Juvia
Mira and I stood on set surrounded by cameras and monitors, Cancer fluffed my hair for the third time before finally stepping back, it was time for the show to start. Tonight it was my turn to go first, and I felt butterflies in my gut wondering if Gray was watching the show like he said he would. The lighting changed and the director counted down 3...2...1...
"Hi everyone, you're watching Shout Out, the nightly report of all things tinsel town on the Tid Bits Entertainment Network. Tonight, we are going to tell you what's hot and what's not, who's in and who's out and to get started I am Juvia Lockser and this is my co-host MiraJane Strauss." It was smooth sailing, I could do this, "Reps for the band Kurogane released a tour schedule and front man Gajeel Redfox claims this to be their farewell tour, this is the fifth farewell tour announced by the band."
Mira popped in right on cue, "The Chaos Enterprize has been renewed for a 16th season, Yukino Agria says that she hopes the show becomes the longest running sci-fi show in history."
My turn again, I scanned the teleprompter and fought the urge to cringe, I had to do this, "Minerva Orland has said that she plans to continue Storm of Shadows without Gray Fullbuster, but when our reps contacted producers, they discredited the claim saying that the show would still end upon completion of the current season, currently in production."
I hated reporting on Gray, but it was all part of the job, luckily it was Mira's turn once more. "Gray Fullbuster's agent has confirmed the rumors that he will be the lead role in Hunting Season and said shooting begins in six weeks once Storm of Shadows wraps."
Once the news on Gray was over the rest of the show went off without a hitch. I hoped that my distaste of discussing Gray didn't show on my face, that was the last thing I needed to hear from Erza at the next morning meeting.
Once we wrapped I pulled Mira by her arm off to the side, "that was horrible, I hate having to report on Gray."
"You did great, at least they know who your man is," she teased, "we don't cover sports the same way we do movies so there's no reason to mention Laxus."
"Oh? Is that still going on?" I was happy for Mira, she never stayed with any one man for too long and she seemed smitten with Laxus.
"Yes,' she grinned, "He's playing a game tomorrow night, why don't you tag along with me? He gave me tickets!"
"I don't know much about hockey but I will gladly go watch that man," I agreed.
"He is dreamy, isn't he?" she squeezed my arm. She had it bad.
"Totally dreamy," I agreed, "I'm happy for you."
"I'm happy bumped into Gray that night or else I wouldn't have met Laxus," she said pulling me toward our dressing rooms. "I owe you one."
"I might have to take you up on that," I teased as we split into our rooms. I heard my phone buzzing on the table and picked it up. Unlocking the screen I saw a few texts from Gray, who I had saved in my phone as simply G.
G: I know you said not to but I am watching tonight. I can't resist.
G: Did Minerva really say that? What a bitch.
G: Sorry you had to talk about me again.
G: Call me when you can.
I made sure my door was locked and dialed Gray, I couldn't help but wonder what he thought about the show. He answered on the second ring. ."Hey you." His voice sent a chill through my body.
"Hey."
"You did good tonight, you looked nice," he was so sweet.
"Thanks,"
"Did Minerva actually say she wanted to continue the show/" he asked.
Uh oh. "Well, as a rule we usually don't say that someone said something unless it is confirmed. So as far as I know she said it and your producer denied it quickly after."
He sighed, "that explains why she was such a bitch today."
"Sorry."
His voice was warm and caring, "it's not your fault she was awful to me today, I'm the one that took the job that is ending the show."
"I still don't like that you have to deal with her being awful."
"It is what it is, I'm not worried about it," he dismissed. "What are you doing tomorrow night? How about sushi and Mario Kart at my place?"
I frowned, "sorry, I already promised Mira I would go with her to the hockey game to watch Laxus play."
"We didn't even make it a full week before my friend stole you from me, Jeez." he joked. "How about the next night then? WIll you be free?"
"I'll make sure to keep my schedule opened for you," I laughed, "I have a quick wrap up meeting on set than I'm out of here for today, I'll text you after."
"Sounds good."
The hockey game was upon us before I knew it, Mira and I darted out of work quickly after our post-wrap meeting to make it before the faceoff, Laxus had secured us great seats but it took us a while to make it all the way down to the ice. When we finally reached the correct row Mira went first, scooting past the crowd and I followed closely after her. I sat in the empty seat and turned to look beside me and Gray was there.
"What are you doing here?" I couldn't believe it, he had asked me to do something else that night, why was he there?
"I'm just watching my friend's game," he grinned leaning closer, "and I knew you would be here."
Mira leaned close and shouted over the crowd, "Nice to see you, Gray."
I felt flustered, "I thought we agreed to keep things private for now."
'We are," his lips brushed my ear as he whispered, "I'm just here to support my friend, we don't know each other."
He had a point, anyone watching wouldn't know they'd been seeing each other for a little over a week. They hadn't arrived together, so there was no reason to assume we were there together. "And if anyone sees us together and asks what we talked about?"
His smile melted my anxieties, "we just talked about the game, friendly conversation."
Mira nudged me, "there he is, number 12," she pointed to where Laxus lined up with the other players for the national anthem. "he's so hot in his uniform."
"If you say so," I shrugged, the pads were kind of bulky, I knew he was in shape, but it seemed to be hidden under everything he wore. Before I knew it the game had started and players were shooting around the ice. Mira would point out Laxus's position from time and time, and Gray would lean in to make an observation or two. The energy of the game was insane, I had no idea what was happening most of the time and then suddenly Laxus had the puck and it went in the goal. Mira jumped over and hugged me screaming, and nearly took me out of my seat.
Gray laughed at us and shook his head. When the crowd began to cool down Laxus skated by, thumping on the glass with his stick as he passed. "That's my boyfriend!" Mira shouted to anyone who would listen.
"Boyfriend?" I repeated, "that sounds like it's getting serious."
Her smile was answer enough, Mira had it bad for the sexy hockey star. I turned to Gray, "Did you know they were hitting it off so well?"
"I knew he was serious about her the minute you said you were going to the game, he doesn't give his personal tickets to just anyone,"
Mira banged on the glass, screaming something at the other team as the players fought for the puck near our seats. She was definitely vocal tonight, I hadn't imagined she would be the type to be so aggressive.
Before I knew it we were down to the final period, out team had called a time out and there was a kiss cam on the jumbotron. We watched as couples flashed on the screen and gave each other kisses resulting in loud cheers from the crowd. Shock washed over me as I saw Gray pop up on the kiss cam, and the fans went wild. Gray held his hands up to indicate he wasn't going to kiss anyone and a few strings of boos broke through the cheers. He grabbed my hand and raised it to his lips, pressing a gentle kiss to the back of my hand. The crowd went wild. My face burned with embarrassment as the kiss came changed to find their next target.
"Sorry about that," he said, once again leaning closer to my ear, "they weren't going to take no for an answer."
"I-it's fine," I stammered, surely a kiss on the hand wouldn't get talked about too much, right?