Chapter 3: Shop till You Drop

As Lucy approached Natsu's friend group, she smiled, took in a deep breath and said:

"Hello!"

"Hello, I'm Erza, and you must be the Layla Heart I have heard so much about. Am I correct in my assumption?" Erza said.

"Hello Erza, it's nic-Wait! How do you know my name?" Lucy asked.

Erza put her hands on her hips. "Natsu would not stop talking about you. Honestly, he was like a talkative child."

Lucy blushed ever so slightly as she tuned to face Natsu. "You talked about me?"

"Yeah, I mean why wouldn't I? You brought me food." Natsu sad with a toothy grin.

"Well, you did save me, so…" Lucy rambled on, looking at her shoes.

'Natsu saved you? Are you sure you're talking about the same Natsu?!" A guy with black hair who was sitting opposite Natsu yelled out.

"Why wouldn't I be? Is there another student with the same name here?" Lucy asked.

"Tsk. I can't believe it, that loser saved a total babe like you?" The black-haired boy said as he sipped on a can of Coca-Cola.

As Lucy was getting her lunch out of her backpack she froze up when she heard what the black-haired boy said. "I'm not all that pretty, really. Just an ordinary girl…"

Natsu suddenly invaded the black-haired boy's personal space as he poked him in the chest. "You hear that, Gray?! Lucy isn't pretty! She said so herself!"

Gray knocked Natsu's hand away. "Yeah, but it's not like you're going to be going out with anyone else. Not with pink hair like that anyway!"

Natsu was fuming. Lucy thought that if this was one of those anime she watched in her spare time, then Natsu would have a big, red, vein throbbing on his head.

Erza got up and separated the two boys. "Now, now you two, we don't want to go scaring off Layla now do we?"

"No…" Natsu grumbled.

"I guess not…" Gray mumbled.

Just as Lucy took a bite of her sandwich that she packed, she heard a sinister voice whisper 'Love rival' just inches behind her. She almost choked and jumped back to see a girl with bright blue hair, wearing a thick school jumper in the middle of summer glaring daggers at her.

"Ah! Who are you?!" Lucy yelled in a fright.

"Juvia! What are you doing here? Weren't you supposed to be at swim practice?" Gray said.

Juvia twisted a lock of her blue hair around her fingers; nervous to be talking to the boy she loved. "I-I finished early, my darling Gray."

Gray's face broke out into a grimace. "Stop saying that, seriously, it's embarrassing." Gray pointed towards Lucy, "And don't be all weird around Layla either, she's a friend."

Juvia huffed in annoyance as she sat down next to Gray. "If my darling Gray asks of me then I suppose I could try to get along with you, Layla."

"Well…thank you then, Juvia." Lucy said.

"Lucy, I expect to see you to meet with myself, Juvia and Levy to go to the Magnolia mall after school this afternoon." Erza said.

"Wait, are you inviting me to go shopping with you?" Lucy said with wide, brown eyes, not believing someone who just met her would want to do things with her.

"Yes, that is correct." Erza said before taking a bite of a slice of strawberry cake.

"Really?! Are you sure you want me to come? We only just met." Lucy said.

"Don't be stupid, Layla. Of course we want you to come along, isn't that right, Juvia?" Erza looked at Juvia expecting an answer.

Juvia sighed. "If my darling Gray is fine with it then I guess I'm fine with it."

"Then it's settled, we are all going to the mall." Erza proudly proclaimed.

"Ugh really?!" Natsu grumbled.

"Not you, Natsu. It's a girl's day out." Erza said.

"Oh, thank goodness." Natsu said.

"What's so wrong with shopping with Erza? You make it sound like it's torture." Lucy said with a smile, amused by Natsu's reactions.

"It is, she takes forever to do anything and makes me carry all her bags." Natsu groaned.

Lucy giggled. "Well, I'm sure it won't be that bad, Natsu."

Erza got up from the amphitheater and picked up her backpack. "Anyway, it was nice to meet you, Layla." Erza said.

