One weekend morning Lucy, Juvia, and Erza were swimming together through the ocean. This was one of their favorite things to do together, nothing excited them more than riding the waves, swimming with the dolphins, and exploring the coral reefs. It was unlike anything the three of them had ever imagined. They had seen many ocean documentaries in school but they were nothing compared to this. Everything was just so beautiful and so amazing. After an hour of swimming the girls decided to swim to the pool of Tendrou Island and relax in the pool where they talked.
"That was wonderful." Lucy said.
"Riding the waves is so much fun." Erza said. "In my opinion it's way more fun than surfing."
"And the dolphins are so sweet." Juvia said. "I've always liked them you know, even when I was afraid of the water."
"Did you guys see the coral reefs?" Lucy asked. "I wish I could have gotten some pictures. Miss Stellar would love to see these."
"As much as I love Miss Stellar as a teacher." Erza said. "I am so ready for school to be over. Thank goodness it's June next month."
"Oh right June!' Lucy said excitedly. "You know what that means Juvia."
"Oh no. Not that." She sighed.
"What?" Erza asked.
"Every year at the start of June Magnolia has a big festival to celebrate the beginning of summer." Juvia said.
"It's really fun." Lucy said. "There's music and dancing and games! It's all so amazing!"
"So why is Juvia so gloomy about it?" Erza asked.
"Because every year Lucy tries to find dates to take us." Juvia said.
"Why do you need dates?"
"Because they end the festival with a night of watching fireworks being lunched into the sky and it's just too romantic to watch with your friends." Lucy said.
"But Lucy we never get dates." Juvia said. "Why can't you just spare us the humiliation of rejection and just make it something you go to with friends? Or at least spare me the humiliation."
"I agree Luc." Erza said. "You don't need a date to have fun."
"I know but what's the point in wearing a dress and looking beautiful if there's no one to look beautiful for?" Lucy asked.
"Wait a minute dress?"
"Uh-huh. Lots of the girls who go there wear sundresses and summer frocks."
"Lucy always wears the prettiest ones." Juvia said.
"That's not true but mine are nice."
"They're prettier than mine. I've worn the same plain navy blue dress every year and now I've outgrown it."
"I can always take you shopping for a new one." Lucy suggested.
"Thanks. What about you Erza? Have any nice dresses?"
"Sorry I don't do dresses." Erza said.
"Why not?"
"They just don't suit me."
"What do you mean?" Lucy asked. "You'd look beautiful in a nice dress for summer."
"Thanks but I don't like dresses. I prefer pants."
That was a half truth. Yes Erza did prefer pants but she wouldn't mind wearing a nice dress and looking just a little girly once in awhile. But the problem was she couldn't afford a suitable dress and she was embarrassed by that fact so she didn't tell her friends.
"What a shame." Lucy said. "You would look so great."
"Will you at least come to the festival with us?" Juvia asked.
"Sure. I would never miss a good party."
"Great."
The girls then went for another swim and later got out of the water to grab some lunch. It was in the evening when they finally decided to go home.
"How was your day Lucy?" Her father asked her when she came home.
"Fine Dad. I went out with Erza and Juvia."
"You know Lucy I think you should consider making new friends."
"What? Why?"
"Now don't get me wrong dear, Juvia is a very sweet girl. Always has been and I've always liked her but that other girl, what's her name? Elsa?"
"Erza, Dad."
"Right. I don't know if I want you around her."
"Why? She's one of the best friends I have."
"It's just that she doesn't seem to be the kind of girl you should be friends with. I mean have you seen how she dresses? Her clothes look like they come from good will."
"Dad you don't even know Erza. She's smart and fun and loyal and very supportive."
"Have you met her parents?"
"It's just her Mom and no I haven't."
"Have you ever been to her house?"
"No but what does that have to do with anything?"
"I just don't feel comfortable about you being friends with someone I don't really know about."
"Maybe if you would try to get more involved in my life you would know about her."
"Lucy I-"
Suddenly he was interrupted by someone knocking on the door.
"Who on earth could that be at this hour?" Jude went to answer the door and when he saw who it was on the other side he looked very surprise. "Anna?"
"Jude how wonderful to see you."
A blonde woman in her thirties stepped into the house and hugged him much to his confusion.
