A/N: sorry for taking a long time to post but here's chapter 13 hehe...
The girls tried waking Cana but she was out cold. They decided to order pizza and wait for her to wake up. Natsu was quiet the whole time when they all sat at the dining table eating. He didn't even finish his first slice of pizza. That's unusual of him. Whatever is bothering him, it must be serious.
Levy and Juvia were engrossed in a conversation oblivious to the tension between the couple. Lucy couldn't take it anymore and stood up from her seat dropping her handkerchief beside her unfinished plate. "I'm going to change into comfortable clothes." She announced and walked out not giving anyone a chance to say anything. She walked up the stairs and went straight to her room. After closing the door behind her, she leaned against it and let out a long sigh.
"What's wrong?"
Lucy jumped in surprise as Gray emerged from the shadows. "Omg Gray! What the hell!" She exclaimed placing a hand on her racing heart.
He smiled sheepishly rubbing the back of his head. "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."
"What are you doing in my room?"
"I came earlier, and you weren't home, so I waited till you came back." He said with a smile.
Lucy raised her eyebrows. "In my room?"
"I didn't want to run into Natsu. And I needed to talk to you in private."
She recalled last night and laughed nervously. "Umm Gray listen...about yesterday—"
Gray's face turned red. "That's not why I came here. I came here to warn you."
She looked at him confused. "Warn me about what?"
Gray came closer and took her hand leading her to the bed. "You will need to sit down for this." Lucy nodded allowing him to drag her to the bed as they sat on the edge.
She looked at him, her full attention on him. Is it something about Natsu? She wondered as she waited for him to say something.
He hesitated before clearing his throat and turned to face her. He looked serious. "Listen, Lucy, there's something I have to tell you and it might shock you, but you need to know. It's your right to know."
Lucy furrowed her brows. "Gray, you're scaring me, what is it?"
He took a deep breath. "It all started with—"
"What the fuck are you doing here?"
They both turned to see Natsu standing by the door, his face red from anger.
Lucy stood up. "Gray came here to tell me something important." She said quickly.
Natsu's eyes widened, and he stalked toward them glaring daggers at Gray. "You know."
Gray stood up. "Listen Natsu. This is deeper and more complicated than you know. You don't understand—"
"Lucy, can you give us a minute?" Natsu asked without breaking eye contact with Gray.
"No."
The boys turned to her in surprise.
She crossed her arms. "I want to hear what he has to say. It's obvious that it's the same thing that's been bothering you all day. I want to know." She demanded looking at Natsu.
Natsu shook his head. "it's better if you don't."
Gray cut in. "She has to know Natsu, You know she will, either way. Might as well let her hear it from us."
"No."
Lucy glared at him. "That's not your decision to make." She turned to Gray giving Natsu her back. "Tell me Gray, don't mind him."
Gray hesitated, looking between them, and before he could say a word, Lucy felt the ground disappear from under her as Natsu threw her over his shoulder. He stalked to the door, opened it, and placed her down. He gave her a small apologetic smile before shutting the door in her face and locking it.
Lucy's jaw dropped.
"NATSU DRAGNEEL!!!" She screamed banging at the door.
"Umm...Lu-chan?"
She spun around to find the two blunettes by the staircase looking nervous. She huffed crossing her arms muttering. "I'm going to get him for this."
"Sorry, you saw that, lets go downstairs." She took their hands dragging them downstairs with her. Lucy decided to distract herself from her idiot boyfriend and stopped before a door. Levy grinned at her.
She gestured her hand toward the door and Levy opened it with a squeal. "Omg! it's been so long since we hang out in here!"
"Care for a swim ladies?" Lucy smiled when they entered the swimming pool room. Well, it's not exactly a room but an indoor huge pool that stretched meters.
Levy jumped in joy and raced to the edge of the pool. "I miss swimming at your house."
Lucy laughed and turned to Juvia who was in some kind of trance staring at the pool. Levy walked up to her and clapped her hands close to Juvia's ear. "Earth to Juvia!"
Juvia stared at them for a second dumfounded then her eyes wandered around the whole area. There were beach seats on either side of the pool and TV screens were hanging on a few walls around the pool.
Then Juvia's eyes winded at the long slide at the right side of the pool. "Wow, This is so cool. Juvia loves this place."
"Lucy I think I wanna stay over tonight," Levy said her eyes sparkling with Joy. Lucy forgot how her friend loved coming here to swim together for the whole day and then they would have a sleepover.
