Gray Fullbuster is a player both in love and in life. He plays Professional Basketball and is being groomed to be in line with Basketball Legends Michael Jordan, Lebron James, Kobe Bryant and Stephen Curry. There's just one problem, Gray Fullbuster is a play-ah. His life is a giant mess of crazy parties, waking up with random women and waking up in random women's apartments. Just living the life.
The opinion of the public on him is waning. To save the million-dollar endorsements in the verge of disappearing, Gray needs to change his image. Therefore, Gray Fullbuster, Fiore Knight's Team Captain and Most Valuable Player, will be in the next season of "My Star Can Dance".
There's another problem: it seems like his star isn't that bright since his partner, one of Fiore's prominent ballerinas, doesn't know him? His billboard is hanging in front of her dancing school! And it was a good billboard since all he was wearing was his six-pack and an Aztec bandana. How come she didn't notice?
Warning: Rated M for Sensetive Language
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Okay, so here we go. I started writing this fanfiction when I was in high school; so young and oh so foolish. That was 11 years ago. I didn't start writing this with Gruvia in mind. However, as I grew older I became more aware of the word 'integrity' and its meaning. So… I have decided to rewrite/revamp the first few chapters of this fanfiction. Why? Because although I have admitted and fully disclosed that this fanfiction is loosely based on the movie "The Game Plan" starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, I don't feel comfortable basing this fanfiction on an already existing work. There's no writer's integrity in that.
As I was in the course of writing this fiction, 11 years in the making, I noticed that the story is leaning towards a different path and, if you have noticed too, it has become a story of its own. So, I want to stay true to that and to make this fiction a story of its own. I decided to make changes.
This will no longer be loosely based on the movie "The Game Plan". However, I will keep this as a basketball-ballet AU.
She's In Your Court Chapter 1
...
Oh my love, love is beginning
We have found something worth living for
I've got my head in the clouds
Oh my love, love is beginning now
...
"There's less than two minutes in the clock."
"Will he make it?"
"The ball is in their court, George. He just needs to make this count."
Two round voices filtered through the loudspeakers. Their commentaries came after another.
The tension was so thick that the raven-haired boy at the center of the Crocus Arena could taste it. Bullets of sweat dropped on the floor. Stubborn black bangs clung to his forehead. Gray Fullbuster's heart drummed along the sound of the ball hitting the floor. He caught his breath looking for an opening. His eyes darted to the number on the score-board: 72-68. His team was on the lead but he wanted, no, needed to put a difference between the scores.
Gray kept a low stance; his trained feet, along with his body, rocked back and forth as he bounced the ball with good and precise control. He faked a step to the left only to change direction but two tall fellows quickly blocked him.
"You guys like me that much, huh?"
The two have been following him since the beginning of the game. They made it their mission not to allow the Captain near the ring.
"Sorry but this is not the threesome I was looking for."
He patted himself internally; proud at the witty quip he threw at his guards. He congratulated himself then when he saw their faces twitched in anger.
Early on his career, when Gray was still a rookie, he has learned the magic of trash talk.
However, he had to admit, the two tall guards were hard to shake off. He was struggling but he wasn't going to show it. Not to Overly Attached Ex-Girlfriend No. 1 and No. 2.
Before the Fiore Knights became a big name in basketball, they were just pretty faces fresh from High School. The first championship Gray's team bagged was when he was just a rookie. His last minute three-point shot won them the most coveted Earthland Cup of 20X1. From then on, Gray became the "Last Minute Miracle Worker"; pulling off three pointers in under a minute. Now, he was Team Captain.
Player No. 23 tried to steal the ball from the Captain but the latter had the reflexes of a cat; he successfully evaded the steal.
"Whoa, slow down Sharon."
"Let go of the ball, Dufus. They're not your testicles."
Gray had to admit, that was a little funny but he wasn't going to laugh.
Gray glimpsed at the giant scoreboard and eyed the giant numbers that kept decreasing. The clock was ticking and the ball was still in his hands. He needed to make a move or they would be penalized. The side that kept cheering 'defense' became louder and wilder. Maybe because he realized that the Team Captain was struggling. However, the two seasons MVP ignored them. He only had one thing in mind: Win.
