I felt his hands rub down my skin. His kisses were getting sloppy and I wasn't sure if I still wanted him to kiss me.

"Lucy…" He moaned into my ear as he pressed himself harder into my leg. I can feel it. I can feel it right through his pants. "Need you… need you so bad."

I gasped as he reached for the back of my neck, his other hands trailing down my neck and down to my breasts.

*.*.*.*.*

"It's a costume party?" I asked Juvia.

"Yes!" She bounced with excitement. "When Mira plan's a party, there's always costume in it. You don't have to if you don't want to, but it's much more fun if you do!" I watch her open her closet, taking out several dresses, trying to decide which one she wants to wear. She pulled out a black dress. "This would look good on you."

I set myself comfy on Juvia's bed and eyed the dress. "What would I even dress up as?"

"Audrey Hepburn!" She said a little too enthusiastic. "I can do your hair and makeup."

"I'm not pretty enough for… Audrey Hebburn."

"Nonsense Lucy-san. You would look wonderful!" Juvia shoved the dress in my hands. "Go change!" She then ushered me out the room and into the bathroom.

I sighed as I pushed the door closed with my back.

I wasn't in any mood to party. But Mira put so much effort into a welcome party for me and I didn't want to ruin it. I stripped my clothes. Juvia's dress was so elegant, it was modest and yet stunning. I reach towards my back to try and zip it up, I couldn't reach.

"Damn it." I cursed. I looked into the mirror to at least see if it fit me. Angel stood behind my reflection.

She winked. "You two kids have fun."

My surprise caused my body to jerk back and I stepped on the mat of the floor. I slipped, and I tried to hold on to anything to try and stop. I ended up grabbing onto a durabox cabinet where Juvia keeps stock of toiletries and I brought it down with me, causing a loud thud to echo within the bathroom.

"Lucy-san?!" Juvia burst into the bathroom. She gasped at the sight of me on the floor. "Oh my gosh are you alright?" She reached for my hand, pulling me up.

"S-Sorry." I apologized. "I…" saw someone in the mirror. "I tried to reach the zipper on my back, I guess I lost balance." I turned back, slowly picking up the toiletries haphazardly spread on the floor.

"You should've called Juvia then." The blue haired girl bent, arranging everything back to where everything was. "Come, let Juvia help you."

*.*.*.*.*

Emerald green in pink gold. Juvia had presented me with earrings. "These match your dress!" She squealed. "Put it on!"

"Juvia I can't take those. They look expensive." My eyes widened as she put them on my hand.

"What is Lucy-san talking about? You'll return them to me when we get home." She laughed it off. "Where are you going to hide it? We live together." Juvia rolled her eyes. I put in on, reluctantly. Juvia passes me a hand mirror. "Look, look."

No. I don't want to.

Everytime I look at a mirror, I see things I don't want to.

"You look really beautiful.""

"T-Thanks." I blush, and put the hand mirror down. I look at Juvia, dressed as a witch, and just missing the hat. "You look amazing too."

"Do you think Gray-sama would like it?" She twirled.

"I like it." I shrug. "Speaking of, are you two dating? I always see you two together."

"He… hasn't said it officially. But he does tell Juvia he loves her." She blushed. Adorable.

"That's sweet."

"Does Lucy-san have a boyfriend back home?"

"No." I answered her. "Not anymore."

*.*.*.*.*

Fairy Tail's welcoming party was in full swing and I, the guest of honor, had just arrived. Booming music was heard from thirty meters away, and for sure once the clock turned twelve cops would be here telling everyone to shut the hell up.

Juvia had dragged me towards the huge doors of the guildhall, eager to show me off.

"Ah, here she is!" A woman, Juvia said Cana was her name, pointed at me, a glass of red in her hands. She was wearing a checkered top, or a bra rather, and a long skirt that reached her ankles. I had no idea what she was dressed up as. Approaching us, she grabbed my arm, prying me away from Juvia. "Talk with me new girl." She smirked.

"H-Hi." I told her as soon as she dragged me towards the bar.

"Lucy right?"

"Yes, and I remember you're Cana."

"That's me. I like money, I like booze, and I am amazing at fortune telling." Cana boasted.

