I applied pink lipstick on my lips and leaned back from the mirror. I look normal.

I felt as if I haven't seen myself look like this since that night. I had makeup on, my usual amount of cosmetics, my clothes were revealing, like I always wore.

I'm trying.

I look back at the clock on my nightstand. Six o' clock in the morning. I guess I am early. But Juvia was still asleep since she didn't have training this morning, and it would be embarrassing to wake her up just to drive me to school. I also had to find my way around, to familiarize myself with the place.

Maybe I should ask Capricorn to bring my car here?

I shook my head. There was in no way he'd agree. I wasn't in the right mind to be on my own, much less drive and risk my safety. Who knows, I might look into the rearview mirror and see someone else.

I write down on the whiteboard by the door, letting Juvia know where I was heading out. Once I'm satisfied with my writing, I bolted out the door.

I could find a café near the school to have breakfast until class starts. Yeah that would work.

I run down the stairs, careful not to slip, and held on to my bag tighter.

"Oh." I stopped once I reached outside. "Hey Lucy."

"Morning Natsu."

Natsu was outside, the trunk of his car open, and by the looks of it, he was loading sports equipment on it.

"Aren't you a bit too early?" He asked and closes the trunk. "Its like six."

"Ah yeah, I wanted to grab breakfast. Juvia was still sleeping so it's just me." I shrugged. "What about you?"

"Ah, the high school soccer team has training this morning, I was dropping these off for the." He gestured behind him. "Do you have classes?"

"Seven. I thought I could get a feel of the place, since I'm new and everything."

"Juvia hasn't shown you around?"

I shook my head. "With everything going on lately, she hasn't. But she did promise to this week."

Natsu pursed his lips in thought. "I can drive you if you want."

I blushed. "Oh no it's fine, I don't want to be a bother, really I-"

"It's fine, I haven't eaten yet anyway." He grinned at me. "Come on." He opened the passenger door, gesturing for me to get inside. Wordlessly, I get in and heads to his seat.

"Don't you have to drop those off?" I pointed back.

"There's a café near the open field. They got the best hash browns too." He kept the grin on his face. "You'll love it."

"I-I see. I look forward to it." I look outside. "You really didn't have to drive me."

"We're going the same way, it's cool."

"Anyway thank you." I observed the buildings we come across. "Magnolia sure is a busy place."

"Eh." He shrugs. "It's always been that way since I moved here. Especially now the Fantasia is coming up."

"Fantasia?"

"It's a parade. It's like a big festival and Fairy Tail always participate for as long as I can remember."

"Are you?" I asked him curiously.

"Master's making me. I'm in charge of the fireworks this time." His grin turned mischievous. "Let's see if anyone can outdo me this year."

*.*.*.*.*

Natsu had parked right in front of the café, he stepped out of the car first and before I could too, he ran towards my side and open the door for me. Chivalrous.

"There doesn't seem to be many people." I observed.

"It's six in the morning." He reasoned. "But that's better. It gets really crowded in the afternoon."

We stepped inside the café. I immediately spot Cana by the counter.

"Cana?" I called out. She turns to look at us, and then smirked.

"Oya?" A glint passes by her eyes. "Breakfast date now are we?" She brings a paper cup on her lips, sipping on what I believe is coffee.

I blush furiously. "I-It's not like that." I tell her. "Natsu offered me a ride."

"Ooh." She kept smirking. I grumble at her before walking up towards the counter. A familiar green haired girl smiled at me.

"Oh hey, Lucy right?" She smiles at me. I blinked, surprised.

"I'm sorry, I can't seem to remember you…?" I told her.

"Bisca." She introduced herself. "I saw you at the welcome party. We didn't get to talk."

"Oh, nice to meet you."

"What will you have?" She asks me.

"Um-" I hurriedly grabbed a menu. "Uh-"

"You don't have to rush." Bisca laughed. "There's no line, chill out."

"S-Sorry." I rake my eyes over the menu. I feel Natsu saunter beside me, looking over my shoulder. "What are you getting?" I ask him.

"Spicy pancakes." He grinned.

"I'll have the frittata. And some coffee if that's alright" I said, taking out my wallet and handing Bisca my card. "I'll pay for his too." Bisca nodded inputting both our orders.

"Huh?" Natsu looked confused. "No I can-"

"You drove me to school." I look at him. "At least let me pay for breakfast." I insisted.

Natsu smirked at me. "Sneaky."

We settle ourselves at a table near the window, Natsu talking about a big game coming up against Sabertooth, and how he was sure to beat someone named Sting this year.

Bisca sets down our food. Natsu doesn't hesitate to devour it. Boys.

