A/N: I have bad tendency to make my characters into asses... I still don't know why I chose this style of writing but for some reason I am oddly tempted to continue. I have way too many ideas for this story and I intend to make this into full emotional ride. Anyway let me know what you think about it and thank you all for your reviews so far, looking forward to more chapters!

"Natsu Dragneel! Your alarm has been ringing for ten minutes now!" loud and bellowing voice was heard along with knocking on the wooden doors. Hand sluggishly wandered around, trying to find the source of this annoying beeping and once he found it, he pressed button. The sound stopped and he opened his still dreamy eyes, trying to sharpen the image before him. The voice was right... it has been ten minutes.

"I'm up…" he said low voice, just barely audible to be heard on other side of the door.

"Get yourself ready young man and come down for breakfast."

"I hate Tuesdays…" Natsu grumbled as he propped himself up, walking to the bathroom for a shower. How he managed to get out of his boxers was perhaps biggest of mysteries as he had absolutely no recollection of doing it. The freezing sensation of cold water snatched him back from the land of dreams. Natsu was never bothered by cold showers, maybe because his blood circulation was fast and he was always hot. Then again, it could be the fact he almost always showered with cold water to a point where it no longer bothered him. It was one of those questions he never wanted to find answer to. All that he cared about is that it wakes him up and makes him feel good.

Fifteen minutes later he was already in his inform, holding jacket over his shoulder along with bag. Table was already set with breakfast. Wendy was munching on her fried eggs while Igneel was content to read his morning papers, occasionally sipping his first coffee of the day. Both were already dressed up, Wendy in her high school uniform while Ingeel had his suit on, black pants and white shirt with tie still loose.

"Hey dad, hey sis..." Natsu greeted them as he moved toward the table, kissing Wendy on top of her head and sat down beside her "Hey Gran" He added louder for person in the kitchen to hear.

"Natsu, what did I tell you?" Red haired man moved one side of the paper to look at him with slight frown on his face.

"Wha?" Natsu asked, genuinely confused.

"You should say 'Good morning' and you know better than to address your step mother with 'Gran'."

"That's alright, no need to argue first thing in the morning." Voice reached from the kitchen. Igneel was not happy with Natsu's tone, though at this point it became a tradition. Instead of furthering the argue, he opted to listen to his wife's advice. He sighed gently, waving head lightly while pinkette took still warm toast from plate.

"How are your studies progressing?" Igneel asked, returning his focus on the article he was reading just moments ago.

"Good I guess..."

"Have you completed all your assignments?"

"I don't need them." Natsu replied making Igneel fold papers. That was sign that he was done with catching up with today's events and he could pour all of his attention onto his son.

"Of course you need them." Igneel added, taking a small sip from his cup "You should make sure you have high grades."

"Why? It's not like I'm gonna be some stick-in-the-mud professor." Natsu growled with exasperated voice "Even coach Elfman…"

"Coach Strauss" Igneel corrected him immediately, making Wendy giggle at the exchange they were having. She knew well that Natsu could never win against his father.

"… coach Strauss" Natsu continued through his gritted teeth "said that I am one of his best. Why do I need to know when World War started when I'm on the field?"

"Natsu, I am more than happy to know that you have found your path, but you should not leave proper education behind. Good grades will only be a benefit to you. Especially if you decide to change your path."

"I won't" Natsu shot immediately as Igneel finished speaking, making him frown at boy. Yes, this was indeed a morning ritual for two of them... an endless cycle of arguments tossed with no winner to take the podium... it always ended with one of them leaving, rendering whole point of argue moot.

"Dear, let him be. He should decide what he wants to be." Silver haired woman walked out of the kitchen. She kissed Igneel on cheek, making him smile and sat on chair across Wendy.

"I'm gonna be late..." Natsu said grabbing one more piece of toast and took his jacket. He kissed Wendy one more time on top of her head and made his way out "See ya!"

"Have fun Natsu!" Wendy smiled, waving to him as he left through the front door. Woman sighed, heavily. Pleasant facial lines quickly turned and her bright expression has been replaced with one of worry and sadness, almost to the point of tears emerging "He is never going to forgive me, is he?"

"Give him time." Igneel placed his hand on top of hers and her soft smile was present once more "Boys always need just a little bit more to come to terms with some things. He will come around."

Why does she even care about my future? Natsu grumbled to himself as he took a bite from toast I'll be what I want, without her validation. Crap… he groaned loud This day is going to be another long one. There's practice today... At least I have something to look forward to today, without having the need to hang myself. Ooh right I got to find Lucy again. Hmmm... Maybe this day won't be a complete disaster after all...

With his hastened pace, it didn't take him long to reach university gates that 'guarded' vast premises. He smirked as he approached noticing Gray standing by those very gates, waiting.

"Morning 'flakes!" he smiled as they bumped their fists and started moving toward building entrance.

"How about you actually call me by my name? Would be a nice start, wouldn't it?"

"We all do what we must to survive. Besides, I managed to avoid awful mood so I'll give you that victory… 'Gray'."

"And what is the reason for this?"

