YIKES! Did I say that I was going to upload at the 25th because SURPRISE I guess I'm early this time! It's not the only surprise coming with this chapter... hehe

Disclaimer: This chapter is dedicated to Hiro Mashima!

"Then who do you like? Jellal?" Meredy asked, her eyes widening with anticipation. She was clearly so excited to hear an answer.

"No," Erza lied. She had feared that someone would ask the question. Now that Meredy asked it, Erza didn't want rumors flooding through school.

At the response, Meredy's anticipation dwindled. "Aw. I had thought you two had something for each other. I saw the two of you walking together in the halls sometimes and it's so darn cute!' Her smile turned to a frown. "Too bad Jellal's not here anymore. I'm so lonely when I go to work now. There's no one to pick on or rely on."

The redhead forced a smile. She completely understood how Meredy felt. Erza, out of all people in the entire city, was probably the person who missed Jellal the most.

"Hey, Titania!"

The redhead perked at the name. Though she originally felt uncomfortable with the title, she remembers that it was Jellal that gave her that name in kindergarten. Oh, there she goes, thinking about that boy again.

She realized it was Lyon. He, too, was sad. After all, Jellal was his best friend. Lyon showed a sad smile. "If you need anything, come to me," he said, and Erza nodded back.

"Titania!" Erza stiffened. That was Cobra's voice. She reluctantly turned around to see the troublemaker's smirk. "Don't be sad. You have me!"

"Go away," Erza shouted back.

"Yeah, Cobra. Stop bothering her." Natsu just walked into the Potions classroom and rolled his eyes at Cobra. Erza silently thanked Natsu for his entrance. Lucy followed behind Natsu, and the two were holding hands like always. Natsu planted a kiss on the blonde's forehead before they headed to their respective seats.

Soon, the bell rang and the class quieted down as Marco-sensei rushed in from the halls. "Ohayo gozaimasu (Good morning)!" he cheerfully shouted as he plopped his stack of papers on the teacher's desk. "Everyone's excited about school after that summer break, am I right?" The class responded with mixed emotions, but he continued, "Even though break just ended, we still have to get right back to school work, so everyone turn to page 160 in your textbooks please."

Erza couldn't believe that a week had passed in such a bland way. She felt like a robot, programmed to wake up, go to school, do homework, then sleep every day. There was nothing exciting. Natsu and Lucy were as happy as ever, and Gray and Juvia seemed to have made up over the summer. Erza wasn't mad at Juvia anymore either since her feelings for Gray had subsided over the summer too. In fact, she felt happy to see Gray and Juvia together, since both were mutually happy. They didn't have to worry about the Fullbuster's disapproval since Erza knew their families had affiliations.

Erza went through the week feeling empty too. She had no goal, just to prepare herself for those college applications. She felt so. . .empty. Therefore, she was quite shocked when her parents bought an interesting topic to the dinner table at the end of the week.

"Do you like surprises, Erza?" It was her father, who was busy cutting up the steak that it seemed as if he was talking to the piece of meat instead.

Erza glanced at her mother and gave her a Is he talking to me? gesture. Her mother nodded, so Erza replied, "What surprise?"

"It's a surprise! We can't tell you."

"For me?" Erza suddenly felt ecstatic. But her excitement was crushed when she imagined the surprise to me something like a new business under the Scarlet Company or something of the sort.

"It's a good one, I promise. Just for you," Mr. Scarlet added. "Am I right, dear?" he asked, and his wife nodded.

"If you want to know what it is, why don't you follow us Sunday afternoon into the city?" Mrs. Scarlet added.

"The city?" It was rare for her parents to bring her into the busiest parts of Magnolia. Erza's excitement returned. "I'd love to go! Please take me to the city!"

Her mother smiled. "Good. Be excited, sweetie."