"Fortune… telling?"

"You don't believe in that shit?"

"Well, I don't know." I laughed nervously. "I've never had my fortune read before."

Cana's eyes twinkled with mischief. "Wanna start now?" She grinned as she sipped her drink.

"Not sure, how many of those have you had?"

"This is pomegranate juice." She rolled her eyes at me. "Makarov watches me like a hawk, I have a limit to what I drink." She glared at the glass like it killed her entire clan. "Anyways, give me your hands."

"Why?"

"Fortune telling, blondie. Fortune telling."

This time, I rolled my eyes at her before extending my palms to her. She took them gently, and stared right at them.

"Can you at least tell me what you're seeing?"

"Something good's bout to happen to you." She told me. Then traced a line on my hand. "And something disturbing too."

I frowned and retracted my hands.

Cana looked at me and smiled sheepishly. "Come on, I said disturbing, not bad."

"It's kinda scary." I laughed nervously. Cana hands me a drink, and I took a sniff.

"It's apple juice, come on, what do you take me for? If I'm not allowed to drink, no one is." She cackled maniacally.

It does smell like apple juice.

I turned away from Cana, trying to look for Juvia in the crowd when I saw a tuff of pink hair moving from it. Natsu. What was it with that guy?

Was that his natural hair color? I had never met anyone with a color that bright. Did he dye it?

Can I dye my hair like that?

I stare harder, trying to observe him a bit more. He was wearing a wife beater and some jeans, and a scarf that I've never seen him without. On his right shoulder was some kind of bird or whatever tattoo. Same as Juvia's. Huh.

I look back at Cana and her very revealing costume. The same tattoo.

Did everyone in this guild have that kind of tattoo? Was it some kind of initiation or group id?

If so, I kinda want one.

I stare at Natsu again, trying to get a read on him. He didn't even bother wearing a costume. He was a lot more muscular than my ex boyfriend, Dan. So so much more. He had looks too.

He was probably popular with the ladies. I stuffed the giggle that was forming in my throat back down.

What am I doing?

Was I seriously rating how attractive Natsu was?

I frowned, then clasped my fingers together. Rating guys based on what they looked like was a game Angel came up with. She'd point to a guy and we'd all answer a number at the same time, we'd then add up the numbers and that would be his rating. Maximum vote was ten. So being rated thirty was the highest number one could get from us.

Natsu was definitely a ten.

But that doesn't matter. Because I'm not playing Angel's game. Because I'm playing the made up game that reminded me of the dead, or how my best liked to join in on that game.

I continue looking at the crowd.

I'm not enjoying myself. I'll break Mirajane's heart if she sees me like this.

"Yo!"

I whipped my head back so fast, I thought I was going to break my neck.

"Come on, this is your welcome party. Enjoy yourself!" Natsu tells me as he grins. I breathe harder, trying to calm myself down. "Oi…?"

I grit my teeth. "You scared me."

He pouted at me. "S-Sorry! I just thought since you kept staring at me, I thought you had no one to talk to."

My heart quickened. "I-I wasn't staring at you!" I sputtered out, pointing a finger towards him. "You just happened to be within the crowd, and I was staring at the crowd!" My voice began to shake and my face was heating up.

Natsu laughed.

"Alright, I'll take your word for it." He raised his hands, one holding a cup of what I think is beer. "Why aren't you enjoying your own party?"

"More than half of the people here don't know who I am."

"Hey, that's not true! They all came here because they know it's your welcome party." He gestured to the crowd.

"Or they want an excuse to party."

"Come on, its just all the Fairy Tail members. Even if they don't know ya, they will after this night."

My eyes widened. "You mean to tell me, that all those people," I point "Are Fairy Tail members?"

"Yeah." Just as Natsu answered, someone bumped behind him, causing him to fall forward a bit. Though his cup didn't just forward 'a bit'.

A second later the cup was on the floor, and my chest along with Juvia's dress smelled like malt. I smelled like beer. I see Natsu's eyes widen, then he turned back.

"Oi, what the hell Nab!" He shouted. "You made me spill my drink on Lucy!"

