"Well…" He sighed.

I patiently waited, knowing that this would be hard for him to talk about. He stared off into the lake. Then he smiled and then looked down at his feet and then at me. "She ended things. She said Elfman was only a small part of it. She said it was all of our fights and issues put together into one gigantic problem. She said she wasn't happy. So I let her end it. I let her walk away." He chuckled and then buried his face in his hands. "I miss her, but at the same time I'm… Happy? Relieved? Satisfied? I guess when you love somebody as much as I've loved her, all you want for them is pure, undeniable happiness. Even if that happiness isn't because of you." He went back to smiling at the lake.

I couldn't help but smile at Natsu. He really was a great guy. "Are you alright?"

He looked at me again. One tear fell from his left eye. His black eyes stared at me and they gave me goosebumps. "Natsu…" I said as I cautiously moved towards him. I kneeled down beside him so I could look up at him. I wiped away one of his tears and cupped his face. "You're going to be okay. I don't know when. Or how you'll begin to feel better, but you will be okay."

He looked at me, a look of pain took over his face. He looked at me and we just stayed like that. After what had seemed like hours. He stood up and looked down at me. All he said was thank you and then he walked away. I contemplated following him, but he needed to be alone. I walked around the lake for a little longer and checked my watch. 9:24. I should start heading home, I thought.

I arrived back at the Heartfillia Household at 9:58. I raced up to my room, I wanted to relax and clear my head. I laid down on my bed and closed my eyes. Then, a thought popped into my head. My mother's note from the first day of school… I never read it. I jumped out of my comfy bed and began to move to my backpack. I reached in and removed everything. Where was it? Then I remembered there was a secret compartment in my backpack that was zipped up. I slowly unzipped and saw the old, slightly aged envelope.

I stared at it until I finally opened it. It was fragile and yellowed from age. It read:

My dearest Lucy,

If you're reading this, then I couldn't personally wish you good luck on your first day of high school. Watching you grow was like watching a flower blossom. Closed off and only slightly colored, but as time passed you opened up and became colorful, bright, lovely, and beautiful. I know your father hasn't always been the first person to go to in your time of need, but if I am not there… he is all you have. Of course, there is Gray and his family. Who have been rather loving towards you. I wish you the best of luck. In everything, Everyday, I hope you see something you've never seen before. Experience something you've never experienced before. Fall in love with people, things you never thought you could love. Find yourself a little more each day. Become someone who can make a difference in this world. Continue doing things you love, yes I do mean fishing. I know you Lucy. I know when I pass, you'll feel alone, but I need you to remember, I will always be with you. Forever. You can't get rid of me too easily. I am always going to be a part of you. Even though as I write this, I am dying. Know I love you, my darling girl. Through all the pain life has caused me, you… you were the brightest thing in my life. Tell Gray I say hello.

P.S. If you ever meet a boy, ask Spetto for my letter. I made one for every occasion, school dances, graduation, your first boyfriend, college, your engagement, your marriage, your first child. (Plus so many more, you have nooo idea) I wanted to be with you through it all but that is the best I could do.

Love, Layla

I crawled back into back and covered my mouth and just cried. I missed her. The letter, even smelled like her. I looked back at the letter, this was one of the only things I had left of my beloved mother…

*RING RING: IT'S LEVY! IT'S LEVY! PICK UP, PICK UP!" I smiled at her silly self-recored ring tone. I answered with a simple "hello" with a little sniffle.

"Hey, Lucy."

"Hellooo Levy. How is Gajeel?"

"He's being released today… I am soooo relieved."

"That's so great, Lev."

"Oh, I got to go. Can we hang soon?"

"Obviously."

She laughed and then hung up.

I decided to call Lisanna, I don't know why but I wanted to make sure she was alright. I swiped through my contacts I came upon Strauss. I had Elfman's, Lisanna's, and Mia's. I choose Lisanna's contact and let it ring. She picked up quickly and said "Natsu?!"

"Uh… No. Lucy."

"Oh I am so sorry. I didn't check the caller ID and I just thought Natsu would have called…"

"I was under the impression you two broke up…Are you alright?"

She laughed falsely, "Ummm where did you hear we broke up?"

"...Natsu…" I said with immediate regret.

There was silence and then she said "Okay. Gotta run. Talk soon. K?"

When she hung up, I immediately called Natsu, but his line was busy… Did I mess something up. It's not like I heard a rumour. I heard it from the guy, himself. Now I was just confused and had a gigantic migraine. I laid back down, waiting for someone to call and yell at me. My phone vibrated a few minutes later, turns out it was Gray.

"Gray! Hi. How are you? We haven't talked in forever." I was so happy he called, I missed him.

"Lucy… What have you done?" His voice sounded grim and not at all welcoming.

"W- what?"

"Lisanna. Natsu."

"What about them?"

"What did you say to Lisanna?"

I was beyond confused at this point. Gray was my best friend. Sure, he was friendly with Lisanna but he was always on my side except this time I didn't know why there were sides. Him and Natsu were closer friends than him and Lisanna.

"I didn't say anything… I just asked her if she was okay about Natsu… since they broke up..."

"You heard they broke up from whom?"

"Natsu. Not a rumour. Not gossip. Not from the guy who delivers my mail. Natsu, the guy who went through it."

He was quiet. "You shouldn't have said anything. I don't think him and Lisanna officially ended and I think you just freaked her out…" He said his voice calmer, but still harsh.

"Gray… I ummm… I have to go… Do some stuff. Yeah. Talk later."

"Stop. What's wrong?"

"What? Nothing."

"I know you were crying right before I called, because I heard the smallest little sniffle. You try to hide that stuff, but you can't. Not with me."

Why did he have to know me so well? "I am fine. Nothing to worry about. Goodbye."

"Lu-" I hung up the phone before he could protest.

I laid in bed looking over the letter my mom had left for me. She wanted to stay apart of my life and this is how she thought to do it… My thoughts were interrupted by frantic doorbell ringing and since it was Sunday, the whole Heartfillia crew was off. I sped down the stairs, with the letter still in my hand and opened the door. In front of me was a panting, worn out Gray.

I stared at him as he continued to pant and raise his finger, indicating he just needed another moment. He did this several times.

When he finally was able to breathe, somewhat normally, he looked at me and stood up straight. "What's wrong, Lu?"

"You sprinted all the way over here just to ask that?"

"Well I love you. You weren't ok, so… what's wrong?"

"Why did you take her side? Why did you think I did something to Natsu and Lisanna?"

He looked at me with an apologetic expression. "I am so so sorry, Lu. I didn't know the whole story. I called Natsu and he explained it all. I am so sorry, but you were crying befor-" just then he noticed the letter in my hand."What's that?"

I hesitated, but I gave him the letter and allowed him to take his time reading it.

"Oh my… Mavis… Lu, I am so sorry. I ambushed you and you had just read and were dealing with this…" He fell to the ground. "I am sooo sorry. Please forgive me."

I lifted him up by his elbow and pulled him into a hug. "There is nothing to forgive, Gray. You didn't know."

He looked at me and gave me the smile I loved so much. Just then another figure came racing up my walkway…

"Na- Natsu? How did you know I lived here…?"

"I know you're a Heartfillia and not a Masuko."

My eyes went wide. How could he know who I actually was? Only Levy, Cana, Juvia, Gray, Mia, and Erza knew. Well I guess now Natsu was the 8th to find out.

"I don't understand…"