Hello!

I have a maths exam in the morning, a calculator paper and the first of the last three of four exams that will determine if I can take all the A Levels I want to do in September. So wish me luck! And to anyone taking an exam tomorrow, good luck to you too! :)

A shorter chapter today, but I hope you still like it :)

We are back to Lucy's point of view for some chapters, just to inform you. And an own lyrics again

Anywho, enjoy :)

Chapter Seventeen-

Any hope starts with you

When I step into the guild, I can hear it is as rowdy as it usually is. In the corner, Macao and Wabaka are in the corner, arguing with each other while holding glasses in their hands, filled with some alcoholic substance. Macao's son, Romeo, on the other hand is sitting on the other side of the guild in a booth with Wendy, who is howling with laughter. I notice that this earns her stern looks from Carla. By the request board, Erza is scolding Jet and Droy, from the sounds of it, for bickering to loudly over Levy. They are both glaring at Gajeel as Erza speaks, the Iron Dragon Slayer rolling his eyes as he slips next to Levy on a bench, their shoulders scraping at the action. Happy is sitting atop the bar chewing on a fish with a variety of 'yuuuum' and 'hmmm' noises from deep within his throat. Gray is skating around the guild. Hands up in the air and screaming for a heart eyed Juvia to leave him be, yet his cheeks seem to glow as bright pink and a small smile curve possess the corner of his lips. Everything appears normal.

I have only come in today to pick another request off of the board. Although I don't need the money to pay for my rent for another month, I just want to get away, keep my mind occupied on anything as long as it is away from Magnolia.

I had woken up this morning in my bed, face stained in dried tears and hair more dishevelled than usual. My window wide open and blowing my curtains in the warm morning breeze, light pouring into the room. At first, I didn't recall the previous night as I laid staring up at my ceiling. After a moment, however, the events began to come back to me. Me running from the guild to my home, and Rogue appearing. I had wanted to hit him, shout and curse for him entering my house, for knowing where I live. But instead, I just broke down and cried. Cursing myself for breaking down, let alone, in Rogue's arms. I even recall he had kissed my forehead, while I was drifting to sleep after exhaustion.

I need to get away. I don't want to deal with Rogue while hurting over Natsu.

As I walk towards the bar, I catch sight of the pink haired man wearing a scaly scarf, his shoulders hunched and a glass in his hands. I freeze for a moment, a mix of butterflies flying and the numbing pain in my heart. Standing in my place, I stare at the back of Natsu's head, before suddenly, I am met with his large, onyx eyes. He has turned to face me and at first, I am shocked.

Everything is defiantly not normal.

In the place of Natsu's usual expression, the one offered to everyone else and even the one assigned to me, is gone. Replaced with a frown, laced with a mix of tiredness, anger and heavy-heartedness. Bags are present under his eyes, dark and causing the rest of his usually slightly tanned complexion to seem unusually pale. His hair is messier than usual, and it has lost it's shine that makes it glow like pink fire. I recognise this look, because this is one I had worn not to long ago. It is the one of little sleep filled with a night of frustrated crying and questioning.

For a moment, he simply stares at me before gulping down the rest of the liquid in his glass, wiping the side of his mouth roughly with the back of his hand. Then slamming the glass down on the bar top with a sharp crack, earning him a few stares from people spotted around the guild, as well as one from Lisanna, who is cleaning glasses behind the bar. Halting her hand, she stares at Natsu for a minute, then to me with a strange look before back to the pink haired mage.

"Natsu..."

She asks questionably. However, he seems to ignore the white haired mage, instead walking towards me. I am baffled by this action and by why he is approaching me. He hasn't in so long. For a moment, I feel a spark of hope raising within my veins, that maybe he is coming to talk to me. Talk properly, like we used to, instead of avoiding me. I feel myself raise my hand to my chest, my cheeks heating slightly as blood creeps to them. I gulp as he continues to approach me, before I realise, I hear myself speak his name in a whisper.

"Natsu?"

He stops before me, eyes baring down on my small form compared to his broad, muscular build. The words which leave his lips next are ones I defiantly did not expect to hear.

"When the hell did you replace me with that Shadow Dragon Slayer bastard?"