Lucy laughed nodding. "Of course Levy, you're always welcome to stay." She turned to Juvia. "You too, Juvia if you want."
But Juvia was silent the whole time.
Lucy frowned. "Um, something wrong?"
"Juvia is so happy right now!" The bluentte suddenly yelled and jumped right in with all her clothes.
They gasped as she emerged from underwater and started swimming on her back. "Juvia thinks she wants to live here."
Lucy and Levy shared a look before they grinned and jumped too squealing. The girls laughed and splashed each other until Juvia started climbing out of the pool and ran to the slide.
"Wait Juvia!" Lucy called out also climbing out. "How about we change into bathing suits? I have extra pairs you can wear."
Juvia clapped her hands in delight nodding eagerly. "Juvia would like that very much."
Lucy guided them to a room on the left. When they walked in, Juvia's jaw dropped. "Lucy is crazy rich. This is a dressing room for a pool!"
The blonde laughed and opened one of the closets that had all her bathing suits and bikinis hanged. "Pick whatever you like."
Levy instantly went for her orange one piece that she kept here. She hugged it to her chest. "Oh how much I miss wearing you!"
Juvia stood for a minute before deciding on a blue bikini and Lucy settled for her favorite white bikini that has pink flowers printed on it. The girls emerged from the dressing room after changing and ran to the slide.
"Hey how about we go all at once!" Levy suggested excitedly.
The girls nodded and Lucy sat first on the edge. Then Levy behind her and Juvia last.
"Okay, one..two...THREE!" The girls screamed sliding down and diving into the water.
Three heads pooped out of the water. "AGAIN!" Levy yelled.
On their third run to the slide, Ms.Spetto came with two maids flanking her all of them carrying trays of drinks and snacks. "Giiiirls, I brought you some snacks." She singed placing the trays on the table against the wall.
Lucy walked to her grinning. "Thank you Ms.Spetto."
She nodded and left with the maids as the girls walked to the table. "I miss all of this so much," Levy exclaimed eating a cookie.
"Yeah, we should do it more often."
Suddenly Natsu and Gray burst into the room, Both already wearing swimming trunks. Natsu smirked. "Are we late to the party?"
Gray looked so awkward standing at the door. "Ms.spetto gave us these shorts and said you guys were here." He said scratching his head. There was a hint of pink on his cheeks as he looked down.
Natsu grinned and ran to the pool jumping in splashing the girls nearby. "Woohooo!!"
They laughed and jumped after Natsu except for Lucy who stood there crossing her arms. She was still mad at Natsu for kicking her out of her room. The nerve of this guy ugh!
Gray walked to her. "Aren't you jumping in?" He asked pointing to the pool.
Lucy turned around giving him her back, refusing to talk to him. She decided she won't talk to either of them until they tell her what the hell is going. Besides, wasn't Natsu upset and angry earlier? She cast a glance at him and saw him sliding down the slide both arms up yelling. "I'm all fired up!" She couldn't help but sneak in a smile. He looked so adorable right now. And happy. Does that mean that everything is okay now? Did they solve whatever was going on?
Gray sighed. "Listen, Lucy, you'll know when the time is right. Natsu has a reason for not telling you anything, but he will eventually. Just give him time."
Lucy stared at Natsu who was now splashing the girls and making waves with his arms. The girls jumped on Natsu dunking his head underwater getting revenge.
Gray came to stand beside her. "Natsu went through a lot lately. He's scared that history will repeat. You'll understand soon."
Lucy turned her head to look at him. "Scared of what?" She furrowed her brows.
He gave her a smile shrugging. Then ran to the pool and jumped splashing everyone. The girls squealed and Natsu yelled. "IT'S ON ICE PRINCESS!"
Lucy sighed and turned around staring at the table full of snacks and drinks. She suddenly doesn't want to swim anymore. What's Natsu is keeping from her? It was obvious that it involved her. Is it something about her father? Because she can't think of any other reason why he might act like this. She shook her head calming her thoughts. This is getting her nowhere.
"Lookin hot" A voice whispered in her ear. She turned around and saw Natsu smirking, leaning on the table.
She blushed looking down. HE is hot. "Whatever" She mumbled reminding herself that she was still upset with him.
He suddenly lifted her chin and leaned down capturing her lips. Lucy's eyes widened and she heard gasps from behind Natsu. She pulled away quickly and hit him on his arm.
"Oww." He rubbed his arm but he was grinning.
