Hello, I'm back! I asked a question in one of my other stories and I think 2 or 3 of you said this was your favorite story I write so I figured I should update! A new layer to the story has been added, and Natsu and Lucy are getting closer. Also... I've been listening to this one song nonstop. It's an older song called Wonderwall by oasis. I think it describes pretty much all of my stories. Idk you guys have noticed a pattern in my stories, but Lucy is always really secretive and closed off and that's because I'm like that. I don't tell people a lot of things and I tend to make Lucy reflect myself for some reason. Even if her personality is different in each story, that part of her is always the same. And this song... just kind of fits because Natsu is the one that saves her. That's it so have fun reading and sorry for rambling.

Lucy stepped down the stairs, her eyes dull and framed by her glasses, and lips motionless in dead way. She made sure to correct her posture, but didn't fix her face when she entered the dining room. Her father didn't even spare her a glance as Capricorn pulled her chair out for her and pushed it in once again after she was seated. It was silent with just the rustling of her fathers morning paper, and the small sipping of his coffee. Without greeting him, Lucy plucked a muffin off a plate and quietly unwrapped the white liner. She didn't notice her father staring at her until he cleared his throat rather loudly. She slowly moved her head up with her eyes still dark and dead.

"Excuse me for my rudeness. Good morning, father."

His brows furrowed and his firsts clenched around his paper. Lucy is starting to have zero patience at home and with her father, so his expecting attitude towards her was quite annoying. It wasn't enough to secretly rebel. She got a tattoo, has been sneaking out with boys, and got her bellybutton pierced behind his back. The thing was, he never caught her… too focused on himself and not expecting her to do anything bad. But a part of her wanted to get caught. So he knew she was rebelling. It wasn't as fun as it was in the beginning.

Her father put his paper down and stared at her sternly with furrowed brows and a harsh glare. He didn't scare her though. After all, she inherited that look from him and uses it on Natsu when he's being even the slightest bit annoying. "What have you been doing since school started? It's unacceptable for a lady of the Heartfilia bloodline to go out as often as you've been and so late."

"I apologize father." She bit the muffin, not caring much for her manners. "I've been tutoring that boy in my class, but I'm learning great responsibilities from it. It's a lot of work so I study at Levy's house after."

"I've allowed you to see your friend for some time, but if she starts affecting your studies, then I won't allow it any more."

"I'm sorry father, but Levy is very helpful. She's placed only second in the school after me, so we get a lot done when we're together."

Her father didn't respond for a moment, probably pleased to hear her friend was smart and wasn't a distraction to her. She expected it to be silent for the rest of breakfast after he picked up his paper again, but her father spoke up again. "You're expected to come straight home today. I've picked out a few suitable men for you to marry and you have your first meeting tonight. I expect you to be on your best behavior. The maids will make you look presentable so you will come straight home."

W-what? A marriage meeting?!

"B-but I'm only 16 and still in high school!"

"The wedding will take place after you've graduated and have turned 18. The first boy is the same age as you so you have no right to complain."

No right to complain?! Is he joking?! She doesn't want to get married off to some snobby rich guy! She wants to marry out of love! And there's no way she could find love her with some guy who's to pompous to care about her!

"Whatever!" Lucy shoved her chair out, throwing her half eaten muffin on the table and storming to the door. "Let's go Capricorn! Fathers too busy only worrying about himself to think about his own daughters happiness!"

"Lucy Heartfilia, if you walk out that door—"

Lucy turned just before she left and sent him a glare that matched his own. "Don't worry father, I won't ruin your precious marriage meeting. I'll be home after school."

Then she left with the door slamming behind her. For once, Lucy wished school would never end.

Once her driver dropped her off, Lucy stormed into school with attitude and stomped to her classroom. Lucy walked it, found her seat and tapped her thumb on her desk in annoyance. She needs to calm down. She can't let her reputation with the teachers be tainted. They see her as a good student who can't do any wrong so she has to calm down before she says or does something stupid.

"What's wrong with you?"

A joyous smile appeared on her lips as the person placed a hand on her table and leaned over to meet her gaze. Lucy's eyes were shining and looked up to the person checking on her with happiness. "Hello, Gray. I'm fine, why do you ask?"

"You just seemed really pissed for a second there."

Pissed cannot even begin to describe her right now. Outraged, resentful, indignant. She was absolutely furious. She can't believe her father is selling her off like this! Actually, she can! She doesn't know why she didn't think this would happen… maybe in the future, but she's only 16!

"It's nothing. I just remembered we're getting our math tests back today."

"Ah, I see your point." Gray sighed as he walked to his seat behind her, so Lucy turned her body so she could still converse with him. "There's no doubt Natsu failed so you'll probably have to stay after school to help him."