Come to think of it, he had nothing to lose. Fiore Knights was on the lead and even if the Alvarez Spriggans managed to steal the ball they couldn't catch up with Gray's team. Best they could was reduce the score difference. But then again the Captain had to keep up appearances. He was, after all, the Most Valuable Player for two seasons in a row. He wanted to make this his third.
Gray calculated his options. He was too far from the ring to make a shot. If he pushed forward, two jackasses just wouldn't leave his side. The side of the bleachers that wore red and gold was egging him on; the other side kept chanting defense. He drowned those voices so he could focus on his own. Natsu. He looked around to search for the spiky pink hair and found him blocking a player as tall as him.
As Team Captain, Gray was trained to make split-second decisions and to trust and rely on his teammates. Gray eyed his Point Guard, his dark blue eyes conversing with the latter's black ones. Taking the hint, Natsu left his post and the Alvarez Shoot Guard guarding him.
Gray then maneuvered the two tall guards blocking him, his physical agility put to test. Constant and religious training never failed him. He managed to push through the Alvarez players. Gray didn't have second thoughts in grabbing his window of opportunity and quickly made a clean pass. He ran at the side of the court waiting for his next move. All eyes were on the receiver, Gray's Vice Captain and best friend, Natsu Dragneel.
Natsu pushed forward and ran toward the middle of the court. He abandoned his Captain and aimed towards the center for a basket.
Or so they thought.
Natsu made a turnabout and passed the ball back to his Captain who was left unguarded.
That was the ingenuity of Gray's plan. Natsu's position as point guard was common knowledge. Gray was sure that when he passed the ball to Natsu, Fiore Knights' resident Point Guard, everyone would expect him to attempt the shoot. The Captain banked on that assumption and secretly positioned himself for a basket. His jackass guards were down to one.
Once Natsu passed the ball back to him, Gray wasted no time in attempting and succeeding in making his trademark three-point shot.
And the final buzzer rang.
"That was one hell of a maneuver!" The round voice came out of the speakers.
Gray looked at the score-board: 75-68.
The whole arena bustled in victory. The cheers were almost deafening. Happiness spread over Gray's chest. Once again, Fiore Knights was bringing home the Earthland Cup.
"This makes this their third year!" informed the voice on the speaker.
Red and gold balloons and paraphernalia rained down the Crocus Arena. The chorus of 'We Are The Champions' by the band Queen blasted through the speakers. Gray's team mates, along with some reporters and photographers rushed to him. His team mates lifted him and the two tallest players, Gajeel and Laxus, carried him on their shoulders toward the center. Fiore Knights chanted his name. Fullbuster. Fullbuster. The audience joined in.
Gray Fullbuster indulged himself in the victory. Amidst the chaos, he never forgot to thank the Boss in heaven and his good ol' man. He offered each game to his late father – Silver Fullbuster.
A young blonde holding a microphone walked near the celebrating circle. Gray recognized her from the Earthland Sports channel. He saw her talking to their team manager; an equally attractive feisty woman. The blonde reporter whispered something to Briar. Then after, the latter motioned the team to put the Captain down.
As soon as the attractive reporter stood next to him holding the microphone close to her lips, Gray Fullbuster immediately put on his best smile. He knew that part of the program well and he excelled in giving interviews.
"That was quite a maneuver, Fullbuster. You got everyone fooled. And now you're on your third winning streak. How do you do it?"
Gray was never one to share his tactics and strategies for two reasons. One, he developed them during the game as it progressed. There was no formula. Two, he was not crazy enough to reveal business secrets. So, as rehearsed, he answered an interview deflecting the real issue.
"It's always been a team effort. The management put together a legendary team. Everyone put in their time for training and did everything they could to bring the Cup to Fiore. Couldn't have dreamt of a better team and better colleagues."
There was no one secret to their success. It was a combination of many things: trust, respect, sharing one goal and solid brotherhood. That was why it was easy for Gray to give instructions without really saying them. They conversed with their eyes. Trained like there was no tomorrow. And above all, reaped together what they have sown. There was no 'I' in team, Gray would usually say.
