Author's Note: Hello everyone! Sorry for the long wait, I had been participating in random prompts about some poems online that's why the second chapter was delayed. I was planning to publish it 3 days after the first chapter but had no time at all. This author is deeply sorry for the inconvenience. I would also recognize my dear readers who had taken their time to write some review that had greatly encourage me in updating.

Mikasa-Chan: Well, Erza's whereabouts and other information will be leaked in the future chapters. By the way, I'm really glad you liked it and also thanks for fav-ing and following the story.

TheFernandezFamily: Thanks for fav-ing the story.

Nicols, Sam, and Guest: Thanks for reviewing and I really appreciated your effort in encouraging me to continue this story.

Disclaimer: Jellal and Erza belong to Hiro Mashima.

I tried to ease the deep-seated tension in the atmosphere by tightening my grasp on the dinner fork I'm holding as the deafening silence bleed into the table as the man entered the scene. My father had just arrived and I couldn't stop myself from trembling because of his presence.

"The traffic was so heavy that's why I was delayed,"

"It is a pleasure to be with you for tonight's dinner." I delivered in a tranquil tone.

A smile curved in the corner of his lips as he had seen my face.

"As I may presume, your first month in the medical school is not that tedious yet," he added before eating his meal.

As much as possible, I don't need to converse that much since he will be enraged by small errs of mine. One wrong word then I'll be minced by his unfavorable words.

"Jellal," his tone raised a little bit higher.

"Julius, watch your tone," my mother reprimanded him.

"Forgive me, I was swayed by my thoughts about my first month in the med school dad,"

"Was it hard, dear?" mom asked.

"Swayed? What do you mean by that?"

"I was-" he interrupted my explanation and he started to revile me.

"How many times do I have to reiterate to you that your passion in photography is just a piece of trash,"

"Bu-but dad let me explain," I stood up from my seat.

I know it's inappropriate but I can't bear to hear those words again. Words are way sharper than actions, he may not abuse me physically but mentally he did.

"Dear please take your seat," mom held my hand and I took my seat.

"No, your son Eleanor is very hard-headed! How many times do I have to tell him that he needs to become a doctor not just a random photographer in the streets?" he rose from his seat and cupped my chin abruptly.

"You are not worthy of having my last name if you're not going to attain any degree in medical school." He let go of my chin and slammed his hands on the table.

"If you will not become a doctor then your name brings shame to my reputation. You are such an inconsiderate brat that values no respect for your father. Scram!" he pointed his index finger to my face.

"Do not make me repeat myself!" his voice echoed in our dining hall and I felt my legs walk on its own.

"Julius!" that was the last thing I heard before I ran to my room with teary eyes.

I sighed and took a sip from my coffee. It's been a month since the class had started and everything has been doing fine until that dinner happened last night. Dad is such a headache but to be honest if he hadn't arrived, mom and I could have a chitchat about my best friend. She was interested to know that I had someone close to me and is a girl but dad ruined that moment. We were about to reconcile after they discussed the first ruckus on the table but unfortunately my damned cousin had texted my dad with the photos that he had taken of me participating in the Nature Photography Contest.

"Even if you won the first place you are still nothing, else you attain your degree in medicine and become a doctor like me," his words pierced my broken heart.

"Damn," I cursed as I put the coffee to my desk.

I heard the door creaking so I composed myself. Monday's really amazing since everyone will not be early and that means I'll have my time to sulk at the corner. I stared blankly at the door waiting for my classmate to get in.

"Hi," she greeted.

"Uh-hi?" I greeted her with a fake smile.

I diverted my gaze to the window and stirred my coffee with the straw. I did not notice that she had sensed my weird ambiance. I was about to take a sip from my coffee but was shocked to see her visage facing mine.

"What's wrong with you?" she grabbed the coffee from my hand and put it on my desk.

"Nothing Scarlet, I'm just thinking about something," I said nonchalantly.

"Eh? If it's nothing then why can I see the sadness in your eyes? You won the competition right so should you be happy till now," she added as she turned her seat to face me.

No matter how hard I try, she has a keen understanding of my actions so I'm having trouble lying at her. I surrendered and I told her what happened. She was perturbed by the story that I've told.

"I'm so sorry, it was my fault… If I hadn't forced you to join the contest your dad may not have reprimanded you,"

"Sssh," I fixed her bangs sideways as it covered her eyes.