"How is my favorite brother in-law?" The blonde asked him.
"Fine but...What are you doing here?"
"I was in the neighborhood and I thought I would pay you a visit. After all it's been so long. Now where is that niece of mine?" The woman called Anna started to look around and when she saw Lucy she smiled. "Lucy is that you? My how you've grown. Last time I saw you, you were only three and now look at you. You look so much like your mother."
Lucy was greatly confused. Who was this woman? And how did she know her and her dad and her mom.
"Um...Hello." She greeted politely. "I'm sorry but do I know you?"
"Jude you mean never told her about me?" Anna asked pretending to look her hurt.
"Sorry Anna but it never came up."
"Dad who is this woman?" Lucy asked.
Jude gave a low huff of frustration before speaking again. As if this woman's presence annoyed him greatly.
"Lucy I would like you to meet Anna Heartfilia, your mother's very eccentric younger sister."
"I'm your aunt sweetie." Anna said.
"Her aunt who disappeared off the face of the earth thirteen years ago."
"Yes and I am dreadfully sorry for doing but believe me I had good reason."
"What good reason?"
"I'm afraid that's my little secret brother in-law dearest and I do apologize to just intrude on you like this without calling first but my boat has broken down and it won't be repaired for a few days, would you mind if I stayed here for awhile?"
"How long is a few days?"
"Three to four at most."
He huffed again.
"I guess there's no harm in you staying here for that long."
"Thank you Jude."
"I'll have the staff prepare a guest room. Lucy keep your aunt company while I see to the arrangements."
"Sure Dad."
The two of them went into the living room to sit and talk. At first they didn't say anything to each other, they just sat quietly. After fifteen minutes of this Lucy decided to break the silence and strike up a conversation.
"So you're my mom's sister?"
"I am."
"She never mentioned you."
"That's because I told her not to. For a long time I wanted to keep a low profile and there's also the fact that your father never liked me but I never liked him either so go figure."
Lucy chuckled a little.
"I didn't see you at Mom's funeral."
"I was there I just kept to myself and made sure no one saw me. Oh how I miss Layla so much. I didn't expect her to die so young."
"Neither did we." Lucy sighed.
"I am so very sorry. I know you and your father have suffered greatly since her passing."
"Yeah but you've probably suffered worse. Dad and I still had each other but Mom was probably all you had."
"She was but I won't dwell on that. There's no reason to."
"If you don't mind me asking, where have you been all this time?"
"Traveling the world, exploring, seeing new places and meeting new people."
"Sounds exciting."
"It is."
"Do you plan on staying here long? In Magnolia I mean or will you be leaving once your boat is fixed?"
"Lucy I have a confession to make."
"What is it?"
"I know you don't really know me but can I trust you to keep a secret?"
"I guess as long it doesn't involve something illegal."
"Oh goodness no. None of that." She then started to whisper. "The truth is my boat didn't break down."
"Then why are you here?"
"Because I needed to see you. To talk to you about something very important."
"What?"
"Now is not a good time to tell you but I'll give you a small hint."
Anna pulled something from her shirt. It was a locket and not just any locket, one that looked exactly like the locket Juvia always wore. It was silver, oval shaped, and it had a stone in the middle. However stone on this necklace was different from the one on Juvia's. The stone on Juvia's was a blue sapphire while this one was a white diamond.
"Look familiar?"
"Where did you get that?" Lucy asked.
"I've had it for a very long time. It's the most precious thing I've ever owned and there's a third one as well."
"A third one?"
"Yes. It's a set if you will, a set of three. Funny thing about lockets, they say that they'll keep your secrets. Three who keep a secret."
Lucy's brown eyes started to become wide with caution and suspicion. As if she was just now realizing that this woman knew her greatest secret.
"Alright Anna your room is already." Jude said walking into the room.
"Thank you Jude." Anna said putting her locket away. "I think I shall go to bed now. I've had a very long day but we'll talk more tomorrow, won't we Lucy?"
"Yeah." Her niece said almost stunned. "We'll definitely talk more tomorrow."
"How about after breakfast? We could walk by the docks and I'll show you my boat."
"Sure. That would be great."
"Goodnight Lucy, goodnight Jude." She gave her niece one more smile before going upstairs into the guest room.