AN - Hey guys I know I'm a bit early... But I'm going to be away for the next week till Friday and that means I won't be able to update... So here I am.
For all the love and support have some nalu. Pre warning it's hard to keep up all these chapters.
We own nothing but the converted plot :D
CHAPTER EIGHT: TRAIN PHOBIA
Lucy's POV
Yasss! Today was the day! I'd finally convinced Natsu to take me to the mall, because of my well earned victory at Take Over and he had been avoiding it all week. But thank my celestial gods! Icarus had mentioned that it was mine and Natsu's turn to go food shopping and I jumped at the chance. Food shopping might be a bit boring but getting a new outfit is worth it!
I glanced quickly at the clock on my desk at it's glaring hands revealed it was just a little past nine… Time to get ready! And wake the beast…
I rummaged through my empty closet. I definitely have to get me some more clothes… I pulled out a brownish turtle neck long sleeved top and pulled on a plaid skirt, letting my hair go loose today. A tiny weeny bit of makeup but nothing over the top. I checked myself in the mirror, I wonder what you would think if you saw me now Mama? I scoffed I bet she never did picture me being in the crime world…
Well, the day won't wait for me! Let's make the most of it! I was all hyped up as I locked my dorm room behind me when suddenly my thoughts halted… I have to wake Natsu. I stormed grumpily over the hall to find Natsu's door gaping open, I hesitantly took a few steps into his room.
"Natsu…?" I called cautiously. "Naaatssuuuu?"
Suddenly I saw a rush of pink jump up and down in front of my face like a pink ping-pong ball.
"HEY! HEY! HEY!" I reeled backwards from the hyper teen.
"What the fuckkkkk? Natsu what have you eaten…." If he has something like rabies, I don't want his infection ass anywhere near me.
"Omgggg Luceeee you have to go to the kitchennn!" Natsu was literally drooling. Rabies. Rabid Teen SOMEONE HELP ME! He was too busy bouncing off of every wall in his room to see me take my escape as suddenly as a ninja.
"OI LUCEEE weren't we going shopping?" I heard his voice call out from his room as I quickened my speed walking pace down the corridor.
"OIIII YOU BEGGED ME ALL WEEK FOR THIS COME BACK!" The pinkette hollered as he pelted after me down the corridor. I let out a surprised yelp at his advance as I broke into a run, crashing into poor Levy who was balancing books wobbly in her arms.
"Quick Levy, No time to lose we have to escape!" I giggled as I grabbed Levy - who was trying to gather the books up off of the ground. "No time, least the books will slow him down,"
"LEVYYYYY GRAB HER!" Natsu roared as he rounded the corner.
"RUN!" I squawked as I pulled a baffled Levy behind me, "Hurry up or I will feed you to the beast!"
"EHHH?" as all Levy could manage as we ran towards the kitchen.
"QUICK! QUICK into the kitchen!" I squealed as we heard an angry roar from behind us.
"LUCEEE WHY YOU RUNNING FROM ME!"
I quickly shoved Levy through the door as I passed the threshold watching Natsu sprint down the corridor. I tried to hold in a laugh as he tried to stop on the wooden floor but due to him only being in socks caused his face to become friendly with the wall, as I slammed the kitchen door in his face in hope to block out the pile of Natsu to the rest of the residents in the kitchen. Who all rose an eyebrow at mine and Natsu everyday antics, I just shot them a impish grin.
As I was about to step forward to join the table when the door was thrown open with enough force to slay a bloody dragon. I was flatten against the wall with a giant smack.
"SECOND HELPINGS FOR MEEE!" Natsu roared as he skipped happily to the table. "Where's Luce?"
"BEHIND THE DOOR YOU ASSHOLE!" I said grouchily rubbing my head.
"Aren't you two going shopping?" Levy inquired.
"Yeah, but LUCY won't hurry her fat ass up and eat," Natsu moaned while shoving a grotesque amount of pancakes into his gob.
"HA? ME FAT? YOU'RE EATING ENOUGH FOR BOTH OF US." I scoffed as I sat down.
The rest of breakfast passed similarly until Titania kicked us out of HQ with a thick wad of cash.
Natsu's POV
I should have never agreed to this. I groaned as Lucy was taking her sweet time trying loads of outfits on, I was currently laying on my back waiting for her to come out of a changing cubicle . We had been here for at least 3 hours and my patience was running short. I mean why do girls always swap clothes some much, she looked beautiful in all of them so far. SHIT I DID NOT JUST THINK THAT. My face suddenly flushed up at the not so friendly comment about my best friend. It had been happening more and more just recently...