"Ah sorry! Didn't mean to!" The guy, Nab, looked apologetic enough, but before I could tell him that it was okay, Natsu's fist raised and punched him in the face, sending Nab across the room.

"Oh my God!" I screamed. The rest of the guild looked on, other members approaching Natsu.

What the hell?!

I frantically look for Juvia, or Cana, or Mirajane, just whoever. But then I see Nab laughing, then the other members of the guild joining in the rumble.

What the hell is with this guild?

I squinted my eyes, seeing that the pink haired man was now switching punches with Gray.

I sighed. This was not normal. But I sure as hell don't want to be involved in that. I turned back, I had to dry myself off. But I don't know where the bathroom is. On the corner of my eye, I see the doors of the balcony open. I haphazardly grab paper towels from the bar and proceeded outside.

I hate the smell of beer.

I tapped the paper towel on my chest, absorbing some of the liquid. But most of it was all over the dress. I knew I shouldn't have borrowed a dress of Juvia. She might get mad. I reach down into my chest to dry myself off more.

"Oi, there you are, I was looking for ya."

I rolled my eyes. "What do you want Natsu?" I looked at him and glared.

"Um…" He scratched the back of his head. "Sorry for spilling my drink on you."

I sighed. "It's fine, Nab bumped into you anyways."

"I uh… brought you more tissues." He held up the box and handed them to me.

"Thanks."

"Let me help you." He said and grabbed some out of the box to pat them down on my dress. I blushed when Natsu's face was disturbingly close to mine.

My heart sped rapidly.

"It's fine…" I managed to sputter out and looked away. "The dressed absorbed most of it, so there's not much more I can do I guess."

"Oh. Well I'm really sorry."

"I-Its okay." She bit her lip.

"Look, did we… did we force you too much?" Natsu frowned and asked. His face contorted to sadness and guilt. "You really don't look like you wanna be here and I'm really sorry if-"

"No!" I answered, too loud for comfort. "It's okay really. I appreciate you guys doing this for me. I just… I'm weird with new people."

Natsu sighed in relief. "Phew. I thought you didn't like us."

"I do!" I told him. "I like all of you, it's fun, and I just-"

"Yeah, yeah, I get it." He waved his hand. "I was worried that you hated us that's why you weren't talking." He smiled at me.

Then my heart skipped a beat.

"So if you're weird around new people, does that mean you don't wanna come back inside?" Natsu pointed behind him.

"It's not that. I'll be inside in like, ten minutes. Get myself ready to meet new people."

Natsu nodded then leaned on the railing. "Alright, then I'll stay with you."

"You really don't have to."

"What's the point of the welcome party if you can't hang out with the guest of honor herself?" he grinned at me again.

I'm starting to like his smile.

"I don't mind." He said. I laughed, and then so did he. I leaned against the railway as well. "So?"

"So what?"

"Tell me something about yourself." Natsu tells me. "I'm Natsu Dragneel."

"Juvia said so, yesterday at the cafeteria."

"Yeah but I like introducing myself. So hi."

"Hi." I smiled at him. "Lucy Heartfilia."

We had spent several minutes on the balcony, Natsu was telling stories about the guild, pointing towards the guild members inside, about how Elfman and Mirajane were siblings, Gray's stripping habit, Juvia's habit of threatening women that were close to Gray, everything.

"Oh that reminds me, Cana," I started. "She read my palms."

"She scare you yet?"

"What?"

"Let me guess, she told you something bad was gonna happen to you?" He snickered.

"Not in those words. Is it really true?"

"Nah, she just does it for fun. Make the new members nervous. But she is pretty good at fortune telling. We were betting on which basketball team was gonna win the other day, and she said that her cards told him it was gonna be Sabertooth. She was right and thanks to that I won a hundred dollars."

"That's different, it's a game of skill." I frowned.

"She also has a talent of knowing everything, and I mean everything, about everyone. If you wanna know something 'juicy' ask her."

I laughed nervously. "That's terrifying."

"Nah, not if you get used to it." He laughed, and I laughed with him.

From the railing, I could see the sky, and I look below, I can see the people walking through Fairy Tail's entrance.

"How long have you been a member?" I looked for some people I might recognize.

"I was about eleven so-"

"You've been here since you were eleven?"