"Oh, are you leaving already?" Lucy said.

"Yes. I have to attend to my duties as the vice-captain of the student council before lunch ends." Erza explained.

"Oh, I see." Lucy said, nodding her head in understanding.

As Erza walked away, she waved her hand goodbye.

"Goodbye, Erza." Juvia said.

"See you later." Lucy said as she waved back.

The bell rang shortly after, signaling that lunch was over. Lucy got up and dusted the sandwich crumbs off her skirt, but before she could head to class, Natsu grabbed her wrist.

"Hm. Natsu, what is it?" Lucy asked.

Natsu's face was were entirely series, something that Lucy never seen before. Natsu looked Lucy in her eyes as he spoke; "If you hear any rumors… just ignore them, alright?"

"Are you alright, Natsu?" Lucy asked, concerned about the friendly boy whose personality just did a 180 flip.

"I'm fine, but I just want you to know that you might hear…things about me, and I just want you to know that none of it's true, so please…just ignore it." Natsu pleaded.

"Y-yeah, if I hear anything I'll ignore it. Promise." Lucy said, flustered and confused about the whole experience.

Natsu rubbed the back of his head, suddenly nervous. "Thanks, Layla!" and then he ran off to class.

"Well, that was weird." Lucy said as she watched Natsu run off to his class. She sighed. "I suppose I should get to class as well…"

Lucy walked into her English class, got out her notebook, textbook, and her trusty gold plated Heartfilia Corp. pen she 'borrowed' from her father, and placed her backpack by her feet.

"Hi, Layla!"

Lucy turned around investigating the voice that she thought was directed to her and saw Levy siting at the desk beside her.

"Hi, Levy!" Lucy said with a smile.

"How did you not notice me sitting right next to you?" Levy asked, pouting.

"I've just been...distracted. yeah... that's all." Lucy said.

Levy examined Lucy, she knew something was up, the slight crease of her brows said it all. But she decided to ignore it for the time being, she would ask her friend later.

"Isn't this great? We share two classes!"

"It's amazing! But… that reminds me, I have been meaning to ask you ever since we met earlier today." Lucy said.

"Ask me about what?" Levy said, her interest growing.

"This." Lucy said, pointing to the strange creature printed in the middle of the emblem on her shirt.

Levy blinked a few times before collecting herself, she was not expecting such an ordinary question.

'Maybe reading so many mystery novellas before bed wasn't such a good idea.' Levy thought.

"It's a fairy." Levy said.

Lucy's brows furrowed in confusion. "But this looks nothing like a fairy, it even has a tail! Everyone knows fairies don't have tails."

"Ah, but on the contrary Miss Layla, no one can truly say for sure if fairies really have tails or not."

Lucy looked at who was talking to her to see a very thin and lanky man with a goatee, wearing what Lucy thought was a very expensive black suit.

"Mr. Capricorn, it's nice to see you again." Levy said.

"Likewise, Miss Levy." Capricorn replied.

Lucy looked at Capricorn with confusion. She could have sworn to have seen him somewhere else before. "Do I know you from somewhere?"

Capricorn stroked his goatee. "Hmm. Perhaps, perhaps not." Then he walked back to his desk at the front of the classroom.

Levy shuddered. "I really wish he wouldn't stroke his goatee, it's so gross."

"It's not that bad, lev." Lucy said, reassuring her friend.

"Do you know Mr. Capricorn, Layla?" Levy asked.

"No. Well, at least I don't think so, but there is just something so familiar about him." Lucy said.

"Hmm. Maybe it's just Déjà vu? I remember once I thought I saw my mother, but It turns out it was just a complete stranger." Levy explained.

Lucy sighed. "Yeah, I guess so."

Lucy turned around to face Levy, about to ask her something just as Mr. Capricorn started the class.

"Uh, hey Levy…I was just thinking that you might…" Lucy was interrupted by Mr. Capricorn clapping, gaining everyone's attention.