"I'm just thankful for being here with these full-grown babies."
The joke earned a laugh from the team and the audience.
The blonde reporter asked series of questions to which Gray answered with confidence. He never forgot to thank his team, his coach, the team's manager and all the people involved. He always said the right words. Even laughed at a few jokes and made a few of his own. Gray Fullbuster was the darling of the press; charming audiences all over Earthland and beyond borders.
Lucy listened to the intercom in her ears telling her to wrap up the interview.
"I know you guys are excited to celebrate so I won't keep you any longer. But before we end, do you have anything to say to your loyal fans?"
Gray almost lost his hearing. He opened his mouth and closed it again until the deafening screams died down. He didn't mind. They were music to his ears. He even returned the 'I love you' coming from the audience.
"Me and the boys, we all want to thank everyone who supported Fiore Knights since Day 1." He sounded spontaneous and genuine because this time the answer was not rehearsed. "We promise to continue doing our best. So you guys hang in there because in the next season Fiore Knights will still be on top."
The arena erupted in louder celebration. It was as if Gray just won the Ms. Universe with a captivating answer.
Lucy Heartfilia gave her closing before she said goodnight to the viewers of Earthland Sports. If she wasn't aware of Gray's reputation, Lucy would have easily fallen for that devilish wink.
Gray Fullbuster's headache thumped along the sound of the door bell. He rolled to the side praying that he was just dreaming about the awful dingdong. But it just wouldn't stop.
Gray cursed and winced when the light from the window hit his eyes once he cracked them open. He shielded his midnight eyes with his arm; regretting his decision to install a floor-to-ceiling glass window. At night it afforded him the view of the breath-taking City of Magnolia with its bright city lights dancing before his eyes. In the morning, the endlessness of the blue sky relaxed him. Not today when he was nursing a merciless hangover.
Gray propped himself up, fighting a splitting headache. This, he thought, was one of the worst hangovers of his life. When his palm touched his mattress though, he felt warm skin instead of the soft material that usually greeted him. His face shifted to confirm his suspicion. Long blonde hair spread over his expensive pillow.
Gray forgot about his headache for a second. His mind wondered how soft her skin was. He stopped himself from tracing a line on the woman's back. Gray could only stare. The stranger's bare figure brought some memories of last night, bits and pieces until they slowly come in full.
He had fun.
A sudden stir pulled him back to reality. He heard a low moan. Judging from it, the stranger in his bed was probably dreaming of him too and the things they have done the night before. Looking closely, however, it seemed like the sound was not coming from the woman in front of him. Gray carefully shifted to the right, not wanting to wake her up, only to see another figure lying on his bed: bare and beautiful. His lips curved into a smirk. Gray Fullbuster was pleased with himself.
He had double the fun.
Just thinking about it sent his blood down one area. He was going to oblige himself if not for the persistent ringing of the doorbell.
His head throbbed in pain again. Albeit his body and head protesting, Gray dragged himself out of his bed, out of the comfortable in-between of two heavenly bodies. He was going to beat the hell out of anyone behind that door. Gray got out careful enough not to wake the women sleeping soundly.
He put on his robe, his eyes half closed. He cursed under his breath when he couldn't tie his robe right. Stupid belt.
He clumsily moved across the hall, bumping into everything he could, and shuffled towards the main door. The impatient ringing caused sharp pains in his head. That was the thing with hangovers; they made sounds a thousand times louder.
Gray jumped when the technical sound of error blasted out of his security machine.
"Dammit."
Gray rubbed his eyes to clear his vision. He waited for a second for that tightness between his brows subside. Then, he squinted at the monitor like an old man and entered his passcode with force that almost broke through the keypad.
When Gray heard the low click sound, he opened the door to meet the same midnight eyes as his glaring. The judgmental look seemed permanent.
The woman walked past him and invited herself in.
"Mother, please come in." greeted Gray sarcastically before he locked the door behind him.
Gray watched his mother look around and size up his new apartment. He was quite sure she was judging every nook and cranny of that place. Nothing was ever good for Mika Mine.
