FIRSTLY, thank you soooooo much for the 11,000 views of ISWF! I'm so appreciative of everyone who have supported me, whether it was from the first chapter's upload, or a new reader!
SECOND, it's still so great to be back writing! I have so much eviiiil ideas in my head and I can't WAIT to put them down on paper!
Also, I was asked whether I was planning to make this story a Grayza or Jerza. We'll see. We'll see very soon. I'm more evil and sinister than you thought I was. MWAHAHA. Now, ON TO THE CHAPTERRRR!
Disclaimer: Hiro Mashima owns Fairy Tail. Not me. :(
"Juvia," the periwinkle haired 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. Gray swirled around to see the disappearing girl. "Juvia," the boy called. "Where are you going?! I still have to talk to you! I really didn't mean the things I said!" It didn't matter. The more Gray spoke, the quicker the girl's pace was as she ran down the halls, her periwinkle curls bouncing around her shoulders.
He watched the girl disappear as he stood there, reflecting over his words. Why am I like this? Why can't I simply learn from my mistakes? This was not the first time Gray had destroyed a girl's heart. He had rejected so many of his admirers before, and he even rejected Erza Scarlet. Why did I listen to my father's words? Do I even trust him anymore?
Gray stomped out of the kitchen and a maid spotted hm. The boy smiled and gave a nod. Just before he left, she called him. "Er, Mister Gray. Where are you going?"
"Um, I'm looking for Juvia. Do you know where she went."
"Juvia?Juvia went that way," she finally replied as she pointed the corridor at the end of the hall.
"Oh, um, thanks."
"Oh, Mister Gray! I forgot to tell you!"
The boy quickly turned around before he raised his eyebrows. "Yes?"
"Actually, I just saw. . ." she stopped. "Um, never mind. It's nothing. I was probably dreaming." She gave a small curtsy. "Sorry for the trouble, master."
"Um. . .okay?" Dismissing the maid, he quickly strode down the hall with his long legs. But as he walked, he couldn't help but wonder what exactly she wanted to inform him of. Maybe she was just dreaming after all.
As Gray walked, he heard a tapping behind him. At first, he thought they were simply echos, but. . .
The dark haired boy whirled around. All he spotted were the vases, paintings and plants that normally were located along the mansion. His eyebrows furrowed. No, there can't be anything here. . .
He resumed his pacing. "Juvia? Juvia?" The boy cupped his hands around his mouth, hoping to amplify his voice.
Tap. Tap. The dark haired boy whirled around once again. This time, Gray was more than sure someone, was following him, or at least observing him. Are his parents here? Or. . .?
"Juvia?" the called to the hall. No response. No, it couldn't be her. "Whoever you are," the dark haired boy shouted. "I'm not trying to pick a fight, but. . .you better leave before I call the police." With that, the boy turned around and continued through his manor until he heard a cough. He quickly turned to the direction of the voice. "Juvia?"
Soon quiet, muffled sobs sounded and Gray ran to source. When he did, he spotted her instantly. Juvia was crouched at the corner of the hall, covering her face with her light jacket. Gray watched her figure, which shook to every gasp. "Juvia?" the boy called once more, but as expected the girl didn't respond.
"Um, listen, I just wanted to say. . .Ow!" The boy yelped, because before he was able to finish his sentence, Juvia had raised her leg and kicked him. Even more great.
"Are you crying because of me?" he asked. Welp, that was a really rhetorical question. As a result, Juvia repositioned herself away from the boy.
A heavy sigh escaped Gray. "I'm such a terrible person and I know it." He watched Juvia's head nod among sobs. "It's just. . .it hurts to feel this way, right?" The girl continued nodding. "And I know exactly how you feel because. . ." Gray gulped. "I've done the same to one of the most precious person to me." He felt water reaching his eyes and willed himself to not cry.
"Erza Scarlet?" It was Juvia's voice. Nonetheless it was very shaky from her cries, but a certain gloom in Gray's chest uplifted as soon as he heard her voice.
"Yeah," he sadly admitted. He still couldn't shake the terrible guilt he felt from Magic Day. "I'm such a horrible person," he stated with a forced chuckle. Sadly, Gray knew that Erza might be thinking the same way. Adding on to the list came. . .
"You're not a horrible person."
Gray turned to periwinkle haired girl. "Huh?"