"I met this chick yesterday. Blond hair, big rack, kinda cute but minus points for being a nerdy."

"Like you can recognize a nerd." Gray chuckled, making Natsu growl "But humor me, how could you tell she is one?"

"It's like… 40 degrees outside and her shirt's all buttoned up to her chin. If that doesn't scream "I am daddy's good girl" then I don't know what does..."

"Maybe she is just decent enough to follow dressing code?"

"Dude..." Natsu folded his left hand into fist, bumping it lightly against Gray's chest "I can see your belly button."

"I am not saying I am best example! I cannot stand the heat..." Gray answered quickly, though for him it was always hot. Not even winter was an obstacle enough to show a bit more skin than it was intended by dress code "Besides, you already managed to lull Jenny, why do you need this new girl?"

"Because she doesn't want me... yet." Natsu moved hand through his hair, fixing few stray locks "She hasn't given herself to anyone... at least that's what Loke said. Probably virgin and mmmm what I wouldn't do to be that first guy."

"Natsu" Gray chuckled, placing hand to his shoulder "You're an asshole."

"No no, I'm hot asshole." Pinkette corrected him with smug smirk on his face "There's a difference."

"Whatever you say. Gotta go, see ya at the practice"

With introductions out of the way, Natsu went to his first class of the day: Advanced English. It was one of the mandatory classes for everyone which Natsu 'affectionately' referred to it as "Am I dead yet?" class. First bell rang and Natsu took a seat at the very back of the classroom, placing book on desk. Patience was not his greatest of attributes but when he had to be, then he practiced it with tolerance. Though he appeared interested, it never took him more than five minutes to lean his cheek against palm and disfigure his face into genuine expression of a zombie as Professor Justine conducted his lecture. Those Natsu called 'nerds' would often fill in first rows which only ever left back rows still unfilled. That being said, this was one class where being 'nerd' or 'cool' had nothing to do with it. Front rows were populated by girls exclusively as they followed professor Justine's every move and every word. Indeed, who wouldn't? Freed Justine was man in his mid-thirties with green hair and always in black suit. His every word was poetic, his grammar perfect and voice echoed throughout the classroom like a siren's song. Among all male professors, he was that one who would receive at least one letter of admiration or confession on daily basis. His decency and immaculate nature forbade him from throwing them away and he would always take little bit of time from his schedule to read each and every one of the letters. Though considerate in that regard, he never once did respond to them. After all, even if he would be interested there were strict regulations that forbade teacher-student relationships. There was no regulation for relationship between teachers but he never once engaged in any form of flirt with female teachers. No one knew exactly why, although there were many speculations regarding this particular anomaly since he was popular among teachers as well.

"Alright class, can anyone tell me…." Professor started and after only those few words said, Natsu has already disconnected from the class. Oh man he's gonna start again… Look at all those hands up. All this effort just so he can notice them. What do they see in this guy?

"… and we add -ing at the end." one of the students answered the question that Natsu didn't even register... female voice. Why is there no rope when you need one?

"Very good miss Heartfilia." Professor responded and smiled, turning toward the board to write. In that moment, Natsu snapped himself out of his daydream Hold on, I remember that voice, where did I hear that voice before?

He raised his head a bit, looking around the class. Eyes wandered from one student to another until he spotted top of the head he was searching for. Long blond hair, that's gotta be her. What did he say was the name? Heartfilia? Huh... Lucy Heartfilia, not a bad name. Alright, so she is in English class and she is sitting in front. That's a start... Maybe she is one of those Professor Smooth's fangirls... Not like she's gonna get anywhere with him. Yep, definitely a nerd... And Gray said I can't spot them. Damn, I can't get a better look at her from this angle…

"Mister Dargneel!" Loud voice interrupted Natsu from his thoughts, prompting him to look at professor.

"Hm? What?"

"I presume you know the answer since you are standing." Professor Justine looked at him with raised eyebrow and Natsu noticed that he is indeed standing.

"Umm… you add… i… ng?"

"Nice try. Sit down, please." Justine said and girls giggled, watching Natsu slowly sit down with blush of embarrassment creeping up on his cheeks. Lucy merely glanced toward him but made no expression, she wasn't giggling, she wasn't smiling or frowning... her face was completely blank, uninterested and she turned head again, looking at her book.

Well fuck...

For the rest of the class his mind completely wrapped itself around this girl that was as cold as South Pole. What is her deal? Everyone was laughing, not that I care but why didn't she at least threw a smile. Maybe she has boyfriend. Nah, if she does Loke would have known but then again Loke would do anything to get himself ahead of me. Look at lil' miss perfect. Yeah you just keep your nose buried into that book. You'll be burring that pretty face into pillows by the end of the week.

Class reached its inevitable end and Natsu raised himself at the first sound of bell. If he was to start any kind of conversation, this would be the perfect moment. So, he rushed over, moving between the crowd and stood beside her, managing to catch her just before she was to stand up and leave.

"I know your name is Lucy." He said as he leaned down toward her and spoke into her ear. She twitched a bit, moving her head away from him "Then why did you pester me yesterday?"