"Natsu? Why are you red? Are you okay?" My head shot up to see Lucy looking concerned as she emerged from the changing room looking gorgeous. Damnit you shouldn't think of Lucy like that… She was wearing tight black shorts that hugged her arse, a blank tank top that was pulled low showing a generous amount of cleavage, topped off with a flannel red shirt that hug loosely on her shoulders. DAMNIT! I needed to pull myself back together. I had already got Lucy to trust me, I can't let her think I have reverted back to my fuckboy ways. I just gulped deeply as she bent down in front of me waving her hand in my face.
"Natsu? Whats up ya idiot?" Lucy questioned again but blood was rushing in my ears as I had a clear view of her chest as she was bent over my form. Shit! Shit! Stop staring! Stare at her face! I lifted my glance off, which was another wrong move. I forgot about her dark, chocolate - ARGH you're hopeless Dragneel!
"-Yosh I'm fine just you're so hot," I rambled out, my eyes bugged out at that. SHIT DRAGNEEL HEAD OUTTA THE GUTTER. I blushed a deeper crimson as I hurried to correct myself but Lucy spoke up.
"Pardon Natsu? Don't mumble are you sure you're alright?" She worriedly put her hand against my forehead, I was so happy I was on cloud nine!
"Eh? Oh? Yeah? I said I was fine just really hot…" I grinned sheepishly. Luck was on my side today!
"It's probably because you're always wearing that idiotic scarf." She gestured to my trusty white accessory as she whipped it off my neck and wrapped it round hers.
"Oi Luceeee that's mine you weirdo!" I whined, ignoring how it suited her. I wasn't going to let my mind run wild for the rest of the day. I watched as she retreated into the changing room throwing out the new clothes as she called out from behind the curtain.
"Pay for these for me?"
"Sure. That's it I don't owe you anymore!" I said in triumph as I walked up to the counter to throw Lucy's new clothes into a pile in front of the staff as they began to scan the items.
"Who's the lucky girl? I wish my boyfriend brought me clothes…" The girl over the counter moaned the last part more to herself than me. Not that I was concentrating. I was hung up on the fact that she thought me and Lucy were an item.
"She's not my girlfriend!" I stammered as I stuffed all of Lucy's clothes in a bag, avoiding eye contact with the girl across the counter.
"WELL then ask her out! Gosh I saw the way you two have been milling round the shop! Grow a pair!" She looked flabbergasted at my confession.
"It's complicated! Sheesh!" I pouted as I felt my face grow even redder.
"How. So? - Do you want to pay with card or cash?" She said while rolling her eyes.
"Cash," I answered absentmindedly as I dug around in my jeans, where did I put the money.. "It's complicated we work together, and I don't wanna make things awkward." I trailed off as I saw Lucy emerged from the cubical with a grin worthy of beating the cheshire cat.
"Luceeee where did I put the money?" I called across the aisles at the blonde who just laughed before replying.
"In your shoe!" She giggled as she came over and took the bags off of the counter and looking at the receipt. I narrowed my eyes at her reply as I bent down and my wallet was just chilling in my sock. What the hell? When did that get there?
"Why?" I asked lamely, I don't remember putting it there? But then again it was early this morning when I got ready?
"How would I know? Dork!" She chuckled while lightly hitting the upside of my head. I just stuck my tongue out at her before slapping the notes on the table.
"Com'on lets just go get some food!" I said giving the girl at the counter one last grin as she traded me a wink before pulling Lucy off towards the food court.
Lucy's POV
His hand felt nice - SHIT! I did not just think that… I mean it does… but… BESTFRIENDS CAN HOLD HANDS! I shook my head violently to the side to try clear the pink-haired boy from my mind, the sudden movement caused Natsu to tilt his head towards me in question,
"Just a fly…" I trailed off, I heard him mutter something like 'weirdo' as he just squeezed my hand tighter before letting go -I missed the warmth…- and bounded a few paces in front of me as he opened his arms wide as if introducing the food court to me. With an over exaggerated bow he grinned a toothy smirk. Huh his canines are slightly sharp…
"Well Miss Ashley…" Ashley? Oh yeah that's me… "What does the lady want to eat, KFC? Mcdonalds?, Burger King? Greggs? Noodle Bar? Pizza Hut? Subway?" Nearer the end of his sentence he started to drool himself as he bounced up and down like a child at christmas as he slowly circled me.