Juvia slowly lifted her face from her sweater that she was buried in a moment ago. Her eyes were red from crying, and her nose was also runny. Still, Gray didn't find it disgusting to the least. No matter what, Juvia have always remained his longtime friend. Always. "Gray," she started. "I think you're actually one of the best people I've met." Her voice was starting to become more solid. "And that's why that even all these years, even though I knew you were not idolizing me, I never gave up on you. Even if there was a slim chance of being with you, I still went to Crocus to become a more trained lady. I still continued to believe that you are the sweet person I know of. And I still want to remain by your side besides all you have done to me, good or bad."
On a side note, Gray was pretty creeped out that Juvia was using pronouns. But it also showed the sincerity of her words.
On a side note, Gray was pretty creeped out that Juvia was using pronouns. But it also showed the sincerity of her words. "J-Juvia." Gray was speechless. "But I've been so terrible to how can you. . ."
"Because Gray, ever since a long time ago, you have won my heart."
Gray slowly reached out his hand and patted the girl's back. He sat there, slowly processing her words. Juvia scooted closer to the dark haired boy and rested her head on him. But this time, Gray did not pull away from her. Instead, the two sat side by side amid the perfectly still moment.
Natsu pressed the button on the bottom of his phone. The video stopped recording. With eyes still on the couple, Natsu used his fingers to tap the icon to save the video. He glance at Gray and Juvia to make sure no one was watching, and then he left.
Erza Scarlet sat quietly at the back seat, watching the numerous trees, buildings and people pass as a blur across the window. It was Monday once again, and the girl was on her way to school. Her chauffeur, Loki, saw the girl's distressed face reflected by the rearview mirror. "There something wrong, Erza-sama?"
The redhead released a heavy sigh. With midterm exams coming up soon and her house's responsibility placed on her, what was there not to worry about?! At least her parents should be coming back to Magnolia soon. "J-just my usual stress, Loki-san. Plus, I-I haven't seen Lucy lately." Erza haven't even spoke to Lucy over the weekend! Where did that mischievous even blonde go?
"Oh, I'm sure that Lucy will see you today," Loki replied. Lucy Heartfilia. That name tugged his heartstrings.
"Really? T-then that's g-good." Erza felt relieved to be reassured her friend was fine.
She pressed her head against the car's window and closed her eyes, hoping sleep would take her in. She was stressed out and fatigued. . .the perfect combo to ruin her. But the constant bumps against the side kept on ruining her attempted rest. Until. . .
Beep! Beep! Erza's eyes shot open to the ring of phone. She quickly scanned the caller ID, but immediately frowned. The number was unidentified. Curious, she swiped the screen and placed the device by her ear. "H-hello?" The redhead cringed at how weak her voice sounded. She immediately strengthened her voice. "May I know who this is?"
"Oh hi~Titania!"
Erza pulled back from the unfamiliar, cheerful voice. "Uh, hello?"
The voice came back on. "Oh hey~! I'm Jellal Fernandes's mom and oh yay! I can't believe I'm actually talking to the Titania. It's so cool!"
Erza couldn't help but release a small laugh. "Oh! So this is Mrs. Fernandes! How may I help you, miss?" She wondered how Jellal's mother looked like. Did they share the same eyes? The same hair?
The redhead immediately heard a sigh from the other side. "Oh, your majesty, I need your help." The redhead inwardly sighed to have herself called by such a title. Still, she listened to the lady. "My son can barely take care of himself, and despite all my warnings, I know that something is going to go wrong. The day is just looming upon us. Oh Titania, please help."
Erza furrowed her eyebrows. 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. Those were Ultear's words, Jellal's employer. "Does it have something to do with the u-upcoming heat?"
"How did you know?" Mrs. Fernandes obviously sounded shocked. "Did Jelly tell you?"
Jelly. What a funny name. "Um, no, but his employer told me o-one time."
"Okay good! But I still need your help, my queen. My son is not gonna take care of himself well, and I needed a sensible person to do so. I'm so sorry to burden you!"
"Oh! No, it's okay. As long as Jellal's fine, I'm also happy!"
The redhead heard laughing from the other line. "Oh you're so sweet, dear!"
"So what's the problem, Mrs. Fernandes?" the girl asked. Actually, Erza was really curious ever since she heard about it, and now, she was about to get her reply.
