"No no. Stop calling me. Please." She wepted into her pillow that was stained with tears. She watched her phone read '5 missed calls' before the screen dimmed then turned black. But just as it stopped it lit back up again with the same caller id.
Having had enough of it, she covered the device with the same pillow she held to her chest then walked off to her bathroom. It was starting to become midday with the sun still bright and high in the sky making it happy and cheerful. To the blonde today was an unhappy day.
Lucy stood in front of her bathroom mirror to assess the damage that had been done. Underneath her eyes were painfully red and dry to the touch from her constant rubbing she done. She leaned down to splash cold water on her face then pat it dry before making a mess. She brushed out her shoulder length hair and tied it up in a bun. Lucy walked out her bathroom to her small kitchen to search for something small to eat even if it would be no use when she'll change her mind a second after she chose something.
The blonde sighed to herself after giving up and retreated to her living room. The same events played in her mind like a curse that had no end. She so desperately wanted someone to console her but no one came to mind. Michelle, her childhood friend from her home town, was far away living her own life with her career. She would be far too busy to talk. Lucy refuse to burden her father, who had his own problems with work and his own health, with her own problems. Her mother can't offer any help from beyond the grave. And the person that's become the source of her problems isn't any help.
Her phone went off again faintly sounding through her small apartment.
"That's it, I'm turning it off now!" She told herself hopping of her small couch toward her bedroom. Lucy knocked her pillow to the ground grabbing the device but stopped herself from holding down the power botton.
"Mira." The blonde read the caller id. A small part of her felt grateful to see the woman's name. In a instant she answered the call. "Hello."
"Hey Lucy! How are you doing?" The woman gushed as she spoke enthusiastically to the blonde. Lucy could almost picture her smiling so brightly at her. "I hope I'm not calling at a bad time."
"Oh no no your not." Lucy said collapsing on her bed. She tucked a piece of stray blond hair behind her ear. "It's an okay time."
"Is it okay enough to have lunch with me? I know this cute little show with pastries that are Magnolia's finest."
"Sound fun. Why don't you text me the address and I'll met you there?"
"Sounds perfect! I'll see you then."
Lucy pulled the phone away from her ear and cracked a smile. Ever since moving to Magnolia she's had encountered people that were just beyond words. The college student pushed herself off her bed and went straight toward her large wardrobe storage closet. She rummaged through her clothes for a suitable outfit for the warm spring temperature. She settled on a flowy black and white maxi dress with simple white sandals.
Lucy went straight to the bathroom and gave herself a hot shower to remove any evidence. When she finished she dried herself off then got dressed. After her teeth were washed and hair was styled into a high ponytail, she zoomed out the door with her purse in hand. She looked over the address Mirajane gave her plus some helpful directions the silver haired woman added.
In a matter of fifteen minutes, Lucy quickly approached the venue Mirajane had mentioned. 'Scarlet Bakery' the sign read in bright red letters with a chibi face of a scarlet haired woman. Just as the blonde rounded the corner she noticed a shiny black car come to a stop in front of the shop.
"Wow that looks just like dad's." Lucy mumbled unknowingly to herself. She stopped in her tracks to see who'd come out and was surprised to see Mirajane herself slid out the passenger side.
"I'll call you to come pick me up okay?" She smiled placing a hand on the door ready to close it shut.
"Make sure you bring me a strawberry cake back." Someone shouted from inside the car.
"I will, I will." She replied closing the door as the car zoomed off back into traffic.
Lucy began to walk toward the woman feeling more calm. Mira stood there dusting invisible dust and wrinkles off her pink sundress. It almost made Lucy wonder how much pink the older woman owned.
"Hey Mira."
"Oh Lucy, you look so cute." Mira said with wide blue eyes walking to met the blonde.
"Thank you, your cute yourself today."
"Oh this? I just threw it on." Mira shrugged before looking at the shop and pointing. "Let's go in."
Lucy nodded and followed after the older woman. Right as she passed the threshold, Lucy's eyes wandered around her surrounds. The shop from outside was small and simple looking but within the exterior was a wide modern cafe. It was already filled with people and loud chattering with soft music playing in the background. There were small tables for two near the front and larger tables for four in the middle with the counter in the back displaying a menu with pictures of pastries, jucies, caffeine drinks, sandwiches, and cakes. The displays had freshly baked merchandise. A small section of the counter was a designated area for barstools. Mira and Lucy walked over to the barstools and took a seat.
