Hey ya'll back again with another chapter! The first book is almost done! Thanks for being here on this journey! This is just the beginning of these stories!

Last Time: The team returned to the guild. Krysta learned some devastating news.

Now: Gray comes up with the perfect distraction for Krysta.

Chapter 25- A Much Needed Distraction

Krysta woke the following morning to someone knocking on her front door. Her eyes fluttered open, but were crusted over from the fact she did end up crying herself to sleep last night. She cleared her eyes before taking in her surroundings. She was still in her room and still in the outfit she wore yesterday. She sighed and sorely climbed out of the bed. She didn't bother to change and just headed for her door. The knocking got heavier as she grew closer.

She unlocked the door and opened it to reveal Lucy, Natsu, and Happy. All of them looking fresh and ready for the day, at least compared to her zombie look. Natsu and Happy smiled at her.

"Yo," Natsu said with a wave of his hand.

"Hey guys," Krysta said in a softer tone.

"How are you feeling?" Lucy asked with a sweet smile.

"Physically better," Krysta answered.

"What about mentally and emotionally?" Happy asked.

"Yeah does it have to do with why you took off yesterday from the guild?' Natsu asked now concerned.

Krysta nodded. Lucy came up to her friend and grabbed her hand.

"What happened? Is there anything we can do to help?" Lucy asked concerned.

Krysta sighed. "Come on in. I'll explain everything."

The trio entered into the apartment. Krysta closed the door shut behind them once they were inside. She then led them over to the couches and chairs. Once they were seated, Krysta told them about the letters. When she was done, she felt nothing. There were no more tears that wanted to be shed in that moment. She honestly just felt kind of miserable. Lucy and Happy had tears in their eyes. Natsu had his head bowed.

"Oh my gosh," Lucy said rushing over to hug Krysta. "I am so sorry, Krysta, for your loss."

"Thanks Lucy," Krysta said as she hugged her friend back.

"So you've been home alone all night dealing with this?" Natsu asked still surprised by the news.

Krysta shook her head. "No, Gray found me and made sure I got home safe. He actually stayed for a while to help me keep my mind cleared and distracted."

Lucy blushed slightly. "Is he still here?"

Krysta shook her head.

"No, he left last night," Krysta said.

"That is so sweet of him to do that," Lucy said returning to Natsu's side on the couch. "Who knew he had it in him."

"What does that mean?" Krysta asked.

"Gray is a nice guy. And he does care for his friends and guildmates like family," Lucy pointed out. "However, I've noticed how he acts around you, Krysta. He's almost like a different person. I mean he saved your life, comforted you in your time of need, made sure you were feeling alright after being injured, and he even lights up like a Christmas tree every time someone says your name."

Krysta blushed heavily. She attempted to hide her face as she decided to go make herself some coffee.

"Are you trying to say Gray Fullbuster has feelings for me?" Krysta asked keeping her back to her friends as she started to make the coffee.

Lucy had gotten up from the couch and came over to her, leaning against the counter.

"Maybe," Lucy said. "Do you have feelings for him?"

Krysta looked at Lucy, shocked. She gulped and rubbed the back of her neck. She then sighed and let her head drop. She was too tired emotionally to hide from her feelings.

"I do," Krysta said. "I really do have feelings for him. At first, they were nothing, but a fan girl crush that I was trying to rid so I could make my own opinion of him. But…" she paused. "But I truly have fallen for him. Especially after everything he has done for me. But I can't admit my feelings to him!" She looked back at Lucy. "He already has Juvia who drools over him and tells him how much she loves him. If I admit my feelings to him too then…"

"Then he might see you as being like Juvia?" Lucy finished. "So what are you going to do? Wait until he admits his feelings first?"

Krysta shrugged and turned her attention back to the coffee. Natsu laughed from the couch. That earned him a death glare from Lucy.

"Krysta," Natsu said coming over and ignoring Lucy's glare. "You are nothing like Juvia. I mean aside from the fact you both are strong and powerful. And even if you both like that pervert, getting him to admit anything is hard. Like who's the better fighter for example. I mean its obviously me, but you get my point."

