Chapter 13
Drinng! the door jingled, welcoming the new customers "Hey Mira!" yelled Natsu waving his arm "Can't you say something without screaming across the hallway?" Gray asked annoyed "Hello Elfman" Lissanna smiled patting the seat next to her "Erm... Hey... Erza" The trio walked in, all in smiles except Erza who's smile was rather forced. Jellal noticed almost immediately but kept quiet, Lissanna, however, stepped up and asked
"Erza... you don't look too good" Jellal cleared his voice and asked, "Yeah, What's wrong?" his eyes filled with genuine concern. Erza smiled sadly and sighed "Our neighborhood is getting worse and worse by the year don't you think?" Natsu and the gang exchanged worried glances. Gray mumbled his hands holding his chin "Yeah, It is" he continued "I mean nobody can figure out who's wrecking the lockers"
It was silent until Natsu said cheerfully "Instead of yammering about this stuff right now, let's order some food!" which earned a glare from Erza. Natsu gulped "...and then talk about this while eating?" he finished uneasily but Erza wasn't paying attention to him "Alright, Let's talk while eating" "But doesn't it always end with Natsu and Gray fighting or Natsu too busy eating?" Mirajane asked, "Or too busy napping, remember last time?" Lissanna asked her frown turning into a smile
Elfman laughed "He fell asleep on Gray's lap!" Everyone roared in laughter, well, except Gray "I can still remember his drool going all over my pants!" Gray grimaced "Remember the time when he drank 'Bubble Beer' thinking it was "Bubble Bear' the soda?" Natsu who trying to escape and change the subject said "I'll go order the food" Erza added quickly "I'll come too, just in case you grab the wrong order" she chuckled, Natsu rolled his eyes but still went with her.
Soon the table was filled with chicken wings, garlic knots, and burgers; salads, fries, and soda. This time Natsu wanted his most favorite one 'Flamin' Bull' he described the taste "Riding a bull plus going on the scariest rollercoaster with a side of falling from the sky." "Erza... are you sure that's the only thing that's bothering you?" Gray asked taking a swig of 'Ice Breaker' "urhh-hrmm" Natsu added his mouth filled with food "Whatsh Urp Ersha?" Natsu guzzled half of the can in one gulp
Erza replied munching on the Ceasar salad "Well... at Gym we had Dodgeball..."
Lucy felt even worse than before, for the past two weeks that's the only word she could use to describe school: worse. The aching in her legs, the bleariness in her mind was making it even worse. Hunger squeezed her stomach as if a hand had grabbed her intestines and began squeezing them This is bad, I don't know where my locker is... she wandered around the halls until she found the locker room.
She found an envelope with a note stuck to the lid in her bag saying:
Sorry sugarplum
I was in a rush so I couldn't make lunch today
but I've left you some money so you can buy some lunch
Love, Mom
She groaned I feel like crap but I have to go outside and buy something... ughhh her eyelids started to lower as she dazedly walked to the exit. She carefully made her way down the sidewalk and into a nearby plaza. The smell of garlic, herbs, and mouthwatering scents came rushing over her but one smell was tantalizing she followed the smell and into a small restaurant.
Oh, my god, this smells like heaven! What is this! she opened her eyes to see a bowl of rice stirred into a curry and garlic bread with melted cheese on the side. She went up to the cashier and asked "What was that man who came before me order?" the young cashier smiled and said "It's Riz au Poulet and Cheese stuffed garlic bread, It's today's chef special" Lucy with a dazed expression asked again "How much... is it?"
The man said, "Depends, would you like a drink with your order?" he smiled in a sly fashion "Sure, What's the cheapest drink you have?" she questioned "Well... It would be the Rasberry cocktail" Lucy cocked her head thinking in her head "A-Ahllright I'll get that" He punched a few keys and murmured a few words "...drink discount... five dollars off" and in few seconds he said "Alright your order will be up in a few minutes" he looked into her eyes
"Cash or credit ma'am?" Lucy breathed out "Cash" "Okay ma'am your total is... $11.75" Lucy rubbed her eyes and pulled out the envelope from her pocket, there was a whole 20 dollar bill she gave it to the man and waited for her change. Soon after she received her change, she leaned on the wall waiting patiently for her order. She was more aware as the drowsiness began to fade "Order number 211!"
