Disclaimer: I don't own Fairy Tail and it's characters. Honor belongs solely to the great Hiro Mashima.

*after countless editing and review, finally here it is

Chapter Three - If it ain't love then what? (LEVY POV)

I have and will always love books. I love all genres from obscure myths to the latest magical theory. As time passed, I came to be fond of different fiction stories too, and as I grew into a woman I came to adore love stories the most.

Over time I've come to perceive things most people wouldn't want to be noticed, and the more carefully they hid things the clearer it came to be. Maybe I easily learned how to distinguish these things because of how I came to observe people over the top of my books. Maybe it has something to do with my magic. Most of the times though, I think I only ended up learning people's secrets due to pure dumb luck.

Once I accidentally stumbled on a blue haired gorgeous college male student confess to Erza. (Let me tell you, I was really glad I was short and they couldn't see me beyond the really tall flowers once I realized the guy was the famous Jellal) I've had the horror of witnessing again another equally private confession of a shy dark haired guy to a certain shy curvy cowgirl. (I still pray everyday they never find out about this especially the said cowgirl Bisca) I've watched on in absolute bafflement how the new transfer student Juvia came to follow Gray nearly everywhere. (Or maybe stalking is the right term for what she was doing, considering how even she would hover a corridor away from the male restroom where the ice mage would go to) I have caught sight of the reknowed Laxus carefully picking a bouquet of wildflowers, which I later found in a pretty vase in Mirajane's room. (I, of course wisely kept my mouth shut and my thoughts to myself) I once spotted Cana happily drinking alcohol with an older guy named Bacchus. (I nearly made myself known to them when I saw the guy looking like a sly salaryman but it turns out he was just 3 years older and came from an internship interview)

After all these strange coincedences, that could have killed me if I was discovered I'm sure. I came to know that different women will have their own unique charm whenever they are hiding or unable to hide their love. Whether it's the blush on a grinning Cana (not because of the alcohol, mind you), up to the delicate teary look of Erza finally hearing the words of love from her childhood crush. I've seen it all and at times, I've accidentally seen reflected on glass my own look of aching for that person so far out of your reach.

Despite all of this, I have never seen such naked emotion of love and denial til I saw my best friend Lucy look out the library window. I have always found the blonde to be pretty, but on that day I saw for myself how a girl truly can be so glaringly beautiful when they are in love and so saddeningly delicate when heartbroken.

My eyes had caught sight on, how my best friend was blushing while looking out to the sports field. The summer light was covering her in a golden hue for a brief moment, just as I saw her eyes glitter like stars with admiration and love. I saw her stare so hard and longingly at a certain salmon haired fire mage that I couldn't help but blush at the frank emotions. I observed as her face transitioned from a blushing maiden in love into a pale faced lady realizing the true depths of her affection for a guy when it is all too late.

I saw her eyes darken heavily just like when the night sky hides its stars from sight. (I thought to myself right then and there, so this is what my fave author meant 'even in distress she was a goddess'.) I spied on as she bit on her quivering lower lip, how she looked so fragile with the aggrieved whisper of "please don't" flowing out of her mouth.

In worry, I had quickly reached out to her. I witnessed how she looked at me with shock, then as quickly paled up even more as if her greatest secret had been revealed to the whole world. I froze up at the sight because, that was when I knew with absolute certainty that my best friend never wanted anyone to know how she really felt, most especially herself. I couldn't help myself from making comparisons on how my own shy self kept on hiding away from the one guy that had caught my attention and heart due to to fear of rejection.

I then realized I had subconciously reached out to my best friend, not to force her to say out loud and accept the truth of what she was feeling, but to have her just talk to me. Looking at her, I couldn't help myself from the thoughts that such strong raw emotions should never have to be kept hidden in like that.

'I don't ever want you to think love can't be beautiful and free. So my sweet friend let's talk I am here for you and I understand, all too well.'