Hello everyone from all corners of the world! Guess who's back?! (I waiting for the bashing because of my hiatus. . .Criticism) Truth be told, ever since the beginning of the school year in September. My high school is really stressful.
Anyways, it is SO great to be back again and I'm SO sorry to be keeping so many people waiting, but your encouragement never fails. As usual, I'm guilty :( and I really wish I could find more time!
First of all, shoutout for SoranViste and GrayzaFan and Erza Fernandez! Thank you so much for the push for motivation and once again, I'm so sorry that I wasn't active for quite a while!
DISCLAIMER: Fairy Tail belongs to the superbly talented and hilarious—ME. Just kidding; it's Mashima Hiro.
By the time Jellal showered and finished his dinner, it was just ten thirty. Considering it was Friday night, it would be really early if he went to bed now. He scanned his room, scanning for anything to do. . .anything. But no, his mind was blank. He wanted to think, but he couldn't.
No matter how hard he tried to shake the thought away, the memories from this night were engrained in his head.
Firstly, why was Gray in the Scarlet manor? As in, how was he even allowed in? Did it even strike weird to Erza? Besides, he's a Fullbuster.
Suddenly, a horrible thought came to the bluehead. "No way," he murmured. What if Gray was the person that was spying on him and Erza during the middle of tutoring? His breathing almost stopped when he realized the likeliness of that possibility.
But.
But what?
Jellal paused for a moment.
But. . . "Oh my god, why can't I focus on anything?!" He snatched a pen and angrily flung it to the floor hoping that it would ease him, but all that came was the Clink! that sounded once the utensil bounced off the floor. He shook his head, attempted to rid his rage. He took a quick glance at a mirror at the end of the room, which reflected nothing more than an unruly heap of blue locks on top of his head and his confusion.
Agitated, Jellal exasperatedly sighed. He had no one to blame but himself. He reached out for another pen and mindlessly began doodling on the sheet of paper from his homework.
"I trapped myself," he quietly admitted to himself. He rested his forehead on his palm, simultaneously tugging his hair with one hand and using his pen to create ink trails on the white sheets. "This wasn't supposed to happen. I was supposed to get my plan done and leave. But at this rate. . .when will I allow myself to go home?"
What's wrong with me?
He had to admit that he definitely had missed Erza ever since he left Magnolia three years ago. And here he is again, and he's living right under the famous Titania! Literally, in fact. Come to think of it, do I really want to go back home and leave Erza once more?
Somehow, the feeling felt distant, yet familiar. It was a feeling of anger, guilt, irritation. And passion.
No matter how hard Jellal tried to rid the thought from his mind, the image of the world's beloved Erza Scarlet persisted in his mind: her smooth lips that were glossed from the light of the chandelier above. . .her peaceful face as sleep possessed her soft face. . .Erza's steady breathing that would brush against his cheeks when the bluehead was millimeters away from the girl's face. . .
He continued furiously scribbling on the paper in front of him, trying to ease his feelings as he continued his contemplation. Oddly enough, he wished he could find a time machine and return to that perfect quiet, still moment before Erza's room door slammed shut. The moment, now trapped in time, when it was just him and the redhead side-by-side. And if he really could go back, there was one change he would've made.
The bluehead stopped doodling and placed the pen on the side. He didn't know how, but the paper was now covered with the name "Erza Scarlet."
Erza Scarlet. The world's most looked-up to girl in so many's eyes. Jellal unconsciously took his finger and started tracing the name, letter by letter, of the person he secretly longed for. It was a name written on paper, and a person he wanted to bring his side.
"I should've kissed her," he quietly murmured. Yes, he should have. He knew that his choice was completely against his original will, but now, another realization have come upon the bluehead. He was no longer staying in Magnolia because he simply owed someone a an apology; he was staying because. . .this levitating yet frustrating feeling was. . .was. . .
"Maybe," he told himself. "I don't want to go back home after all." He still remember when his first day in Magnolia, walking into Fairy Tail Academy and purposely trying his best to ignore the redhead. But if Erza was around, how could he have possibly ignored her? Not for long, obviously, because his lingering feeling of indifference was quickly washing away every time he laid his eyes on the girl. Now, he could care less if the heat of the summer was quietly lurking in the corner. He simply wanted to find the redhead and hold her in his arms.
He closed his notebook and dumped it back into his school bag. "Erza Scarlet, I don't want to leave you. Because, Erza, did I ever tell you that despite all these years, I. . .love you."
When the sly slip of light from the window landed on Gray's eyelids, his dark eyes slowly opened to welcome Saturday morning. He groaned as he tossed over. Where am I? As he turned on his side, pain surged on his arm; his muscles were aching. He reached out his arms to pat the mattress below him. From the comfortable softness, Gray could tell he was back on his familiar bed, and the night before had already been gone. As he blinked, stings were felt on his eye. Did I cry myself to sleep?