"Um, you see the heat affects Jellal, and not in a good way." A sense of seriousness has overtaken the lady's tone. "He gets a little bit, er, crazy. He starts blabbing and doing around random stuff without even thinking. And after the day has passed, he doesn't recall doing anything! Ain't that weird?"
Erza nodded. "Y-yes."
"I'm just really scared that he might accidentally say something he's not supposed to and offend someone or something like that. You see, he gets really honest on those days, it's painful," Mrs. Fernandes explained. "I was just hoping, if you could check on Jelly on some of those really hot days. Just make sure he stays in his room or something. Don't let him go to school, it's pointless then. Is that okay?"
"Um, sure!" the redhead answered as happy as she can. Besides, it couldn't be that bad, right? And since Jellal was his tenant and she was his landlord, it's only natural for her to keep an eye on him.
Mrs. Fernandes's voice immediately brightened as she said, "Oh, thank you, your highness! What would I do without you?! Oh, thank you! Thank you so much!"
"D-don't worry about it!" Erza explained. "It is my pleasure to do so."
"Thanks then, Titania. I have to go back to work now so I'll hear from you later, okay?"
"Okay, goodbye." With that, Erza ended the call and sighed as she placed the phone back on her lap. What did I agree to? Just when it seemed like her life couldn't be any more stressful, she was placed with another responsibility. But then, why didn't I just say "no." Why?
"Erza-sama!"
The redhead turned to the source of the call. Loki-san was gesturing that they were arriving at Fairy Tail Academy. Erza packed her items in her bag and opened the car door. "Arigatou, Loki-san!" She gave a quick wave before closing the door behind her. Erza turned around to see the large school building in front of her, lined with luscious green trees of the upcoming summer lining the paths. She took a deep breath before walking forward, challenging the week ahead.
And even as she walked, she couldn't come up with an answer.
"Jellal Fernandes, ohayo gozaimasu." Lyon came frolicking into Marco-sensei's classroom with such a stupid grin that the bluehead was this close to shouting "sissy" at Lyon. The two boys were in their first period Potions class, waiting for the start bell to ring. Lyon continued skipping up the aisle until he slipped into the seat besides Jellal.
"What are you even reading?" Lyon asked. He bent his head to glance at the book's cover. "Clockwork Angel?"
Jellal slowly nodded, his eyes fixed on the pages in front of him. Bored, Lyon frowned, thinking of ways to catch Jellal's attention. "How is Titania going?" he asked, a smirk fixing on his face. It was small talk, but at least he knew it was something to provoke the bluehead.
"Good," Jellal replied nonchalantly before flipping the next page to continue his reading.
Lyon's eyes widened. "'Good?' That's all you're gonna say?" Honestly, Lyon had expected much more of an answer besides 'good,' so he couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. "I haven't seen you all weekend and all you say is 'good!' Are you okay, Jellal?" Lyon asked. The bluehead slowly nodded, his head still buried into the book of Cassandra Clare's.
Lyon rolled his eyes. "Whatever. Anyways, midterms start next week and I'm going to have to start with potion studying since its the first. . ."
Lyon flinched when Jellal suddenly clasped his book close with a loud Thump!. The bluehead turned around to face his friend, his green eyes suddenly brimming with panic. "Um, er, Lyon. Was there potion homework?" Jellal desperately asked.
His friend furrowed his eyebrows. Since when did Jellal get mood swings too? "Um, yeah. . ." Lyon answered. "Why?"
The bluehead's face scrunched up in even more worry. He tried to recall himself doing the homework on Friday, but he couldn't. Unless he. . ."No way! Lyon, give me your homework!" Jellal started rummaging through his schoolbag. He finally spotted his potions worksheet and pulled it out. Oh shit! What did I do to the paper?! Jellal quickly slipped the worksheet under Clockwork Angel and fished out a sheet of looseleaf. He turned to his friend, who still hasn't moved. "Lyon," Jellal ordered. "Give me your potions homework! I need it! Like, right now!"
But Lyon knew to be suspicious as he eyed the sheet. "Uh, you're always better in me than Potions. Do you really want my homework?"
The bluehead nodded vigorously. "Please, Lyon. I'm only asking you this one time. I really need the homework. I just, uh, really didn't understand any of the problems."
