A gloomy inspiration
The rain. It always follows me, and as a result Juvia is lonely. So why is it... Why is it that you stay with Juvia, when the rain drives everyone else away? And why is it, Juvia finds her heart fluttering for you? Do you like the rain?
Chapter 3: Raining on her Inspiration
Juvia immediately felt bad for hitting the handsome stranger. She hoped that his face wasn't too badly bruised. It would be such a shame.
But no one threatens Gajeel.
No one.
And he happened to make the mistake of breaking that sacred rule in front of her.
The rain began to simmer down to a sprinkle as she half galloped across the school yard.
"Gajeel-kun." She shouted.
When answered with silence, Juvia continued to stroll through the yard until she was under shelter.
She considered the possibility of Gajeel in the phantom writting clubroom but she shook her head fiercely.
Who would want to be in there voluntarily? When they wanted to do any writting, then she would do all their writting in the library.
Juvia smiled slightly at the thought of tough and burly Gajeel sitting quietly in the library writting his stories next to her.
You wouldn't believe it unless you saw it with your own eyes.
The classroom rang and Juvia raced across the corridor, her smile wiped off her face.
The blue haired teenager solemnly made her way through a crowd of students, making sure her eyes were covered with her dripping bangs and avoiding any means of contact with them. Her ears picked up the snickers and rude remarks about her, but she ignored them and glided pass the group unaffected. When they noticed that they're insults weren't getting through to her, a foot was stuck out, which Juvia was unable to avoid in time.
Juvia falling head first, immediately stuck her hand out, and bounced herself up, saving herself from a horribly conclusive fall. She propelled herself in a summersault landing swiftly and continued on her way leaving those around her in shock.
Their opinions of her were worthless.
She just wasn't a people person. Simple as that.
Meanwhile, a boy with silver spikes watched her walked off, his eyes shining in awe.
Gajeel wasn't seen for the rest of the day.
Juvia grew more anxious with every passing minute.
The last bell had finally resounded through the classrooms signaling the end of the day. She couldn't run out of the classroom fast enough, and at once she began her search for him. The sky was clouded with dark eerie clouds, only serving to add to Juvia's worry for him.
The corridors were filled with students bustling to get out. They pushed and shoved her petite form, she was literally drowning in the sea of students.
A hand wound around her wrist and pulled her out of the sea. She looked up to see who her savior was and broke into a large smile.
"Gajeel-kun!"
"Hey, what's up Juvia."
Her smile immediately wiped off her face as soon as her eyes began to scrutinize his face. The burly teenager was covered with scratches and a few bruises, and a few smudges of blood.
"Gajeel-kun, what happened?"
He shrugged and began to walk off. "Can't say I didn't deserve it."
Juvia narrowed her eyes and then growled. "Who did this to you?"
The image of a previous handsome black haired teenager popped into her head.
"No one in particular."
"GAJEEL-KUN!" She whined, and jogged to his side.
"Look, they were weak half-wit punks anyways, don't worry about it."
He waved a dismissing hand and Juvia threw her hands up in defeat. "When Juiva finds out whoever did this to Gajeel-kun, Juvia is going to punch the living daylights out of them!"
She punched a fist into her palms and he smirked.
"Thats what i'm afraid of."
Juvia smiled a bit, but still it bothered her. Gajeel was no pushover.
Whoever committed the crime was very capable at fighting...
...or it could be that he...
Juvia subtly stole a glance at him. Gajeel was looking as serious as ever.
...he couldn't have let them...
He opened the school gate, its hinges letting out a groan. Juvia promptly followed him out and he let the gates slam themselves shut.
The two stopped in front of the gate.
"I have to go to my part time work, so can't hang out today."
Juvia's face fell a bit and then nodded. "If Gajeel-kun needs anything Juvia will be at her place by the time Gajeel-kun is finished with his work. Come and visit okay?"
"Yeah sure…" He hesitated for a bit. "Your mum home?"
Juvia's eyes hardened at the mention of her parent. "No. Juvia's mother is not home."
