Happy Monday!

Can you believe that the 15th chapter is the next chapter? This is possible because of everyone's support. Thank you! I still remember when I was typing the prologue five months ago. . .

Disclaimer: I don't own Fairy Tail, since Hiro Mashima does. /sigh/

"C-can you tell me stories from your past?" Erza asked.

That was when Jellal knew he was cornered. Because the second the word "past" is mentioned in front of him, memories flood back to him. From the crystal blue waters to the shrill laughs that had once filled the air. He vowed that he would attempt to get rid of those memories, but they still remained.

Jellal forced a laugh. He recalled small stories about himself, and he smiled when Erza laughed at them.

Erza could care less about going home. "You must have had such a fun childhood," she commented. She didn't know that she missed so much in life.

When Jellal heard that he had a fun childhood, he was choking on his own spit. All the stupid things he'd done when he was young. . .the ideas seemed ridiculous to him now. "Yeah. I would always hang out with my friends back home," he lied.

Erza nodded slowly. She was staring at the wall as if something magical was going to happen. Her face was thoughtful as she looked at the distance.

"What are you thinking about?" Jellal asked. But he realized that he sounded like a nosy ass.

She turned to side and looked surprised at the question. "N-nothing. I-it's just that. . .y-you used to. . .always ignore me. . .as if I was invisible."

Once again, there goes one of those times Jellal wished that he can learn to shut his mouth. "Mm. . .It's

"Mm. . .It's like. . .I'm not alive or you're purposely ignoring me," she softly continued. "Don't get me wrong. . .I'm not mad. I-it's just that. . .I felt left out. You would be so outgoing with everyone else. . .but when you saw me. . ." Her voice trailed off to nothing. But she continued, "I'm really happy that. . .you're talking to me. B-but can I ask. . .why you weren't talking to me? Were you purposely avoiding me?"

Now that she asked him, Jellal didn't know how to answer. He knew that one day or the other, the redhead would bring this topic up. He prepared a long list of excuses, but ironically, he had forgotten all of them. He gulped down nervously. "I-I wasn't trying to ignore you on purpose. I was. . .shy. You're Titania! You're special." God, what did I ever do to be in this position?! The bluehead tore his gaze from her.

She got silent from his answer and he thought that she understood his answer. But her eyes became. . .sad. "Oh. I see." That was the usual answer why most people would avoid the queen. She was too "holy" to be approached. Erza tried to smile to the best of her ability nevertheless. "Thank goodness though. I-I thought that you avoided me. . .because you hated me."

Jellal's eyes widened at the reply. "N-no no! I don't hate you. I was just. . .shy. Yeah, shy. That's the word."

Erza gently smiled. "Thank you for speaking the truth." Her gaze was fixed on the opposite wall once again. She had finally asked Jellal a question she had longing to ask and received his answer. But for some reason, his answer didn't seem. . .right.

Jellal deeply exhaled. Curiosity is too powerful. "I know I promised that I would never bring up Gray ever again in a conversation but. . .when do you plan to talk to him?"

Just hearing Gray's name made the redhead's heart skip a beat. This time, though, there was an ache that accompanied it. "I promised Lucy that I'd wait for him."

"But. . .will you wait for him?"

"I-I like him. . ." Erza shyly admitted.

So you would wait for him. Strangely, Jellal's heart sank. Why would Erza waiting for Gray be such a bother to me? It has nothing pertaining to me.

Just before Jellal could furthur respond, a familiar face popped up. "Oh Jellal!" It was Ultear Milkovich. He glanced at his watch. His shift was over and she was probably going to call him in.

"What a great job you did today!" the manager sarcastically said in a joking tone. "So you clean by dropping the broom on the floor and sitting in the corner. That's nice."

Jellal hastily stood up. He performed a bow. "I am very sorry for my wrongdoings today, Miss Milkovich," he said loud and clear. "I am very sorry for my wrongdoings today, Miss Milkovich," he repeated.

Ultear, who was amused, smiled. "Oh, this boy," she muttered. She walked up to the front of the boy. "You can get up now, Sir Fernandes," she laughed. "I already accepted your apology a long time ago."

Jellal stood up and met face-to-face with his boss. When he realized that Erza was still here, his heart almost stopped. He was going to avert Ultear's attention, but he was already too late.