Erza listened to her mother's advice. How could she not be excited? The flashing lights, the skyscrapers, and the busy streets she used to see from afar. . .her parents were finally taking her there! And they even planned a surprise! For the rest of the day and the next, the redhead busied herself by imagining what this 'surprise' could possibly be.

Alas, Sunday afternoon arrived and Erza headed to the garage with excitement.

Meanwhile at the garage, Mr. and Mrs. Scarlet started the engine of the Hyundai car. Today was a special day since Mr. Scarlet was the driver instead of Loki.

"I hope Erza will be happy," Mrs. Scarlet said. She spotted her reflection in a nearby mirror and fixed her red locks that resembled Erza's.

"She'll be happy alright," Mr. Scarlet replied.

"You don't understand how painful it was to see Erza like that."

"Yeah."

Mrs. Scarlet frowned at her husband's plain answer. "Honey, is there something bothering you? You were so happy a day ago."

"March is approaching. Seven months."

"Dear, don't worry about that. We have plenty time to plan for Erza. Let's see how this day goes." She broke out in giggles before continuing, "I heard Gray Fullbuster and Juvia are. . ."

"That's the problem," Mr. Scarlet interrupted. "I need the Fullbusters' help. I never thought I'd say that, but I need Silver Fullbuster's help."

"What for?!"

"Scarlet Company hasn't been going well ever since the rumors of Erza were spread. I need Silver's help to fix this. Gray's going to be part of this help."

"W-what?! What on earth are you talking about?!"

Mr. Scarlet hushed his wife. "Quiet now. Erza is coming. I'll tell you later."

The somber tone was immediately gone as their daughter arrived. How could they continue being so serious when their daughter was shining as she walked towards them?

"Erza-chan!" her mother called. She got out and held the door for her daughter. Erza happily joined her parents and when she was ready, the family set off.

"Erza," her father said suddenly. "Can you believe you're going to turn seventeen soon?"

Mrs. Scarlet's eyes widened. "Honey!"

But Erza was already too curious. "What about it?"

"Aren't you excited?" her father continued. "You'll be a young adult and many of my responsibilities will fall to you."

Mrs. Scarlet smacked her husband's thigh, finally ceasing his rambles. "That's all I had to say," Mr. Scarlet lied. Thankfully, Erza was too happy today to care any further.

Soon, they neared the city center. Loud honks, tall shopping centers, and colorful posters surrounded them. Strangely, this place looked familiar. Mr. Scarlet continued driving and as Erza continued to look at the scenery, the more familiar the area looked.

"Sweetie, close your eyes," Mrs. Scarlet instructed her daughter when they finally found a parking spot for the car. Erza did as she was told, and she left the car in this manner. She felt her dad hold her hand and lead her through the busy streets.

Eventually her eyes felt the area dim and she heard the echoed clinking of utensils. They were at a restaurant.

Her father released his grip. "Take twenty steps forward, three steps to the right, five more forward."

As Erza followed the instructions, she heard her father's voice slowly diminish.

"Done!" he shouted. "Open your eyes!"

Erza's eyes shot open. Her grin soon turned to a look of disbelief. "J-Jellal?" Erza's eyes widened with shock. She turned around to look at her parents standing by the entrance, and then returned her gaze to the table. "That can't be you, right?" She slowly approached the table where he was sitting.

Jellal rose from his seat. When Erza was within his reach, he poked her cheek. He smiled when she flinched. "Who else can this be?"

"But my parents said that they didn't want me associated with you anymore. You're not supposed to be in Magnolia. You left last month and then. . ."

She was stopped when the boy reached over and pulled her into his chest. "I'm back." He hugged her tightly, and his head buried into her fragrant red hair. Erza stood in shock, but she soon came to realize it was indeed Jellal. Her hands slowly crept up his torso until she wrapped her arms around it. It was so familiar to her.

"It was only one month but I missed you like crazy. Every day you were in my thoughts," Jellal murmured. "Every time I thought about you, I just wanted to run into your arms again. I had to restrain myself so badly. I'm so glad I'm back."