Shit, she didn't even think about that! Honestly, she needs to talk to Natsu. They only met up at the observatory yesterday and she was hoping to talk with him so she could apologize about treating him a bit unfairly as Lucy. Maybe they can talk at lunch? Math is before that so they'll get their tests back—

A hand suddenly grabbed her by the bicep and pulled her around so she was greeted with the boy she was just thinking about. For once, Lucy smiled at him. A real one… and it made Natsu release her with a blush suddenly spreading across his cheeks.

"I-I Uh… can we talk?"

Lucy checked the time on the clock and nodded. They still had a bit before school started. "Sure."

He looked confused by her reaction, but she just ignored him and stood from her desk. He was probably expecting her to be angry with him, but seeing his face actually calmed her down a bit. This would be a good step in their… whatever you'd call what they had. She just hopes Natsu doesn't screw this up.

Once they were out in the hallway, Lucy stared up at him, waiting for him to say what they talked about before. Natsu gulped nervously and looked away with a strange flush to his cheeks. "I-I uh… look— I'm sorry about everything I've done that's ever made you mad. I only fail tests because it's the only way I get to spend time with you. You've never given me the time of day so I— I thought it was my only choice." Then he looked even more nervous and pulled at his scarf with a unsure look. "I-I don't know why you hate me so much, but I'm sorry for whatever I did. I just want to be friends."

Wow, he did really well! Who would have thought Natsu Dragneel would get nervous like this? But it made her smile. She has some apologizing to do as well.

"It's not all your fault Natsu. I'm to blame as well." He snapped his gaze to hers and blinked at her a bit surprised. Like he didn't think what Lu said would really work. But the jokes on him because they're the same person.

"I just don't get why you hate me so much."

Lucy sighed and looked down at her feet with a frown. "It's for a selfish reason... Truth is, I'm actually really jealous of you." She peeked up at him but averted her gaze when he was looking at her in shock. "I-I may be really rich, but it's very suffocating. I have strict rules I have to follow and I have to do whatever my father says. And you Natsu… Nothing stops you from doing what you want. You can fail tests, yell at people, get whatever girl you want. Nothing can stop you and I grew resentful. Im sorry."

She didn't want to look at him, too embarrassed for admitting that personal stuff to him, especially since it could connect her to Lu. She wanted to be honest with him though so she had no other choice.

"You can't even date whoever you want…? So you couldn't date me?" She blinked up at him a bit shocked, but her brows soon dropped to an unamused look when he had that confident and flirtatious look. "What if I say I wanted you… I wouldn't be able to get whatever I want then, right?"

He reached his hand out to touch her hand, but a girl suddenly threw herself between them and leaned up on her tiptoes with her hands squeezing his shirt. "Natsu~ come play with me."

"Well, I see you're busy so I'll excuse myself." Lucy turned around to walk back down the hall and towards the classroom, but she couldn't help her small smile. She thinks they moved in the right direction, even if one of those annoying, brainless girls stepped in. Not like it matters though, Natsu was just joking because there's no way he could have feelings for Lucy. At least her Lucy appearance.

"Luce!" Natsu called out to her, so she looked over her shoulder to find him jogging to catch up. "Wait, I'll walk you to class."

She let the boy walk next to her and watched as he grinned to himself. The girl was running away while crying, making her a bit confused. He picked walking her to class instead of doing who knows what with that pretty girl. She peeked over at him with furrowed brows and an unsure look. Lucy can't tell if he's serious about wanting her but it's probably a joke. He just wants to be her friend.

Lucy suddenly remembered something and tugged at Natsu's arm. He looked down at her with that killer smile and tugged at his scarf. "What's up?"

"I just want to let you know that I can't tutor you after school today. I already know you failed the math test we're getting back today, but it'll have be a different day."

"Why? What are you doing?"

It's not like he needs to know she has a marriage meeting, but then again, maybe she can use this to see if he really cares about her in that way. "Remember how I said I can't pick who I date? My father set up marriage meetings with different guys and today is my first—"

"W-what?!" Natsu suddenly grabbed her by the shoulders and pinned her against the wall with his large body leaning over her. "He can't make you do that! I thought your dad didn't let you see guys?!"

She blinked in shock at his very aggressive answer and stared up at him. "These men will benefit my fathers company. That's the only reason why…"

"Why are you acting like this is normal?! Aren't you mad?! Aren't you going to fight it?! Why would you just let him marry you off like that?!"

She doesn't understand. Does Natsu really not want her to get married? What about Lu? He supposedly loves her so how can he be getting so angry about this? She wasn't even this upset about it. Yeah, Lucy's pissed, but she's not very surprised. It's only normal that her father would do this. She's known he didn't love her for a while, and it still makes her upset to think about. But all lucy wants is for him to acknowledge her, so maybe marrying for the company will make him happy. Maybe he'll praise her. He said it won't happen till she's 18 so she has time to be cope with it. She guessed it just surprised her that he's so angry over her.