As he thought, he slowly recalled the painful night before; he remembered the scene of that stupid Jellal Fernandes with his beloved Erza Scarlet. Gray couldn't even believe that the redhead had decided to choose someone she barely knew for a month over him! They've known each other for twelve years, goddamit!
Gray slowly got up and dragged himself to the bathroom. He stared at himself in the mirror. The tear streaks that were painted on his pale face told him that his earlier assumptions were correct.
He wanted to return to his room and stay in bed all day, but his mind returned to the stack of homework that was surely waiting for him. Not to mention the fact that he was starving.
As he walked through the carpeted corridor, the normal thoughts of his mornings came upon him. I wonder how Eru is doing? A small smile formed when the image of the redhead appeared in his mind. But once again, the thought that the redhead was probably better off without him formed again. He gave a long sigh as he entered the manor's dining hall.
Gray instantly spotted his servants at the far end of the room. Seeing his entrance, the attendants immediately rushed to his side.
"Mister Gray, good morning!"
"What would you like for breakfast, sir?"
"Will scallion pancakes and a mushroom omelettes work for this morning?"
Truthfully, Gray's mind was wandering all over the place. He couldn't care less about his breakfast menu. His mind was simply focused on sulking over. . .Oh shit! Why the hell am I upset in the first place. It's pointless, since my thoughts are just going in circles and circles over again! Soon, the servants also began to notice the gloomy atmosphere surrounding the teenager as their faces scrunched in worry.
"Mister Gray, are you okay this morning?" one said.
"Why the long face today?" says another.
"I'm sorry, Mister Gray. I thought you wouldn't figure out that I was secretly looking through your underwear."
Gray would've started questioning the last maid's comment, but today he was simply not in the mood. He snatched his breakfast plate from a butler's hand before shooing the attendants away. The dark haired boy didn't want to be involved with any company. Soon, the food in his hands was wolfed down in the blink of an eye. The more depressed he was, the more quickly he ate as he attempted to override the downcast feeling.
He headed to the fridge with his unsatisfied hunger and reached for a cup of yogurt. He mindlessly swallowed the food in his somber mood, knowing he would have to exercise a bit more to burn the excess calories he consumed. In the meantime, he clearly remembered every single moment of the night in Erza's manor before he ran out. Jellal with Erza sitting side-by-side in her room, the bluehaired boy clearly flirting with her, and the two walking up the stairs happily. And it pained Gray most when he realized that not even once did Erza look back and wave goodbye to him. in fact, did she even care about him anymore?
Gray continued sulking until a voice shattered his thoughts.
"Ohayo gozaimasu, Gray-sama!"
The dark haired boy froze. Seriously, Gray felt like he always had the worst luck when it comes from staying away from people (starting with Jellal as an example). He didn't turn around to face the sound. He wouldn't dare. But it didn't matter because as soon as he knew, the person was happily skipping to Gray and was soon clinging to his arm. It was Juvia Lockser.
"Um. . .Can you. . .um. . .get off me, Juvia?" Gray asked as politely as he could. Inside though, he had a burning urge to swat the pesky girl off his arm.
And Gray knew he said the wrong thing when Juvia held on to his arms even tighter. She started playfully swinging his arm instead. "Aw, Gray-sama! Juvia is only here to say 'ohayo' and you already want me away?" She leaned her head on the boy's shoulder. "Did you miss Juvia, Gray-sama? Did you know I found you last night in your car? You were in your driver seat sleeping so Juvia had to drag you all the way back to your room! Aren't you glad Juvia was coming by yesterday?"
First off, the girl's continuous repeat of her name irritated him in an indescribable way. Second, Gray at least now knew how he made it home. He slightly remembered driving home in rage, but blacking out after that.
The girl continued to make herself comfortable on his shoulder. "Well, Juvia hope you're better today, Gray-sama. You were crying as we were walking back your room. and Juvia couldn't make out the words Gray-sama said, but you seemed really passionate about it. Did you really miss me that much?" Sharp giggles came from her.
Ha! You wish! the boy thought. Seriously, the arrogant voice of the girl made Gray's fingers itch. Instead, he slowly used his other hand to push Juvia's head off of him. "Er, my arm hurts today," the boy said, using his pain as an excuse. After that, he stared straight ahead, hoping no avoid eye contact with Juvia.
Though Juvia wasn't offended that she was pushed away, she too noticed the fact that something was off with Gray today. Immediately, she spoke up. "Is there something wrong, Gray-sama? Did you not expect Juvia so early? Do you want Juvia to help you with something? Oh, Gray-sama! Let me give you a peck on the. . ."