"Luuuuceeeeeee make up your mind!" He pouted like a child as he gave his best puppy eyes.
"Pizza Hut?" I offered, a gleeful smile enclosed his face as he rushed off towards the neon sign leaving me in the dust. Definitely not my type.
Eventually we made it to the front of the seating que and a girl around my age looked up and smiled invitingly at us.
"Table for two?" She suggested, we just nodded as she led us to a seat looking out of a window with plush red sofas. "We will be here to take your order shortly, meanwhile enjoy your date!"
Me? Nastu? Dating? It must've looked a picture with me and Natsu bright red in the face as we spluttered against the waitress accusation, it felt like my face was ablaze I didn't even want to look at the horror in Natsu's face so I just hid behind a menu before my face returned to it's normally colour. It felt like I had a brick stuck in my throat as I swallowed down the lump before speaking.
"What drink are you gonna have?" I was contemplating just an apple tango, and it was in the unlimited deal. "I'm thinking the apple tango."
"Hmm probs Cola." Natsu said in a dead serious tone I think this is the hardest he has ever thought and OF COURSE it's about food.
"Hi are you ready to take your order?" The smiley waitress appeared out of thin air again.
"YOSH! Can I have cola and the meat feast pizza but with extra toppings of chilli peppers!" Natsu rambled to the waitress who dutifully scribbled it down before turning to me. "WAIT CAN IT BE THICK BASE WITH CHEESY STUFFED CRUST!" Natsu almost begged, bless the poor girl, i bet this is the biggest order she has got before…
"What size do you want that sir?" She laughed.
"The biggest one you've got!" He said mischievously.
"I guessed, anyway miss what would you like?"
"Plain cheese on a thin base, a small size one please," I don't understand where all that food goes to … he still has sculptured abs. LUCY HEARTFILIA STOP RIGHT THERE.
"Is that all miss?A drink?"
"Oh right apple tango please," She wrote the last of our order down smiled warmly before weaving around tables off towards the kitchen. I glanced at my watch and saw that we only had a few hours left before Titania wants us back at HQ.
"Right we should probably head back home once we are finished here ."
"AWhhh but Luceeee aren't you having fun can't we stay for longer…" Natsu's signature whine echoed through his hands as he cradled his head.
"I am enjoying myself but nope we can't stay," I said popping the p, "There is no way I am facing the wrath of Titania,"
"Fine. Fine" Natsu grumbled as he played with the hem of his shirt.
"We are going to have to call a cab because Icarus texted me saying he can't pick us up in the van," I recited to Natsu as I checked my phone.
"BUT that van stops my motion sicknessss…" Natsu started to look a little green now, "Can't we just walk. PLEASEEE LUCEE"
"Nope, we are going to take a cab, it should take to long," I stated as the girl appeared again with our drinks,
"Your pizza's will arrive shortly,"
"Thank you,"
"Thanks!" Natsu downed half his cola that very second before suggesting something else, "Can't we take the train? It would be a 30 minutes of agony instead of 2 hours and big ass bill if we went in a cab,"
"Money doesn't matter, I can pay for the cab Natsu seeing you paid for my clothes," We are not taking the train! Nope! No chance. Not the Heartfilia Railways. I could feel my breath quicken slight, I couldn't go on the train! I am not getting dragged back there...
"Lucceeeee! It's just easier to go on the train ya weirdo…" Natsu prodded me in the arm but then he must of saw my adamantly nervous expression and I was furiously fiddling with the napkin from the table in my hands.
"Pleaseeee,"
"No."
"Luceeeee"
"No Natsu, I'm not going the train that's final! You can go on it but I am taking a cab!" I folded my arms to stop him from seeing them shake and put on my best Titania expression. Eyes hard and unmoving as I glared at him as if daring him to bring it up again, I tried to ignore the hurt expression at my tone as he glared back at me.
"No need to shout," He said quietly as his onyx eyes burrowed holes at me.
"Lovebirds pizzas arrived!" The cheery waitress must of felt the tension come in waves off of me and Natsu as we both glared at each other from opposite the booth, she just mumbled an apology as she placed the pizza ons the table before scurrying off with her head down.
I broke eye contact first as I let out a heavy sigh and reached for the first slice of the pizza, I wasn't very hungry now, it felt as if I had a ball and chain encasing my neck and started to nibble cautiously at the edge of my pizza taking dainty bites. My eye's skittered upwards as I saw Natsu's eyes turn soft as his whole posture relaxed.