The woman with the long black hair dropped some papers on top of Gray's new coffee table.
"You need to get your act together, Fullbuster."
Those were the first words his mother spoke. Wow, not even a good morning, he thought.
"Good morning to you too, mother."
Gray seated himself on the sofa. It was too early in the morning to deal with an unhappy Mika Mine. Whatever reason there was for Mika to drop by this early, on a Sunday of all days, in his place, Gray sure it was no good.
News about his gallivanting should have reached her by now. This was their third championship. Of course, the team went painting the town red for a good whole week. Mika was outspoken about her disapproval with that part of Gray's professional basketball career.
Gray inspected one of the articles on top of his table. It was open on page six; probably the page his mother was reading on the way to his place. He recognized the man who had his hand around the waist of a B-rated starlet. It was him.
His mother began her lecture. Was she a teacher or something? He listened without really hearing Mika. Instead, he continued reading the articles spread across his table. They were news about him and his team marrying the night. Different nights, different women.
"What can I say, mother? Boys will be boys."
The pain rang in his ears when Mika smacked Gray in the head. He thought he lost his head for a second and later wished he did. This was how getting hit by lightning probably felt, he thought.
Gray waited for the pain and the throbbing to subside. If he was going to be honest, he was holding his tears back a little too. He felt a little nauseous.
"Here. For that hangover."
He took the glass with some weird green shake in it. It smelled funny.
"Go. Just drink it up."
Gray followed obediently; covered his nose and took a sip of the funny drink. He made a face when the green shake made contact with his tongue. He immediately dismissed the drink and replaced it on the table on top of the scattered papers. This was why he hated healthy things. They never tasted good. The forbidden fruit tasted the sweetest.
"Powerade called the office today."
So she's here for business.
"They are threatening to pull out from your endorsements."
"Tell them to go to hell."
"And you'll go to the streets because this expensive bachelor's pad you are living in is an advance for that endorsement."
With the pain hammering his head, all he could hear from his mother was blah blah blah. But he did pick up the words 'expensive, bachelor's and pad'. He smiled at himself. It was indeed an expensive bachelor's haven. His mind flew to the two naked bodies sprawled over his comfortable king-size.
"Did you hear me?"
He didn't but his mother had only one favorite topic: his unchecked way of life.
"What do you want me to do, mother?"
"I was in a meeting with the President and he is not happy."
"When is he ever happy?"
He loved to imagine President Wakaba Mine's nose flared in anger, smoke coming out of his reddened ears. A vein or two probably popped.
"When his star player is not out in the streets living in sin?"
"Mother, I'm young. What do you expect me to do? Lock myself in a monastery?"
"I expect you to get yourself together, Gray. We are losing sponsorships and endorsements because of your youthful activities."
"Fine. Fine."
Gray surrendered. He wasn't in the mood to argue. All he wanted to do was comeback to bed, sleep between the heavenly naked bodies and maybe later, when he recovered from his hangover, do an encore of last night's youthful activity.
"That's what I thought you would say. So, the board has decided-"
"-You brought in the board in this?"
"Your father did. And we all agreed it's the best course of action for now before you and your 'youth' drag Fiore Knights' name down the mud."
Wakaba Mine was not his father. He was the President.
She slipped him an open folder. The best he could make out with it was the heading 'My Star Can Dance'.
"They want you to join next season."
"Are you out of your mind, woman?"
Gray jumped out of his couch in shock. His vision darkened for a moment from the sudden action. When he recovered, he returned to berating his mother.
"I'm not gonna join that circus!"
He was not going to join that crazy reality dance show. Just the thought of Fiore Knights' Team Captain, the greatest team in all Earthland, dancing like an idiot in front of cameras made him shudder.
"First of all, it's not a circus. It's one of the top-rated shows today."
Gray had a feeling that Mika Mine was a fan. He also had the feeling it was her idea for him to join the show.
"Second of all, millions of people are watching that show. It's gaining so much popularity nowadays."
"Ah yes. Because people find the circus very entertaining." joked Gray dryly.
Mika ignored him.
