Juvia felt simply terrible when she found out that Levy had gotten shot while trying to get a gift for her. She felt like she was partially to blame but Gajeel assured that she wasn't at fault. Still she was very upset so Ur invited her to stay at her house for the night. Gray stayed over too so he could comfort her. By morning she seemed to be feeling better.
"Can I get you something to eat?" Ur asked her that morning.
"No thank you." Juvia said.
"Listen Juvia I'm gonna drive you to campus and to your rehearsal today." Gray told her.
"Oh no. I can't even think about rehearsing today or my classes. Not when Gajeel is so upset and Levy is in such a terrible condition."
"Now Juvia your brother called me earlier and he told me to tell you not to let this get in the way of your classes, rehearsals, or your show." Ur said. "He said that Levy is in a stable condition and she'll be waking up any moment."
"I guess that makes it a little easier for me to focus on other things but I can't help but worry for Gajeel. He's living his worst nightmare all over again."
"What do you mean?" Gray asked.
She hesitated for a moment before answering.
"There's a particular reason why my brother doesn't trust anyone who wears masks." She said. "Years ago when he was eight or seven years old and when our mother was pregnant with me, our father witnessed a crime was called to testify against the suspects. They swore revenge and when they managed to break out prison Mom and Dad were terrified for themselves and for us. So they took us and left town, moved to another city, changed their last name from Redfox to Lockser and for eight years everything was fine. The threat was almost forgotten but then..." She trailed off.
"Then?"
"Gajeel was sixteen when he started using his old last name Redfox and at that time he was applying for jobs so that's when...That's when they found us. He was at work and I was at school when it happened, some men wearing masks broke into our house and shot both our parents. They died. Gajeel blamed himself for the whole thing and he's never been able to forgive himself. Or trust anyone who wears mask. That's why he has so much hate toward Red Dragon and Blue Tiger."
"Oh Juvia. You poor thing." Ur said. "I knew you were still so young when you lost your parents but you were hardly more than a baby."
"Really it's not as hard as it used to be. I've recovered from it but Gajeel hasn't. To this day he still thinks it's all his fault that Mom and Dad are gone and that I had to grow up without them but I never once held him responsible for what happened. And now his wife, the woman he loves has been shot by a masked man just like our parents. Lord only knows how horrible he must feel."
"Juvia if you'd like I'll check up on him tonight while you're at rehearsals."
"Really? You'd do that?"
"Sure."
"Thank you. Thank you so much. I know he's not always nice to you but he really is a good person and he's hurting so much right now. He needs someone and I can't always be there so this really means a lot to me."
"Anything for a friend."
"It'll also allow me to get to those pictures Laxus gave him." Gray thought.
With that matter settled they got into the car and drove down to campus. Gray dropped her off and then went to head to his nearest class. Juvia smiled to herself as she watched him leave. He really was so wonderful but it hurt her so much that he only saw her as a friend. She turned to go to class when she accidentally bumped into Lucy and caused her to drop all her books.
"Oh excuse me! I am so sorry!" Juvia cried.
"No it's my fault!" Lucy apologized. "I wasn't looking."
"Here let me help you get your things."
The two of them bent down and started picking up the fallen books.
"Hey I don't I know you from somewhere?" Lucy asked her.
"Yes we were both models at the save the animals charity benefit."
"Oh yes I remember you. You looked real pretty in that dress."
"Thank you. You looked pretty in yours too."
"Your Gray's girlfriend right?"
"Oh no. No we did go out but we thought that we were better off friends."
"Oh...But you like him right?"
"Of course I like him. We're friends."
"That's not what I meant." Lucy chuckled.
"Oh...That...Um I guess...I mean...It doesn't really matter. He likes another girl."
"Does she like him?"
"I don't know. I wouldn't ask, it's none of my business."
"Oh I'm sorry! Here we barely knowing each other and I'm already talking to you about your personal life."
"It's okay. I'm not insulted."
"That's relief. You know I'm surprised things didn't work out with you and Gray. You seem like the kind of girl who wold be perfect for him."
"I'm just happy to have him as a friend."
"Yeah he is probably one of the best people you could have a friend."
"Is that all you see him as?"
"You mean do I like him? Would I date him?"
"Yes."
"He's a nice guy and great friend but no. No I don't think I could ever date him."
"Why not? If you don't mind me asking."
"Well thing is I'm very interested in someone else."
"Oh that's right you're dating Loke."
"Yeah him..." She said while looking very guilty.
"Is Loke not the one you're interested in?"
"I don't know why I'm telling you this but the man that really wows me is...Promise not to laugh?"
"I promise."
"It's Red Dragon."
"Oh so you like him. Well don't be too embarrassed. There are a lot of girls out there who are interested in him."
"I know it's stupid and unrealistic but I can't help but find myself so amazed by him. He;s unlike any man I've ever seen."
"You know what they're saying about him right?"
"Yes but I don't believe it. I know for a fact he'd never do something like that."
"Me too. But I don't have a crush on him. I just respect him that's all."
"Lucky you. It's really dumb of me to have feelings for someone who would never notice me."
"I guess that's one thing we have in common." Juvia joked.
"Hey do you have any plans for lunch?"Lucy asked.
"No."
"Do you want to come with me to get a bite."
"I'd love to."
"Great. I'll see you at lunch."