"Attention everyone! Class will now start." Capricorn said with his loud but stern voice.

"What was that?" Levy said.

"Oh, never mind." Lucy mumbled.

A few hours later the bell had rung signaling the end of school and Lucy and Levy were walking side by side, down to the parking lot just outside the school grounds. Lucy scuffed her shoes into the dirt path as she walked trying to get over her nerves.

Lucy's hands were sweating from the nervousness of asking someone to her house for the first time. She had to wipe her hands down on her shirt to try and keep her palms dry.

'What if she doesn't want to come?' What if she thinks I'm being too pushy…I've only known her for one day…'

As Lucy's panicked thoughts started to spiral out of control, she was bought back into the present when she heard her friend talking.

"I actually have plans, sorry. I know you were trying to ask me something all day, and I have an idea it might be to go out together. I'm sorry, I really am, but I'm going shopping with a bunch of friends." Levy clapped her hands as a thought hit her brain. "Why don't you come with me? I'm sure you would love making new friends."

"Actually..." Lucy was interrupted when she heard her name being shouted by a familiar redhead who was waving her down near the student car park that was actually a quarter of the school's oval which students used to park.

"It's good to see your coming with us. Oh, and you already know Levy. That makes everything easier." Erza said.

"These were the friends you were going shopping with?" Lucy asked.

Levy nodded her head. "Yup, we've known each other since we were kids."

"Your lucky to have friends you've known for so long." Lucy said.

"Yep!" Levy agreed.

"Follow me girls! We mustn't miss the bus to the mall, they have sales on in most of the dress stores." Erza said.

As Natsu and Gray were walking out of the school grounds, Gray rested his arm against Natsu's shoulder. "Oi Natsu! Since the girls are going shopping, why don't you come over my place and we hang out for a bit?"

Gray let go and Natsu shrugged his shoulders. "Eh, why not? It's been a while, and I don't have work today either."

"Alright. I'll get the games ready and you order the pizza" Gray said.

Natsu smirked. "Only if you want it extra spicy."

"Ugh! Really, flame brain?" Gray grunted.

"At least I don't eat frozen pizza! Ice Balls!" Natsu yelled, glaring at Gray.

Gray sighed. "I don't feel like fighting. How about we get one pizza spicy and one extra cold?" Gray offered.

"Sounds good to me." Natsu said.

Lucy plopped down onto a soft chair near the dress store Erza was currently rampaging through. "Ugh! Natsu was right. How can Erza possibly spend over an hour in just one shop alone? And Juvia! She's just as bad!"

Levy giggled seeing her friend sink further into the seat in defeat. "Aw come on, Layla, it's not that bad."

"But it is!" Lucy whined.

"How about we go get a smoothie and wait for Erza and Juvia? my treat." Levy said.

Lucy's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Oh, I hope they have strawberry."

"I have a hunch that might be your favorite flavor." Levy deduced.

"Aha, it is." Lucy replied.

Lucy and Levy were waiting in line for their turn to be served at 'Soothing Smoothies' and Lucy looked around, smiling when she saw a father and daughter laughing together.

'I wish he was like that…' Lucy thought.

Lucy took off her backpack and fished her phone out to play some games while she waited in line, but something in the corner of her eye caught her attention. It was a boy that looked to be around her own age with slightly tan skin and an athletic build.

Lucy thought nothing of it, many people were in the mall after all. That was until he flashed her a devious smile that promised pain. Lucy's heart rate sped up and she felt a shiver of fear do gown her spine. Lucy turned to her phone and checked the time on her lock screen, when she looked around again the boy was gone.

Levy leaned over, peaking at Lucy's phone. "He's so cute! I didn't know you had a dog."

Lucy flinched at the sudden voice in her ear and she hoped Levy didn't notice, and luckily for her it didn't seem like she did.

"Y-yeah, his name is Plue, he's only just turned two earlier this year." Lucy replied.

"I really have to go over to your place one day and see him." Levy said, clasping her hands together.