"And lastly, this is a good way for you to reach out to the masses. For you to gain more popularity, the good kind. It's time for people to know your good side."
"Reality shows are scripted, mother. Don't get fooled." He rebutted. "And besides, people already know my good side. Everybody loves me."
"Everybody loves to talk about you and your crazy sex life."
Touché.
"Besides…" she continued. "You don't have a say in the matter. This is to compensate the company for all the sponsorships and endorsements lost because of those scandals."
It was the best way to change and improve his image. Otherwise, he wouldn't only be losing his endorsements but his entire career as well. Something he did not want to happen.
Basketball was Gray's life. He lived and breathed basketball since he felt the rubber in his small hands. It was the only thing he was good at. Well, that and making girls scream in and out of the basketball court. But Gray could never imagine himself outside the court. It was the only place he could be his true self. It was the only place he felt connected with his father.
The picture of his father teaching a four-year old Gray how to dribble flashed before his midnight eyes. It was his first memory of him. The last was him lying on the hospital bed.
"Okay, I'll fix it."
Gray sat back and started to talk calmly.
"I'll lessen my partying. I'll be a good boy. Good 'ol boy next door. I'll show up to every charity events you want me to go to."
Gray stroke a deal. He grabbed all the papers on the table and displayed them in front of his mother.
"These articles, these scandals? Gone." He threw them away, proving a point. "I'll fix everything." He promised.
He looked into Mika's eyes, appealing to the mother in her. He made a bargain, something he knew would be a struggle to keep the end of, but he would give his best. It was either that or lose his dignity.
Mika thought about it for a moment. She considered his proposal. It was a fair bargain considering how Gray loved to party and celebrate just about anything. Mika was warming up to the idea and looked like she was leaning on agreeing. One little nudge and she would say yes. No one has ever said no to the Captain, after all.
"Good morning, Captain!"
Until now.
One of the women in his bed was now standing behind him. His mother's face shifted. Her expression was the same as the one she had when she entered his pad. Uh-oh. Not good. Gray turned around to see a beautiful blonde wearing his Ralph Lauren. Just his Ralph Lauren polo and her shiny bed hair.
He would have gotten away with it if not for the other woman coming out of his bedroom. She had the same shiny bed-hair but only wearing his white duvet. Under different circumstances, Gray would have enjoyed the view and appreciated the fact that the two women kind of looked identical.
Gray could just imagine today's page six story.
He was in double trouble.
Gray cautiously turned around; hoping in all hopes that his mother was not sporting a murderous aura.
She was.
"Just sign the contract."
One of man's greatest fantasies has become Gray's worst nightmare.
"1, 2, 3. 1, 2, 3."
A tall and slender female hit the stick against the railing as she counted in a rhythm. She walked around and observed her young students as they performed the routine she taught them earlier.
The woman's blue hair was tightly pulled in a bun and she wore tights like second skin. The woman has soft features and tamed look; far from the usual strict and stiff stereotype.
"Bend those knees lower."
The teacher's mind flew back when she was their age. Back then she loved wearing her pink tutu and wore it everywhere she went despite her mother's objections.
"Extend those hands. Yes, like this."
The lady dropped her stick to the side, extended her left arm with the natural grace of a ballerina and folded it back in a semi-circle. The eager kids followed her example.
The grandfather clock stuck four and the teacher dismissed her young students in pink tutus. She curtsied before them and they did the same like they were greeting a royalty. The young girls bade their farewell. Then, they rushed to their companions waiting at the guardian's lounge on the other side of the room.
The young dance teacher waved back at the still energetic students of hers who waved her goodbye. Where they got their energy after a whole day of dancing was beyond her. When the room finally cleared, the dance teacher exhaled a satisfied sigh. She massaged the part where the neck and shoulder met. Teaching was exhausting but fulfilling.
"Here you go, Juvia."
The woman looked a lot like Juvia: long blue hair, average height, porcelain skin and soft and homely features. The years did nothing but ripened her into a classy and elegant woman.
"Thank you, mother."
Juvia took the fresh towel and unopened Pocari Sweat. She dried her face with the former and quenched her thirst with the latter.