"But the homework was so easy," Lyon stated, matter of factly.
"Uh, well. . ."
"Something happened between you and Titania, huh?" Lyon snickered. It was fun to tease his friend.
"It's not that! I just wasn't. . ."
"Alright, alright. I get it." Lyon couldn't help but smirk as he opened his bookbag before finally finding his Potions homework. "Here, I did my best. You might as well start copying it because class is gonna start soon."
Jellal looked at it, then grimaced. "It looks like crap. None of your answers even make sense."
"Hey! You're the one asking for a favor so take it or leave it."
He sighed. "I guess this will do." The bluehead placed the paper on his desk and started copying the answers onto his sheet of looseleaf.
Lyon frowned. "I doubt that you didn't understand the questions. You're always one of the top student in the class," he told the bluehead suspiciously. "What's the real reason you can't pass it?"
Jellal stopped writing to quickly search of a legitimate excuse. "Oh nothing. I'm just not satisfied with it," he lied nervously. What kind of excuse is that?
Lyon continued to give him a skeptical look. "Let me see it," he said.
The bluehead tucked his homework sheet more securely under his book. "To be honest, I didn't do any of the questions. Really. You were right. I was too distracted by Titania that I. . .Hey!"
Lyon suddenly reached under his desk and managed to snatch the long awaited paper. "There! I've got it!" he yelled excitedly. He stood up and started running out of the classroom.
Jellal quickly scrambled to his feet before chasing after his friend. Oh god! Lyon really gets on my nerves sometimes. Or should I say, all the time. But by the time Jellal got out of the classroom, he already saw Lyon further down the hall, stopped in his tracks. Oh shit! What the hell is Lyon doing? he thought and ran toward his friend's side.
"H-hey, give it back!" Jellal demanded. He knew he had failed. Lyon was too quick for him. Lyon turned around, his eyes widened with surprise. "Jellal, you drew. . ."
"Ssssshhh!" Jellal covered his friend's mouth before he could continue on any further. "Now that you saw it, please don't freaking tell anyone about it! I'm begging you, please!" He sighed. "Do you now know why I can't hand in my homework like this. I don't even know what I was thinking. I swear, I've gone mad." Jellal didn't know what came to him when he started writing Erza's name all over the paper the Friday night just a few days ago. In fact, he even drew a small portrait of her in the corner, and his art skills proved to be amazing. He was just so frustrated at the time, he simply couldn't help it.
"I like how you wrote Titania's name so many cool ways. You even decorated some of the letters too!" Lyon's eyes were taking another glance at the once boring looking worksheet. "And look!" He pointed to Erza's portrait. "It looks exactly like her. You seriously have you're mother's artistic skills, because it's really great. Does she know about. . ."
"Of course not! And she should never know. It's embarrassing!"
Lyon continued gaping over the beauty of the sheet. "Hey Jelly, can I have this?"
"No!" he disagreed with a little too much passion. Lyon's gaze returned to the bluehead with a stupid smile again. Oh, what is he thinking now? Jellal thought to himself. Can't I just get this over with?
"Hey Jellal, do you like Titania?" Lyon asked.
"No, I don't like her! Oh my god, how much times do you have to ask me before you get the idea?!"
Lyon's smirk still didn't disappear despite his answer. His friend rolled his eyes before saying, "Yeah, okay. Whatever you say. But you know, Jellal, your words contradict your actions. When will you admit it to yourself."
The bluehead sighed exasperatedly. "There's nothing to admit," he stubbornly stated.
Lyon's brows furrowed at Jellal's contradicting actions and words. "Then let me ask you this, Jellal." He looked at his friend. "Did you have fun decorating your potions homework?"
Have fun? It was a stupid question to ask, but now that he thought about it, decorating a sheet of paper never felt so natural. His green eyes flicked from his friend to the decorated letters to Erza's portrait. "Yes," he answered. "And if I had the chance to go back in time, I would've done the same thing."
Thanks for sticking around for another chapter! It's always exciting to write because you guys always provide so much support and I know I'm not writing to nobody, but an audience all around the world! XD HELLO EVERYONE! Honestly, I can't believe I've finished another chapter already.
Still very guilty. . .I know I am. And Chapter twenty is coming up so soon. Time flies when you have fun typing on the computer. :))) ~CHS