"Yeah…that would be fun." Lucy replied, not at all in the mood to be happy.

"Next!"

Lucy heard the employee shout out for the next people in line to order.

"Layla, we should be next. What flavor did you saw you wanted again?" Levy said.

"Uhh...Strawberry." Lucy said.

Lucy saw Erza and Juvia walk over to the table she and Levy were sitting at enjoying their milkshakes.

"So that's where you two went. I thought you two might have been kidnapped." Erza said.

"Juvia would have liked If Layla went missing…" Juvia murmured.

Levy gave them a small smile. "We're fine, guys, really."

'Why does Juvia want me kidnapped…does she hate me?' Lucy mused.

Lucy took a long sip of her strawberry milkshake before she spoke. "Why did you think we were kidnapped? We're in a shopping mall, not in the middle of nowhere."

Erza pulled a chair out from under the table and at down. Juvia did the same. "Well, you can never know when a scoundrel will harass an innocent woman so it's always good to be on guard."

Lucy laughed awkwardly. "But still, I don't think anything would happen here, there are a ton of people around."

"My point still stands; anyone could stalk someone and easily hide themselves in the crowd. But that's not what I want to talk about. What I want to talk about is you." Erza said.

Lucy pointed to herself. "Me? Why me?"

"You're the newest member of our friend group. We need to get to know you so you don't try to steal my darling Gray." Juvia said.

Erza cleared her throat. "Ahem. As I was saying, I want to get to know you."

"Well, what do you want to know? I'm an open book." Lucy smiled.

"About how you met Natsu." Erza said with a smile that said she wanted gossip.

"But surely he would have told you already?" Lucy said.

"Yes, but I want to hear your side of the story. Not anyone buys out an entire restaurant for someone they hardly know. And he did say he saved you." Erza said as she leaned in closer to Lucy.

Lucy took another sip of her strawberry milkshake. "Well, it all started when I was waiting in line to get an autograph from 'The Mighty Salamander' because I –"

"Are you a fan?! Juvia is a big fan!" Juvia shouted out, interrupting Lucy's train of thought.

"Ehh, no not really. I just wanted one to show my father how much fun I'm having out here. Now where was I?" Lucy said.

"Something about getting an autograph?" Levy replied.

"Oh yeah! That's it! Anyway, as I was saying, I was waiting for an autograph and when it was my turn for my autograph to be signed, he grabbed my wrist and pulled me close to his chest. He told me he would take me back to his yacht and make me his woman…" Lucy said.

Lucy started to shake as she recalled her story. "I-I was so scared. I didn't know what would happen to me…"

Erza shook her fist in the air angrily. "That bastard! If I ever get my hands on him, I'll…"

Levy leaned over her seat and embraced Lucy in a side hug. "Oh, Layla, I'm so sorry that happened to you."

Juvia looked on with concern for the blonde girl. While she may be her love rival that didn't mean she wanted to see her cry. "Here, you can use Juvia's tissues." Juvia held out a small packet of tissues for Lucy to take.

Lucy plucked a few tissues from the packet and blew her nose. "Thanks, Juvia."

"Layla, if this is too much for you then we will not make you continue." Erza stated with a voice of motherly authority.

Lucy wiped a few tears away from her eyes. "No. it's okay. I want to tell the rest of the story."

Levy held onto Lucy's left hand and gave it a small squeeze.

Lucy took a deep breathe to calm herself before she started talking again. "As that was happening, Natsu stormed right up to him and started yelling about missing the show. The Salamander was not expecting that and let me go. So, if it wasn't for Natsu then I don't know what I would have done.

Erza smirked. "I see, it's all starting to make sense now."

"When you say it like that it makes Natsu seem like a bumbling fool." Juvia said.

"Hey! That's not so nice, Juvia. He's a really nice guy." Lucy replied.

Levy poked Lucy's shoulder. "So, did you really buy out an entire restaurant, Layla?"

