A/N-Omg Sorry it took me so long to the people who have read this. I had terrible writers block and school. I really am sorry and I hope you can forgive me. I will update much more since summer school is over and I am much more free. So please continue to read.
And thanks for all the supporters for this story and I am grateful to all.
A Ball was something that Lucy didn't need. She thought that she'd be spending time with Erza but it looked like that wasn't the case for her at all. For the rest of the evening she spent looking threw the house. Erza was nowhere to be found at this time and Lucy had a little spot of worry in her. "I wonder what her secret is...?" Lucy said while looking threw the library.
Just then Erza's mom came into the room. "Oh Lucy," she said cheerfully. Lucy jumped back almost knocking over some books.
"M-miss Scarlet you startled me..."
"Sorry my dear. I didn't mean to. So I heard that Erza told you about the ball tonight."
"Yeah but I didn't think she bring me here for that..."
"Well actually there's something that we're announcing tonight and we want all our friends to hear it."
"Is it that big?"
"Yup. For us it is anyway. I don't think Erza is to happy about it though. She has always been difficult. But I have confidence that she will behave since you are here Lucy."
"Yeah..."
"Well I have to get back to finishing our dresses. I can't wait to show you yours."
"Wait," Lucy said before she left. "Y-you made me a dress."
"Yes. It;s beautiful and I know you'll like it. You'll see it before the ball. Well I better get going. I'll see you later Lucy." Lucy nodded her head and Erza's mom left with a skip in her step.
"I wonder what kind of dress she made me...I hope it's not to over made..."
As the evening came Lucy was still in the library reading all the books she could. Reading was something that calmed Lucy's mind when she became nervous about things. ' World Adventures' was one of the books title. She read it intently. It was the first book she was introduced to before her mother die. Lucy had always wanted to travel the world and learn new magical spells. The only thing keeping her back was her father; a relationship that was always rocky. He wanted to keep her in line and often ruled her life. "One day I'll go to these places and be free..."
Soon images of Natsu came through her head. He and her always talked about going out into the world together when they finished school. She knew though that this dream would never come true and that she would most likely not go or just be alone if she does. Before she felt her tears coming back Erza came library in a panic. "Hide me Lucy!" she said closing the archway doors.
"Erza...You look beautiful..." And so she did. Erza wore a silky red dress that had rubies implanted on the stomach line. One the chest of her dress was a rose that had the fragrant of a real flower. On her hands was a matching color of cloves.
"Just help me Lucy..."
"Why?"
"My mom made a hat with this damn dress. It looks terrible..."
"Oh come on Erza. I'm sure that it will look great on you."
"Oh your saying that now but just wait till you see the dress she made you."
"...What do you mean?"
"Your dress is much more artsy than mine. That was the dress she spent the longest on."
Lucy froze with worriment. When Erza's mom was creating something for a long time, one could tell that she was doing many weird things to it. One time Lucy remember when her mom created her a stuffed animal for her birthday. Instead of making a specific kind of animal she decided to combine 6 animals. It didn't turn out terrible but Lucy never really did play with it after her birthday. "Oh come on..." Lucy said daringly. "I'm sure it won't be to weird."
"Hahah we'll see. I mean she made them after I called you so she had to work on them fast. Just wait to you see her dress. It is the weirdest of the three despite her not having worked on it as long."
Just then a loud banging came from the door. "Erza...Come put on this hat right now!"
"No it's ugly!"
"How dare you say that about my work! If you don't put it on I will ground you!"
"Fine do that. That way I won't have to go to the Ball!"
Erza's mom sighed. "Fine," she said. "You don't have to put on the hat but you better be on your best behavior tonight. Now please open the door so I can show Lucy her dress." Erza ignored Lucy plea not to open the door and smiled. "Ahh Lucy my dear," she said smiling. "I have created the perfect dress for you."
"...Why thank you Miss Scarlet and um...I must say you look nice." Nice in a strange way was what Lucy meant. Her moms dress was nice but it was weirdly made. Her dress was apple green. Around the waste were small apples. Around the full dress were dots of dark green.
"Hehe thank you Lucy. I made it uniquely."
"Yeah uniquely strange."
"Be quiet," she said looking at Erza annoyed. "Anyway Lucy here is your dress." A maid came in holding a black dress. The maid held up the dress and Lucy's mouth dropped. The dress had spider on the chest of the dress. A flower belt was en-carved in it around the stomach line. The body of the dress was wavy with little diamonds. "Isn't it beautiful?" she asked Lucy while starring at the dress happily.