"Oh! There's that girl I saw earlier!" Ultear announced. She tapped Jellal's shoulder and pointed to the redhead. The manager ran up to Erza and started scanning her. "Oh my lord. What happened to you, sweetie?"

"I-I'm fine now. Don't w-worry," Erza said.

"Really? But before. . .you looked so miserable." Ultear's eyebrows knotted with worry.

"Don't worry. Jellal took care of everything. . ." she quietly admitted.

Ultear's gaze shifted back to the nervous bluehead. "Ah. . ." A smirk was plastered on the boss's face. "Jellal, so you ditched work for your girl. I see."

A blush instantly creeped up both Jellal and Erza's cheeks. The bluehead waved both hands in front of him to feign innocence. "N-no, Miss Milkovich. It's not what you think. I-I just happened to see Erza and she seemed like she needed some help so I. . ."

"Erza?" Ultear looked at the redhead. The red hair, brown eyes, delicate face. It had to be. "Erza Scarlet?!" The manager's eyes rounded in disbelief. "No way! You're the famous heir! What a pleasure to meet you!" She dug out a notepad and pen. "Please sign."

Erza agreed. The notepad was returned with squees from the manager. "You know Jellal?" Ultear asked.

"Y-yes." She was getting shy from the attention.

"Wow!" Ultear cupped her face. "I can't believe this." She turned to the bluehead. "From today, you have new job." She then faced Erza. "Well, I'm Ultear Milkovich. Call me Ultear." After that, the boss turned to the boy again. "Jellal! Get inside. It's too hot out here and you must've spent your entire time outside. I don't want you to get sick later on."

"Hai!" He quickly bowed. "See you next time, miss! You too, Erza!" He waved and was just about to turn around until a soft voice stopped him.

"Jellal! Wait!"

The boy craned his neck to see the redhead attempting to stand. "Erza?"

"Wait!" she repeated. She fished the chocolate from the actual bag. She limped towards him. "Here." Erza slipped the package to him. "It's yours."

The boy shifted his gaze downwards to see a box of beautifully wrapped truffles from Chocolate World. Jellal heard of the shop, but he heard the chocolates there were extremely expensive. "W-what? Why?"

Erza smiled. "I just want to say. . .Thank you." When she flashed her alluring smile again, Jellal's heart skipped it beat. Yes, she was much more beautiful when she smiled. The way her eyes crinkled and her lips twisted upwards. . .He hoped Erza would stay happy forever. . .

Jellal stuck out his hand. "Friends?" Erza wasn't sure what he wanted her to do, but she put her fingers in his. Just like what she assumed earlier, his hands were soft and pleasantly warm. It was rough from working at the kitchen, but agile at the same time to precisely create and decorate the confections. "Friends."

He held her hand longer this time and for some reason, it felt natural and strangely familiar. She didn't want to remove it. She looked up at him and saw him smiling.

Jellal slowly released his fingers from hers. He thought that if he held on to her any longer, the atmosphere would become awkward. The last thing he wanted was for the redhead to feel uncomfortable around him. "See you tomorrow, Erza."

The girl nodded. With her ridiculously captivating smile and adoring eyes, she looked so hugable. But Jellal restrained himself. He waved and disappeared into the convenience store.

Erza slowly walked back to the waiting lady. "Um. . .Ultear."

"Yes?"

"Why did you send Jellal inside?"

"His shift is over."

"But you said that he would get sick."

Ultear paused for a moment. "He has some special disorder. At least, that's what his resume said. It would prove disadvantageous to him, but advantageous to many. I wouldn't want people using him."

"Can you explain?"

The manager shook her head. "I have to be honest with you, even I don't know and specific details."

Erza raised an eyebrow. It only made her more interested in the bluehead.

Erza quickly paced up the stairs after she successfully avoided her maids. Thankfully, she was able to use hide her bruises from Loki before she ran up to her room. As soon as she did, she crashed down on her bed. The redhead was exhausted, but she wasn't at rest. She can't.

Erza got up and took the Chocolate World bag out of her purse. She had only handed Jellal the truffle packages, but not the gift bag. Gray Fullbuster. Carefully, her fingers traced the letters of the name. As she did, she couldn't help but remember the scene at the shopping district.