Lucy slightly blushed. "Yeah. We went to 'Cancer's crab shack' and he told me he was a big eater, but I was not expecting him to be that big of an eater. Honestly, it's no big deal. The entire bill was only about 10,000 Jewel."

Levy's eyes went wide with shock. "Only 10,000 Jewel?! That's insane!"

"Juvia also thinks it is a rather large amount." Juvia replied.

"So, if you think 10,000 Jewel is an acceptable price for a meal then you must be rather rich." Erza deduced.

Lucy started sweating. She didn't want her new friends finding out she was a rich girl. What if they detested the rich and hated her? Lucy spoke with great hesitation. "It's not all that much really, it was only half of my monthly allowance."

Erza sat there in stunned silence with her mouth agape.

"Your loaded! How? Why?" Levy said, having a hard time understanding how such an ordinary girl had so much money.

"Why does it matter? Do you think your any better than us just because your rich?" Juvia said with a glare.

Lucy held up her hands in defense. "I don't really think like that, Juvia. I swear."

"You don't?" Juvia replied.

"Of course, she doesn't think like that!" Levy shouted.

Juvia glared at Lucy. "How do you know?"

Levy smiled at Lucy. "Because you're a good person."

Erza snapped out of her shock when she saw tears falling down Lucy's cheeks. "Layla, are you okay?

Lucy tried to wipe the tears away to no avail as more continued to spill. "Yeah. It's just…" She sniffled. "Thank you for believing me."

Erza smiled. "We believe you're a good person because we know you're a good person."

Levy gave Lucy a kind smile.

"That reminds me. There is one last store we have no been to yet." Erza said.

"Which one?" Lucy replied.

"The Heart Kruez store." Erza said with a sparkle in her eyes.

Meanwhile Natsu and Gray were butting heads over a particular heated match of the 'Oracion Seis' a first-person shooter with the goal of killing all six evil masterminds who intend to rule the world with an evil weapon called 'Nirvana.'

Gray pauses the game and places his expensive controller on the floor. He nudged Natsu with his elbow, a smirk on his face. "So, Natsu. What do you think of Layla?"

Natsu looked at Gray and shrugged as he stuffed his face with extra spicy pizza. "Ehhh, she's nice but a little weird I guess."

"No, you idiot! I mean her looks, her body." Gray explained, before taking a bite of pizza.

A slight blush adorned Natsu's face. "Well, to be honest I really don't know."

"Don't know?! What, are you gay or something?" Gray yelled in shock.

Natsu waved Gray's crazy ramblings off and sighed. "You know it's nothing like that. It's just…after Lis, well…" Natsu gently shook the can of soda in his hand, hearing it swish about inside before taking a long sip. "Everything lost that…I don't know, spark? I guess."

Gray saw a tear fall down his friend's cheek. 'Natsu was always the one closest to her, so of course it would still affect him.' Gray thought.

Gray put a comforting hand on Natsu's shoulder for a few moments before letting go. "No, I understand completely. Listen, Natsu. I may but heads with you, but I do care."

Natsu wiped the tears away from his eyes. "Yeah, I know. It's just…how about we play some more video games?" Natsu asked.

"Yeah sure, betcha I'll get the higher kill count." Gray said.

Natsu smirked. "Your on!"

Hey all! It's been a while. How have you all been? I've been fine, just really busy with Christmas coming up soon and all.

I have no update schedule for this or any of my series, i just write whenever i can. I hope you can all understand.

Is the story going too fast? or should i keep going at this pace? I feel like if i keep going like this the story will be done in about 30-50 chapters, but who knows? haha. I'm in for the long haul just as much as everyone else is.

I hope you all enjoy the chapter, and I'll see you next time!

P.S

rdragneel7 made a comment asking why Levy kept referring to Lucy as 'Lu' when she goes my Layla for the time being. That was such an easy mistake that i can't believe i didn't find it. so thanks!

Because of those mistakes i decided to slightly re-edit the chapter. It's still 95% the same, just with a few changes.