Krysta stared at him with a raised eyebrow. Lucy face palmed herself then shook her head.

"Sadly, Natsu has a point. Not about who is the strongest, but about Gray," Lucy agreed. "If Gray does have feelings for you or even for Juvia, he's not going to admit it. Or at least not immediately. I mean sure he has had plenty of time to tell Juvia, but he hasn't. He's only rejected her feelings. But who knows, you might be different."

"Of course to be fair, he's not the only one to not admit feelings for someone?" Happy whispered in her ear before gesturing with his eyes to the other two in the room.

Krysta chuckled. It was the first smile she put on today. "Are you guys here to comfort me or offer dating advice?"

"Both," Lucy said with a grin.

"Well thanks," Krysta said. "I do feel better. And I do have a lot to think about."

"Good," Lucy said with a smile.

The coffee was ready in that moment. Krysta made a cup for herself and offered to the others. Only Lucy accepted. As they stood there sipping and chatting, another knock came from the door. Happy offered to answer it. He door opened to reveal Gray. Krysta felt herself turn a deep red. Lucy only smiled.

"Hey, Ice freak," Natsu said.

"Hey guys," Gray said as he entered ignoring Natsu's insult. "How long have you guys been here?"

"Only a little bit," Lucy said. "We just came to check on Krysta and see how she was doing. But…" She looked at her non-existent watch. "Natsu, Happy, and I have to get to guild."

Lucy set her mug down and went to grab her purse from the couch.

"We do?" Natsu asked confused.

"Yes, we do," Lucy said. "We told Mira we would help her with that… thing."

"What thing?" Natsu asked even more confused as Lucy was ushering him out the door.

"Oh, that thing," Happy said catching on.

"Can someone please tell me what's going on?" Natsu practically screamed to the heavens as he was being pushed into the hall.

"I'll remind you on the way," Lucy said before turning back to close the door. "Bye guys! And feel better Krysta."

"Thank you?" Krysta said equally confused.

Lucy gave her a wink before closing the door shut. Krysta then realized what the blonde just did. She left her alone with Gray.

"Luce," Natsu groaned once they were outside of Krysta's apartment. "What the hell was that?"

Lucy looked at him. "I am giving Krysta and Gray some alone time. Look if they both have feelings for each other, they are not going to admit it to each other with an audience present."

"Why not?' Natsu asked. "I want to see Gray actually say it."

Lucy chuckled. "Natsu, as much as it would please you to watch Gray squirm from embarrassment, you should know you are just as bad as him."

"At what exactly?" He asked as Lucy started walking down the street.

"Admitting your feelings," Lucy said bluntly.

"She's got a point, Natsu," Happy agreed flying beside her.

"Admit my feelings? For what?" He asked genuinely confused.

That froze Lucy in place on the pathway. She felt her cheeks go hot as she grew visibly pissed.

"Natsu, you're such an idiot," She said before storming off.

Natsu stood there, still confused. He looked to Happy who was just shaking his head at him.

"You really are an idiot, Natsu," Happy said before flying after Lucy.

"Wait, Happy! Lucy!" Natsu called running after him. "What the hell just happened?"

Back at Krysta's…

"That was weird," Gray said staring at the door confused.

"You have no idea," Krysta said nodding in agreement.

Krysta then turned her attention to the dirty mugs that she needed to clean.

"How are you feeling?' Gray asked her.

"Better," she said. "I mean going to sleep last night was a difficult. I ended up crying myself to sleep. But once I was asleep, I was out." She didn't look at him to see his frowning face. She just kept herself focused on the dishes. "Coffee?" She gestured to the fresh pot still on the stove.

"No, I'm good," Gray said as he appeared at her side.

Krysta felt her cheeks grow warm and felt her stomach twist at how close he was. Damn you Lucy, Krysta thought. You had to talk about it.

"So what brings you by?" she asked as she dried her hands off.

"I said I would come by to check on you," Gray said. "After last night, I just wanted to make sure you were doing okay."

Krysta looked up at him. Her body was practically trembling with nervous energy.

"Thanks," She said as then made space between them by heading to the couch. "You didn't have to do that."