"Jellal," Erza sighed. The stood in each other's arms, enjoying the silence. Jellal started to pull away, but the redhead stopped him. "Please stay," she murmured into his ear. "Stay here a little longer." He instantly agreed.

"Jellal, I-I missed you." She saw her vision her blur as her eyes watered. "I thought that I was never going to see you again. Even though you're right in front of me, it makes me miss you even more. It felt like it was winter in the summer. All I could think about every day was, 'when will I see Jellal again?'"

Jellal smiled. He stroked her back and planted a kiss on her cheek even though he knew Mr. and Mrs. Scarlet were watching. He inhaled her beautiful scent. Everything about Erza Scarlet was beautiful.

"I. . .went through so many sleepless nights," Erza continued. Tears quietly rolled down her cheeks. She used much effort to try to stop her tears, but they continued to fall and dampen Jellal's shirt. "I felt so guilty. It was all my fault. I couldn't control myself. You already got in trouble with my parents before, yet I. . .I couldn't stop you from getting into trouble again."

Jellal hugged her tighter. "It's okay. I'm back now."

"But that one month, I didn't think that I could survive. It was torture."

"Erza," Jellal gazed into her brown, sad eyes. "If you think that was painful, imagine how I felt during those three years, only to be separated from you again." He leaned into her face and his lips brushed hers. Erza's hands pulled his face closer, making his lips press deeper in. She didn't care that her parents were ten steps away. His lips were sweet from the vanilla ice cream, now melting on the table.

"I love you," Jellal mumbled amid the kiss and his firm arms wrapped around Erza's waist.

He could feel Erza smile against his lips in response. "Me too," she attempted to reply, but her voice came in murmurs.

When the two speed to catch their breath, Jellal leaned his forehead against hers. Erza was smiling goofily. "Mr. Fernandes," she said in a playful tone that immediately melted Jellal's heart. "You have many stories to tell me."

He raised his eyebrow. "Really?"

"How did you manage to get my parent's approval? Did you bribe them?" Erza jokingly asked.

Jellal grinned. "Yeah. I told them I'll make you happy again. It's only been ten minutes but I lived up to my promise."

"He's right." Mr. Scarlet appeared at the spot next to them, his wife following him. Erza and Jellal immediately felt embarrassed. For a moment, they had forgotten Erza's parents were there. They released each other's hug awkwardly.

Mr. Scarlet laughed, which was rare to see. "Even though we told Jellal to leave, your mother and I worried so much about you, Erza. Remember our trip? Did you really think that your mother and I didn't notice how sad you were? We felt so guilty, so we had to call Jellal and coax him into returning to Magnolia."

Erza smiled brightly. "Thank you."

Mr. Scarlet shook his head. "Don't thank me. Thank Jellal. None of this would have been possible without his consent. Not surprisingly, though, he easily agreed to the task."

"Erza-chan," her mother chimed in. "We might be strict, but that's to protect you. But your father and I do the best we can to make you add happy as possible. You are our priority."

Erza couldn't stop grinning. "Thanks, Mom! Thanks, Dad!"

Mr. Scarlet nodded in approval before turning to the boy. "You are welcome to continue being my tenant, Jellal. I wish you the warmest welcomes back to Magnolia." He extended his hand and the bluehead shook it.

"Well, let's spend the afternoon and evening together, shall we?" Mrs. Scarlet said. "Tonight, it's on me."

"Wait wait wait!" Jellal said a little too loudly such that everyone was now looking his way. He shook his fear away and looked at Erza, the beautiful, talented, and intelligent Erza. "Erza Scarlet, will you be my girlfriend?"

"Yes."

It's the 26th chapter and Jellal finally asked it! So, what do you guys think? I would love some feedback! Ah, what scenes would my lovely readers like to see before ISWF ends? (smut will definitely be one HAHA). ~CHS