"Yeah..It's really nice." Lucy thought what she said but didn't feel like the dress would suit her.
"Mom we're not going to a Halloween party!"
"I know but I wanted to make Lucy look amazing. I just made it a little different."
"You put a spider on the front."
"That's to made Lucy look more seductive."
"But..."
"Now no more questions Erza. Let's see how Lucy fits in it." The maid directed Lucy to the bathroom and handed her the dress to get changed. After a few minutes Lucy came out looking like a Halloween princess. Her hair had was tied up in two buns and strings of her hair hung down to make her look a little darker. "My dear you look beautiful. And tying the hair up was even smarter." She turned to Erza. "Doesn't she look nice?"
"Yes she does but she doesn't look like she's going to a Ball and neither do your or I."
"Oh enough Erza. Now let's go have some fun. I can't wait to see your father."
"Dad's going to be there?"
"Of course he is honey. You didn't think he was going to miss out did you?"
Erza didn't answer and put her head down. Lucy wanted to ask her if she was okay but she has this feeling that Erza would just tell her a lie. She always told lies when she didn't want anyone to know how she felt.
"Alright girls. Let's head to the car and go to the ball."The girls followed her outside and a car was waiting for them. Erza's mom sat in the front while Lucy and Erza sat in the back.
There was no conversation for the whole ride. Lucy couldn't take waiting for the secret. She wanted to know what her best friend was hiding from her. Despite this Lucy was also excited for the Ball. She had never been to one and seeing how it was different from a dance made her excitement go up.
The Ball was being held in a palace that was also owned by Erza's family. They created this place just for the parties they held. It shined like gold. In front of it was large steps that had bright lights next to them. A fountain was at the bottom of the steps surround by a stone pavement. The cars slowly pulled up and when the trio finally got out Lucy's eyes sparkled at the amazement of this building. "Wow Erza. Did your mom make this to?" Erza embarrassingly nodded. "It's amazing!"
Erza's mom seemed to hear Lucy compliment and gave a radiant smile as she pass the two. "Now ladies everyone looks to already be inside. They will announce us and you to Lucy."
"Me?"
"Well you are like a family to us so it makes sense," Erza said.
"Thank you," Lucy said smiling and blushing.
Already inside Gray and Loke were flirting with girls. Gray however was bored at the constant girly personalities coming his way. "Loke why are we here?" he asked impatiently.
"Why are you asking me that?" Loke asked while holding a girl.
"Well your parents I can understand being her since they are friends with the Scarlet family but Erza and you are enemies. She hates you right?"
"Yes she does. But I'm here for a completely different reason."
"And what reason is that?"
"I hear to ruin it."
"Ruin what?"
But before Loke answered the loud noises of a trumpet played. "Hello everyone," a short man said. "I would like to introduce to you the Scarlet family and a friend. First Miss Sam Scarlet." Sam came down the steps to the dance floor waving elegantly at everyone as they smiled and clapped to her. They all seemed to enjoy her dress much to Erza's surprise. "Next Miss Erza Scarlet." Erza wouldn't move so Lucy had to give her a little push. She almost tripped down the stairs but maintained her balanced and walked passed people giving them a smile. "And finally Miss Lucy Heartfillia. Friend of Erza Scarlet." Lucy nervously came out. She smiled slowly walked down the steps with a frozen expression, thinking that everyone thought she looked weird. But suddenly everyone cheered and clapped for her.
"Hey is that Lucy?" Loke asked as he pushed a girl away from kissing him. "Wow she looks good."
"Y-yeah she does..." Gray kept looking at Lucy as she came down the red floored steps onto the tile dance floor. His eyes kept in locked with her unique features.
"See I told you they'd like your dresses. You two were amazing."
"So um...were's dad?"
"He'll be here before the party is over. Now I want you two to mingle around. It's good to have friends in high places." The girls nodded there head but when she left Erza tugged Lucy over to her to a corner.
"What is it Erza?'
"Nothing but I need you to stick with me okay..."
"Alright..."
Just then two guys came over to the pair. "My my you two look beautiful."
"T-thank you," Erza said in a cute yet fake way.
"Would you like dance with us?" the second one asked. Lucy motioned her head and soon the first guy whisked her away from Erza, who tried to stop them from leaving. "Now my dear let's dance."
"B-but," Erza stuttered. Soon she to found herself being walked over to the middle of the dance floor.