Gray followed her. She sat down on the couch and clutched the nearest pillow as if it was going to protect her. Gray sat down next to her on the couch, but with plenty of room between them. He narrowed his eyes at her.

"Are you sure you're okay?' he asked worried. "You're acting kind of… strange."

"Strange?" Krysta asked pretending to be oblivious. "What on earth are you talking about?"

Gray frowned. "Did I do something? Or say something I shouldn't have last night?"

Krysta felt her heart skip a beat. She turned to look at him.

"No! I mean… no," Krysta said shaking her head. "It's nothing you did. I just…. I was talking with Lucy… And things were discussed and… and…" She felt nauseous. "And I don't know if I can do this."

Krysta rushed to bathroom as she felt like she was going to throw up. She slammed the door shut and leaned against it. She tried to gather her breath and calm down before returning out there. But how could she? She probably just upset him. Suddenly a knock came to the door.

"Krysta… please," he pleaded gently through the door. "Tell me what's going on. What did you guys discuss? I want to help."

Krysta tried to calm down, but she couldn't sit still. She straightened up and paced nervously through the bathroom. She clenched and unclenched her fists as she was thinking. Just tell him, you idiot.

"Well… we discussed," She said loud enough for him to hear, but still pacing. "Recent events and things that have happened and… and…" She finally just stopped in place, closed her eyes, and blurted out the next sentence. "That I have feelings for you!"

She clapped her hands to her mouth to prevent more words from escaping. There was silence. Krysta stood there, frozen in time. She carefully opened her eyes and looked around. Everything had gone silent. She wasn't even sure he was at the door anymore. She carefully and nervously tip toed to the door and pressed her ear against it. It was silent on the other side. Did he leave?

"Open the door." Was all he said.

Her heart leapt into her throat. Gray was still there. She took a deep breath and slowly opened the door to the bathroom. She avoided eye contact for as long as she could. But she could see that he was just standing there, in the open doorway. When she finally did meet his gaze, she froze in place. He was blushing and was looking at her with an emotionless gaze. But before he could say anything, she spoke up.

"I'm sorry," she said averting her gaze. "I shouldn't have said anything. You probably don't even feel the same for me and only think of me as a friend. And maybe it's just recent events that are making me feel this way, but…"

"Please stop talking," he interrupted her in a steady voice.

Krysta stopped rambling. She bit her tongue and took a silent breath. She looked up at him. He was rubbing the back of his neck as a small smile forming on his face.

"I… um… I have been thinking about this for a long time," Gray said nervously. "Actually, since that time we hung out together. And it hasn't been until recently that I have been able to figure it all out. I guess what I'm saying is that…" He paused. "I have feelings for you too."

Krysta felt her heart pulse at that. She was at a loss for words.

"You're different than any girl I have ever met," Gray said. "And I really like that about you. I also enjoy hanging out with you. Plus your fierce, powerful, tough, funny, and um… beautiful," He paused again. She blushed. "Actually, this may seem inappropriate to ask given the news you received yesterday, but I have been itching to ask you this for the last day now. Part of the reason that I came over here today was to ask you a question." He paused taking a breath. "Do you want to go out? On like a date? Or something? With me?"

"Did you just ask me… out on a date?" she asked slowly still not sure what she heard was correct.

He nodded. Krysta thought for a second. Despite the recent news, Krysta in her wildest dreams never thought she would be asked out by someone as amazing as Gray Fullbuster. Besides, right now she could really use any distraction that came her way at least until the funeral. And this was the best one she could ask for. She smiled from ear to ear and nodded at his question. That was second smile she had today.

"I'd really like that," Krysta said.

Gray smiled. "Really? Great! I'll um… come by later and pick you up."

"Sounds great."

"How's 7pm sound?"

"Perfect."

"Good then see you at 7."

After that, Gray took off leaving Krysta to figure out on her own what just happened. But one thing she knew for sure was that Lena would be proud of her for stepping up and doing that. As much as she wanted to keep crying over Lena, she felt like she needed to save the rest of her tears for the funeral. Besides, they say everyone grieves differently. And her form of grief right now is a distraction from the sorrow and a focus on the joy in her life.

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