Before she could implant her lips on the boy's cheeks, Gray had already used his hand to push her forehead away from him. "Um, Juvia, what are you doing?"
The girl pouted with her pink, glossed lips as she withdrew. "Aw, Gray, Juvia just trying to make you feel better. Honestly, you're not acting like yourself today. I mean, maybe it not the way you act but. . .your aura." She leaned sideways to get a better glimpse of the boy's face. "Did something happen recently?"
Gray sincerely appreciated Juvia's concern, but he was not in the mood for anything this morning. Not after the stupid flashes that he had been trying to discard of his precious Erza with Jellal in his head. "Whatever. Not that you can change anything."
Juvia's pout remained. "Is Juvia really that useless to you?"
"No but. . ."
"Then tell Juvia, Gray-sama. Pretty please."
"No."
"Oh." Her disappointment clearly filled her voice. Besides, what else could she have expected? Ever since she was a little kid, she knew that Gray had all sights set on the redhead. And honestly, it always made her a little sad to think that she might is never viewed the same way as Erza by Gray.
"Er, yeah," Gray quickly added, hoping to avoid the awkward silence that was quickly closing in.
"It's okay, Gray," Juvia replied. "Juvia thinks it's best if you. . .stop thinking about Erza. There's no point anyways. Besides, why do you even like her?"
Why do you even like her? That sentence echoed inside Gray's head.
"Er. . .Gray-sama?" a soft voice called beside him. "You 'kay?"
The dark haired boy nodded mindlessly.
"Um, let Juvia give you a h. . ."
Gray stopped the girl for the second time before her hands wrapped around him. "Oh my god, can't you read the situation?!" the dark haired boy angrily murmured. He finally turned around to make eye contact with Juvia, making sure she would see his glare. "Stop trying to pretend that us is real, because it's not. So. . .keep your distance from me!"
Gray started stomping away from the girl, hoping that it would convey his irritation. Secretly though, he was expecting her to run after him, call his name, and eventually have her figure out his distress. But when silence continued to envelope them by the time he had reached the kitchen entrance and Juvia still wasn't by his side, he had to admit that deep down he missed her pestering.
Wow, am I going crazy? Gray thought. Of course not, I'm not going to miss that annoying girl. Still, he turned around to face to periwinkle haired girl one last time before his exit. "I hope you understand that I don't want anything to do with you unless. . ."
He stopped. Not because he ran out of breath or Spiderman suddenly came flying into his house, but he stopped because of Juvia's face. Her soft, cheerful face was scrunched up with hot, angry tears rolling down her cheeks. Gray gulped. He knew he had gone too far with that stupid tongue of his. Never have he seen the girl like this. Never, because Juvia had always seen Gray as a beacon of her happiness. But now, it seemed to be the opposite. "J-Juvia. . .I-I'm. . ."
"Sorry?!" the girl completed for him, partially choking on her tears as she spoke. Her dark, glaring eyes bore holes into Gray's heart. She used her hand and sloppily wiped the tears from her face. "Well guess what?! Juvia sorry for herself too! Wanna know why?"
Gray knew he shouldn't respond any further but he unconsciously began nodding his head, encouraging Juvia to continue unleashing her rage.
The girl forced a chuckle. "Because Juvia regrets spending the past twelve years loving you. Twelve years, Gray. And you know what?!" Juvia continued, each word getting louder than the last. "I'm never going to get back those twelve years time I've lost to you! All that time Juvia spent loving you, Juvia could've spent it on some other guy. But no, Juvia chose you." She started angrily pacing towards the dark haired boy. Gray should've ran, but for some reason his feet remained planted firmly on the ground. "Juvia," the girl started. "really, really, really did love you Gray. Did. Your happiness was my joy and your sorrow was also mine. That was the past though. But I guess no matter what I'm simply an insignificant piece of dust in your fricking eyes. From now on, how about this?" Before the boy could even react, a smack ran across his face and his cheek was stinging with pain. "Gray Fullbuster, I hate you."
And before Gray could even say another word, Juvia had already disappeared behind him.
One more chapter. . .FINISHED! Wow, I know it's a short chapter, so I'm very sorry. But I hope you liked it, 'cuz I always enjoy my time typing up stories. :) It's stressful in high school, but I really do look forward to spend more time writing b/c I love it so much! Once again, don't forget to bash me in the comments and criticize my terrible plotline. I really enjoy harshness (is that even a word?), since it really makes me develop as a writer. Any advice or questions, you have can also be addressed by me via comments or PM, so ALWAYS feel free!
Also, I really want to thank everyone's patience. . .it seriously means a lot to me and HELLO to any new readers out there! ;) ;) ;) It's so amazing to work and grow together as a community so, LET'S HAVE FUN! (especially with warmer weather coming up! YAY!) Until next chapter! (which might also take a long time to post!) ~CHS