"Luce?" I nearly didn't hear him because it was so quiet, "I'm sorry I didn't realise you were scared of trains…I wouldn't have pushed you if I had known," I stared incredulously at him, Did he think I was scared off trains? How much of a wimp does he take me for! I choked on the small piece of pizza as he shot me a small smile, I guess him thinking I'm scared off trains is better than the real reason.
"Luce? Say something?" Natsu pleaded as he left his pizza untouched as his eyes searched my pale face.
"It's alright Natsu, just don't bring it up again 'kay? I'll tell you why someday," It was true, I do see myself telling this little group of misfits that my name isn't Ashley but it is Heartfilia and they will be fine with it. Just not yet.
"Hokai Luce!" Natsu said happily as he grabbed his pizza and pulled it towards him, I had nearly finished mine, since it was a fifth of the size of Natsu's. Natsu was a strange boy, loyal, caring, funny and then to greedy, slob and dense - but he was my best friend and Mama I'm not sure what I would have done if he wasn't in this little group. I watched him finish his pizza with a content smile as he practically inhaled the pizza in like a hover, giggling to myself I brought up my phone and snapped a quick picture of my salmon friend as he had an easy going smile lay on his face and his cheeks chubby and full from all the pizza like a chipmunk. That's going on the wall. My wall of photos was rapidly increasing eventually I would have to transfer them into a scrapbook when it all gets full on the wall.
The cab journey was painful. And I wasn't even the one in direct pain, Natsu had been groaning as he felt him stomach try and commit suicide on him a few times in the past two hours, my eyes had began to droop slightly as I pressed my head against the cool window as I began to nod off but was unable because of the whimpers from next to me. Suddenly I felt bad for forcing him to take the cab. It's not like anyone would have noticed me on the train because we are at small stations and only would have been on the train for 2 stops… The things he does for friends…
"Come here dork," I offered my shoulder to him for him to lay his head on, I'm not sure what it is going to do but least it's better than me doing nothing. Natsu shot me a weak smile as he ignored my shoulder and just laid his head on my lap as he tried to steady his breathing, his face was sweating slight. Gosh it was only motion sickness? I was going to tell him I offered a shoulder not a lap, but I kept my trap closed for two reasons: one because he came with me on the cab and was in pain, two it felt quite nice to be honest. What are friends for… I absently started to rub his head as I watched the houses fly by in the window as Natsu made a sound in agreement.
"Thanks Luce," He said simply as he nodded off, I didn't have the heart to tell him to put his seatbelt on properly. Then I to was claimed by sleep.
"Time to clear out kids," The taxi driver said as he stopped outside HQ,
"Thanks again!" I said cheerfully handing him the money and a bit of a tip. Before pulling a groggy Natsu out of the cab and inside to his room. That's when it hit me.
"Fuck" I had forgot about the food shopping on of the main reasons why me and Natsu went out today.
Oh well… Today was fun. I will prepare for the consequences tomorrow, I tucked Natsu up into his own bed in his dorm before trudging across the hall to mine. I was out like a light as soon as my head hit the pillow.
AN - Aye we a have me and Dub love you all :D
20 followers now ;) - Welcome Gatekeeper Rak
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But a speical thanks to Jep buddie your nearly as great as Fanfic-chan. Keep the reviews as she knows it keeps us happy.
Along with that Dub wanted to say something to you Fanfic-chan: Fanficcrazygirl - I wanted to say thank you for your lovely messages. The last one that you sent made me cry. This story means so much to me as I get to doe it with my best friend. Even though I've not really wrote that much for this story but I've edited it all it's nice to have someone give us both credit (my best friend deserved more of the credit though). In life I've written loads of nice words for my family and friends for their birthdays but when it's mine I get the simple stuff no heart felt messages. So I'm so so so happy that write a comment every single chapter as you make my day when I read it. You're an inspiration to us all as you show us kindness and support even though you don't know us personally. I'm going to keep writing (well mainly editing) this story because if I can make someone else's day better then it's all worth it. We've both said we would write this story even if no one liked or read it so to know that they're people reading it and enjoying it makes me one of the happiest people alive. So thank you again for being so supportive and I hope we can make your day better every week. So thank you. Love Dub xx
This is true as long as one person reads this we will carry on writing :D
Thanks again Jep and Fanfic-chan SEE ALL YA NEXT WEEK IF I HAVEN'T JUMPED OFF A CLIFF IN CLIMBING