It's Sunday morning, and I feel like crap. No, that's not accurate; I feel like shit. Even after a long soak in a hot bath, my muscles are sore, and my feet absolutely hate me. Too bad for me, the girls and I – minus Levy – had planned to meet at noon today at the hotel's restaurant for lunch, drinks, and gossip. My three favorite things.
Today is a 'comfortable clothes' day. No need for perfect makeup, no headache-inducing hair style, just jeans and a nice top. I debated doing my makeup anyway to hide the slight discoloration on my left cheek, but that's really too much effort when I'm not going to be doing more than heading downstairs for a few hours.
At the appropriate time, I slide my key card into my back pocket - no reason to bring anything else, since I can just charge everything to my room - and head to the elevators. All four of us managed to arrive at practically the same time. We were seated quickly, and already had drinks and appetizers before we got down to the gossip. Priorities.
"So," Cana said, drawing the single word out for a full breath. I have no idea if she was still drunk from last night before started drinking again this morning; either way, I'm grateful that I am not her poor liver. "I heard something juicy last night."
Erza, Wendy, and I leaned in closer, eagerly awaiting the first topic of the day. Cana glanced at me with a wicked smile before sharing.
"Natsu and Lucy are engaged!"
"What?" Erza and Wendy shouted in unison.
All three of my friends are now looking at me for answers. Wendy glances at my left hand, obviously looking for a ring that she won't find. I may be more confused than they are by this revelation and should get to the bottom of it before it gets out of hand. Where the HELL did Cana come up with that? She must have had more than she could handle at the reception.
"No, we're not," I said, irritated at Cana for starting with something so ridiculous. "Where in the hell did you hear such a ludicrous thing?"
"Directly from your mouth, Lucy," she stated smoothly. Cana went on to describe what she had witnessed happening between Natsu, Levy's predatory aunt, and myself late the previous evening. By the time she finished, the other two looked shocked, and I felt like my face was glowing with heat.
"That's not exactly what I meant when I suggested you give him a chance," Erza spoke up after taking a sip of her drink. The longer she spoke, the more she fumed with anger. "When did he even propose? Was it when you were outside before dinner? Why didn't that scoundrel wait until he bought you a proper engagement ring? Was it at least a romantic proposal?"
"No! Oh my gods, stop. It's not like that at all; we're just friends, I swear!" My protest fell on dear ears.
"Just friends," Cana said, using both hands to make air quotes, "don't usually cling to each other like you two were on their way to the elevator. Not to mention the fact that you were ready to rip that woman's arms off for having her hands all over Natsu. You're not even that protective of us, and we've all been friends for years."
"That's not true, I'm protective of all of you. He just...needed a little help."
"What's he have that the rest of us don't, anyway?" I didn't even get a chance to reply before she answered her own question, snickering as she did. "Nevermind, I'm pretty sure I can guess…"
"Oh my god, Cana." Erza and Wendy looked as if they shared that opinion. "How am I friends with you people?" I folded my arms on the table and lay my head on them.
"It's because we're so cute and lovable," Wendy answered.
I sent her a glare for the comment, but I'm not really mad at her. Even if I was, none of us can stay mad at Wendy. Even at 21, she's still wearing her light blue hair in pigtails, looking adorably innocent.
My head lifts off the table and I let out a sigh when our meals arrive. I need to set this whole thing straight; knowing these three, if I don't say anything, they're just going to let their imaginations fill in the blanks. Never a good idea with my friends.
"Alright, I'm going to share my thoughts on Natsu and whatever is going on with us. After that, this topic is dropped. Agreed?" All three nod, eager to hear the delicious details they think are coming their way.
"Since I know Cana will ask about this if I don't bring it up first, I'm going to start by saying that yes, I do find Natsu attractive." I just know they're going to make me regret admitting that; I can already feel it. With that tidbit out of the way, I tell them as much as I am willing to about my conversations and interactions with my new friend. I managed to leave out the bit about Gray's prank, since I did promise Natsu I would not share that information, also omitting what happened after Natsu and I left our work building, as they already knew about the incident.
We're all nearly finished with our lunches by the time I'm done speaking, and I don't think I tasted any of the food that passed my lips. The girls look at me suspiciously, then spend several moments sharing glances. It almost looks like they are having a full conversation between the three of them – using only small facial gestures – and deciding who is going to speak for the group. Seems like Wendy 'lost,' but that's probably because I'm less likely to yell at her for whatever they were 'discussing.'
"We know you're leaving something out." Wendy fidgeted as she spoke, her voice so soft I barely heard above the lunchtime din of the restaurant.