"By the way, someone's here to see you."
Juvia's heart leaped in excitement. The vintage double doors spitted out a young, bandana-waering figure from her past – Levy McGardeen.
"Levy!"
Juvia ran toward her visitor to welcome her. She threw her arms around the slim figure and squeezed her in a tight embrace. Juvia could not explain the excitement she felt to see her best friend from High School.
"It's been a while, hasn't it?" said Juvia, her slender arms still hang around Levy's shoulder.
"I know. Long time no see." answered Levy.
It was Juvia who let go first. She squeezed her arms and turned the young woman around; looking for any changes the years have done to her. Nothing; which fact she expressly stated.
"You haven't changed at all. Still short, eh shrimp?"
Juvia's unexpected but welcomed guest, flustered at the utterance of the nickname she hated in high school. Levy smacked the taller between the two playfully. Both women giggled at the friendly teasing they always did since high school. Nothing much has changed.
"What can I help you with, shrimp?"
Levy glared at Juvia, threatening her to drop the annoying nickname. The latter giggled at the expression her guest made. Levy was so cute, twenty six and still pouting. Juvia then invited her old friend inside the room.
"No pleasantries?" asked Levy.
Juvia had an idea of the real reason McGardeen dropped by her studio. She had called and texted her night and day. For friends who haven't seen each other for months now it probably wasn't polite to jump into it right away. Especially that the reason Levy had come down from her busy schedule was to ask a teensy bitsy favor.
"I read your messages. I already said no."
Juvia read the expression on her friend's gentle face; a mix of surprise, guilt and embarrassment.
"Well, the last time we saw each other you asked me to join your show again."
Guilt prevailed. The last time they saw each other was when Levy apologized to Juvia after the latter politely declined the network's offer for another season as a dance instructor. The one time Juvia agreed to join the show behind the scene was because of Levy. It was a favor she was willing to extend for a friend. When the first season was over, they lost contact again.
Juvia was not the kind that held grudges. She understood completely and she was not mad about the lost contact. The bluenette just wanted to tease her friend a little.
"You know how it is in show business. I'm lucky if I get any sleep at all!" reasoned Levy.
Juvia sighed.
"Levy, you're a writer. So why are you going around recruiting people to join that show?"
Levy was a talented writer. Juvia believed so much in her. Her best friend was going to be a Magnolia Best Seller and would have book tours just as she was going to have her ballet tours. So, why was the talented writer recruiting her for a dance reality show?
"It's part of my job. I'm a researcher and a writer."
"So, I'm guessing you're here to ask me again? I already said no. Do you know it's easier to teach kids dancing than adult celebrities?"
Levy knew what she meant. Working with celebrities: big names, big heads, wasn't only exhausting but also frustrating. Working for them was another level of hell as Juvia put it.
"Yes. But this time it's different."
Juvia saw a spark of hope in Levy's round brown eyes.
Curious, Juvia asked how it was different from the time she almost kicked the hell out of the famous actress who joined the first season of My Star Can Dance.
"This time, you'll be dancing with them!"
Levy probably thought she could get Juvia excited by announcing it with so much energy and enthusiasm.
How the hell was that better than dancing behind the scene?
She was wrong.
"No way!"
"Please, Juvia."
"No."
"Please."
"No."
Levy followed the blue-head around like a begging puppy. She kept asking but the ballerina just kept saying no.
"I'm begging you, Juvia. They will have my head if I can't make you say yes."
"You promised me that was the first and last time I'll be in that show. Look for someone else, Shrimp."
If it was an option she would have done it. Levy was thankful for Juvia joining the first season; when no one would have expected for the reality dance show to get renewed for the second, third and now its fourth season.
However, the writer witnessed how the young ballerina held back when all she wanted to do was smack that diva she had to deal with the whole season. She felt guilty putting her best friend through all that. She didn't want to put her through the same ordeal but Levy had specific instruction.
"They only want you."
"Why?"
"I don't know. All they said was that since we're friends why don't I convince you to join the next season and they were staring at me with deadly eyes like if I said no they'll kill me. On the spot." Answered Levy in one breath.