Suddenly elegant music began to play and both Erza and Lucy danced themselves away in a happy manner. Lucy peered over to Erza and saw the girl actually having some fun. She was happy she forced this on her friend and made her live a little. She to was having a lot of fun herself. The boy she was with was handsome and charming. His orange hair gleamed from the lighting and his blue eyes stayed fixed on Lucy.
"Wow they look like there having fun," Loke said.
"Y-yeah...To much fun if you ask me..."
"Is that a hint of jealousy I hear in your voice?"
Gray ignored him and left him to his flirting and went to Lucy. "Excuse me but may I dance with her?" he said tapping the guy on the shoulder.
"Gray!" Lucy said startled.
Lucy shook her head but the boy was to dense to notice. "Sure. I can find another partner," he said with a stupid grin.
Gray smiled as the boy left. Lucy stared at him angrily as he left to flirt with some other girls. "So he's that type of guy..." Just then Lucy found herself dancing with Gray. "What the hell are you doing here?"
"I'm attending the Ball."
"But you weren't even invited!"
"Yeah but Loke got me in here. Why are you jealous that I might get a girl to date me?" he said jokingly.
"No. I'm more worried that a girl would want a guy like you."
'Well Lucy just because you lost a good catch doesn't mean you have to be so mean," he chuckled. As they were spinning Lucy took this moment to step on his foot. "Oww! Would you please stop hurting me!"
"Why? Obviously you didn't learn your lesson on the train.."
"I did and I must say that if it wasn't for Loke my knee would never get better. You really hurt me Lucy and you will regret that."
"That only thing I regret is ever knowing you."
"Now that's a little harsh. Besides what would my dear friend Natsu say about how his girl has lost her softness."
"Well I don't want to break your bubble but Natsu and I are no longer together!" she shouted. Lucy then pushed Gray away from her as he looked at her shocked.
"You guys aren't together?" he asked.
"No so if you want to make fun of me go ahead!" Lucy then turned around only to find Erza starring at her right in the face. "E-erza..."
"Lucy..." she said. "...What are you talking about? What do you mean you and Natsu aren't together anymore...?" Everyone stopped and looked at the trio. Lucy turned to Gray and gave him a malevolent stare. Hatred went through her spine for him.
"I'm sorry," she said turning back to Erza. "I'm so sorry for not..." Tears soon came down her face and she rushed through the crowd of people who watched as she left the Ball. Erza quickly ran after her but when she reached the steps she was stopped by Loke.
"Hey Erza.."
"Not now Loke.."
"Look we need to talk."
"About what?" she asked trying to move him out of the way.
"About the arrangement your dad made for you."
"Look I don't have time for this. I need to go find Lucy." She shoved Loke to the side which caused him to almost fall over.
"Sheesh I'll never get a chance to talk to her." Gray came behind Loke and watched as Erza left. "What's the matter with you Gray?"
"They broke up..."
"Who?"
"Lucy and Natsu."
"What!"
Lucy kept running until she came upon the water fountain and sat down on it's stones. This whole time she had tried to get Natsu out of her head but that was something that wouldn't happen. She truly had loved him more than anyone. He was the only one she wanted to be with. To make matters worse Erza had to find out. She would probably hate Lucy now for not telling her. "You know crying never solves anything." Lucy slowly turned around to that familiar voice.
"L-Lisanna," Lucy said getting up. Soon her surprised faced changed and turned to anger. "Why the hell are you here?"
"Well my parents wanted me to come to the ball because a certain someone is waiting for me." Lucy's eyes narrowed. "Don't worry it's not Natsu. He's back home." Lucy said nothing. "You seem to still hate me."
"How the hell can you expect me to like someone who steals their love away!"
"I didn't steal him Lucy...He came to me...Look you can't blame him leaving you all on me. I mean you have never been able to keep a stable relationship right?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean you did date Gray for a while and well we all know what happened with that..."
"Yeah and you ruined that to!"
"So much tough talk from a girl that comes crying down the steps."
"Shut up you wench!"
"You keep trying to be strong. But we all know that you are the same weak girl that you've always been."Lucy's hand formed a fist and a glow came from it. "Are you going to summon a spirit to hurt me Lucy?" Lisanna asked jokingly.
"Maybe!"
"Lucy!"
Lucy anger went away when she looked up and saw Erza. "Well well if it ins't Erza."
"Lisanna? Why are you here?"
"My parents wanted me to come to meet a old friend. I just wanted to make sure dear Lucy was alright." She turned to her and smiled. "Well I'll see you later Lucy. Maybe we can have a little chat about our lives if you have one that is." She then walked past Erza who eyed her as she walked into the Ball.
