Ah, Mondays.

I loved just about everything about F.A., but if there was one thing that I absolutely could not stand, it was waking up at 7am just so you didn't miss your morning class. It took nearly all my strength to drag myself out of bed, and if it weren't for Lisanna banging on my door yelling at me to hurry up, I probably would have been late.

I swung open the door while Lisanna was in mid-knock, and would have gotten a fistful of perky white-haired fury square in the face had she not realized the door was now open. She reeled back at the suddenness, but her surprise later shifted into excitement when she saw my appearance.

"You look cute!" She exclaimed, eyes sparkling. I was flattered, but she seemed a little overly excited. I mean, she was wearing the same exact school uniform I was wearing, a white short sleeve button down paired with a striped tie, along with a mid-thigh length navy blue skirt.

"Thanks," I grinned. "You do too! I mean, you're wearing the same thing I am."

She simply giggled in response before promptly turning out and beginning to walk down the hall, signaling for me to follow her. "C'mon, were gonna be late for class!"

Lisanna hummed happily during the whole walk to the general education building, and while I wanted to be as happy and giddy as she was, I couldn't help but think she was hiding something. My suspicion only deepened when we got the classroom, she looked around, and her smile immediately dropped.

"Huh..?" She murmured, scanning the class once more. I followed her gaze, and failed to see why she was disappointed. The room was full of other F.A students, including some we knew and talked to occasionally. Everything seemed fine. Good, even, considering we had a class together.

"What's wrong?"

She nearly jumped at the sudden question. "Wha- uh, nothing!" She dodged, the grin returning to her face, but you could tell this one was fake. "Let's sit," she pointed to one of the few empty tables by the window with two empty seats at the far end of the room, and before I could say anything else, she was already walking over to it.

The room had rows of wooden lab tables that sat two people, along with a large desk at the front where a middle aged woman with long green hair was standing, looking through a huge binder that sat on the desk. There were posters of different kinds of math equations covering three of the walls, the wall beside us consisting mainly of large windows, giving a view of the school's sports fields. So two people shared one table in this class. I seriously hoped the teacher would let us pick our own seats so I could sit with Lisanna, but of course, I was soon disappointed.

The class started shortly after we arrived, two other students coming in shortly after us. "Welcome back to Fairy Academy, guys. You can just call me Evergreen. Don't get too comfortable in a seat just yet, because you'll be sitting in a random seat I give you," the teacher announced as she lifted her head from the binder.

The room was soon filled with the sound of annoyed groans and people getting out of seats. Just awesome. I'd have to sit with some random person for the rest of the year... Then again I knew about half the people in this class, so I'd probably be fine. The teacher soon ordered everyone to the front of the room, later proceeding to call out 2 names as she passed by each table, one for each seat. Eventually she got to a table all the way in the back and said my name, so I walked over and took my seat, still kind of anxious. This seat wasn't too bad, though. It was in the back, and right by one of the large windows. I probably wouldn't even mind who I sat with here. If they annoyed me, I always had a good view if I turned the other way. She had yet to call out who would be sitting next to me for the rest of the school year, which made me even more anxious. Please don't be a snob. Please be Lisanna.

And of course, the universe took this moment as an opportunity to throw a curve ball right in my face at, light speed. And said metaphorical ball had like, spikes and all sorts of other things to make the blow that much more unpleasant.

The name that came out of her mouth made me freeze in my seat in utter shock.

"Natsu Dragneel."

...

Natsu

Freaking

Dragneel.

This was not happening. Nope.

Seriously, universe? Natsu? He was in this class?

Has Lisanna known and that was why she was so excited?

I had to share a table with Natsu for the rest of the school year, of all people. How would I even survive this? My sanity was on the line here. Being together occasionally with our friends was one thing, but sitting next to him for an entire year? I don't think I could handle that.

But wait...

I looked around the room, and there was no sign of him anywhere. Was he even in this class? I would've noticed him if he had walked in, but as I scanned the class again, I saw he was nowhere to be found. It was probably some mistake.

"Natsu Dragneel?"

No response, again.

"No Natsu?"

Obviously not, lady.

I was mentally praising and thanking the universe until the sonofabitch decided to hit me over the head yet again.

Stupid universe.

The pink-haired teen in question burst through the classroom door with his best friend Gray Fullbuster, late of course, and I paled. I was naive! Of course he wouldn't come to class on time, not even on the first day of school, which meant... Dammit. He was in this class, and the universe does hate me after all. I was internally freaking out right about now, while the teacher just looked at them, unimpressed. Several soft gasps and utters of "Is that…" and "Natsu?" could be heard throughout the room as they laid their eyes on the scarf-wearing pyro who had been missing for the past two years.

