Chapter 2: Framed

I woke up with burning vigor and determination to get to school. Well, mostly because I was running late, but who cares about that insignificant detail?

I sprung out of my bed and landed on the floor with a loud thud. I cursed angrily and stood up, glancing at my alarm clock, I yelped as I realized I missed first period and half of second period.

Well, shit.

I ran to my dresser and threw on some clothes (I only sleep in underwear) and rushed into the bathroom to brush my teeth. When I was done, I walked quickly out of the bathroom, grabbed my backpack, and left for school, almost tripping on the outdoor steps.

As I made it to school, I went to my locker and hurriedly stuffed my bag in there and sprinted to my second class. I slammed the door open, making half the class jump out of their seats.

The teacher looked at me with a bored expression. "Natsu, so glad you could join us." The class started laughing.

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, yeah, Gildarts. I slept through my alarm."

He smiled mockingly. "Not surprised. Please take your seat."

Sending a lingering glare, I walked to the back of the room, conscious of all the disgusted looks and hateful glares being thrown in my direction. I slumped down in my seat and dared a glance at my (not) crush. She was sitting on the other side of the room, in the third row, writing notes.

I couldn't help but stare at the way her eyebrows scrunched in concentration and how she bites her lip when writing. Her pencil moved fast across the paper, occasionally flipping her pencil around to erase a mistake. When I caught myself staring, I looked away and dragged my hands down my face.

My head slapped the desk in front of me with an inaudible thud. I sighed silently, dozing off for the rest of the class.

{~•~•~}

I jumped awake at the sound of a book slamming onto a desk. I looked up and saw Gildarts standing in front of me with a grin on his face. "How was your nap, Natsu?"

I groaned groggily. "Great, up until you slammed the damn book on the desk."

Gildarts chuckled. "Well, you slept through lunch, third period, and half of fourth period. I let you sleep because you're always on time for school, so I knew you were exhausted." He smiled sincerely. "You get to skip the rest of fourth period, though, 'cause Makarov wants to see you."

Makarov is the school's principal. Minus the snow-white hair and the creepy beard, you would think he was a preschooler. "Thanks, old man. See ya later." I said as I grabbed my stuff and headed out.

"I'm not that old!" He called out after me. I smirked and kept walking.

I stepped up to the wooden door labeled "Principal's Office" and knocked. After hearing a gruff, "Come in," I walked inside and sat in one of the chairs, placing my backpack next to it.

The intense stare he was giving me was so unsettling that I squirmed in my seat, shifting my gaze around the dark, musky room. When I looked back, he was standing on his desk with his eyes closed.

Yes, the man was so short he could stand on a desk, and you would still be taller than him. His clothes must be specially made for him.

I heard a sigh as he opened his eyes. "Natsu, I assure you that you are not in trouble, I just want to clear things up." I nodded, gesturing for him to keep going. "Well, have you heard of the incident earlier this afternoon?" I shook my head. "Someone spray painted the lockers and signed your name at the bottom. You wouldn't happen to know anything about that, would you?"

I felt anger bubble in my chest but I suppressed it and hid my face behind my checkered scarf. "No, some dumbass framed me." I said through gritted teeth.

Not fazed by my language, a small smile appeared on his face. "You never fail to amuse me, my boy. Now, with that out if the way, do you have any idea who could have painted those lockers?"

"Sting." I said almost immediately. He had always had it out for me ever since I kicked his ass after the incident sophomore year. Since he was the star football player and team captain, when word got out I was looked down upon.

Bastard, I thought.

Makarov nodded his head. "Ah, Sting. I understand you two had a falling out a couple years ago?" I nodded again. "Well, I hope you two will solve your differences, because I will not tolerate any more foolishness, understood?"

"Whatever, Gramps." I grumbled, not interested in rekindling the friendship I once had with Sting.

"Good, now get out, I have things to do."

I rolled my eyes, knowing what naughty things he does in this room (such as reading dirty magazines).

I grabbed my bag and walked out the office, stopping by my locker before I headed out of the school. As I walked out of the front doors, I noticed a familiar blonde standing by the curb, tapping furiously on her phone.

I took a few steps forward, still mesmerized. She had her hair out today, with half of her hair in a ponytail at the top of her head, tied with a blue ribbon. She had on a white, sleeveless shirt with blue stripes, a matching blue skirt that reached her mid-thigh, and black boots. She looked beautiful, as always.

Hearing a beep, I snapped out of my thoughts, looking at a black car parked in front of Lucy. She walked up to the front door and opened it, slinging her backpack inside. Before she got inside, she looked back and noticed me staring.

I instantly blushed and looked away, but when I glanced back, she was still looking at me. Catching her gaze, she smiled and got into car and it drove off, leaving me with a dumbfounded expression. The only thing I was thinking was...

Holy shit.

She will never know how much a smile changes a person who was in the dark for so long.

{~•~•~}

doo doo doo

another one bites the dust