"Why did you do that idiot!" She hissed at him, heart racing. She looked over him and saw Gray frozen in his spot.
Natsu smirked. "What? Can't I kiss my girl?" He said loudly.
"OMG! He just said 'my girl' !!! EEEEPPPP!" Levy exclaimed squealing.
Lucy face-palmed
"Natsu, we decided to keep it a secret, did you forget idiot!"
He rolled his eyes and hoisted her up in his arms running to the pool. Lucy screamed closing her eyes as Natsu jumped with her in his arms. They hit the water and Lucy went under. But in less than a second Natsu pulled her up and locked his arms around her waist.
She laughed. She just couldn't stay mad when he's looking like that. And looking at her like that.
He smiled and Lucy's heart skipped a beat. "That's more like it."
She brushed his bangs from his eyes. "Do you realize what you just did?"
Natsu scoffed. "Lucy, Please I don't give a fuck if the whole world knows. Actually, I want the world to know that you're mine." He whispered the last part.
Lucy smiled blushing. He was about to lean for another kiss when Lucy smirked and dunked his head underwater. But what she didn't expect, for him to bring her down with him. Lucy opened her eyes but held her breath. She saw Natsu pointing toward Gray's leg. She nodded and they swam to Gray's side to scare him.
He shrieked splashing around before being pulled down and they rose from the water. Lucy took a lungful of air then laughed along with Natsu.
Gray emerged from the water scowling. "You could've drowned me!"
Lucy giggled and Natsu rolled his eyes. "Don't be such a baby."
"Lu-chan!" Levy called pulling Lucy aside. She pointed a small finger at Juvia. "I think Juvia is in love." She whispered.
Lucy followed her finger and saw Juvia staring at Gray with hearts in her eyes. She laughed in mischief. "Oooh, this is fun!"
Maybe if he gets interested in Juvia, she won't feel guilty for turning him down. She didn't even turn him down properly. But she didn't kiss him back. Wasn't that clear enough?
"How about this?" Levy whispered and the girls schemed a plan to get the two together.
After they finished swimming, They all bathed and changed into pajamas and decided to watch a movie. It was getting late, but no one wanted to sleep yet.
The girls were setting up the room, placing pillows and blankets on the floor and the couch. Levy and Juvia borrowed pajamas from Lucy and Gray borrowed from Natsu.
Lucy and Levy made sure they finish before Juvia. After the maids brought them popcorn and sodas, they both sat on the floor pulling Natsu with them who whined on wanting to take the couch. Lucy shut him up with a kiss.
That left Juvia and Gray to sit next to each other on the couch. Lucy looked back and saw Gray at the far right of the couch looking awkward while Juvia kept taking glances at him.
"Here Gray take this bowl. We only made two bowls of popcorn, apparently, we ran out haha. So share this with Juvia." She handed him the bowl trying to look innocent.
Gray raised a brow at her but didn't say anything and took the bowl of popcorn from her. Lucy turned back to the screen and settled between Natsu and Levy.
Levy nudged her. "You are not getting off the hook girl. You're telling me everything later." She whispered wiggling her eyebrows toward the pink-haired boy who already stuffed his face in popcorn.
Lucy turned pink at that and turned to Natsu snatching the bowl from him.
"Hey!"
"Wait till the movie start, idiot."
Natsu grumbled crossing his arms. "Fine." He muttered. But his eyes landed on a chocolate bar. His face lightened as he feasted on it in seconds. Lucy facepalmed. But then she remembered that he barely ate at dinner, so he must be hungry.
Levy pressed start on the remote control and they all turned their attention to the screen.
"What movie are we watching?" Natsu said through a mouthful of popcorn.
"ShShshhh." The girls shushed him before they smirked at each other. Levy's idea was to pick a horror movie because all couples started with horror movies right? Lucy didn't know since hers started with a kidnapping. But she was glad she met Natsu. He seemed to really care for her. As the movie started Lucy took Natsu's hand in hers. She was never a fan of horror movies but if there will be a chance for Gray and Juvia to get together, she will go through the whole movie unblinking. She took a deep breath. it's okay, it's just a movie. none of it is real.
Natsu brought his arm around her shoulders and snuggled her close to him. Lucy relaxed in his arms and paid attention to the movie. She hopes this works. Gray is really a good guy and Juvia seems to like him.
