Where we left off:

As soon as I saw who entered the room I nodded, "Time to see your father, miss." Virgo said as I stood up and walked after her to my father's study.


LUCY

I walked behind Virgo slowly feeling more panic build in my head. He was going to be furious with me. He was probably going to scream at me for not telling him that I went out with my new friends. Things were looking a little more dire as I walked closer to the heavy looking doors at the end of the hall way.

Virgo left me standing in front of the door of fate. I took a deep breath and I walked in slowly, "Father, you wished to see me?" I said with a little bit of a frog in my throat. It didn't go unnoticed by him that was for sure. I watched him lift his head up with a frown on his face.

"Yes. Take a seat." He spoke with a clear voice and at that point I just felt plain uncomfortable in the room. He never asked me to sit before. Most of our conversations consisted of me standing and talking to him as he sat in a chair. So, I complied to his demand that I sat across from him, fiddling with my fingers in my lap, "Do you know why you are here?"

I hesitated, "No, sir. I don't know why I'm here, but I should really be doing my work." I said trying to get out of the heat of his stare. I hated the way he looked at me when I was in trouble and he just let me feel the humiliation. I wanted out so bad.

"You went out without permission. I thought you had run away again. So, I have no choice but to punish you. No going out for the rest of the month." I heard the words, but they never really were processed in my mind. He told me I could have time with my new friends. Shouldn't he be happy that I was at least getting out and making friends, learning new things, and finally talking to people? It made me raise my head with a glare on my face.

"You said I could go out. You made a promise. You said as long as I did my work and did well I could have free time." I yelled at him and stood up out of my chair. I wanted to cry, "It's not fair!" I shouted as I ran from the room back to my bedroom where I grabbed my pillow and smashed my face into it to muffle my cries. No one ever disturbed me when I was crying. No one bothered to call me fore dinner that night either for I had decided to do my homework and cry myself to sleep.

When all was said and done I was dreaming of how free I'd be if my father hadn't found me that time I ran away. I would probably be living off the land and getting a job. I would be able to be me. The me that I always wanted to be. The me that was acceptable to myself. I didn't want to live to impress anybody. I just wanted to live and be the person that would make myself happy.


The upcoming morning came by and I didn't want to get out of bed. I wanted to stay in bed and hide from the world, but instead I took a shower and I ran down stairs for breakfast. I was excited to see my friends again. I was happy to be away from home. It now felt like school was my home away from home and it was relaxing to me. It was a weight off my shoulders to be away from home and away from all the sadness and pain that I had endured and was lurking over me like a grey cloud.

I ate breakfast and Capricorn once again drove me to school. I walked in that front door not expecting much of anything, but things were going fast. Sting was the first to meet me by my locker in the morning and he didn't notice anything was up. My suspicion was that he wasn't really the emotionally sensitive type. "Hey, Lu. So, I was thinking. Why don't we stay in the library during lunch again and you can help me with Math again."

I looked up at him for the first time since I got to school and glared, "I'm sorry, Sting. The name is Lucy and if you are going to keep calling me by that stupid nickname I will not help you at all." That made him shut up at least. He seemed to bad away from the scene of whatever crime he had committed and let me be alone. One thing I was grateful for.

I just walked to homeroom and sat in my desk. I pulled out a notebook and I wrote in it. I ignored Gajeel when he sat down and I ignored Juvia's glares. I ignored pretty much everyone and I kept my head down. I was acting like I had just been to a funeral. It felt like I had been to one to. I hadn't felt this upset in a long time. I was so happy yesterday, but seeing the smiles on their faces made her heart feel heavy. It wasn't until the teacher was done with announcements that everyone seemed to lean towards me.

Everyone seemed to know that there was something up as soon as he walked into the room, but apparently I wasn't paying attention to the massive amount of notes that he had thrown on my desk, "Sorry..." Was all I could really say.

"Don't apologize, Lu- Hey, why are you crying?" Natsu seemed a little uncomfortable, but gently put a hand on my shoulder.

"Nothing." I said as I quickly wiped my eyes and shoved my things into my bags, "I'm fine. I had a hard night at home. I'll be okay. I promise." I gave a soft smile and turned away. Natsu didn't give though he could see just how much pain I was in, he had been there before. He had been in the position of the lonely kid. I felt two strong arms wrap around my shoulders and I was a little shocked when I looked up and saw him hugging me.

His eyes looked into hers and I couldn't tell what he was thinking. We had just met yesterday, so this was so unexpected to me. My heart was leaping inside my chest. He had such a serious look that it almost put her on edge. He gave a soft smile and then spoke, "You don't have to lie, you know. I don't know what happened, but we will all be here for you when you want to talk about it."