Gajeel took a step forward. "How long has it been?"
She shrugged eyes shining with malice. "About two months." Her face broke into a grin. "It does not matter anyway, its better this way."
Gajeel gave her soaking hair an affectionate pat and Juvia's grinned widened.
"Yeah I agree. I'll just come in whenever then."
"Okay, see you then Gajeel-kun."
The two walked off in opposite directions. Juvia decided she would go to her usual place to get her mind off possible events.
Even if Gajeel was fine with the situation she was not.
The bell on top of the door chimed merrily and immediately the gloomy atmosphere surrounding Juvia lifted. She smiled fondly at the tiny ice-cream shop, glass top tables lined up in neat rows, the counter with its lone cash register, and the glass displaying of all the colours of the rainbow.
The door slowly closed shut behind her and the sound of the manager's voice bellowed through the shop. "Oi newbie go and serve the customer."
Juvia chuckled slightly at the manager's blunt way of addressing him.
"I'm going, I'm going." Another familiar voice answered with a grumble.
A black haired teenager walked out from the ice-cream shop's store room, busily trying to fasten on his apron. He finally looked up after he successfully tied it around himself.
He grinned slightly as soon as his eyes locked onto hers.
Juvia grimaced.
Fate played funny tricks on her.
"Hey." He grinned, despite the swelling bruise on his cheek.
Juvia immediately felt bad. Well it wasn't like he didn't deserve it.
But his poor handsome face.
Juvia tried to reason with herself.
Bruises weren't permanent.
Look its already fading away.
Well… sort of.
"What can I get you?"
Juvia stiffened. She wasn't used to this much human interaction except with Gajeel. But he was an exception. They were two peas of the same rotten pod.
Both with serious issues.
And both stuck in life.
"Um… nothing." she proceeded to walk back out the door. "Tell manager-san that Juvia said hello."
"Hey, hey hey!" Gray leaped over the counter and quickly intercepted her reach for the door handle.
"You don't have to go because I'm here."
Juvia chewed her lip. He had a very good point. She slowly retracted her out stretched hand from the door and then glided towards the ice-cream display.
Gray smiled triumphantly and then promptly followed her. He watched her eyes skimmed the many flavours and then turned to hand him money.
De ja vu.
Again.
It was strange that every time he met with her she was giving him money or the last time they met at school he was handing back her money.
He stared at the coins in his hand.
"Raspberry and chocolate swirl."
He stared at the money still. Juvia frowned when he didn't make a move. What was wrong?
"Please?"
Gray snapped back to reality and smiled sheepishly. "Oh right, yeah." The black haired teenager jumped over the counter again, and proceeded to scoop her chosen flavor of ice-cream into a cone. Juvia watched his rather clumsy scoping, unlike the manager's expert hands, and her eyes twinkled slightly as she watched him scope a generous amount of ice-cream into the small wafer cone. He quickly handed it to her, his finger tips brushing over hers as he gave it to her.
Gray stared at his hand, the feel of her slightly damp skin lingered on his fingers.
Juvia stared expectantly at him.
"Change?"
Gray's head snapped up and then tapped a few keys on the old fashioned cash register.
"Here." He mumbled.
Again with the skin to skin interaction as he gently placed the money in her outstretched hand. Juvia mumbled a small thank you, and then walked to the corner of the shop. She pulled out the chair and then sat down, nimbly taking small licks from the ice-cream and looking out of the windows with a dazed look.
Gray rushed into the door and later came out with a bottle of disinfectant and cloth. The black haired teenager lifted up the counter- which actually had hinges so the need for him to jump over the counter was completely unnecessary- and made his way to the tables near her.
He began to swipe at the already gleaming tables with enthusiasm, occasionally taking subtle glances at her. She was still staring outside the window.
Gray curiously followed the direction of her gaze. She was looking up at the sky still pouring down with rain. He felt the awkward and tense atmosphere and cleared his throat.
"H-hey," She directed her blank eyes at him.
Suddenly he felt the need to tug at the collar of his shirt. "Sorry about earlier."