"I-it's nothing to be so mad about. I'm already over it. It was only a matter of time before father did this." He looked extremely upset now and stared at her in a way that made Lucy confused. Why did he look so hurt all of a sudden? Did she say something wrong? "N-Natsu… What's wrong—"

"What's wrong?! Why can't you be more like Lu?! She wouldn't let this happen! She would stand up to her dad and tell him to fuck off because there's no way she would let this happen! Talk about uncool! Grow a pair and stand up to him like she would!"

Lucy couldn't help her strained laugh. How ironic. Does he think Lu is some invincible being who knows everything? Who isn't afraid of anything and can do whatever the hell she wants? That's fucking hilarious. She's not perfect and it's funny because she obviously can't do what Natsu expects of her, and she'll never be able to. All she's capable of is being rebellious behind his back. She'll never be able to show him her tattoo or or piercing. She'll never be able to tell him what she's been doing after school or how Natsu touches her. She can't stand up to him. She can't at all!

Tears suddenly slipped down her cheeks, causing the boy to take a step back and stare down at her in shock. "Don't give people unrealistic standards, Natsu. There's things even Lu can't do."

Natsu was left standing there. She shoved past him and walked back to class with her eyes watering. She brushed under her glasses to wipe her tears away. She felt hopeless and sad. Lu was supposed to be someone different. Lu was supposed to be the person who could relieve her stress, but now she has responsibilities and expectations put on her as some characters she plays to make her feel better. But there's one thing in common between Lu and lucy. And that's her inability to stand up to her father. Nothing really changed, has it?

Lucy had no where to run away to anymore. School went by slowly and she dreaded it, but she didn't want to go home either. Levy tried to cheer her up, but nothing helped. It's not like this was a big deal though. She knows she won't be getting engaged to anyone tonight. Her father will want to scope out the options and pick the best one for the company. This was only the first marriage meeting… there's other candidates so she has time to prepare.

Once Lucy walked to her bedroom, she was surprised to find Virgo waiting for her in her usual maid uniform. She bowed to her, her dull eyes seeming a bit excited. "Good afternoon princess. I've been wanting to dress you up for a while so I'm quite happy to do so."

At her words, Lucy's eyes glanced over to the gown placed on her bed. She can't really tell much from it with it just laying there, but her first impression of it was that it was very long and black.

"Thank you Virgo." Lucy accepted her maids hand as she pulled her to the vanity and sat her down. She doesn't know how long Virgo was doing her hair and makeup… time just passed by her without her knowledge. She felt kind of numb. Partially because she could be meeting her future husband tonight but also because Natsu left her a bit rattled. She doesn't know what he's thinking. He's supposed to love Lu. He's supposed to love the dramatic version of herself because he loves the entertainment. But since he got so mad over Lucy having a marriage meeting, she wonders if he's serious about her. About Lu and Lucy. And that means his feelings are real. He likes both sides of her. He liked the sassy side of Lu and her studious side of Lucy that works hard and tries to do her best. He still has a long way to go, since he still sees Lu as this almighty girl who has no flaws or fears, but he accepted this part of her. So maybe he was serious all this time… maybe he really does fails tests to spend time with her and not for entertainment purposes.

Sighing, Lucy stared at the mirror as she brought her hand up to touch one of the hairs framing her face. Her makeup was vintage with black winged eyeliner and dark eyeshadow smoked out at her crease, but with a bare lid. Her lips were vampy red and her her cheeks were softly blushed with darker powder. Her blonde hair was messily, yet neatly pulled back into a bun with one braid circling around her head and her bangs resting on her forehead. She looks like Lu, which was kind of silly to say because Lu was her. She looked like herself. This was apart of her, just like Lu is part of her as well.

Virgo plucked at her bangs strategically and finally smiled when she was happy with her look. "Now let's get you dressed princess."

Lucy nodded and stood up, waiting for the maid to give her some privacy. But Virgo just stared at her with her dull blue eyes. "Uh, Virgo… I can change myself."

"It's my job to assist you, princess."

"Virgo…" Lucy looked at her sternly, but the maid suddenly jumped her and started stripping her clothes. "I-I can at least slip the dress on and take my clothes off! Just close your eyes for two minutes!"

She suddenly froze and took a step back with her eyes snapping shut. Lucy sighed in relief and quickly changed. She needed to wear a strapless bra for the dress so she quickly tugged on her black lacy one, then stepped into the dress. Lucy sighed in relief once it was on and covered her piercing and tattoo, then she turned to Virgo who still had her eyes closed obediently. "You can open now."