She walked to the counter, received her tray and sat on one of the 'One seating' booths and began to eat, slowly munching on the rice and curry but then realized she didn't know how much calories or nutrition there was. Her body stiffened, OH crap! Garlic Cheese bread and a cheesy sauce! I was too unfocused to order! she sighed But at least the food tastes really good she continued eating and decided to not use the cheesy sauce
She felt a cold feeling climb down her throat and fill her bloodstreams with icicles, her head fogged up and she zoned out for a while What's wrong with me? she thought. Wait, this feeling...No No! It can't be! Yes, sweetheart... the voiced hissed in her hear It's me, little girl
I'm back, and never going back it cooed in her mind You, my dear has a price to payyy
"And then Mavis told me to leave... so I don't know what happened" Erza finished regretfully, Natsu and the rest were in deep thought until "She... " Natsu began in a serious tone "She was..." he remembered her eyes those hollowed, dead eyes "She is... fighting someone," Lissanna said immediately. All eyes turned to her, Lissanna looked at the rest of the crew and continued "More like... something"
"How do you know that little sis" Mira asked "Her eyes..." Natsu spoke up "Her eyes were... dead" "What?!" Elfman asked stunned "The candle of hope is gone," Natsu said eyeing Erza "As if-" "She's given up," LIssanna said interrupting him "Given up on fighting the 'Something'" Natsu nodded, No wonder her eyes were different than the ones I have seen before he thought
"Given up on her life," Lissanna said, "Can we do something?" Erza asked her hands cupping her cheeks "Can we save her?" "Erza...I'm sorry to break this to you but" Mirajane exhaled her teeth clenched "She would probably end up like Simon" Erza's eyes widened "You mean!" "Yes, that's why I realized what Lissanna meant when she said 'fighting someone'
Ezra's mind flashed with the images of her childhood "Erza, that's a really nice name" "Erza I got to tell you something" "I-I"
"I Love you"
Erza zoomed back into reality, her jaws wide open "Ungghh!" she coughed, Jellal sprang into action taking out the medication from his jeans "Erza!" he yelled Mirajane and LIssanna caught her fast as she began shaking "Here!" Jellal gave her the pill and she swallowed the mixture and in a few seconds she calmed down. Jellal was shivering "Erza?"
Erza nodded "I'm fine Jellal," Mira felt terrible so she began to apologize "Oh Erza! I'm so sorry! I shouldn't have mentioned him" Erza shook her head "No Mira, you just stated the facts" "BUt it triggered your memories!" "I know but it's not you to blame," Erza said her eyes downcast "Sooner or later I have to get over his death" All was quiet until "Holy mother of ice! What time is it?!" Gray screamed panicking
Natsu checked his phone "Oh shoot! WE HAVE 5 MINUTES!" they all scrambled out of their seats, and ran as their lives depended on it. "Come on guys! Cheer up!" Nastu said cheerfully smiling at his companions "We're friends after all!" Jellal rolled his eyes, Gray smiled "Yeah that's why I let you off the hook when you drooled all over me, Idiot"
Natsu started to protest "But that's!" "Shuusshh!" Erza said sharply "This isn't the time to bicker!"
"Yes, Ms. President," Gray and Natsu said in unison rolling their eyes
"WHAT DID YOU SAY?!" "RUNNN!"
Lucy froze, all thoughts were blocked by the single voice NO! NOOO! I fought you last time! No! You can't push me back, Lucy the voice sneered I'm here and here to stay so stop fighting! Stop it! I thought I got rid of you months ago! Leave me alone!
I'll say it again, I'm back Lucy and no one can stop me
You have a price to pay
She blinked furiously trying to push the voice back and in a fierce tug of war it decided to give in I'll go now Lucy but I'll come back when It's time... she blinked again and soon she was back into the real world. The rest of her 'Riz au Poulet' was turning cold so she rushed to finish the meal and decided to put the other half of the bread in a ziplock bag
Looking at her phone to see the time, she rushed out the restaurant only to see the sign 'Jedro's Grotto' Hmmm gotta note that name so I can come back next time she tried to remember how she came to this plaza but she could only remember glimpses of it. But at that exact same time, she saw a gang of teens who wore the Magnolia's HIghchool crest on their shirts and sweaters!
She looked closely and also saw it was her science teacher, gym teacher, and that dunce Natsu approaching her in incredible speed! Lucy crouched low so they wouldn't notice her but Natsu and a black haired fellow were running as... Erza was chasing them! They were too distracted to notice! Lucy took this as her chance and followed them all the way back thanking the gods
At least now I can get back she thought relieved And that voice isn't haunting me...
A/N: I hope you liked this chapter! I finally got to finish it on time! That's an accomplishment, There will be more to come! So keep on reading and reviewing!