Chapter Thirty Eight: One Revelation Too Hurtful

Juvia Lockser laid in her bed, wide awake. She faced the ceiling, just staring at it silence. There was no one else in the room except her. She did nothing except embrace the loneliness that came within.

Juvia, for some odd reason, felt betrayed. She had heard not too long ago that Lyon and the rest of the boys were leaving. They were leaving the city, the school, her. Lyon was leaving the city, the school... and her. Juvia was a smart girl, and she knew what this feeling was. It was pure and utter betrayal.

She realized she had spent a lot of time together with the boys, and enjoyed every single minute of it. Out of them all, Lyon was the one she was the most friends with, and most attached to. She was even dating him, so the sudden news was a big blow to her.

How can he do this? Juvia thought to herself. He didn't even tell me. Why didn't he do that, at least? Does not trust me enough? But I thought... we were friends. Or were we?

Juvia knew she was a very emotional person. Even the slightest remarks that harmed her emotions, her dreams affected her. A lot. And this was a big issue, given that she felt a very strong urge of deception.

I won't talk to him anymore, Juvia childishly decided. I won't answer his calls, and I most certainly won't go to meet him. No, no I won't. Up until now that was an option, but now it's a complete no-no. He'll come here to meet me by himself. He must do that.

With that strong belief set in her mind, Juvia lay in her bed, now determined not to move till Lyon came up the stairs to her room to speak to her in person.

xxx

Lucy had recognized him immediately. As soon as she was down the stairs, returning from Levy's dorm room where she wanted to vent out a few 'boy problems', she knew the fluff of white hair was Lyon Vastia when she spotted him. For a while she wondered just why he was here, but then realized it was probably to meet Juvia, since they were dating now. A bitter feeling ran through her. Dating, huh, Lucy thought to herself, remembering when once she and Natsu were dating too. Why the past tense?

Lucy was still a bit unsure about what she and Natsu were. He wanted some time apart, but for how long? And what were they now? Lovers, friends, or strangers? Lucy needed answers, but she knew she would get none from Natsu. Maybe I should ask Gray, she thought, remembering how helpful he had been. Or, since Lyon is here, let me take the advantage of the situation and ask him instead. I need to butter the toast first, though.

"Hey, Lyon!" Lucy had shouted to grab his attention, which she successfully managed to as he turned his head to find her, breaking out into a grin. He muttered something to the receptionist before heading her way by the stairs.

"Lucy, hey," he greeted. "How are you?"

"Just fantastic," she lied through her teeth. "What about you, Lyon? How are you doing?"

"Good, good."

"Great. Hey, that's a nice shirt," she complimented, causing him to look back at his red and black checkered shirt which he was wearing. Personally, he thought he looked awful in it, and so did Lucy.

"Oh, um, thanks."

"No problem. It looks good on you. Really brings out your..." Lucy dragged the word, thinking quickly of a stupid body part to lie about, "um, eyes, yeah."

Lyon decided on not mentioning that the shirt was borrowed, and originally belonged to Natsu. "Um, thanks. Hey, you know where Juvia is? I haven't seen her since that day at the party since she left quite abruptly once I returned with the drinks. She's not picking up my calls either, so I hope she's okay."

"Oh, Juvia? Yeah, she's fine. Just a little upset I guess?"

"Upset?" Lyon started to worry. "Why's that?"

"Well, we kind of found out you guys are leaving, and she's probably mad because you didn't mention it to her. You know, when you left that time at the party... Cana..."

Oh, Lyon realized. Damn it, Cana. He sighed a bit, obviously stressing. Then, slowly, he started to explain, "Look, Lucy... I was about to tell her. It's just that... I was trying to talk Hilda into letting us stay some more, and decided she'd be happy to hear the news once she hears about the definite extension of the stay. Obviously, I was wrong."

"Oh. Well, don't worry, Lyon. I think you were right. Juvia overreacts sometimes," Lucy consoled him.

"Yeah, no shit Sherlock."

"The thing is," Lucy started, "Juvia's a bit too emotional. She cares about stuff a bit too much, and I worry about her sometimes. She just gets really hurt once she, herself, is hurt. And I have experienced firsthand that once she's angry due to her emotions, she doesn't really care about anyone. I mean, who does that? Sure, she's my friend and I love her, but shouldn't she just think like a sensible person instead of just spurting crap at people when she's angry? Where's the self-control, huh?" Lucy didn't sense Lyon's discomfort, but kept on talking, now not in her right mind anymore. "I just really get tired of Juvia sometimes. There have been times more than once when I was hurt because she thought I hurt her in some way. And I didn't! I mean, she never even properly checks if what she is saying or being angry about is correct or not. I mean, what the hell? She has no right to be mad at you Lyon, no right. In fact, you should be mad at her. I mean, you're the one who is her rebound guy." Lucy had not meant to say that last part, but regretted it immediately once she did.

"Wait, what?!" Lyon's tone was now one of disbelief and shock.

"I mean... she um... uh, she... bye!" Lucy quickly tried to flee from the situation by running but Lyon stepped aside to be in front of her, blocking her way. For some reason, she couldn't find herself to move. He looked dead serious.

"Lucy," he said firmly, and she kind of didn't like the aura that was coming off of him. It scared her. "Tell me everything, please. From the start, if you may."