"You're both late, and on the first day of school. Way to make a good first impression on your new teacher," she stated sarcastically, unamused. Natsu and Gray on the other hand looked very amused, and only shrugged in response.

"Sorry," they said in unison. She rolled her eyes.

"Natsu Dragneel, you're sitting right here," She said, pointing to the seat beside me. He would literally be sitting a mere foot away. Every day. Until the end of the year. I cried inside. Lisanna seemed to be celebrating this, however. I could tell by the look in her eye and her bright smile that she was enjoying this way too much. I shifted my gaze from her to Natsu, who was eyeing me while listening in to something Gray was whispering to him. When Gray had finished, a smirk appeared on his face a second later, though Natsu looked less than impressed. After whispering something back to Gray, Natsu started making his way over to the seat next to me, his eyes never leaving mine even though the entire classroom was staring at him, a smirk slowly starting to form on his face. As soon as he sat, I immediately shifted my gaze completely away from him, opting to gaze out the window instead to hide my probably ever-present annoyance.

"Looks like we're gonna be math partners, Luce. You as excited as I am?" I could just hear the smug grin.

"Ecstatic," I mumbled.

He chuckled. "You don't seem that enthusiastic. It's kind of hurting my feelings."

I gasped in mock horror. "Oh no! Not your feelings!"

"So mean," he sighed. His voice got closer. "No wonder you don't have a boyfriend."

I turned to face him for the first time since he sat down, fully intent on strangling him with my stare, though stopped short when I realized the proximity. My eyes met his immediately and I felt my face heat up at the realization that he had leaned in slightly while I was turned towards the window and now our noses were simply inches away. I faced forward promptly, retort dying in my throat. I could see Natsu's smug smirk get wider out of the corner of my eye.

Fuck. Him.

I bet you'd like that, wouldn't you.

Shut up, me.

Saving me any further interaction, Evergreen had finished seating people and began explaining her policies and other things that no one ever seemed to care about.

"You will be working closely with the person sitting next to you."

She yanked me out of my daydream with that statement. God, this just kept getting worse. The insufferable pyro beside me gave me a light nudge on the arm with his elbow. I resisted the urge to punch him in the arm with all my strength, though it probably wouldn't do much either way.

The short sleeves of his white button down shirt gave a nice view his very toned arms.

Wow.

Stop, Lucy, I scolded evil Lucy harshly, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks once more.

Thankfully, Evergreen had talked for most of the class. Soon enough it was over, and I left feeling absolutely defeated. It turns out just having to sit next to Natsu was the least of my problems. The teacher had emphasized working together during class with the one sitting beside you, and even encouraged meeting outside of class to work on group assignments.

Ugh.

So much for this being a great year. On the other hand, Natsu seemed to be completely fine, talking avidly with Gray while we walked to our next class.

"Looks like you and Natsu are gonna be spending a lot of time together this year," Lisanna smirked as we made our way through the crowded hall, Natsu and Gray too busy exchanging insults to pay attention to either of us.

"Don't remind me," I whined, shutting my eyes in exasperation as I threw a palm against my forehead, before looking hopefully at her with the best puppy-dog eyes I could muster. "Any chance you'd wanna switch seats with me?"

"Not a chance," Lisanna laughed and hooked an arm through Gray's, distracting him from his conversation (or more like insult competition) with Natsu. "Gray and I are such great math partners already, right Gray?" Though she didn't give him a chance to respond before speaking again, looking over at Natsu. "I think you guys are gonna be good partners too," she giggled.

"I agree," The pyro grinned that signature white smile, showing off his sharp canines.

"Of course you do," I muttered with an eye roll.

We eventually all separated as we went to our next classes.

The rest of the day went by pretty uneventfully, since none of my closer friends were in any of my other classes, and before I knew it I was leaving my last class of the day and meeting up with the girls for lunch.

Lisanna, Erza, Levy and I had been making our way towards the campus exit on our way to one of our favorite nearby diners when we noticed we were about to be intercepted by a couple of our male friends. One in particular stood out from the other as he ran towards us with a hard look of determination. As soon as he saw his target, Natsu slowed to a walk with fierce eyes and a huge grin.

"Erza!" He stood a couple feet from the scarlet haired requip mage, who eyed him curiously. "Fight me!"

Of course.

Back then Natsu was always itching for a good fight, and Erza was one of the most powerful mages at F.A. After two years, he was no doubt impatient to see how they had both gotten stronger, and if he could actually beat her for once. I was actually excited to see this, considering they were both great fighters and as such they always put on a good show.