The fear rounded Levy's eyes. They were dark like they have seen things - unspeakable things.
"It wasn't a request, Juvs."
Levy moved closer to Juvia and in a hushed voice she spoke, "They'll kill me."
Of course, she wasn't referring to literal death but something much worse, career death. Levy's bright future would have ended before it even started.
"Please. For a friend. And remember you owe me!"
She was desperate to have the yes so the show writer came in prepared. If the 'we're best-friends' card wouldn't work, she would move to the next: guilt trip.
"Owe you from what?"
Levy turned away from the bunhead to hide her flustered face. She was a nice person. She wasn't some scheming little devil who would lie to get her way. But desperate times called for desperate measure.
"You bullied me in High School."
Juvia's jaw almost dropped to the floor.
"We were friends! It was a friendly teasing." reasoned Juvia.
It was such a ridiculous notion that she would intentionally hurt her best-friend's feelings. But if she was being honest, bunhead was more surprised that good 'ol Levy, the shrimp who cried when their classmates picked on her, would use such an underhanded way.
"I was hurt."
Levy feigned offense. She wasn't only a good writer. Apparently, she was a good actress too.
"Still, no."
Too bad Juvia could see though her lies. She was her best-friend of ten years.
"What can I do to make you say yes?"
Juvia could see her frustration. She missed that Levy. The one she always teased because she pouted and engaged.
"Nothing. I can refer you to some of my friends. I'm sure they'll enjoy working with celebrities."
Levy knew she was losing her case. Knowing Juvia, no one could ever make her do something she didn't want to do. Not even Mrs. Lockser. But the persistent writer still had one more trick up her sleeve.
"Well, too bad." She pretended surrender.
"We're not allowed to say anything but…" Levy didn't want to breach the non-disclosure clause in her contract but this was her last card.
She could deal with legal ramifications but not with her head-writer who looked like she was ready to devour little Levy.
"Guess who the network signed up as Head Judge for this season."
Juvia's heart skipped a beat. There was one name that popped in her head. Only one person deserving.
She glared at the scheming shrimp and gave her that 'it would be very wrong to kid me now' look.
If they were talking about the only person who had the credibility, skills, experience and merits to judge the dancing competition, only one name came to mind.
"No way."
"Yes way."
Levy watched as the expression on the bunhead's face changed. The latter's face brightened. She was highly considering the offer. It was Juvia's lifelong dream, after all, to meet her hero.
Juvia made all sorts of scenario in her head. She imagined how she should she react when she finally met Fiore's Prima Ballerina. She thought about what she should wear, how her hair should be, what should she say first. The fangirl in her jumped in happiness.
When a dreamy smile crept up Juvia's lips, Levy knew she had sealed the deal. Her bandana-wearing head was safe, for now.
"Okay, okay. I'm in!"
She grabbed Juvia's hand and eternally thanked her for it. The two jumped around, screaming like fangirls, much like how they did in high school when their favorite show was on.
When their excitement died down a little, Juvia asked the show writer, "So, do you know who they paired me up with?"
"Oh, I don't know yet since they're all hush-hush about it but I heard this season's guest stars are gonna be epic."
"Epic, huh?"
That was one way to put it. Although the bunhead had bad impression of celebrities, it did not sour her mood. The opportunity to meet Aquarius, Fiore's Prima Ballerina, came only once in a lifetime and it squashed every reservations Juvia had.
Little did she know epic was going to knock on that door and he would be bringing crazy, disaster and frustrating along with him.
Writer's Corner: Hello there, people! It's been a while wasn't it? Well, I have the explanation on top so just read it and weep. Lol. JK. Anyway, I have decided to revamp this fanfiction because I really, really like where it's going. So here it is my lovely Gruvians. I hope you guys are still as hyped as I am with this OTP. Don't forget to leave love and comments.
Also, please stay tuned to my revised Chapters 2-4. I will be posting a chapter which will explain everything so you guys get a notification. I think they send out notifications for revisions on Chapters too so when you see an email if you have subscribed to this story then that means a revision has been posted. So, please look forward for that.