"Lucy...," Erza said turning to her as she sat back down. "What the hell is going on?"
"What do you mean?"
"You know what I mean. Since when have you and Natsu broken up...?"
"Since the beginning of summer..."
"B-begging of summer? But you said you were alright!"
"I know...but..."
"But nothing!" Erza shouted. She then went over to Lucy and forced her to look at her. "Why the hell are you holding secrets from me!"
"I didn't want to worry you..."
"You've got to be kidding me! I worry about my mother all the time. Worrying about you would be ease for me! Now I want to know how this happened. I mean you two were together so long and I thought you'd be together forever."
"Well we weren't...He cheated on me..."
"Cheated on you? With you who!"
"With the same witch that you just saw walk up those steps."
"Lisanna...Lucy...you..."
"Just please stop!" Lucy shouted. "I don't want to go into this anymore alright!"
Erza was about to scream back at Lucy but for once she had to find it in herself to let it go. "Fine...Lucy...Look you can't stay out here alone. So I'll stay with you till mom is done which could be a long time."
"But Erza...You can't stay here."
"Look don't worry Lucy. I like sitting here. It's much better than going in there."
Lucy smiled. "Thanks Erza. I am sorry for yelling at you and not telling you what happened. "
"It's okay. Just don't do it again or I'll kill you ahah." Erza grabbed Lucy's face and Lucy nodded as her cheeks were being tightly pinched.
"Erza!" a loud voice shouted. Both girls stood up to see Sam standing on the steps, eyes fuming. "What the hell are you doing out here?" she asked coming to the fountain.
"Mom why are you so loud?"
"You father has shown up and they're going to announce it now."
"Oh great...Fine I'm coming...Come on Lucy we better go before my father get's angry..." Lucy
followed Erza and her mother back to the Ball room despite wanting to go home.
Everyone was still dancing around and having fun. Lucy looked around to see if Lisanna was there. Luckily she wasn't so Lucy felt herself feeling a sense of ease. She looked around and saw Loke, someone she hadn't seen forever, flirting with a bunch of girls. She then looked for Gray and saw that he wasn't there. "Maybe he went home.." she said to herself. "Wait a minute why the hell am I worried about that idiot," she screamed in her head.
"Well well don't you look nice Erza," a low voice said.
Lucy payed attention when she saw Erza freeze up. A tall man in a attractive black tux stood in front of Erza. He had the same bloody hair and a funny yet good looking mustache. "Dad...Thanks..."
"Ahh Lucy it's good to see you again. You look beautiful as well. ' he said smiling to her.
"Nice to see you again Mister Scarlet and thanks.."
"Honey I'm so glad you made it," Sam said hugging him. "I thought you would miss out."
"Like I would miss out on the most important announcement in our lives dear."
"Hehe I know. So tell them dear."
Erza's dad hit the class to get everyone attention. The music stopped dancing and everyone looked up to Erza's dad and began to cheer. "Attention everyone. I hope this ball was fun for all of you." Every shouted in excitement. "It's good to here your happiness. Anyway you know that we invited all you here to tell you something important. Erza..." he said reaching out his hand to her. She shyly walked to him. "Erza my daughter is about to do something amazing. In 8 months my daughter will be married."
Everyone looked at the Scarlet family shocked. Lucy felt like her jaw was about to drop. "M-marriage," Lucy said under her breath.
"Erza's husband is actually right here in this room. Our dear Friends the Aquarions son Loke will be Erza's future husband." All the girls began to cry and Lucy almost fell herself drop to the floor. "Loke please come up here." Loke smiled and went up the steps to Erza. "I must say for once that this wasn't my idea." Erza looked at her father with shock.
"I was the one who asked Erza father to allow me to marry her." Erza turned to Loke and gave a evil glare. He just smiled. "My parents have wanted me to find a spouse for a long time and told me to choose by the beginning of summer. Erza and I have known each other for a long time and so I have picked her to be my wife."
"And what an amazing match it is!" Erza's mom said. Soon everyone began clapping in agree, except the girls of course who were still crying. Lucy stared at Erza, who couldn't look her in the eye, and felt dizzy. This was much bigger than she had thought. "Now the bride and groom shall dance.." Soon some music was playing and Loke took his bride and the pair began to dance, much to Erza's dismay. Soon Erza's parents and others joined as well.
Lucy watched as her dear friend was suffering wishing that she could do something. As she was watching her eyes wondered over to the corner of the Ball Room. Her body began to shake at the scene she just saw. Lisanna and Gray were in the corner kissing."What the hell...What's going on?"