Halfway through the movie, the girls screamed as a scary scene came while Natsu was laughing loudly. Lucy quickly turned around to take a glance at the 'couple in making' and saw them as far from each other as possible. Lucy sighed in disappointment. She turned to Levy who was wrapped up in a blanket only her wide eyes visible watching the movie. She nudged her and gestured with her eyes behind her. Levy turned around as if pretending to reach for a snack and turned back again toward Lucy.
"Umm Gray is staring at you and Natsu." She whispered in her ears.
Lucy blinked in surprise.
"Let's wait until the end of the movie, maybe something will happen," Levy said awkwardly.
Lucy nodded and they both turned to the movie. Natsu was so engrossed in the movie he didn't notice what's happening. Lucy was suddenly nervous. Why was he staring at her? Maybe he's still surprised about her and Natsu? If not, then what?
She looked at Natsu who was munching on the last chunk of popcorn from the bowl watching the movie with so much focus it made her giggle.
He smiled and brought her closer against him. That only made her go stiff conscious of Gray's stares at the back of her head.
Natsu leaned toward her. "Are you okay?"
"Mhmm." She muttered and tried not to flinch away. She tried to focus back on the movie but couldn't. There was so much on her mind. So many questions. Wonders. And she doesn't have answers to any.
Natsu fell asleep at the end of the movie. Who sleeps through a horror movie? That's right, only Natsu. She shook her head and tried to wake Natsu but he didn't budge.
Levy already went to sleep in one of the guest rooms. Juvia fell asleep after the movie finished and Gray carried her to the room next to Levy.
She saw him as he took her in his arms and went upstairs. But not before giving her a strange look. He didn't say one word to her since the pool.
Lucy didn't know what to think. Did he start hating her now?
Lucy let out an exasperated sigh and shook Natsu harder. "Wake up Natsu, the movie ended."
He groaned but opened his eyes. He looked so tired she felt guilty waking him up. But if he sleeps on the floor, he will wake up with a sore body.
But she remembered that he told her once that he was used to it. And she recalled the time when they were at the safe house when he saved her. She was scared and didn't want to sleep alone. He didn't judge her. He didn't laugh at her. He just let her sleep on the couch and laid on the floor. for her. Lucy's heart warmed at the memory.
She wasn't used to being cared about like that. Even if Natsu didn't care about her back then and barely knew her. But he was considerate a lot that it warmed her heart.
Lucy helped him stand up and took his arm around her shoulder. She walked him up the stairs and she stumbled under his weight, but they made it to his room and she helped him climb the bed. He laid on his stomach and started snoring right away. Lucy giggled covering her mouth. After her laugh died down, she ran a hand through his hair and pulled the covers up. Then she left closing the door quietly behind her.
It was almost morning but Lucy didn't feel like sleeping. So instead of heading to her room, she went to her father's study. But on her way there, she bumped into a hard chest.
"Gray?" Lucy asked in surprise. "Why are you still awake?"
He stared at her for a second before taking a step back. "I couldn't sleep." He replied. "Where were you going? Your room is the opposite direction."
Lucy hugged her arms and shivered in her thin pajamas. "I couldn't sleep too. I decided to go to my father's study" She whispered the last part.
Gray looked back at the door ahead of them and stepped aside. "Okay." He simply said and turned around to leave.
Lucy walked to the door and stopped in front of it. She brought her hands on the handle but hesitated. She stood there for a few minutes working the courage to open the door but her hands felt heavy.
"Why aren't you going in?" Gray said from behind her.
Lucy jumped in surprise for the second time as he came up beside her. She looked at him before turning back at the door. "The last time I was there it was.…my dad… ha-had…." She couldn't finish it. She wouldn't say it aloud. The truth hurt too much.
"Since that night." He said quietly taking her hand and squeezing it gently. Lucy looked down at their hands and before she could pull away. He opened the door and pulled her inside.
The room looked as it had always been. Clean and spotless. Lucy looked at the spot her father was bleeding on that night and found it clean. There was not a trace of blood on it. It was like it never happened. Like her father was just back in his room sleeping. Or in the company in some meeting. or visiting her mom's grave in the garden.
Now he was next to her mom.
Gray hung back by the door having a strange expression on his face. Gray was unreadable like always. "You can come in." She said.
Gray nodded and walked up to her beside the desk. She sat on the chair and looked at the papers stacked neatly on the desk. She traced her hands on the frame of a picture. It was a picture of them. Her mom, her dad, and little 5 years old Lucy. She smiled at the picture even though her heart squeezed in pain. Now it was just her. They left her all alone. She was alone.
