Hello friends! I know its been about two months since my last update and I said I would upload every week but I didn't. Sorry! I got a serious case of writers block and was also busy with getting a job so I didn't have a lot of time. Also writers block sucks. BUT ANYWAY I hope you like this new chapter its short I apologize but I kind of like it and I hope you will too. Don't forget to review thanks and enjoy!
Summer began and my best friend was in a different city. It wouldn't have been all that bad if I had other friends to play with. But I didn't. So it was pretty bad. The only thing I ever did was practice violin and occasionally play for my parents. My summer music lessons started up again and in the morning to afternoon every day I was at it. Never once touching a soccer ball I so desperately wanted to kick around. Music was great and all but soccer was where I wanted to be. Which made me think: what could Sting be up to right now? Well I was going to find out. One hot summer afternoon I decided to take a walk to the park where I first met him. When I arrived there weren't many people around. I didn't blame them, it was too hot to even lay around let alone be outside. To my surprise Sting and his friends were on the field playing soccer.
Running up to them and waving my hand I shouted, "Hey Sting!" Immediately he turned to see who was calling his name.
"Yo, Lucy!" He waved back.
I stopped in front of him, catching my breath. "Hey.. What are you.. Doing out.. on.. This hot day?" I panted.
"Playing soccer?" He raised an eyebrow sarcastically.
I caught my breath and replied, "Okay smart guy." and lightly pushed him.
"Hey guys!" I greeted the others.
"So what brings you to our park on such a hot day?" Sting asked.
"I wanted to see if you would be here playing soccer."
"Well, here we are." He smiled.
"Where's Minerva?" I looked around for the double buns on someone's head.
"Oh, she went to her uncle's house for the summer."
"So you've been playing with uneven teams?" I inquired.
"Kind of." Sting shrugged.
"Well how about I fill in for her? At least until she gets back?" I jumped up in excitement.
"That's a good idea!" Yukino agreed.
"Are you guys okay with it?" Sting looked to Rogue, Orga, and Rufus who all nodded yes in response.
"Alright then!" the blonde exclaimed. "Lucy you can be on their team."
"How about we switch?" Yukino spoke up. "I'll be on Rufus' team and Lucy can be on yours." She smiled.
"You cool with that Lucy?" He asked.
"Yeah, whatever is good for you guys." I smiled.
"Okay then you can be our goalie for today." Sting smiled happily.
And so our game began. Even though the sun raged with its fiery intensity we played to the fullest. The constant battle to keep the ball out of our goal and make it into the opposing teams was on. I had always played with Natsu and Loke and knew how they worked. Their teamwork seemed perfect no matter who they played. At least until I saw Sting and Rogue play together. Their teamwork was so flawless it made my friends look like amateurs. I was so amazed in fact, that I almost let a goal get by me. Almost. Orga managed to break through the flawless work of black and yellow and head towards our side. He was just as fast as Natsu when he was determined, making it across the field in no time. Noticing how I was distracted he saw the chance for an easy shot. But was sorely mistaken when I jumped up and headbutted the ball back to Sting and Rogue.
"That was awesome Lucy!" Sting shouted as he caught the ball with his chest and let it fall to his feet. He then passed the ball to Rogue who kept running past Rufus and scored a goal. The game ended some time later with a score of 5-2. My team holding the victory.
"That was so much fun!" I shouted happily as we all sat around in the shade of a giant tree.
"Yeah you were great out there Lucy." Yukino praised my soccer skills.
"How about we go get ice cream?" Sting suggested.
"Sounds good." Everyone nodded their heads and we headed to the store.
..~*~..
As we headed to the local ice cream shop Sting, Rogue, Rufus, and Orga started roughing each other up. Shoving one another in a playful manner that reminded me of Natsu and Gray. I smiled at the sight of it, missing my best friend in the process.
"Are you okay Lucy?" Yukino noticed my facial expression change.
"Yeah." I smiled. "Why do you ask?"
At this point we had stopped and the boys stopped messing around. They noticed the atmosphere take a serious mood.
"Well, because you're crying." Yukino softly pointed out.
I reached up with my hand and touched my face. It was wet. There were streams of water coming down my face like a waterfall. And I hadn't noticed at all.
"Lucy why are you crying?" Stings voice was soft.
For a moment, I was quiet, unsure of what to say or what to do. Then, Yukino softly placed a hand on my shoulder and gave me a look that said 'it's okay tell us when you're ready.'
After a few more seconds of silence I spoke. "I didn't even notice I was crying." I chuckled, wiping my eyes. "I guess it's because when you four were messing around it reminded me of my best friend. He does that with another one of my friends after we play soccer."
"Well, what happened to him?" Yukino asked cautiously.
"Oh he didn't die or anything like that, sorry! I didn't mean to make you worry that much. He just went on vacation to another city for a month. He might not even be back in time to see me play my violin at the music competition.." my voice slowly faded as I started thinking about it. Tears were rushing down my face again, this time I was aware of them.
Sting, Rogue, Yukino, Rufus, and Orga had no idea how to respond or help in any way except pat me on the head or back in hopes it would comfort me. It did help a little but not as much it would have if Natsu were doing it.
"Hey Luce?"
"Natsu?!" I spun around looking for a head of annoying pink but found none.
"Sorry, do you mind if I call you Luce?" Sting asked shyly.
Wiping my tears yet again, I nodded.
"So, Luce. Want to go get ice cream still or should we walk you home instead?" The blonde perked up.
"Let's get ice cream." I smiled and we continued on our way.
..~*~..
Several weeks had passed since that day I decided to join Sting and his friends in soccer. Everyday after my violin lessons I would run home and then run to the park to meet up with the sabertooth kids. Soccer was much more intense with them for some reason. At first it was hard to keep up but I felt myself getting better and better with each passing day. Sting, Yukino, Rufus, Orga, and Rogue all taught me special tricks and gave me tips. I would practice them for a while at home after dinner and would try to use them when we played soccer. I eventually got so good they started calling me The Little Witch.*
"So Luce," Sting interjected the silence amongst us one day after a very intense game of 8-7, my team with the victory of course. "When is this summer music competition of yours?"
"Oh! It's actually this Friday at the grand music hall." I replied.
"Is it free?" Rogue asked.
"Yeah, it's open to the public. Why?" I tilted my head curiously.
"We were wondering if we could possibly watch you perform?" Yukino answered softly.
I paused for a minute, processing the request I had just received. My mouth went from a dumbstruck 'o' to a happy 'D' formation. Happily I replied, "Definitely!"
That day I went home smiling bigger than I ever had before. When I walked inside I excitedly shouted, "I'm home!" as I slipped off my shoes and excitedly skipped to the kitchen.
When I landed in front of the kitchen loud pops and shouts of 'surprise!' came in my direction. There was a banner that read surprise in rainbow colors and pink and red hair filled two seats at the table. Natsu and Igneel were back home. I was having so much fun playing soccer I had forgotten that they would be coming home sometime this week.
"Yo Luce! Happy to see me?" He grinned from ear to ear.
Cliff hanger? Aha I don't know. Anyway next chapter Lucy will be dealing with some rivalry between Natsu and Sting. Thanks for reading and don't forget to review!