I don't know what it was about those words, but my heart was feeling so much lighter. I felt like I wasn't being dragged down, "Thanks, Natsu. You can, uhm, let go now." I chuckled and gave a wholehearted smile, "I'll tell you in Chem, okay?"

Natsu nodded his head and let go, "Of course." He gave a childish grin and it melted my cold heart. It almost melted me in general. It was so bright and warm. It felt almost like an invitation, but I was going to fight that off. I didn't want to end up getting hurt and there was jut so much confusion around Sting and Natsu right now.

It was only a few seconds of us smiling at each other when Gray barged in to ruin Natsu's fun, "Natsu! Why did you tie my shoelaces together!?" Well, that would explain why I didn't see him in the room up until this point. I gave a look to Gray's feet and I was laughing, "What's so funny, Lucy!?" I guess my laugh was contagious because everyone in the room started laughing at the guy who was falling over.

"Nothing is funny, Gray. Nothing at all. Just I didn't expect this to happen. I haven't expected a lot to happen." I said happily before adding on, "Don't you think you deserve it though. I mean, you did tie up Natsu yesterday. So, you were kind of asking for it." I chuckled.

At that point Natsu and Gray started a brawl in the middle of the classroom, calling each other names like stripper and pyro. It was kind of relaxing to see them fighting. Inside, I was cheering on Natsu, but on the outside I kept a disinterested look because any minute now Erza was goign to barge in and they were going to hug each other like scared little girls.


Chemistry came quickly and I was talking with Natsu as we were doing a lab. He brought up the subject, but I continued the conversation, "So, Luigi. What was up with you this morning? I mean, you seemed out of it yesterday, but today you just seem upset." He spoke with a note of concern on his voice.

I went stiff as I tried to compose myself while stirring different chemicals, "Well, my dad. It's been difficult the past few years. My mother died around two three years ago now and I had ran away from home a few months afterwards because well. I had no one to talk to." My eyes focused in on what i was doing, "Sometimes, I wish that things would've been better if I would've stayed gone." I put down the flask so I wouldn't drop it with the shakes that my hand was giving off, "Last night my father thought I ran away again and forbade me to go out for the rest of the month. So, I'm back trapped in a lonely hell. I told you guys I should've told him I was going out."

Natsu sighed and smiled, "Sounds like you got the short end of the stick, but hey. Just because you can't go out doesn't mean you can't have a good time, right? I mean, we could always come hang out with you."

Those words made me shudder, if I wasn't already under strict watch now I would be put in solitary confinement for the rest of my life if a bunch of hooligans came up into my home, "I really dont' think that's a good idea. I mean, my father would have my head." I rubbed the back of my neck and then sighed, "Though, I guess I'd be okay with you guys coming over. If only he could see how happy I am around you guys. I can tell he misses my smile too. It's not something I do a lot since my mother died."

Natsu understood, "When my dad died I didn't have anyone besides Lisanna. Their family kind of took me in up until a couple years ago. I never knew my mother and I felt truly alone, so I know what it's like to feel like you are alone. Everything happens for a reason though, amiright?" He smiled that warm smile again and I melted and smiled back

"Yeah, everything happens for a reason." I repeated and then we got back to work. We ended up finishing the lab just in time to get to lunch before everyone else. Sting was sitting at our table and it almost made me sick. I would have to endure the flirting and I could always give him the cold shoulder like I did this morning. Was this how I was running away from my problems? I guess everyone is entitled to their own couping mechanism. This was just mine.

Sting was constantly trying to conversate with everyone at the table and I was talking with Natsu, Gray and Erza about our trip out last night and how I wouldn't be able to join them for the rest of the month. Sting tapped me on the shoulder seeing that I was in a better mood and tried to talk. Me being the nice person I was decided to talk to him, "Hey, Sting. Sorry about blowing up on you earlier. I'm not a morning person." I lied because I loved the mornings. I loved waking up and I loved how warm the sun felt.

"I see. I'll have to write that down, Lucy. Just so it doesn't happen again because that was scary. I thought you were going to bit my head off." He smirked and I rolled my eyes, "Oh come on it's a harmless joke. Rogue would've laughed. Well, more like sigh with a smile on his face, but not my point." His eyes move behind me to see how Natsu was reacting and seemed to like what he was doing to him, "Want to help me with my Math. I couldn't figure out the last problem in our homework."

I nodded, "Let me see what you did so far and I can help you out from there." Sting got out his papers and he really did need help this time. He was truly confused on what he was doing. If I was honest I had trouble doing it at home as well. Thank god I had my tutor around.