"Erza, listen to me, I was the one who accedes to your plan so the blame is on me but you don't have to worry about that… I never regretted the fact that I joined the contest, I also thought that if I'll win the contest, he would be able to appraise my talent however he's always inconsiderate."

"But Jellal, I did make you upset," she was so sorry to hear my situation.

"Erza, my dad is always like that so I'm used to it," I chuckled so that I can reassure her that I'm fine.

"Sure?"

"Yeah," I pinched her cheeks.

"Jellal!"

"Now, now… Please smile my dear Scarlet,"

I feel elated and relieved by her smile at the moment. She turned her chair back to its original position and she rummaged her backpack. I finished my coffee and I disposed it to the trash bin by throwing it off.

"Lazy," she said as she watched my action.

"What's that?" I asked as my attention focused on the paper she was holding.

"This? Well, there will be a medical mission that will be held this coming Saturday and I'm looking for someone to tag along," she smiled at me.

"Don't smile at me like that," I tried to look away but she was able to follow me right away.

"The scholars were already considered as student volunteers but only a few were given consent from their parents because it will be held a few miles from here,"

"So?"

"I want you to go with me,"

"What is the most reasonable reason that you can give that will encourage me to go with you?"

"You like photography, right? I heard the northern borders have great scenic landscapes; you'll lose your chance to get there for free if you'll not go with me."

"Northern borders? Altair? The medical mission will be held there? You should've told me sooner," my eyes glowed.

"And that's not the only thing we can accomplish, we can also help people at the same time, we're hitting two birds with one stone."

"But my dad," I sighed.

"Oh? Are you dumb? He will be delighted to hear that you are now engaging in medical-related stuff which means you can gain favor from your father because of that action,"

I was dazed by her reasons but I appreciated her efforts in recouping for what had happened because of her previous decisions.

"I'll ask their permission to go,"

"Yay, I know you I can always count on you," she tapped my shoulder and chuckled.

"You know I can't say no to you!" I grumped.

"Nah, here's the paper… Make them signed that 'kay? I'll get it tomorrow," she smiled and returned to her seat.

"What have you eaten lately? Why would you be interested in participating in a medical mission so badly? Did someone finally knocked the senses in you?" his stern voice asked.

"I just don't want to fail you anymore dad," I said.

"That's my son,"

I smiled as he caressed my hair as a token of appreciation.

"That means you agree to my plea?"

"Of course, I'm so happy that you had finally prioritized your profession rather than that trash,"

Eh? I only accede to Erza's plan because we will go to Altair and I'll be given a chance to shoot those scenic landscapes and I heard the stars were more visible there compared to the city's view. This is great since all plans were going smoothly.

"I can't wait to go to Altair," I stretched my arms before we entered the bus.

I have notice that Erza was constantly smiling since I had arrived. Is she happy that she was with me? Oh, and I was so lucky to sit beside her in a seat that only the two of us can occupy. Someone entered the bus and reminded us to wear our seatbelts and be ready for the trip since the road will be rough.

"We will be in Siena within 3 hours of travel," the chauffeur informed.

Erza let out a small laugh as I look at her with a perplexed face.

"Siena? I thought we will have the medical mission on Altair. Erza, what's the meaning of this?" I asked her.

"Forsooth, why would I even tell you that we will go to Siena for the mission? Would you even dare to go with me to an impoverished area? Jellal, it's a medical mission and Altair is a developed area and has many hospitals capable to cater all their demands," she chuckled after stating the truth.

"In an impoverished area? Erza, let me out of here!" I yelled well at least in my mind.

I poked her head as she choked her laughter seeing me all pissed off.

"I hate you," I whispered.

"Aw, I still like you Jellal," she whispered back.

My face turned red as I heard her feedback and God, she had seen my face. I'm dead right now but she had a faint blush on her though.

"Tomato-head" she poked and turned to the window.

"Scarlet," I pouted.

Author's Note: I do have created my own characters for Jellal's parents because I only don't know any characters in Fairy Tail would suit their characteristics. I hope you liked the second chapter though the flow of the story is quite slow please forgive me, I will update soon. I will not focus on their days together in med school because this story is supposed to be a two-shot only. All your questions about the first part will be answered soon.

Keep calm and safe everyone! And by the way, your reviews are highly appreciated. Yoshi loves y'all! Hehehe, keep calm and don't forget to pray. We'll be able to get through this pandemic.