Sorry for the late update! I have been procrastinating way too much and it's unhealthy.
Seems like I'm extending this fanfic just a few more chapters.. You guys can forgive me, right? I was planning to make the vacation just one chapter, but it has magically transformed into two! I hope you guys don't mind. :o
Congrats to me for finally getting 100k words for this fanfic. uwu
Thank you guys so much for reading! It means so much to me.
See you all next week. c': Lots of Nalu fluff coming your way soon!
With each morning walk to school, I'm able to feel the air gradually become warmer and warmer.
Magnolia High's students are at last allowed to switch into their short-sleeved uniforms. The fear of receiving goose bumps on our skin by the chill air no longer exists.
As the cold floats away from Magnolia, the anticipation for summer starts—increasing a bit more every day.
We have all obliviously been infected with summer fever.
"I'm so ready for summer!" Levy shouts out to the sky as we jog around in gym.
"Thanks Mavis exams are over," I say.
The past two stressful weeks were loaded with studying, studying, and more studying.
As soon as school was over for the day, I was given orders by Natsu to head straight home and review the material that was going to be on the final exam for each class.
After Natsu's meetings were finished, he'd give a soft knock to my door and enter my apartment to quiz me over the material I reviewed.
Though at times he was strict with me, with each question I was correct on, I would be rewarded with a tender kiss. With the gentle kisses as my motivation, I'm sure Natsu helped me ace my test.
"I'm nervous to see my results on the tests, though," Levy admits.
"Why does it matter?" Cana waves her off. "The exams next year are what really matter."
"Entrance exams for universities?" I clarify.
"Stop!" Levy shuts her eyes, covering her ears. "I don't want to hear those words until the end of next year!"
"That's not going to happen," Cana snorts.
Levy miserably pouts in response while I listen in on the conversation. Levy is clearly stressed about the future, and no doubt Cana is masking her stress with her snarky replies.
I have a feeling I'm the next victim on stress' list.
The next several days soon ebb away into the past in the blink of an eye. At long last, the final day of the school year arrives.
"It's been a pleasure being able to teach you all!" Lisanna-sensei tells us on the verge of tears.
"She's going to make me cry," Levy turns her head to me, refusing to look at Lisanna-sensei.
"Me too," I admit, staring down at my desk.
"Everyone better continue being men!" Elf-sensei howls at us as gym begins to come to a close.
"I don't think I'm ever going to miss this class," Cana blurts out bluntly, speaking over Elf-sensei preaching of being a man.
"Me either," Levy and I agree quietly.
As the next classes go on filled with goodbyes and several students crying, I find myself just wanting the day to end.
Over the past few weeks, the clues sent by Natsu about our trip to the beach have been driving me insane.
"We're going to be there for four days," he texted me one day.
"Pack a swimsuit," he texted another day.
"Don't forget sunscreen," he texted several times.
With each day, I anxiously expect clues from him.
"Let's go to karaoke tonight!" Levy proclaims at the lunch table.
"Yeah, I'll go," Cana accepts the offer.
"We'll go, too," Wendy says, speaking for Romeo as he's in the middle of eating.
"I don't have a choice," Gajeel shrugs.
"Juvia wants to go, too!"
"What time are we going?" I ask, my way of telling them I'll be joining.
"Seven?" Levy suggests.
"Levy, it's summer," Cana rolls her eyes. "Let's go at eight."
"But isn't that a bit too late?" Levy protests.
"Some of us have already turned 18," I realize, glancing at Gajeel, Juvia, and Cana.
"And you turn 18 next month," Cana reminds me.
"We're not minors anymore so we can do what we want," Gajeel says.
"Then I guess everything is settled," Levy says while the bell rings.
I hold back a sigh as I enter the easiest class I've had: health.
"Don't get into trouble over the summer, and come back to school ready to learn," Laxus-sensei tells us, as if he's being forced to.
And with that, he sits at his desk not paying attention to any of us whatsoever.
"Just one more class," Levy encourages the both of us later in the day.
"At least it's Natsu's class," I reply.
"True," she responds.
We sit in our desks, becoming aware that this will be the last time we sit in these desks.