I poke my food.

"You aren't gonna eat?" He asks.

"I will." I told him, though I kept poking around it.

"A chicken died for that, don't disrespect it by not eating it." He teased.

"I am gonna eat it." I give him a playful glare. "Just waiting for the right moment."

"To take a bite?"

"Yeah."

"Seriously?" Natsu nearly laughs.

"No." I laugh with him. I take some with my fork and shive it into my mouth. "There happy?" I ask him.

He grins. "Very."

I giggle at him, swallowing my food. I keep biting down on my food, ignoring the ring of the door when someone enters. I was too busy concentrating on my food that I didn't realize someone had sauntered up to our table.

"Oh, Erza."

I look up in alarm when I feel a presence beside me, the hairs on the back of my neck standing. "Natsu." I hear the woman greet in return. Slowly, I turn to look at her. The woman named Erza had shining scarlet hair, her body adorned with a white blouse and blue skirt. She then looks at me.

I feel judged by her piercing brown eyes as I feel myself on edge. She then smiled.

"You must be Lucy." She smiled and held out her hand. "My name is Erza Scarlet."

"H-Hello." I greeted shyly. Natsu laughed.

"She's weird with meeting new people Erza, excuse her."

Erza nodded in acknowledgement. "Well that's quite alright." She said. "I only came to say hi, and pick up my cheesecake. Please stop by the guild later so that we may get to know each other better." She placed a hand on my shoulder in a friendly manner before turning back to Natsu. "Stay out of trouble."

"A-Aye." Natsu replied.

As soon as Erza left, I asked Natsu.

"She's… really pretty." I tell him.

"Yeah for a monster." I hear him whisper. I playfully smack his elbow.

"You shouldn't be calling women like that."

"Hey!" He raised his hands in defense. "It was a joke."

"Horrible joke."

"Sorry." He apologized, though he didn't seem like it.

*.*.*.*.*.*

Time passes by without me realizing it as I focus myself into talking to Natsu. "Scholarship?" I ask him in wonder.

"Yep, I'm here on a sports scholarship." He grinned back at me as he leaned back in his chair. "Though they only cover half. Fairy Tail covers the rest."

"Oh, I didn't know Fairy Tail was that generous."

"They are. But I work for them anyway, so I do pay them back." He shrugged.

"What kind of work?" I asked, intrigued.

"Sometimes a courier, sometimes a contractor. Whatever job as long as it's includes manpower." He shrugs. "Though Erza does it more than me."

"Erza?!" I gasp. "No way!"

"Yeah! She's hella strong! She could kick, like three mountains."

"That's too exaggerated."

"Yeah you're right. One mountain."

"Still too exaggerated!" I laughed. I turn to look back on my watch. Six forty five. "Oh I have to get going." I gather my things and stand up. "Class starts in fifteen minutes."

Natsu nodded and stood up as well. "I'll walk you."

"Oh no, you don't have to." I stop him.

"Nah it's fine, I have nothing better to do." He turns around, heading for the door. He waves goodbye to Bisca and Cana, I do as well before following him outside. "What's your class?"

"Physics." I instantly recognize the visible cringe that passes through his face. "What she broke your heart?"

"Oh so bad." He snickered. "I think I failed it three times."

"It's not that hard." I frown at him. "It's all about understanding the basic-"

"Yeah I've taken it three times, you explaining it now is not gonna help me." He laughs at me. I roll my eyes at him.

"So, tell me more about those jobs."

"Why?" Natsu looks at me curiously. "You interested?"

"Yeah, I gotta find some way to make money while I'm here."

"Oh." He then nodded. "I'm going on a job this weekend if you wanna come with. We can split it."

"Is that alright?" I ask him. "I mean it's your job and kinda your salary too."

He shrugs at me. "It's fine, I don't mind. It pays big. Besides, Master wouldn't allow you to take outside jobs without a partner first."

I nod at him. "Thanks, I'll take you upon that, where is it?"

"It's at Mt. Hakobe."

"Are we going there for a hike?"

"No, for a plant."

"Isn't Hakobe like, three hours away from here?" I ask Natsu in wonder.

"Exactly, why do you think it pays big?" We stop at the door of my classroom. "Here you are."

I didn't even realize we were here. I smile brightly at him. "Thanks for walking me to class. And for driving me."

"Anytime Luigi!"

"It's Lucy!" I glare at him. He laughs it off and waved goodbye.

"See ya later Luce." I wave back at him before I enter my room

I'll see you later Lulu.

I freeze in my tracks before looking back. Only to see Natsu's retreating form.

Stop it. Stop it. Stop it.