Gray was quiet as she looked through her father's desk. She opened the first drawer and saw papers. Second drawer more papers. Then in the last drawer, she saw a lot of envelopes. Lucy frowned. It looked like letters.
She took one and saw her mother's name on it. She chewed on her lips as she opened the letter. It was her father's handwriting.
Layla.
It's been five years since you left us. Five years since I last saw your pretty smile. Five years since I touched your silky hair. Five years since I heard your beautiful voice.
It's been five years since we lost you and it's not getting any easier.
We're trying to manage our life without you, but it is hard. You were the center of my life. You were the reason of my smile.
but I think my little girl is managing better than me. It is a shame but also a fact.
She is much stronger than her miserable father.
She just transferred to a new school. She said she doesn't want to be around people who knew her mother. Because they kept seeing you in her. And it hurt her too much.
She's starting her first day tomorrow. I want to take her to school, but I can't.
It was your thing. You used to always take her to school and make sure she was safely in her class.
And when she comes back home she would jump in my arms and tell me about her day
Now we barely talk. And I know it's my fault. But Every time I see her, I see you.
She reminds me so much of you. And it hurts.
I just can't.
It's hard.
Everything's been hard since you left.
Life is not the same anymore. Nothing is the same.
I just miss you so much, Layla.
My Layla.
Lucy's tears covered the dried tears of her father on the letter as she finished reading it.
She opened another letter.
Layla.
I'm tired, Layla.
a lot has changed since your death. And I hate that change.
I want you back. Life means nothing without you, Layla. Nothing.
I just can't get over you. I don't know what to do with Lucy.
It became even harder than before to understand her.
She is a teenager now. I don't know how to talk to her. I don't know how to treat her.
I just feel lost without you.
I try to distract myself with work as much as I can. Busy myself with work so I wouldn't drown in the misery of losing you.
That's why I'm trying to build my business up and make new partnerships so I can find a spouse for our little girl.
Someone who would treat her and care for her in the right way. someone who would make her happy.
Because I know. I know that she's not happy. I know that it's hard for her too.
that is why I want her to be in good hands.
Because I'm not sure of myself. I don't know if I can continue to be in this world without you.
I'm trying for my little Lucy but sometimes it gets so hard.
I just wish if you could tell me what to do.
I thought time would heal my wounds
but it didn't Layla
it didn't.
Lucy couldn't believe this. "My dad was suffering and I didn't know it," she whispered as more tears fell down her face.
Gray put a hand on her shoulder. "How could you know? He hid it well from you."
She slowly stood up. "I blamed him on everything. She whispered with wide eyes. "I thought he—that he was—" Tears started spilling from her eyes and a choked sob tore from her throat.
"Lucy…" Gray came around her and hugged her.
Lucy sobbed soaking his shirt. He stroked her hair and held her in his arms as she cried. Then she pulled away slowly and he wiped her tears with his thumbs before she could.
She looked at him with sad eyes. "Gray, why does everyone hide things from me? What's so bad about me knowing?"
Gray avoided her eyes and stepped back. Lucy knew he was hiding things from her. She's so tired of always been kept in the dark. She wants to know.
She grabbed his shoulders and looked him in the eyes. "Tell me, Gray."
He averted his eyes, swallowing hard. "Tell you what?"
Lucy leaned forward. "What you wanted to tell me before Natsu stopped you."
Gray stepped away from her and turned around heading for the door. "Uh, I have to leave now." He said hurriedly walking fast. But Lucy raced after him and stopped before the door and spread her arms wide.
"You're not leaving until you tell me what's going on!"
Gray sighed running a hand through his hair. "Natsu will kill me if I tell you."
Lucy narrowed her eyes. "He doesn't have to know." Then she smirked. "Are you scared of him?" Hopefully, he'll take the bait. "Didn't know you were such a scaredy-cat."
Gray's eyes twitched. "It's not that I—"
"Scaredy cat bahaha."
His hands clenched. "I'm not scared of him!"
Lucy crossed her arms. "Then tell me."
Gray rubbed the spot between his brows in frustration. "Fine, You want to know. I'll tell you."
Lucy smiled in victory. She thinks she will use this more around him. And maybe it will work on Natsu now.
He took a deep breath. "I knew your mom before she died."
Lucy's eyes widened.
"What?"
A/N: Hope you guys liked it. Tell me what you think of this chapter!
And also check out my other story "A Misunderstanding"
Thank you for reading!