"I hope we have Natsu again next year," Levy whispers as Natsu walks in.
"Me too," I agree.
"It was nice to see everyone in here grow up a little over the year," Natsu starts his goodbye near the end of class.
"Don't you think Natsu has grown up, too?" Levy asks me quietly.
"How so?" I inquire.
"Oh, that's right. You weren't here last year," she recalls. "Compared to last year, Natsu is a lot less reckless. This year, it seems like he cares about something."
"Really?" I raise an eyebrow in surprise. I can't possibly be what he cares about, right?
"Good luck with the future," Natsu continues. "I know you guys can do it."
With his mature and collected tone, it somewhat makes me feel like I can do it with no trouble. Only Natsu has the power to wash away all the stress on everyone's mind.
"And you are all officially seniors," he grins at us as the bell dings across the school like music.
We excitedly shuffle out of the classroom, some of us pausing to thank Natsu for teaching us.
"Thank you very much, Natsu!" Levy thanks loudly, her bottom lip quivering.
"Good luck with your future," he responds.
Levy nods eagerly and waits for me to thank Natsu.
"Thank you for teaching us," I give him a small smile.
He's about to reply but someone interrupts us.
"There's extra food in the teacher's lounge today," a teacher pokes their head in.
"Have a great summer, you two," Natsu says quickly, and trails behind them to get food.
Levy and I share a look, bursting out laughing several seconds later.
"Let's go," she pulls me out of the classroom with her.
We exit Magnolia High, happiness floating in the air. There are fewer people today hanging around the front of the school. Everyone has left for the summer holidays.
"See you guys at eight!" Levy waves at everyone as Gajeel tugs her away.
"Juvia must prepare for next school year!" Juvia declares, scurrying away.
"Does she not remember we come back in three months?" Cana watches her dash away. "Well, I'm leaving, too. See you later."
"Bye, Lucy!" Wendy gives a small wave, walking away with hands entwined with Romeo's.
I step back into the school. Returning my book to the library for the summer, I head to the rooftop.
"It's locked," a voice says behind me as I'm inches away from turning the doorknob.
"Oh," I spin around to find Natsu with four slices of pizza stacked on a plate.
He nods his head to the side, beckoning me to follow him. It seems like it's just us in the entire school; even the teachers have fled home to enjoy their vacation.
As we enter his classroom, he sits at his desk while I lean against the wall beside him.
"Are you really going to eat all those slices?" I ask with large eyes.
"I was going to give some to you, but if you really want me to," he takes a slice, about to bite off of it.
"I want some!" I declare, taking a slice from the plate.
"Are you doing anything today?" he inquires, turning in his chair to face me.
"I'm going to karaoke at eight," I answer.
"I'm sending you the last clue about our trip sometime tonight," he informs.
"I'll make sure to read it," I assure with a grin.
There's a knock on the closed door, making us jump simultaneously.
"Natsu, let's go home," Gray-sensei's voice comes from behind the door.
We exchange a sigh of relief as Natsu opens the door to let Gray in.
"You guys just can't separate from each other, can you?" Gray smirks at us.
"It's okay to be jealous," Natsu retorts.
"I'm not jealous," he scoffs.
"Do you have a girlfriend, Gray?" I dare myself to ask.
Gray's eyes widen, his cheeks dimly lighting up.
"Not right now," he scratches the back of his head.
"He has someone," Natsu tells me.
"How would you know?" Gray frowns.
"You act differently when you like someone," Natsu replies simply.
"I don't like anyone!" Gray states angrily. "Let's just go home already."
"You keep telling yourself that," Natsu chuckles. He turns back around, walking towards me. He stands to where he blocks Gray from my sight.
"Gray, don't look," he orders. I can feel his eye roll from where I am.
He takes a hold of my chin to pull me towards him. The taste of pizza remains on his lips.
"I'll see you tomorrow," he mumbles in the middle of our kiss.
"Tomorrow?" I ask.
"Today will be the last day we're not together, I promise," he says.
"Okay," I nod.
"Hurry up, will ya?" Gray interrupts us.
Natsu gives me a swift peck on the cheek then takes my wrist to pull me out of the classroom with him.