I mean, I left a lot out. But how the fuck did they know that? Time to feign ignorance.
"What makes you think that?" This is insane; I shared everything that they would find relevant to the situation. Were they expecting a word-for-word transcription of the conversations, or for me to go into every detail of every second we spent together?
Cana and Erza urge Wendy to continue.
"Natsu, well, he was...different last night...around you."
"Different how? We'd known each other less than a day, and none of you had seen us together before the ceremony. He didn't seem any different to me."
"We've known Natsu for years," Cana started up, much to Wendy's relief. "He enjoys a party as much as the rest of us, but he was so reserved last night."
"You told us there was an incident with Bora when you left work?" Erza looked to me for confirmation before continuing. "Is there any chance Natsu may have seen what happened?"
"He was walking me to my car when I spotted that bastard, and I sent him inside. Natsu probably saw most of it. Why?"
"It was small things that tipped us off, really," Cana picked up the explanation. "He usually drinks more. I mean, he can't really keep up with me, but he's gotten close a few times. And, yeah, he had a few shots with the guys, but once the two of you came back in for dinner, he slowed down. A lot. I know you don't know this, but Natsu really doesn't like to dance. I mean, he's good at it, but he'd really rather not...unless he's…" she paused, dropping whatever she was about to say. "But he danced with you more than once.
"And he stayed far later than he usually would. When we were younger, he'd only stay so late if he was going to be taking someone home with him, which didn't happen often, and hasn't happened at all in years - since before he left for college. Natsu told Levy's aunt he was waiting for someone, so I thought you two were going to hook up. According to you, that didn't happen. Seems like our boy spent most of the evening watching over you like a hawk to make sure nothing happened. He even made sure you got back to your room safe."
"You're all insane."
"No, Natsu is highly protective of his friends and family, and if he thinks you might be in danger, he will do anything and everything in his power to protect you. Even if it comes to risking his own life to save a friend, he will do it with no regrets, and no remorse."
"But he just met me, it doesn't make sense that he would go through the trouble. Besides, how much danger could I be in in a hotel, surrounded by other people? There's no way."
"Doesn't matter if it makes sense to you, because it makes sense to him. He could have known you minutes or years; a friend is a friend," Erza insisted. Her phone rang before she could say more. "Well, speak of the Devil..."
Erza walked away as she answered her phone. Thankfully, the conversation died down and I found myself thinking about what they've told me as I mindlessly used my fork to push around the food still on my plate. It still doesn't make sense. Looking up from my plate, I notice Erza staring at me. She looks worried as she walks back to our table, holding her phone out to me.
"He needs to talk to you," Erza explained, seeing my confusion.
"This is Lucy."
"Are you alright? Where are you?" Natsu demanded.
"Hello to you, too. I'm fine. I'm having lunch with the girls."
"No, where are you? Give me your exact location. Now."
"I-I'm at the hotel," I stammered, too stunned not to follow his demand. "We're in the restaurant. Natsu, what is this about?"
"I've been trying to reach you for over an hour. Why haven't you answered your phone?"
Who the hell is this guy? So much for the friendly, flirty Natsu of the past two days. Obviously the girls were wrong about last night. Whatever they thought they saw was not a protective friend...if it was, he would not be speaking to me so rudely this morning.
"Why the hell would I need my phone if I'm just having lunch with my friends? It's in my room, along with everything that's not the clothes I'm wearing and my key."
"Give Cana your room key, she will get your purse and phone for you. I'm sending a car to pick you up. I'll explain everything when you get here."
"But Na-" I began, only to be cut off.
"My driver will be there in fifteen. Stay where you are, do not leave Erza's side. The driver will text her when he arrives."
"Natsu, wha-" I was interrupted by a beep, signaling the end of the call. What the actual fuck?
"Erza?" I questioned, handing her phone back to her.
"Whatever he told you to do, just do it," she replied.
I took my key card out of my back pocket and passed it to Cana.
"Would you please get my phone and purse from my room? They're on the desk."
She returned in minutes, and the four of us waited patiently for the driver to text as I deleted dozens of voicemails from Natsu, most of them just consisting of the words "fuck, answer your phone," or "dammit, Lucy, fucking call me back when you get this."
Erza walked me out to the car when it arrived and gave me a reassuring smile as it pulled away with me inside.
Thank you to everyone who added my story to your favorite/follow lists (and the few that did the same for me). Extra special thanks and love to my reviewers: Copperreign12, rao hyuga 18, and lil vixen7.
Hope y'all enjoy this chapter! I have seven more written and in need of editing before I have to get off my lazy ass and actually write again.
TTFN, Lovelies!