Her dull eyes blinked open, then stared at her in excitement. She silently walked around her before stopping at her back to zip up the rest of the dress. "You look gorgeous, princess." She was soon in front of her again, and Virgo held her hand, then led her to the standing mirror in her bedroom. Once she saw her own reflection, Lucy's jaw dropped to the floor. Nothing came out for the longest time as she just stared. The dress was black, and reached the floor, but had a slit to the side that showed her leg. It was extremely tight and showed off her curvy figure with the shoulder straps falling off her shoulders to sit at her biceps so her breasts were almost slipping out. Disbelief clouded her mind, but it quickly turned to anger.

"What the hell?! He's treating me like some object he has to polish to sell me off! What did he want?! For me to seduce the guy and make him fall for me?! He should do that through getting to know me and not because of my body! God, this is just—! Does he really not understand that I'm his daughter?!"

"Princess." Virgo stared at her in disbelief, probably because she's never seen her raise her voice before, or hold so much hostility towards her father. But sadly, this was the best she could do. She would go against his words and wear something else. She would be obedient, doing the opposite of what Natsu said. She looked like Lu right now. She was supposed to be the strong girl who didn't let anyone get to her and would cuss out the fool who tried to mess with her. Yet she was Lucy and she couldn't go against her father.

Lucy just sighed and turned away from the maid. "I-I—"

There was suddenly a knock on the door, before it opened to reveal Capricorn with his suit like always. "Miss. Lucy… they're waiting for you downstairs."

She nodded numbly, and walked to the door without a second thought. Capricorn escorted her down the stairs and two one of the sitting rooms in the house. Her eyes were sad and tired, but she smiled when the butler opened the door and bowed down with his hand extended towards her. For some reason, Lucy wasn't really looking at the people around her. She just kept her perfect smile and curtsied to her eligible husband.

"Good evening. It's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Lucy Heartfilia."

She looked up from her elegant gesture to finally see what this guy looked like. Once their eyes locked and she was greeted by a knowing smirk, Lucy nearly cursed right then. The person stood from his chair and approached her with confidence as Lucy gulped. He extended his hand out to her which she reluctantly took. The boy her age bent his head down to kiss her hand with those all knowing eyes shining.

"The names Loke Celestial. It's a pleasure to meet you, Lucy. Or should I say Lu?"

Her heart dropped and she swallowed thickly, but she smiled at the boy in front of him as he stood straight again. Still, he could have just called her that because of a nickname. Levy does it all the time so maybe he doesn't recognize her.

"I believe we go to the same school, yes? But this is the first time we've actually spoken."

"No, we met once before…" he smirked. "I'm sure your father would love to hear what you were—"

Lucy cut him off, with her eyes tight and lips in a fake smile. "Yes, of course. You're friends with Natsu, right? The boy I tutor who fails every test. I remember meeting you after school one day. You're right. My father is so thrilled that I'm helping such a troubled student out, but he already knows, so there's no need to go any further into detail."

"Is it true you're friends with the foolish boy who fails every test?" Her father asked, so Loke stepped aside while releasing her hand and sent her a look that she took as "we're even".

"It's true I'm friends with him, but he's more of an acquaintance then friend." She knows that's not true, but they're even now so she'll let it slide. Lucy never really thought about this before, but even if her father knew she was… kind of friends with people like Natsu and Gray, he would be angry enough. Loke is a flirt so he's not much better, so Lucy knows this whole engagement thing with him probably won't happen. He won't let this move further because he doesn't want to settle down.

"So let's decide if the date of the wedding."

Lucy snapped her gaze to the boy her age and stared at him in disbelief. He did not just say that!

"F-father… is it alright if Loke and I talk alone to get to know each other a little better. You and Mr. Celestial can discuss the business side of things."

He just shooed her away with a flick of his wrist, causing Lucy to discreetly roll her eyes at him. She kindly grabbed Loke's hand and and tugged him out of the room and to a different one. She slammed the door shut behind her and placed a hand on her hip, her eyes stern and lips pulled down in a frown. "What do you think you're doing? Why would you want the marry me when you saw how messed up and bitchy I can be."

"Why?" He tilted his head to the side and looked at her with amusement. "It's interesting that Lucy Heartfilia got a tattoo, piercing, and hangs out with boys. I thought Lu was just some crazy bitch, but it seems there's more to you than that. Plus, wouldn't it be fun to tease Natsu with this information?"

"If you say anything, I'll make sure father disapproves of you."

"And if you do that, I'll tell your father what you've been doing when he's not looking. So it seems I win."

Goddamnit! It just had to be Loke! She knew his family was wealthy, but she didn't know it would benefit her father. Why is she so unlucky? Why can't she catch a break? Just when she thinks she can maybe get along with Natsu, something else comes to fuck everything up! She doesn't know what Loke will say. Will he tease him about Lu or Lucy? Probably Lu because she's sure Loke doesn't know Natsu is attached to her as Lucy too. She hopes it Lu because then Natsu won't get as angry at her when she has to see him every day.

God, this is just her luck.