Oh mai. I just had a lot of fun writing this chapter especially, so I finished it real quick for you guys!
It's January and I hope everyone is having a spectacular new year so far. Best wishes for all!
Disclaimer: From Mashima-sensei only!
Why did they always have to go back to square one?
Jellal took the closest seat. He watched Erza scan the room, and when she headed to the seat at the other side of the room, he couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.
A silence enveloped the two. He pushed his thoughts aside and rested his head on his arms, preparing to nap. But he occasionally glanced at the clock above and after much time passed, Jellal still found himself awake.
From the other end, he could also hear the shuffling coming from the girl. Jellal cautiously peeked through the gap under his arm. There Erza was, sitting quietly and staring at the fields outside.
He frowned when he heard her sigh. He knew she only made that sound if she was really upset. "Erza?"
She immediately turned to face him. "You're awake?" Did she not realize by now that he was really good at faking a nap?
"What happened?"
"Are you mad at me?"
He furrowed his eyebrows. "No. Why? Are you?"
"I'm disgusted with myself."
Aw. "I think disgust is a little too strong a word to describe how you feel."
"But Jellal. . .I'm just so sad. I. . .we got in trouble."
The boy shrugged. "So?" He was kinda used to it by now.
She sighed again, this time heavier than the last. "They're going to call our parents. What will they say to me?! I'm never going to be let out again. I. . .I don't want that to happen."
"Erza, it'll be fine." Jellal stood up and moved to the seat by the redhead. "It's vacation from Magnolia. Why are you even worrying about that?"
As the girl sadly shrugged, Jellal unknowingly searched her worried face. The beauty that came with her smiles were gone, and what was left was a sad ocean in her once sparkling brown eyes.
He unconsciously reached over and bought Erza's head onto her shoulder. His hand then patted her soft, red locks. "Fine, tell me what you're so worried about. I'll listen from start to finish. "
Erza did not hesitate to unleash her feelings. She started with her parents, the rich Scarlet family she's supposed to inherit. As a rich heir, her parents already worried about her safety when she leaves the house.
If her parents were told, never would they trust Erza going outside. Ams what would happen to her friends? The amazing school she cared about so much? The places in Magnolia that she never had a chance to visit?
The places she could never visit. That pulled a heartstring in Jellal. He couldn't imagine what a life trapped in a small box would feel like.
Erza finished her rambles and ended up having eyes filled with tears. Jellal pulled her closer. "Cry."
In the next moment, tears streamed down Erza's pink cheeks. She wasn't finished complaining, and whined as she cried. Jellal patiently listened to her to the extent he could extract words embedded in her sobs.
After her rants, Erza's voice went from shouting to quiet sobs. Jellal looked over. The first thing he saw was the soaked section on his shirt. He pushed the thought aside and the next thing he noticed was her heavy eyelids.
She must be really tired, Jellal thought. He felt bad for her and let Erza finish her cries instead of pushing her away.
Soon, her sobs came to a stop and Jellal looked over. She was sleeping. Of course she was tired. She probably stayed up much of last night to take care of him. He remembered the last time Erza was sleeping next to him after she tried to tutor him in Biology. She was beautiful like last time, but the way the sunlight streamed in from the windows made her look more angelic.
Jellal didn't notice the smile that was forming on his lips. He rested his head on top of Erza's and daydreamed about the two of them. Just them two. No school, no homework, no Gray, and none of that Scarlet Company shit Erza was angry about.
And soon, he drifted off to sleep too. Until. . .
"Miss Scarlet and Mister Fernandes!"
Jellal was going to ask for an extra five minutes but immediately he felt a ruler slapped against his arm. He jolted up and searched for the culprit, which happened to be Master Makarov.
Erza was equally surprised and she used her hand to rub the sting. "Wh-what?"
"It's evening already!" the headmaster explained. Indeed, the color of the sky shown from the windows have became a violet color. "It's 'bout time y'all pack because we're going back to Magnolia tonight."
"Hai (yes)!" the two grumbled in unison. Makarov nodded and left the room.
Jellal tapped Erza's hand. "Let's go." Before he stood up, he glanced at Erza's face and saw her noticeable tear streaks drawing rivers down her face. "Or maybe you can clean up first."
Jellal walked over to the door and gestured the girl. "C'mon," he said and Erza made her way to him.
The two walked together until they reached the main hall, where they had to part ways. Erza was quiet throughout the entire walk and only waved as she walked away, which left Jellal a bit disappointed. He tried not to look her way as he walked to the boy's dorms, but he kept wishing that the girl would run back to him and thank him and maybe even give him a hug.
Though Jellal was staring at the floor, he could feel glares directed at him. But he knew even more disappointment was directed towards Erza.
"Erza Scarlet, do you know how shocked I was at the news?" Mr. Scarlet was furious. Jellal and Erza were back at Magnolia, and to be more precise, back at the Scarlet manor. After hearing the trouble their daughter got into, the Scarlet parents rushed back home from their business trip.