When I was done helping him he got up and walked away. Apparently Rogue was picking him up for lunch. As soon as he was gone Lisanna moved over from another table and sat beside Natsu who was looking at me with a curious expression. He was definitely still trying to figure me out, "What was that about? You know you don't have to be nice to him right?" He sounded almost angry.

I raised an eyebrow, "Well, I don't have to wipe my butt either, but you know it's kind of a personal preference of mine." I heard a chuckle come from the other side of me and I saw Levy trying to hold herself together and it had Gajeel laughing and that made me chuckle, "I'm sorry for breaking Gajeel." That comment got the whole table laughing.

Natsu laughed, "Yep, you are an angel of goodness." He rolled his eyes and playfully hit my shoulder, "I can appreciate your sass after that comment."

I looked into Natsu's eyes and blushed. I had to make a quick escape so I looked at Gray, "Hey, Gray. How is your art project going?" I could see confusion rising in Natsu's eyes as I looked past his face and to Gray. He looked kind of cute, but the jealous vibes were getting to me. I squirmed away from him, but I felt something on my wrist squeezing softly, almost protectively.

I didn't want to look down so I kept looking as Gray as he answered, "It's going good. I finish Juvia, so I just need you, but you can go out with us, so I was wondering if I could take you during a few lunch periods to do you. Would that be okay?"

I nodded, "Uhm, of course it would be okay." I went to scratch my cheek, but the weight on my arm made me confused so I finally looked down and raised up my other hand to scratch my cheek, "Yeah, that would be fine." I said looking back at Gray.

Gray looked at me and smiled, "That's great! Thanks, Lucy."

I put my hand over Natsu's and looked up at him, "Uh, no problem, Gray." Why was he holding onto my arm like I was trying to run away. I didn't know why, but it hurt me in some strange way. Was it because I told him I wanted to still be gone earlier. Everyone turned to regular conversation and I ate with the the hand that wasn't currently being held protectively. This guy I swear. What was with him. Why did he make the color come and go from my life. Why did the heat from his hand make everything seem so bright. Why did everyone make me so happy, but it was mostly him. I stayed the entire time while all the girls seemed to disappear and Lisanna went to go be with her family.

Natsu was still holding my arm and I sighed, "I'm going to go to the bathroom." Only when I said that did he reluctantly look down at his hand and let go.

"See you in Math, Luce." He smiled and I got up and waved back at him.

"I'll see you." I smiled and then ran off to the bathroom with my book bag and I rubbed my wrist. My heart was pounding. I never felt like this before. It was that awkward empty feeling. Almost like she was missing a huge part of her life. I was feeling the panic build in my chest. I took a deep breath and then walked to my locker to get my new books. I was going to have to get over this. Sting was by my locker around five minutes after I arrive and I asked, "Hey, How is Rogue doing?"

Sting smiled, "As good as ever. I miss Saber High. I want to move back, but into their district. All my friends miss me." He sighed, "If I'm honest, I moved to this school to make Natsu mad." He chuckled, "I think he is kind of weak."

I wasn't the least bit surprised, "Well, you clearly are succeeding. He was so mad about me being nice to you that he yelled at me." I rolled my eyes and then walked with Sting to Math. Natsu was already there. He had to look at me when I entered. I walked to me seat and then I just starred out the window. There was a lot going on in my head. When the bell rang I was humming a song under my breath.

I started paying attention and when the teacher let us work in groups Natsu turned to me, "Wanna work together?" I nodded and we pulled our desks together and we barely talked, but I was okay with that. We would ask each other the occasional question, but besides that that was our work time. It felt almost as awkward as watching Erza and jellal in history today. They were flirting so hard that I was pretty sure if the teacher hadn't been watching they'd be making out.

When the bell rung I ignored Sting because once again Natsu had my wrist in his hand. It felt like he was trying to protect me from the blonde boy somehow. I looked into his eyes and I even saw it. When Sting left his hand trailed into my hand and squeezed. What was he trying to do to me?

I gulped and grabbed my bag and tried to worm my way out of his hold, but it didn't work. I guess it was okay for friends to hold hands, right? This felt weird though. I shook my head and then walked with him towards the gym. That would be the last time that I would see Natsu today, or at least that's what I thought.


A/N: Hey, everyone!

Oh, what's Natsu going to do and why did Sting want to make Natsu mad. Why is Natsu truly all hand on deck for Lucy. I guess we will find out in the next chapter. Is Sting going to try to hurt Lucy somehow? I don't even know yet, but yes. There will probably be some bullying within the next chapter so watch out if that's triggering. If there is I will write a warning before a chapter. I hope you guys are having a good time!

Much Love,

~StellarLucy