I quickly shut the door and stood with my back against it. I placed a hand on my chest as I let out fast,unsteady breaths.

A forbidden room. I'm almost positive I was not suppose to be in there. That room probably means a ton to Natsu,because it looked as though it held sentimental value.

Slightly shaking my head,I continued down the hallway till I came to yet another door.

Cautiously grabbing the doorknob,I pushed it open. I instantly gasped as I finally saw just who I was looking for,sleeping on the bed.

Natsu.

I stepped into the room and glanced around,only to be sorrounded by the color of red. The walls were lined with that fiery color. A small white leather love seat sat in the corner of his room,there were two black and white dressers against the walls,and a door on the far right which I was guessing lead to a bathroom.

Natsu's bedposts were obsidian black,and held up a big dark comforter with flames printed onto it. Which,if I should mention,was thrown all over the bed. Their were also huge, white pillows fluffed up nice and big. All expect for one...the one he was laying on,with an orange pillow case.

I stifled a snicker. Of course,he had to throw in his beloved orange somewhere.

I walked over to the bed and gazed down at his disoriented figure. One leg was hanging off the bed,an arm was strewn across his face,while the other was hidden from sight. His mouth was open allowing loud snores to escape.

Smiling,I leaned over the bed and lightly shook his shoulders.

"Natsu. Wake up," I whispered.

I should've been yelling,but he just looked so peaceful that I didn't want to spook him to much.

He stirred a bit but still kept his eyes closed. I shook him once more in an attempt to wake him.

"Natsu. It's time to get up. We're gonna be late," I urged.

He groaned as one eye peaked open. A small smile spread across his lips.

"M-Mom...?" He mumbled,half asleep. "When did...you get...here?"

I awkwardly smiled. "Natsu,this is Lucy."

His face contorted into a small frown.

"Oh...right. My mom...would never...come...to see me...anyways..."

I frowned also. "She'll see you someday..." I whispered,unsure if it was the truth.

"Where's dad...?" Natsu mumbled,his eyes still closed. Was he aware he was saying these things?

"I–I don't know," My voice cracked.

"How could you...not know..Lucy? He told me...he would come back...so where...is he?" His voice got louder,so it was no longer just a small whisper.

"I don't know," I mumbled,afraid to remind him that his dad was gone.

"Where is he?" He asked again,his face contorting into a look of pain as he began to writhe in the covers.

"Natsu—"

"Where is my dad!" Natsu yelled,springing up from the bed. His forehead collided painfully with mines as I tumbled back and fell flat on my butt.

Clenching my forehead in pain,I propped up an elbow and looked straight at Natsu.

He was breathing heavily with sweat dripping down his forehead. His eyes were widened as he stared down at the covers. He lightly slapped himself,and shook his head roughly, as if to assure himself that this was reality.

There was a long silence that was bestowed heavily upon us.

"I was—I was dreaming right?" He mumbled to himself,fully awake now. He stared down at his hands blankly.

"Lucy isn't in my room. She didn't hear anything I just said..." He attempted to reassure himself.

He glanced up and his eyes landed straight on mines.

He stared at me for a second,before he rubbed his eyes a bit,and then squinted at me.

Maybe he thought he was seeing things?

Slowly,his eyes began to widen,as they became an almost inhumanly large size. His mouth went agape.

"Did you...did you hear any of that?" He asked in a hushed whisper.

I bit my lip as I glanced over to the side. Yes,I heard what he said,every bit of it.

But I won't tell him that.

"You heard that didn't you?" He asked,letting out a small, forced chuckle.

"No—" I started.

"Now you see how weak I am,right?" He asked softly.

"Na—"

"I'm weak! I know that. Even at my age I'm still hoping to be able to see my parents. I still have nightmares,I still pray to get even a glimpse of just one of their faces! Yet, I know hoping for happiness that doesn't exist is futile. My mom doesn't care about me,and my dad's gone."

He let out a deep breath. "I hate showing my weaknesses,just as much as you do. Especially if you're the one who sees it."

He weakly smiled. "Do you have any idea of how much that hurts my pride?"

I winced at his words,because sadly, I understood him. The humiliation and pity one could get from exploiting their weaknesses,is truly terrifying.

Natsu ran his hand over his face in a stressful manner."What are you even doing here?"

"You—You were late so I came to wake you up," I stuttered.

He pointed a hand towards the door.

"Go." He mumbled,agitatedly. "Get out now. Go wait in the living room or something while I get ready."

Should I really just leave? He looked so stressed out.

"Natsu..." I whispered worriedly.

His finger remained pointing at the door.

"Go,Lucy!" He shouted angrily,a dark,twisted glare clearly evident on his face. "And forget everything you heard. Just forget it,and I will too."

I stared at him,at a loss for words from his sudden outburst. I unconsciously cowered back,at the ferocious look plastered on his face.

Mustering up my strength, I shakily stood up,and hesitanty... I began to walk out of his room.

Just as I was opening the door, I heard an almost inaudible,

"I'm sorry."

Clutching the door handle tightly,I walked out,silently closing the door. Now,I was back in his dark hallway,that for some reason,made me feel so cold.

I clenched my hand to my chest,as I leaned my head against the door and closed my eyes.

That was the scariest expression Natsu has ever held towards me.

And I didn't like it one bit.

A/N

This is just something I wanted to point out— but if you go back and read the beginning of Chapter 9,this pretty much ties in with it. Also,I've been noticing,but my story is getting way deeper than I had intentionally planned for it to be!