2 weeks have passed since Natsu had appeared and we weren't any closer than we had been the first week. We only say the occasional hello or good morning. Whenever he sees me trip or fall or whatever (because the time he caught me was not my first clumsy accident) he would rush over and ask if I was alright and I always was. Even if I wasn't I wouldn't worry him. I had been a klutz my whole life. My mother would even say the first time I walked I feel on my face but only cried a short time before bursting into a giggle fit.

I miss her. Everyday. Her death really did change me. I still remember the way she smelled and how she could always make me smile. The only people who had known my mother are Gray and Levy. Levy met her right before she passed but Gray knew her as long as I did.

I had always been close with Silver and Mika, but after she passed they were truly second parents. Whenever the Heartfillia manor reminded me too much of my beloved mother I would stay at the Fullbuster's. Gray would stay by my side as I cried myself to sleep. When my dad was too busy to be a father, Silver was there. It was fair though since Gray took advantages like this with Layla. Though I had Spetto, Mika is a very important figure in my life.

Levy and I had become friends short of 5 months before Layla passed. Despite that, Levy had already grown great affection and admiration for Layla. Whenever I invited Levy over to my house we'd run to the library and spend hours just browsing. Often my mother would come in and tell us stories about mages and far off places called guilds. Of course, those are just stories. We would laugh and play for hours in the extravagant library.

I got so lost in thinking about my mother and reflecting on the past and didn't even realize the time. "IT'S 7:59! OH NO!" I leaped out of bed throwing on my clothes and brushing my teeth. Luckily my hair was already nice enough that I could just pull it into a side braid. I ran out the door without even grabbing a granola bar. It was 8:04 and I had a very important train to catch as always.

As I ran into the station I spotted a familiar figure. It was him. It was blondie. He was sitting at the exact same bench he had sat at when I saw him more than 2 weeks ago. I had been coming every single week since then and never saw him. I slowly move to the bench and sat as far away as I could. He was looking down into his phone, smiling as he fastly typed someone. Freed Justine, perhaps? I smiled at the thought. He finally noticed me and looked up. His eyes friendlier than last time. I smile.

"Do you remember who I am?" I asked genuinely curious.

"Of course, the girl who was creepily watching me as I read a magazine article" He joked half serious half not.

I laughed at that replying "I am sorry about that by the way. May I ask a question that may seem a little odd?"

His forehead creased but he nodded indicating I could indeed ask my question.

"Who is Freed Justine to you?" I asked with a sly smile on my face.

He merely looked down, his hands covering most of his face but I could see he was smiling. "Freed is my best friend." He said shyly.

"Oh just a friend?" I said with a smirk

He looked at me, he was blushing. Hard. "No, not just a friend. He is… the love of my life, but nobody can know. It's kinda a secret."

I put a finger to my lip and said "I won't tell a soul" I stood to get up and walk towards the oncoming train.

He yelled from behind "What is your name?"

"Lucy. And yours?"

"Laxus. Laxus Dreyar." he said with a wide smile.

Dreyar. He was related to my teacher? What a small world. I thought as I entered the train. I took a seat on the right side of the door. I glanced at my watch. 8:16.

I arrived at the academy with Cana, Erza, Levy, and Mira waiting for me. Three of them were giggling but Erza held out her hand to a hidden figure. As I got closer I realized the figure was Juvia and Erza had her hand reaching for what appeared to be a strawberry cake. Oh, Erza.

"I WON IT FAIR AND SQUARE, ERZA" Juvia pouted while yelling.

"But I am soo hungry. That bet wasn't eve-" Erza got cut off by Mira calmly saying "Erza. It's Juvia's now. Maybe you could ask for a piece?"

Juvia nodded and turned from Mira to Erza. "You can have a big piece, Erz." Juvia smiled and then turned when she finally spotted me, everyone turned to me to and let out big smiles. Gray even came out from who knows where and kissed me on the cheek. Only to later run over to Juvia and give a big fat one on the lips. Pda, much?

Loke came from behind me and hugged. Pressing his body against mine. I roughly pushed him off. Loke was a big player, even though he could be kind and never messed with a girl's heart. He just dated a lot of girls. Like a lot. The last girl he was know to be dating was is a some girl named Aries. I had know Loke a very long time. His foster parents and Layla were very close. So we would often have playdates and such. Lots of people say that Loke had a thing for me and that's why he never stayed with one girl. That's just gossip though.

"Oh, come on baby." He said jokingly

The warning bell rang and we all migrated to the classroom. Everyone was already there. Except Gajeel. Levy looked all around until she realized he wasn't here and her face dropped. I patted her shoulder. We all took our seats. Natsu entered a little earlier than did. He was alone. Where was Lisanna? I looked at him confused and he seemed to read my expression well. He didn't respond though. Which was odd.

I didn't really care where she was. Or what she needed. I was just curious. I had nothing against Lisanna but there was something… off about her. Fake, perhaps? Maybe she was just too nice I laughed.

Class lagged on and so did next period and the period and the period after that until finally school was overed. I raced out, ready to go home and drown in my homework from the day. Levy caught me and seemed… distant. I invited her to come over and she agreed. Something was off with my best friend and I didn't know what.

As we ascended up the stairs and into my room I gently closed the door. Levy slowly moved to my bed, almost like a zombie. I moved over the my bluenette and sat down next to her. She looked up at me and her eyes were red and tears started to fall heavily from them. She fell into my chest and I wrapped my arms around her. "What is it, beautiful?"

She was quiet for a long time as she continued to sob. Her sobs gradually got quieter until she pushed herself gently out of my arms and looked at me once more. I whipped the last tear from her cheek and she rub her snotty nose on her school-issued cardigan sleeve. "Gajeel… He… He..." Her face broke as she said the words. "...He has l...lead...lead poisoning. He drank some bad water that was contaminated and…" She looked down at her knees. "He is in the hospital, Lucy. Unconscious. They wouldn't let me see him. His father, Metalicana Redfox was so apologetic when he called after school. It's… those stupid doctors. I need to see him. My… My Gajeel."

I knew how Levy felt about Gajeel. Love wasn't strong enough. How she felt for him couldn't be summed up in words. She loved his affectionate nicknames like Shrimp and Shortie. She loved when he would pick her up teasingly. She loved she could never stay mad at him because he never left her side so she just ended up forgiving him. The way he would lovingly look at her as she read he books even though he thought she didn't seem him look. Most of all, she loved how she was one of the only people to make Gajeel a better person. I knew how heartbroken she is feeling. "Levy… He will be okay. Fiore has some of the best doctors in the entire world. Elfman had lead poisoning when he was younger and he is completely fine. I know you're worried but it's gonna be alright. You'll see him soon. That's a promise." She leaned back on me and I stroked her hair until she fell asleep and the tears stained her fair skinned cheeks that were now bright red after all the crying. I feel asleep a little time after, only to get awaken by a phone call by none other than Natsu.

I could barely find my voice when I answered but I managed to squeak out a little "Hello?"

I have been enjoying writing this fanfic. Within two days I am already coming out with chapter 3.

I have already gotten some kind feedback and follows and this is only chapter 3. I know I am not the best writer, but please remember that this is my first story. I love criticism and lovely feedback, but don't be too harsh to the others. You can be as critical as you want to me.

Thank you! ~El