"Have a nice summer, Gray," I smile at him as I'm about to go to the train station.
"Do me a favor and keep an eye on this guy for three months," Gray points his thumb towards Natsu.
"Will do," I stifle a laugh. I give them a wave and walk towards the station.
As the sun disappears from the sky, I enter the karaoke room, which is the same room as the first time I came here.
"Cheers for becoming seniors!" Levy makes a toast, lifting her cup in the air.
"Cheers!" we lightly hit our plastic cups against one another.
In the midst of listening to Gajeel sing his third song in a row, I feel my phone shake with a text message.
"Be ready by 10 tomorrow," Natsu's text shows. I press my lips together to cover my smile.
"We're going to hang out this summer," Levy speaks after karaoke, though it's a command.
"Of course," I guarantee.
With plans to hang out with everyone during our summer vacation, I gladly return home and mentally begin to pack what is needed for our trip to what I have been told is called, "Tenrou Island."
"That should be all, right?" I ask myself under my breath the next morning. I list off the items I packed until I'm sure I haven't forgotten anything important.
As I'm rolling my suitcase out of my room, the soft knocks by Natsu sound from the door.
"Wait a minute!" I call out to the door, hoping he can hear me. I quickly lug my suitcase with me as I stride to the door.
"Are you ready?" Natsu greets me with a grin.
"More than ready," I reply enthusiastically.
"I'll take that," he reaches over and grips my suitcase.
"Thanks," I say gratefully. My arm has already started to become sore from the heaviness.
The miniature wheels on our suitcases rolling across the bumpy concrete serves as our background noise as I pester Natsu with questions.
"What does Tenrou Island look like?"
"You'll see when we get there," he answers.
"How long is the trip going to take?"
"You'll see while we get there."
"Natsu," I complain, slouching in the train seat as it arrives. "Can you just give me a hint?"
"Nope," he gives me his signature grin. He reaches for my hand but I jerk it away.
"I won't let you hold my hand until you tell me," I proclaim stubbornly, crossing my arms across my chest.
"Luce," he whines, giving me puppy dog eyes.
I avert my gaze away from him, watching everything outside fly past us.
"It's a bright yellow and green colored island," he sighs.
"Really?" I turn to him, my eyes lighting up.
"That's all I'm saying," he gently takes a hold of my hand.
"Did you want to hold my hand that much?" I smirk.
"It calms me down," he responds plainly. I don't have a chance to say anything more, because like a light switching off, he falls asleep for the entire train ride.
However, it doesn't bother me in the slightest. As the train goes past Hargeon, I observe the window, taking in the new scenery.
"Natsu, we're here," I nudge him lightly as Tenrou Island is announced on the intercom in the train.
"You let me lean against your shoulder for the whole train ride?" he inquires incredulously, his voice deeper than usual from sleep.
"I figured I should go through what you've gone through," I joke, referring to him claiming my head is heavy. Though Natsu's head is definitely not heavy.
We rise from our seats to exit the train. Immediately, I'm hit with a strong smell of the sea. A light feeling bubbles up in my chest; it's been ages since I've visited the beach like this.
"We have to ride a boat to get to the island," he explains as I follow him on the trail provided for people with suitcases.
"How much did this cost?" I ask nervously, eying the various speed boats waiting for passengers.
"I know the owners so I was able to get a discount," he shrugs it off.
"R-Right," I say with doubt.
Someone signals to us that we're able to step on one of the boats; I begin to feel anxious once the boat rocks from side to side. I'm not anxious for myself, but for Natsu.
"Let me hold your hand," he says in between heavy breaths, his motion sickness affecting him in less than a minute.
"Don't think about it," I say softly, running my fingers through his hair with his head in my lap.
"Can you go slowly?" I request to the driver.
"Sure thing," they nod.
As soon as the boat moves a centimeter, I can see Natsu's face take on a blue shade.
"It'll be over before you know it," I tell him.
"Hurry up," he groans.
Eventually, we land at the island. Natsu's closed eyes shoot open and he rises from his position and jumps off the boat, landing on the sand.
"Is your partner alright?" the driver questions with concern as Natsu wobbles around.
