As Natsu finished closing up the bar, his mind wandered to the lemonade girl. He was unsure as to how he hadn't seen her at school. Someone that pretty is hard to forget. Maybe she was an upperclassman? With a sigh, he ran a hand through his hair, noting how long it has gotten and thought he should be getting a haircut soon. He'll have to look around campus for her, then he could ask her. He shuffled to the door, grabbing his scarf out of the office before leaving. It was a dumb rule for him to not have his scarf on while he was working, but rules were rules.
"I should get back to the room, Happy's probably hungry."
He wrapped the scarf around his neck, shoving his nose into the soft fabric. It was a little chilly for a summer night, but it was a nice change from the crazy heat from the mornings. As he walked back to his dorm room, his normally smiling face turned darker, a deep frown appearing instead. He had his final exams coming up in the next few days, and he also had a competition in MMA* coming up next week. He sighed, for the umpteenth time tonight, and looked up to the night sky. It was getting frustrating, going through the same routine. He was required to do MMA because he got a scholarship for it, and he had to keep his grades up, which was hard. Classes bored him, he couldn't really pay any attention in them much anymore and gods did it suck. He didn't even know what he wanted to do with his life yet.
"Flame brain, what took you so long tonight?"
Natsu's eyebrow twitched, and he looked up with a scowl to the voice. He knew that annoying voice like no other.
"None of your business, ice princess. Now piss off, I have to study."
The other boy laughed, throwing an arm around Natsu's shoulder.
"You and studying? That's hilarious!"
Natsu just shrugged the arm off his shoulder, getting pissed by each second. He wasn't in the mood for a fight, and he knew he could beat up the guy easily.
"Go away Gray, I seriously do have to study."
Gray stepped aside, shocked at the pinkette. Normally he'd be in a mood to fight or something.
"And for god's sake, put your clothes back on."
Gray flinched, searching around for his clothes and before he even had all his clothes back on Natsu was nowhere around.
- Next Morning -
Classes would be starting soon and Natsu forced himself to get up from the warm bed, over exaggerating his yawn. He needed something to wake himself up, and he looked around his room. He ran out of his energy drinks a while ago. He always forgot to get more after work. He slowly got himself out of bed and dressed, draping his scarf around his neck and he smiled softly. He was never without it, since it was from someone pretty important in his life. A small meow came from under his blankets and he laughed, pulling them back so the animal could move freely.
"I'll be back later tonight Happy, just behave."
He heard a small meow as he exited his room, quickly dodging everyone coming out of their dorms. He needed to get out before he saw Gray again, he was itching for a fight today and he knew he'd be late if he saw Gray. As he reached the exit, he heard someone yell his name out, and he cursed under his breath. He turned and his eyes widened in fear. His neighbor, a man with way too many piercings to count, was holding up some clothing that was nearly shredded to pieces.
"Your damn cat did this to my clothes!"
Natsu frowned, his hands crossed tight against his chest as he watched the pierced man come closer, anger fuming off of him in waves and Natsu gulped. He lied about wanting to fight. Right now seemed like a good time to get that caffeine.
"There's no way that Happy did that! He never goes out of my room!"
"Like hell he doesn't! Who else would have done this to my shit?"
Natsu stepped back slowly, feeling the coolness of the metal door behind him.
"Maybe it's your girlfriend's stupid cat! She's always over with that thing."
And with that, Natsu pushed himself through the doors and out into the cool morning air, turning on his heel and running towards to the nearest coffee shop he could recall. As he could see the small sign, he slowed his run, sneaking a glance behind him to see if the terrifying metal man was behind him. The breath he didn't know he was holding released into a long sigh as he neared the door to the shop. What was he even doing, going to drink coffee? It never did anything for him, he always just got sleepier from drinking the damn thing!
"Welcome to Latte Trouble!"
He looked towards the peppy voice, spotting somewhat curly blue hair hiding behind a band on her head. He recognized that hair just about anywhere and he grinned. So this was where she worked her other job at.
"Hey Levy!"
Levy was smiling at him, her hand held up in a wave. It wasn't very busy yet at the cafe and she was mindlessly cleaning something. He wondered why she needed to work two jobs and go to school. She got a full ride scholarship, because she's practically a genius. So why the need for so much money?
"Hi Natsu! Strange to see you here. You don't normally drink coffee. Actually you don't really drink it ever."
He smiled sheepishly and rubbed the back of his neck. She wasn't lying, but he was desperate for some caffeine in his system. He was still exhausted from working late last night.
"Yeah, but I ran out of my energy drinks. Do you have anything that won't taste like shit or put me to sleep?"
Levy thinks for a few seconds, tapping her chin in thought. She knew Natsu fairly well, and almost every drink here was something he wasn't going to like. An idea sparked and she smacked the counter top loudly in triumph with the palm of her hand. Natsu jumped in surprise, staring at the petite bluenette. She should stop hanging out with Gajeel so often, he was rubbing off on her way too much.
"I have the perfect drink! Just go sit down, and I'll make it for you."
Natsu nods, slinking away from the excited barista. He knew better than to question what she was going to do, but he knew he could trust her decisions as well. As the minutes pass by, he stares out the window of the shop, noticing the leaves of the trees nearby turning as the season was coming to an end. He didn't mind it though, it finally gave him the proper excuse to be wearing his scarf around without question. As he continued staring out the window, he saw a familiar head of blonde hair. But before he could even think about doing anything, a to-go latte cup was practically slammed down in front of him on the tabletop and he jumped in surprise. He could smell something that reminded him of Christmas.
"What the hell is this?"
He turns to the small girl, a frown on his face as he sniffs at the hot drink in front of him, but she just continues to grin at him.
"One of my friends who works here makes this! It's basically her specialty. I hope I got it right."
He just stares at her, unsure if it really was okay to drink now. Slowly he held the cup in his hands, feeling the warmth flood into his hands. He took a careful sip of the liquid, his eyes widening in shock. It wasn't very sweet, but he couldn't catch the horrible burnt taste of the coffee he normally tasted. He took another sip, thinking about the weird flavor he kept tasting.
"It's peppermint and vanilla. She calls it the Celestial Latte!"
He keeps drinking, enjoying the semi-sweet drink. It has a slight kick, he guessed it was from the peppermint, and it was definitely waking him up. He finished the drink quickly, wanting more of the drink but he checked the time on his phone.
"Ah shit! I gotta get to class! Thanks again Levy!"
He rushed to the counter, slapping a 10 on the counter for the drink as he ran out the door. He heard a 'see ya Natsu' as he ran out, almost running into a blonde girl on his way out and he mumbled a sorry as he rushed past.
"Bye Natsu."
He glanced back after hearing his name but she was already inside and he ignored it. Maybe it was just Levy he had heard.