"Sweetie, it was a good thing you were with Jellal-san. If you were a little more uncareful when you were venturing through the boy's section of camp, we don't know who could've gotten their hands on you!" Mrs. Scarlet explained. She pulled out today's newspaper. "Look!" she shouted and pointed to an article with Erza's name on it.
Jellal couldn't help but peek at Erza, on her knees next to Jellal begging for forgiveness. It's been more than an hour since the lecture began, and Jellal's knees began to hurt. But he did not dare say a word in front of his landlords.
He could only imagine how sad Erza must feel. Her knees must hurt too, but she must be too ashamed to even raise her head. So this is how the rich life feels like, huh?
"Mom. Dad. I'm so sorry." This must have been the hundredth time Jellal heard Erza say that. It pained him a little more each time he heard that, and his heart filled with guilt.
"Sweetie, why were you even going to the boy's section anyway?" Mrs. Scarlet asked.
Now that Jellal thought about it, why did she suddenly appear in his room? Not that he remembered anything before waking up anyways.
Erza shook her head. "I'm so sorry."
"You didn't answer the question," her father sternly commented.
"I'm so sorry. I don't want to say."
"Why?"
"Tell us, you insolent girl!"
Jellal's eyes widened. He had never heard Mr. Scarlet so angry, or was it just that all company owners had a fake appearance shown to the outside world? Mr. Scarlet stomped to his daughter's side and raised his hand to slap her and Erza scrunched up to prepare herself for the pain.
"Stop!"
Six eyes turned Jellal's way. Shit. He stood up and walked over to Mr. Scarlet. "It was my fault. I did it. I told Erza to come into my room and I helped her sneak into the area after dinner. So if you have any questions, you should be asking me, not Erza. She didn't do anything wrong."
"Wh-what?" Mr. and Mrs. Scarlet said in unison. They were surprised. They had trusted their tenant to do better than their daughter. Erza's eyes were wide in shock, and her jaw hanged open.
Mrs. Scarlet went up to him. "Why?"
He went down on his knees. "I'm sorry, Mr. Scarlet and Mrs. Scarlet. It was just that I needed her assistance for one night. I didn't know it would turn out to be this way. I was inconsiderate and didn't think about the situations of being a Scarlet heir."
"Jellal. . ."
"If it makes you feel better, I'm moving back to my hometown in two weeks. Two weeks is all I need."
For the next few days, Jellal spent much time around his apartment to pack his suitcases. He was in Magnolia for almost three months, yet his apartment had became a mess with his clothes scattered everywhere.
He had already called his parents and promised to explain his early return when he went back. Soon, a week passed and he had spent the next several days hanging out with Lyon. Though he expressed his smiles around his best friends, there was just one thing that kept on bothering him.
And when Jellal occasionally passed by Erza on the mornings he ate breakfast at the manor's dining hall, the two passed by each other without a word. Both sides were to nervous to make the first move. But he couldn't stop his heart from racing. Honestly what am I thinking? I'm only staying at Magnolia for only a few more days, and I'm probably never going to see her again.
He remembered when he came to Magnolia with one ambition - apologize to Erza and go back home. But he had never expected that it would take such a long time to say one word: sorry. He also prepared to go back home with no hard feelings. But all he could think about was her.
So, you could only imagine how surprised Jellal was when he heard a familiar voice ringing down the halls. "Jellal Fernandes!"
The boy turned around to the side of the hallway. He saw Erza running, her blue dress flowing behind her. She looked angelic, even though she was wearing casual clothing. When the redhead finally reached him, he couldn't help but notice her red locks, with an added sexiness from her run.
". . .Okay?"
Jellal blinked. He finally caught himself and stopped fantasizing about Erza. "What?"
"Jellal, I can't believe I actually waited till there's only two days for your departure to tell you that I'm so glad I met you."
Inside, his heart was bursting from happiness. Did he hear her right? "It was a pleasure being your tenant too."
The girl frowned. "It still doesn't feel right. You got in trouble by my parents and they blame you for something that wasn't even your fault!"
Jellal smiled. How cute.
"I. . .I should have spoke up. Now my parents don't like you but it's not fair to you!"
"It's fair for me as long as I protect you."
"Jellal. . ." Her voice was starting to crack.
The boy looked away. He to could feel the tears well up in his eyes and he couldn't even remember the last time he cried.
"Thank you Erza." He waved and started heading back to his apartment. But her voice stopped him once again.
"Wait! I still never repays your favor so. . .is there anything I can help you with?"
Jellal shrugged. He never really thought about it.
"I'll do anything. I owe you a lot," Erza continued."Do you want me to call the movers? I can upgrade you to first class if you want. Tomorrow's your last day, I can give you however much money you want to go gift shopping for your parents."
Anything huh? A foolish smirk aspirated on Jellal's face. "I have the best idea for tomorrow."
"Anything."
"Be my girlfriend for a day."
Yas Jellal! You go boy! I'm actually so proud of him because all these chapters were kinda leading to this and even better scenes to come. Wink wink.
Time to study for my finals taking place next week. WISH ME LUCK T _ T See yall! ~CHS