"Why would Gray be there?" she asked aloud, as if someone were to reply. "Why would he be there with Juvia?" She wanted to know answers, but she was scared the truth would hurt her even more.

Erza slowly placed the gift bag on the side. She stared aimlessly at her bed canopy. As soon as she lowered her hand to the mattress, the pain from the scrapes returned. "Ow!" the girl yelped. She used her other hand to nurse the ache. Thanks to Jellal, most of the aches have already disappeared. She wondered if the bonbons she gave were enough. Maybe they were, since he adored them. But after all the boy have done for her. . .

Erza gazed at her bandaged hand. . .the hand that had concealed the friendship between her and the bluehead. Though she didn't want to admit it, it made her giddy that she and Jellal were friends, but she couldn't explain why. I'm probably going crazy. I'm just exhausted. It's the heat's fault.

The heat. The inevitable enemy of Jellal Fernandes. Erza couldn't help but wonder what could possibly be so disadvantageous to the bluehead.

Erza's entire body was yearning for answers for everything. . .from Gray's presence in the district to Jellal's unknown disorder. But it turned out that she would have to wait and see.

"Um. . .Where's Gray?"

Natsu shrugged at the blonde's question. "I'm not Santa. I don't stalk people or. . .Ow!" He picked up his book bag and moved to another seat. "There. Now you can't kick me."

"But it serves you right," Lucy snapped back. She went back to playing Candy Crush as she rolled her eyes.

Erza knew Lucy and Natsu would eventually make up, but when no one was starting a conversation, the situation became awkward. Or she just missed the usual chatter of a certain dark haired boy.

Erza sat uncomfortably between the two. The wounds on her palms and knees still persisted, but weren't visible. Therefore, the redhead decided to remove her bandages before she attracted any attention from her followers and friends in school. It seemed to work, since neither Lucy nor Natsu questioned her.

It was Monday and July was quickly approaching, meaning first term exams would be bringing many students' lives to turmoil. For now, the three were in their Potions classroom, waiting for the first period bell to ring.

"Ohayo gozaimasu," a familiar voice suddenly called. A sleek male figure appeared in the seat next to the redhead. Gray was panting, meaning he was running from his fangirls awhile ago. "Eru, how are you doing?" The sweat that trickled down the side of his face along with his charismatic smile made Erza's heart skip a beat. But she felt her heart sink at the same time. Could Gray Fullbuster really be the person she spotted with Juvia? Erza glanced at Juvia sitting in the back, but the girl didn't pay much attention to the group. Was her eye playing tricks instead? Gray was with her for twelve years. Would he really betray her? Erza's mind was still occupied with Gray and Juvia laughing with each other as they walked down the street, hand in hand. But Gray looked so innocent as if nothing ever happened.

The redhead decided to remain quiet with her thoughts. "I'm doing great," she lied. "It's the usual. I'm just busy preparing for exams."

"You don't have to worry! You're gonna get perfect grades again! Well, we have to get to our seats too before sensei walks in. You better get going too, Eru."

The redhead watched the boy get up and sling his bag across his back. He flashed a grin when he met the redhead's eyes, who smiled back. Her eyes followed his figure as he started walking away. But something was tugging deep inside her. The redhead took in a deep breath before she called, "Gray!"

The boy halted in his tracks and looked back at Erza. His eyes first went to the girl, then to her hand which had grasped his wrist. His forehead scrunched up, giving her a questioning look. Did he leave something on Erza's desk?

"Not long ago. . ." her voice disappeared. Should she ask him about what she saw over the weekend? Should she really push it?

His eyebrows knotted in confusion. "What happened not long ago?"

"Did you, by any chance, happen to. . ." No, she shouldn't. Erza realized she had accidentally called the attention of the entire class. When she spotted Juvia not too far away, she gulped. The girl was staring daggers at her. Erza shouldn't. Not now, not ever. "It's nothing, Gray. I'm just. . .tired." The redhead chuckled stupidly. "I'm sorry." Her gaze was averted so it wouldn't meet Gray's. She had completely humiliated herself in front of her entire class.

"What do you think Titania wanted to say?"

"What happened recently? Help me catch up."

"I'm dying with curiosity right now."