The redhead's eyes shifted from bewilderment into realization, and then excitement as she gave an equally fierce grin of her own. "Gladly."

"Erza and Natsu are gonna fight!" Lisanna's eyes twinkled as they bounced excitedly between the two mages.

"I hope they don't destroy anything in the process," Levy mumbled, her eye on the library which stood a short distance away to the right.

"I'm rooting for you Erza!" I called after the redhead, who looked back at me with a small smile of appreciation before returning her gaze to her pink-haired target.

His fists burst into flames. Her body glowed as armor materialized replacing her school uniform, and a broadsword appeared in her hand.

And they charged.

"Fire Dragon's—"

"STOP!"

Gray had finally caught up to us, catching the attention of the two mages who stopped abruptly at the sudden protest.

Everyone turned to look at the ice mage who had just rudely interrupted the start of what would have probably been an epic fight.

"You idiot pyro! How many times do I gotta tell you you can't fight here!" Gray yelled at the disappointed dragon slayer. "If you wanna fight, you gotta do it on the field across campus. Don't get you and Erza suspended just 'cause you can't wait, dumbass."

Oh. Right. We had somehow completely forgotten about that rule in our excitement to see the outcome of a battle like this.

Erza grimaced, an armored palm hitting her forehead. "I had forgotten! As president of the student council I am ashamed," she cried, her knees hitting the floor as she fell in defeat.

Natsu merely huffed and crossed his arms stubbornly. "Dumb. Well fine, let's just go to the field then."

"I have lost the will to fight."

"Oh come on!" Natsu whined.

Levy gave them both sympathetic smiles, though probably secretly thanking the gods her precious library was safe from harm. Lisanna and I couldn't help but giggle at the pink-haired dragon slayer's childlike distress.

"Good afternoon, brats."

Everyone turned to look at the sudden new presence coming from the left, spotting a small figure several feet away from where we all were. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Natsu instantly straighten at the new voice.

"Gramps?"

"Welcome back, my child."

Natsu's mood immediately did a 180 as he rushed over to meet the headmaster of Fairy Academy. "Good to see ya!" He called out, stopping when he stood in front of the short old man.

Makarov met his grin with one of equal caliber before suddenly turning serious. "Come with me to my office, Natsu. We need to talk."

Natsu looked bewildered at that, but nodded nonetheless, following the man who was half his size into campus.

"What was that about?" Lisanna watched the two disappear from view with a frown.

"They are probably going to discuss Natsu's return to Fairy Academy after such a long absence," Erza guessed.

"Maybe he'll get kicked out," I half joked. The girls laughed at shook their heads.

"In any case, can we go eat now? I'm starving," Levy chimed, earning several nods of agreement.

We waved our goodbyes to Gray before leaving the campus gates, excited to finally get some good food in our systems.

"What is it, Gramps?"

The headmaster stood with his arms crossed on his desk that was littered with papers, natural light streaming through the large window coming in from behind him and giving a view of the courtyard from two stories up. He stared seriously at the pink-haired teen who relaxed on a leather seat in front of him, looking bewildered and slightly concerned at the look he was being given.

"First off," Makarov began, eyes softening for a moment. "How are you doing?"

Natsu looked slightly taken aback at the question, before his gaze shifted down to a spot on the floor. "I'm alright."

"Be honest with me, Natsu."

The dragon slayer sighed. "I get a little upset when remember how I missed out on so much time I could've been spending with my friends. I think about it every time I'm with them."

"There was no other choice, Natsu. By braving through these last two years, you not only saved yourself, but you kept them safe too. It wasn't easy, but you did it. Don't ever forget that."

"But is it really safe? Zeref—"

"Don't worry about Zeref." Makarov's eyes met the young mage's with intense fire. "Igneel and the other dragons took care of Zeref. You just live your life the way you want. You're a good brat, and still so young. Do not concern yourself such matters." Makarov eyed the teen almost sympathetically. He still had his whole life ahead of him, yet he still constantly worried about being taken and possibly killed at the hands of his own brother.

Natsu's stare returned to the floor, eyebrows knitting together as he seemed to go into deep thought. "You can't be completely sure the dragons are gonna keep him down," he stated firmly. Makarov stood there in silence, unable to deny the validity of the youth's words. "If he comes back and tries to use me again…"

The headmaster opened his mouth to speak, but whatever he was going to say died in his throat at he was met with eyes full of raw determination.

"... I'm gonna kill him."