"It's normal," I reply with a short laugh. I step off the boat and give the driver a wave once he hands me our suitcases.
"Natsu, are you okay now?" I hold his shoulders, looking at his distant eyes. He blinks several times then looks down at me.
"I'm good now," he speaks, his tone matching his eyes.
"You need to lay down for a while," I advise, using all my strength to get the suitcases on the concrete.
"I'm good now," he repeats with a stronger tone; he takes the suitcases away from me.
I follow him as he goes to the front counter to get our room key. I don't pay attention to the conversation as I'm too intrigued by our surroundings.
Besides the enormous amount of couples, everything is in elegant wooden shacks, or huts; inside the shacks contain tables for people to eat or drink at.
Surrounding the island, is a simmering cerulean sea. I feel as if I can see miles off into the ocean. I can't imagine how many types of sea creatures are swimming around at this very moment.
"Come on, Luce," Natsu's voice brings me out of my observation.
"It's beautiful here," I breathe out.
The atmosphere is almost honeymoon-like, but I keep those thoughts to myself.
"Welcome to Tenrou Island," he responds slyly.
Once we reach our room that we'll be sleeping in for four days, Natsu and I fall into the bed together.
"All we've done today is sit on a train, but I'm exhausted," I say, my voice being muffled by the feather-like pillow.
"I feel like I could sleep some more," he talks into his pillow like me.
"We can't!" I lift my head from the pillow to stare at Natsu's limp body. "I want to go around the island."
"Can we do that later?" he asks.
"No," I shake my head. I walk to the other side of the bed and seize Natsu's arm.
"Let's go," I demand, attempting to haul him towards me, though he doesn't budge. After a few more attempts, I breathe out heavily, sweat starting to form on my forehead.
Natsu takes my pause as his chance to grab me and throw me on the bed beside him. We're only a few centimeters apart.
"You're already sweating?" he chuckles.
"You're heavy," I mumble, giving his chest a push.
His chest rumbles with another chuckle. Natsu sucks in a quick breath.
"First one to step foot in the water is the winner!" he says quickly, leaping out of bed.
"W-Wait!" I exclaim, following suit and rushing out of the room.
It's no surprise to either of us that Natsu wins. He gives me a smug smile as the waves of the ocean wet our ankles.
I scan around the area we're in to see if there's something I know I can win in.
"Let's play tic tac toe," I say when my eyes land on two sticks perfect for drawing on the sand.
"You're on," he smirks, handing me one of the sticks.
"You go first," I tell him after the nine squares are drawn.
"You seem confident," he remarks, drawing an X in one of them squares.
"I am," I reply, drawing an O.
I play through all the tricks I memorized a couple of years back while we play.
"I know what you're doing, Lucy," he clicks his tongue. He swiftly marks the spot that was made for me to win.
"Hey!" my mouth opens as wide as the O's I've marked. The game ends up in a draw.
"Want to play again?" his smirk taunts me.
I open my mouth to accept his competitive offer, but a drip of water distracts me.
"The sky was just clear a couple of minutes ago!" I exclaim as I notice the sky has turned into a dark gray.
"Let's go before it get worse," Natsu says as the wind begins to pick up, the roar of the waves becoming louder. By the time we reach our room, our hair is dripping wet.
"Before you get sick," he takes a towel and drapes it over my head. I'm unable to see for a few seconds, but Natsu pushes away the towel to cover my hair. He rubs the towel across my hair back and forth to dry it.
Natsu's hazel eyes bore into mine as he's finished drying my hair.
"You're so cute," he mumbles, letting go of the towel and pulling it from me.
"You are, too," I blurt out to the floor, my cheeks hotter than the air.
"An unexpected storm is coming to this island. Please stay in your rooms until further notice. Thank you," a robotic voice sounds throughout the island, loud enough for everyone to hear.
"I guess we have no choice," he sighs. I wordlessly stare at him as he takes a piece of paper and two pens. He raises an a suggestive eyebrow towards me.
"You're on," I grin, meeting up with him on the bed. We place the sheet of paper on the center of the bed.
And that begins my first four day vacation with Natsu.