"Yeah. Master took me in while I was looking for my dad."

"What?" I looked at him.

"Yeah." He grinned. "My dad disappeared, I was trying to look for him."

"Natsu, I'm so sorry."

"Nah don't be. He's out there, I'm still looking for him." He laughed again. "Master has a habit of taking people in when they need help the most."

"Yeah, I'm thankful he accepted me." I mumbled and look back down. My eyes widened as I spot something familiar.

White hair.

White dress.

Angel.

My breath hitched in my throat as I felt a scream trying to come out of my throat.

"Lucy?"

I gasped when Natsu stroked my back. Angel disappeared, and was replaced by Mira, who was dressed as a literal Angel.

Not here, please.

"Sorry." I muttered. "I should get back. I don't feel so good." I turned back, heading inside the guildhall and to the exit. Leaving a confused Natsu in the balcony.

*.*.*.*.*

This has got to stop. I told myself.

Stop thinking about Angel or Dan. Stop it Lucy. They're dead. You're not seeing things, you're imagining it because you want to see it. But I sure as hell don't want to see those two.

I kept thinking of Arana, why can't I see her?

Maybe I will, Arana, who's innocent, and nice and warm. Who had a thirst for the thrill.

I clicked my tongue as I opened the door of my apartment. I need to get out of these clothes. I need a bath.

The heels went first. I was used to wearing them, but that didn't mean I liked wearing them, once I slipped it off, my body softened in relief as if thanking me for removing its source of pain. Everything was sore; my calves, my heels, thighs. Still wearing Juvia's dress, I padded to the bathroom and turned on the tub faucet. Hot water would do my body some good. It would help me relax. My head ached, and the bobby pins that Juvia installed in my hair were now starting to make my scalp itch. I carefully remove bun, along with the bobby pins, letting them drop to the floor.

Another relief. I stood up, grabbing a neatly folded towel at the cabinet beside the sink. I wrapped it around my neck and headed towards the laundry area. I gotta wash this dress. I can't return this to Juvia smelling like alcohol.

I returned to the bathroom after loading the black dress into the washer. As I entered it, I see a box haphazardly fallen to the floor. It must have fallen out when I grabbed the towel.

I cursed, and bent down to clean it up and put it back where it belongs. It contained some jewelry, something Juvia probably often wore that's why they were in the bathroom. I place them back in the box, then pushed it back onto the cabinet. Juvia really had good taste in both jewelry and clothes.

I then noticed the silence. It stole the air out of my lungs. I backed away from the bathroom cabinet and looked at the bathtub. The faucet was off and was nor just dripping a few drops into the now filled bathtub. It sounded like a bomb in my ears.

The bathtub had overflowed a bit, if I were to jump into it now, the water would come out.

I don't remember turning the water off.

But I must have seeing that it is already off.

But there is no way I'm getting in.

I was just distracted with the horrible smell of beer in the dress. I let the tub overflow and I turned the water off. This happens to me a lot when I am distracted. There tons of times I walk into a room when my head is full of things, and I don't even remember entering the room. This was one of those times.

I sighed, frustrated and held my head. I'm not ending my day on a bad note. Calm down Lucy. My hand rubbed the side of my head when I noticed it. The right side of my ear no longer had an earring on.

Fuck!

I am never borrowing anything from anyone ever again. I squeezed my eyes shut and tried to breathe normally. You're fine. It must have fell out while I was undoing my hair.

I walked over to the bathtub, stepping on the bobby pins I had scattered on the floor, and peered through it. I saw it.

Juvia's emerald green earrings glinted at the bottom of the tub.

For the third time, I breathed in relief. I touched the surface of the water with the tip of my finger. It was warm. Good enough for me.

I'm too distracted.

I didn't hesitate to plunge my arm into the water, in an attempt to grab the earring.

For a second, all thoughts in my head went blank. It was as if all feeling beneath my elbow had been cut off. Like the rest of my arm never existed.

Then the scalding pain of hot water against my skin clawed at my nerves, my bones and my skin felt it. A scream erupted from my mouth as I struggled to pull my arm out but it wouldn't move. I crumpled against the side of the tub. I couldn't move.

Then Juvia found me half an hour later.