Chapter Two

A Story Proposal

"You did what?!" Lucy Heartfilia's mouth dropped.

Levy McGardner, whom Lucy was beginning to see the new side of her gal pal, folded her arms with pure satisfaction. "You heard me right! The infamous best-selling author of all times, Thomas Wilson, is interested in hearing the proposal of your romantic novel! Of course, it took us a lot of begging and pleading, but we made it work. No excuses this time, Lucy. Mira already put in a good word to the headmaster."

As if on cue, Mira Jane set down two large glasses of iced drinks onto the bar counter and winked at Levy. "It's official. Our Lucy is finally about to become the next famous author. Master approved." Though her sweet voice could warm every heart in the guild, fear remained as cold as Lucy's fingers around the glass of iced pink lemonade. This was bad, really really bad. Why didn't she just lock herself up in her apartment for another month instead? She could edit her novel for the hundredth time and still be content with nobody reading it. Not even Levy, whom she'd entrusted her to keep her work on the down low.

Of course, look how that turned out...

Levy wrapped a comforting arm around Lucy's shoulders. Concern and regret painted across her face. "Oh Lucy, I'm so sorry. You've just worked so hard on this book that I really think you deserve some recognition. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. It's time to show the world what you're made of."

Lucy forced a weak smile. "Yeah, I get it. But..." Any criticism could shatter all her hopes and dreams in becoming a famous author like her childhood idol, Thomas Wilson.

"So you'll do it?"

Lucy blinked at her abruptness, wondering if her apology was even genuine. But a matter this petty wasn't worth sweating over when the question called attention to a bigger one. "I don't know." She looked down at the ice floating aimlessly around the pink cloud of liquid. "I don't think I'm even ready to show my work to a professional. I mean sure, I'm psyched that my favorite author is here in the flesh. But…" She cradled herself between her arms. "What if my story is not good enough?"

"Are you kidding me?" Levy gripped both of her shoulders, appalled. "You're the most talented writer I've ever met! Your novel about the Dragon Prince is amazingly romantic, Luce! Here." She rummaged through her brown, leather knapsack, pulled out the blue floral notebook, and held it out to her.

"And," Mira quickly added. "I especially loved the part when the princess shared her true love's first kiss with the handsome prince." She sing-songed wistfully.

Lucy's brow twitched and she gawked at Levy. "I thought I told you not to let anybody else read it!"

She raised her hands up, her face crumpling with remorse. "Again, I'm sorry. Mira made me show it to her so she could convince the headmaster. But nobody else read your novel. I promise!"

"She's right." Mira appeased with a nod, supporting Levy. "And besides, what better time to propose your book while Mr. Wilson and Master play catch up over a few drinks at his office." Seeing the surprised look on Lucy's face, she explained. "Apparently, they'd used to be old colleagues from long ago."

After a moment of silence, Lucy sighed and sipped on her pink lemonade. Just because Master Makarov knew Mr. Wilson didn't mean impressing Fiore's award-winning author with her amateurish writing would be a walk in the park. Then, Lucy felt a hand on her own.

"Remember what I've told you about taking risks?" Levy asked.

Lucy rested a cheek on the heel of her hand. "Yeah. And I also remember saying that I don't take risks." In fact, she'd avoid any risk from the face of the planet; usually, the ones with the higher chances of experiencing an early death. In this case, a book rejection was an act of suicide to her self-esteem. And in her line of defense, she'd already received plenty of rejection by the man who raised her without her mother.

But when Levy evened the intensity of her gaze to hers, Lucy remembered that she wasn't the only one without attentive parents. "Well now is the time. And as hard as this may sound, and because I love you to death, you'll never become a famous writer if you don't get your foot in the door. Mr. Wilson can make your book famous and, trust me when I tell you this; you got potential."

Mira had returned to polishing a glass tumbler. But her occasional glances indicated her still eavesdropping into the conversation. Blinking at the two women before her, Lucy exhaled slowly to stop the churning in her stomach. "This may be the scariest thing that I'll ever have to do." She smiled. "But with friends like you and Fairy Tail, there's no room for fear."

All eyes were on Lucy then. Their smiles beamed when Lucy stood up. She could imagine it now. Lucy Heartfilia, the next best-selling, youngest author with a hidden talent. Mr. Wilson himself would praise her as the writer he'd been searching for all his life, and tell the world of how her work had astounded him beyond all measures. Her story was engaging, enchanting. The kind of literary piece Fiore has been looking for!

As Lucy made her way to the stony staircase leading to the headmaster's office, Levy called out to her. "No matter what happens, Lucy! You'll always be my number one favorite author!" She gave her a friendly wink, and Lucy felt the weight lift off her shoulders. Before turning into the corridor, Lucy did some last minute touch-ups. Pulling up her heart-shaped blouse higher over her cleavage, the fabric sagged from the immense weight of her bust. Her lips pursed out with a pout. She smoothed down her miniskirt to cover a few inches of leg skin, but the hem rose back up. She exhaled. Last minute shopping for a classier outfit reaching a few inches longer than her fingers was out of the question. She looked down at her black, leather, knee-high boots. Maybe they could distract him from staring at her smoking hot curves. Unless the guy was a secret pervert, she hoped her first impression wouldn't become the primary cause of her book rejection.