"Well I kinda wanted to hear it from you. Is that not common courtesy?"

"Lucy. Now that you heard it, you can go." She replied coldly and stood up, trying to move around him but he quickly stood in front of her and thus preventing her from escaping. For both of them, it was a familiar sense of deja vu.

"Oh come on, Luce. Do you have to be like that?"

"Lu-cy!" she shot an ice-cold glare, correcting him.

"My version is kinda cuter."

"I don't care about your version." She said and moved away from him, walking around him in wide arc.

"Why are you so cold toward me?" Natsu pressed on with questions as he caught up with her "I just want to get to know you better."

"Funny. And here I don't want to know anything about you."

"Do you have a boyfriend?" Natsu took a quick step and stood in front of her, once more making her stop in her track.

"That is none of your business."

"Come on if we are gonna have fun I gotta know about that stuff. It's kinda boring when you have sex with someone whom you don't know."

"We are not going to have sex!" she shouted pressing finger hard against his chest, right between the zipper of his jacket "Not now, not ever!"

"And you are so sure of it?"

"Ughh!" she growled as she finally managed to move around him, slamming her shoulder against his as she passed.

"Oh come on Luce. Hey! Luce!" Natsu watched as her leave, deciding not to pursue her this time. He could easily catch up again but he felt that now there wouldn't be any point in attempting to soften her. Gray stood beside him, observing his face and then direction where he was looking. Both of them watched as Lucy walked away, fuming with anger.

"Let me guess, she won't budge."

"She will, eventually." Natsu smirked, moving both hands through his hair. Despite this failed attempt, he felt oddly satisfied at his progress. Just yesterday she refused to even tell him her name and now, out of spite, annoyance or simply to get rid of him, she shared this information. Everything pointed out that it would be a slow process... After all apples that were at the very top were most difficult to pick but none could deny that they were sweetest.

Lucy, on the other hand, didn't share this philosophy that Natsu harbored. In fact, she was furious and the very memory of his voice was slowly pushing her further toward the line where tolerance ends. But anger was not the only emotion she felt right now... no, there was a great deal of confusion in her. Questions popped one after another... Why is he bothering her? He can have almost any girl on campus, so why did he fixate on her? Was she yet another notch for him? A trophy of a glorious conquest to be placed on a shelf? It became abundantly clear why she loathed guys like him and slowly... she started to loathe men in general.

Her mind was too preoccupied with all these questions and she didn't even notice where she was going anymore. She would most likely enter wrong classroom but fortunately her arm was tugged, making her snap out of her angry tantrum.

"Lu!" voice shouted and she looked toward blue haired girl that held her arm.

"Oh… hey Levy, sorry…" she sighed in relief as she noticed worried expression on Levy's face. Her hand moved few of strands of her hair, tucking them behind her ear.

"I've been shouting your name for the third time now. Is everything alright?"

"Yeah it's… I'm fine, no need to worry." Lucy forced a smile but Levy knew how to recognize fake smile when she saw one.

"Has someone been botherin' ya?" growling voice asked her from behind. She looked up and waved head toward Gajeel.

Throughout this trying years, Levy proved to be one of handful of people that Lucy could trust. Out of those 'few' she was only 'best friend' she had... depressing as it is, Lucy was more than content to keep this number small. Gajeel, though man himself, was an exception from Lucy's general hatred toward men, though he only became that exception due to his involvement with Levy. His choice of sport, which actually granted him scholarship at Fairy Tail, was professional boxing and earned him nickname "Blackout steel" due to two defining reasons. First was popular belief that his knuckles were made of steel and though this was just a rumor no one argued that they feel like it. The other part of his nickname, Blackout, was due to his boxing record which was 25 fights, 23 victories and 2 draws. All of his victories were achieved with a knockout within first 5 rounds. All things considered, she was grateful for his friendship... and due to another rumor revolving around a guy who tried to force a kiss on Lucy and ended up kissing Gajeel's knuckles. The relationship was short but very intimate and he used this example to keep others from trying the same.

"Just tell me the name, buns. I'll beat the livin' shit out of 'im" he growled, more like a beast than a man.

"Thanks Gajeel. I really appreciate it but I'll deal with it on my own."

"I ain't saying you can't... I'm saying ya shouldn't." He shrugged lightly after few moments of thinking and offered her small grin as he moved around her, wrapping arms around Levy's chest which made her blush.

"Say, will you be coming tonight at the clubroom?" Levy asked her friend. Lucy's answer came with no small amount of disappointment.

"No, I have a shift today so I'll pass." Lucy replied. She always loved coming to club activities that Levy held as it was one of few remaining activities that made her forget about her daily life and immerse herself into mesmerizing stories "I have to go, I'll see you late."

Levy just smiled and nodded, watching her best friend walk away. The smile quickly vanished and change was noticed by her boyfriend "What's wrong?"

"I don't like seeing her go through all of this on her own." She placed her hand on top of his, moving fingertip in circles to caress it.

"Don't worry 'bout her, she's tough one."

"I know… but she is still alone in this..."