"Aw. I thought that our Juliet would finally confess to Romeo. Such a shame."

Gray watched the redhead slowly slump back to her seat. As a person who deeply cared about her, it made his heart hurt to see Erza in such distress. But he was still confused. Not long ago? What did he do recently? The more he thought about it, the more he couldn't help but wonder if it was what he thought of it to be. He glanced at the redhead, who was quietly sulking. Then he turned around to see Juvia, who was still glaring at Erza. He sighed. I'm sorry, Erza. I love you too much. I promise that one day, you'll understand every thing. With that, the bell rang as Gray hurried to his desk and the murmurs of class 2A died down to silence.

"Are you sure we can bust in?"

"Of course."

"Ah. The sky is darkening."

"Sorry, Lucy. I had after school duty."

"It's fine, Natsu. It would've been better if you could drive instead of us taking the subway. Gray's probably there waiting for us."

The pink haired boy inhaled sharply to calm himself. The blonde would consistently tease him since he didn't have a driving license of any kind, while most other male students did, including Gray. He didn't know whether to feel inspired to go to driving school or utterly offended.

"How many blocks do we have left?" Lucy asked.

The boy glanced downwards to see his phone screen. He tapped on the Maps app to track his current location. "About another four or five. Then we turn to the left."

The girl audibly groaned. "Why does the subway station have to be so far away?!"

Natsu went silent, for he agreed. Since summer was right around the corner, the temperature was starting to climb. Yeah, Natsu loved fooling around in the heat. . .but there's a price to pay. And it's called sweat.

They were going to Erza's place. Then again, the Scarlets went around the city with their car, not public transportation.

The week had flown by and it was currently Friday. The two were heading to Erza to recieve help before the finals.

When Natsu and Lucy finally turned left, they instantly spotted Gray's Mercedes. The dark haired boy, who was standing next to the vehicle, was busy skimming through a workbook with one hand while a pencil was in the other.

"Hey Gray. . ."

Natsu's shouting was muffled by the blonde's hand. "Natsu, are you crazy?! He's a Fullbuster standing in front of the Scarlets' Landing. Are you planning to be the cause of World War Three?!" the girl hissed in his ear. She released her grip and ran to boy on the other side of the street. "Gray!" she whispered.

The dark haired boy craned his neck to the side. "Oh, Lucy. You're already here." His eyes scanned the opposite street. "Natsu's here too." His gaze followed the pink haired boy jogging across the street.

"Yeah," she said. "Listen. Even though you're the Fullbuster heir, you're hard to recognize since dark hair and eyes are common. So if someone asks who you are, you're Bob Marley."

Gray rolled his eyes. "What kind of name is that?!"

"But you see, Sir and Mistress Scarlet aren't present, meaning Erza's in charge. I'm more than sure that Eru wouldn't put you in jeopardy," Natsu reasoned with a smirk.

Gray nodded. "Well, let's go." He turned to the blonde. "I know. You have a lot of questions for me. Save it for later."

"'Kay, Bob." Lucy took the lead with the boys following.

Natsu walked up to a device by the metal gates. He pressed the doorbell.

Soon, a voice was heard over the speaker. "Yes, who may this be?" it asked.

Natsu bored his eyes to the camera. "I'm Natsu Dragneel. I'm the son of Secretary Igneel."

"What is your business at the manor, Natsu-san?"

"I'm request a visit with Erza Scarlet-san. We are classmates of hers. As Erza-san's close friends, we know she's usually idle on Fridays, so we came for a tutoring session before the first term finals."

Whispering was heard over the speaker. At first, Natsu thought it was a quick confer, but the whispering stretched out to a minute. "Hello?" the boy asked.

"Um, Natsu-san. Unfortunately, Erza-sama is currently busy."

"Excuse me?" Natsu raised an eyebrow. Why would Erza be busy? She was never the person to worry so much about exams. . .

Gray walked to the spot beside the pink haired boy. He, too, thought that it was weird. Erza was never occupied before. "What is Erza doing?"

"She already has a visitor at the moment. Please reschedule for another visit." the voice replied.

And for some reason, Gray Fullbuster heart's sunk.

Oooo. Honestly, Gray, how do you feel about Erza? You're such a trouble maker. Hehehe.

'Till next chapter! ~CHS