"I come here all the time for their famous strawberry cake when I can. Twice a week when I can." Mira gush reaching over to grab to menus.
'Twice a week? She must have the most fastest metabolism in the world.' Lucy thought reading over the menu she was handed.
"So how's everything? Hasn't it been a week or so since we last talked." The older woman asked with her blue eyes scanning the menu.
"Everything isn't good." Lucy said without thinking. "I mean I'm fine, school is alright, my dad is fine but.." She had her eyes focused on a cute small image of a chibi character eating on a cookie. She didn't want to look up. "This guy, my boyfriend? I guess we have problems."
"Like what? Not enough attention?" Mira joked lightly looking over at the girl.
Lucy took in a deep breath. "He asked me if I would do anything he asked of me. I said sure thinking it was like taking care of his cat or doing small stuff for him. But no he asked me to move in saying he'll take care of me. It almost sounded like a proposal." She hesitated before continuing. "I'm only 19, I'm a college freshman right out of high school. I have school and work on my head. And he's already 26 probably thinking about settling down and kids."
Lucy's voice cracked toward the end. She felt relief telling someone this but something still ate at her.
"Oh Lucy. Did you tell him that?" The older woman asked placing her hand on the girls back rubbing circles.
"No." She squeaked. "I though he'd back off. He made being here away from everyone I knew so much fun. I'd shy away from it whenever we first talked."
"Dear, it's nothing to be so fearful about. He shouldn't have been so bold to demand something that big to you. If he knew he'd be considerate to understand."
The blonde nodded her head like a child. Mira smiled a bit then pulled her into a hug. "When something happens don't be scared to talk about it Lucy."
"Alright." She replied with a small smile.
"Eh, is that you again Mirajane Strauss?"
Lucy watched as her kind soft spoken friendly natured friend turned to face forward with her eyes looking down and a smirk come across her face. She almost looked devilish. "Yeah and?"
The blonde looked to the scarlet hair woman who had a menacing grin despite the frilly white apron with strawberry patches she had on. Her long hair was tied up on her head except for her bangs that covered half her face. Even with one eye showing she saw how dark they grew. "As always you can't stay away. How unfortunate. Such a terrible shame."
"Watch it Scarlet. Remember last time." Mirajane spoke in a harsh manner, it made Lucy shiver at what the memory could have been. The older woman's features softened when she came back to reality. "This is my friend Lucy, and I bought her here to try your famous cake."
"You mean the Scarlet." The woman said with a twinkle in her eye.
"Huh?" Lucy said too confused to understand.
"The 'Scarlet' is the famous strawberry shortcake here with the stawberry filling and decorative strawberries and red frosting decorating it." Mira began to describe the best she could. "Oh and this is Erza Scarlet, the owner and baker here."
"It's nice to meet you." Lucy said.
"Likewise." Erza nodded. "Since your a new customer here, I'll let you sample a piece of Scarlet."
"That would be awfully nice of you."
"Alright, I'll be back." The owner said walking away.
"How do you guys know each other?"
"Me and Erza were school mates and sorta friends. We use to brawl a lot as kids."
'Mira use to fight?' Lucy thought as she nodded her head to the woman.
"Don't let the outside fool you. You don't know someone until you know someone."
"What?"
"Alright." Erza exclaimed coming through the double doors from the back. She held two slices of cake. "One for Lucy and one for your she demon. On the house."
"Aw thank you Erzie." Mira cooed liking her lips.
Lucy thanked the scarlet woman and took a bite of her cake. She was met with a sweet tart taste of the filling and soft delicate sweet breat. It made her mouth water immediately. "Wow."
"Ah another satisfied customer." Erza said with a smile of triumph as Mira giggled a bit.
"ERZA!" A man yelled over the loud music behind the double doors.
"I have to go. Be sure to enjoy what else we have to offer." The scarlet woman said before leaving with her hair swishing around with every step she took.
"You know, they say she made this with her lover in mind." Mirajane whispered shoveling cake to her mouth with a devilish look on her face.
Lucy rolled her eyes not believing a word as she took in another delicious bite of cake.