Juvia's eyes widened and she blushed. "It's alright…" She mumbled embarrassed. "Juvia is sorry for hitting... y-your face."
Suddenly realization dawned on him and he wanted to facepalm himself.
"GRAY."
"Eh?"
"GRAY FULLBUSTER."
"Gray Fullbuster?
"That's my name." He had not introduced himself in a long time. He was just used to everyone knowing his name, even complete strangers at school for some strange reason.
"Oh." Juvia looked down onto the table. She held out a shaky hand, blushing beet red embarrassed. "Juvia Loxar."
He shook her hand and smiled widely. "Nice to meet you Juvia."
"...Nice to meet you too Fullbuster-san."
He frowned at her very formal address. "Gray's fine."
Juvia blushed to herself. Yes he is.
"G-gray-san."
Well that's better than his last name. It's progress.
He moved towards her table, the last table he was cleaning only half finished. Juvia watched him nervously. What did he want with her?
"So why have you come today?" he dawdled out his question slightly.
Juvia stared to nibble on the cone. "For ice-cream."
Gray was so close to her, shoulders occasionally brushing against her as he began cleaning the desk she was on. She squirmed uncomfortably.
"Is… that all?"
"Well… Juvia is also here to visit m-manager-san." She practically held her breath. She watched him intensely his face only centimeters apart. She could see the deep colour of the bruise in his face, his charcoal eyes flickering frequently. She caught the scent of his shampoo, the smell of citrus wafted through the air.
Juvia noticed how slowly he was wiping the table.
Hurry up and finish!
"Tell me, what is your relationship with Gajeel?"
Juvia immediately froze. Why was he always bringing up Gajeel?
"Were you the one who dared hurt Gajeel-kun?" Her anger began flaring.
Gray gave her a smirk.
"What If I did?" he leaned in closer. "Would you punch me again?"
Juvia hurriedly stood up from her seat, the sound of the chair scratching against the floor was deafening. She put her arms arm, hands bunched up ready for a fight. "Juvia will do it, if you hurt Gajeel-kun!"
Gray let out a small 'tch', and crossed his arms. It's all about 'Gajeel-kun'.
"Well whatever. I didn't do it." He replied a bit sour.
Juvia lowered her fists. "Really?"
Gray nodded solemnly.
Juvia chose to believe him for some odd reason. "Oh."
She dropped into a deep bow. Gray staggered backwards shocked. "What are you doing?"
"Juvia is sorry that she accused Gray-san."
"Uh, it's alright." Juvia took a glimpse at him from her position.
He looked a bit embarrassed. "You know you shouldn't be so trusting… I could be lying."
She straightened herself out. "Gray-san has no reason to lie to Juvia… Unless Gray-san likes being punched?"
Gray chuckled. "Well it definitely was surprising."
Juvia blinked, her eyes complete hypnotized by his laugh. Like her favourite chime of the ice-cream shop bells.
"Hmmm, what's wrong?"
"Nothing…" She mumbled. Her eyes managed to wander across to the clock hanging on the wall.
Her eyes widened and she picked up her school bag on the floor.
"Thank you very much." Juvia bowed once awkardly and raced out of the shop. Gray also glanced up at the wall clock. The larger hand pointed a bit past the twelve, and the smaller hand was on the six.
"Hey manager, I'm taking my break now."
"What was that you newbie, you barely worked today!" The manager peered out from the staffroom only to find the door swung open and the shop empty.
Gray had already raced out of the shop, after throwing his apron on the counter table.
Well it could be worse. Juvia decided as the rain began falling again. It wasn't pouring, but it was raining nonetheless. Not a single person in sight as the rain drove them all away.
She sighed as she walked along the edge of the gutter, balancing recklessly on the edge.
She was used to it after all.
The sky rumbled as if it were agreeing with her loneliness. She faced the sky daring the lightning to strike.
"IT'S YOUR FAULT THAT JUVIA IS ALWAYS ALONE!"
The sound of splattering footsteps alerted her and she turned around.
Gray had finally caught up to her, umbrella in hand.
"Hey."
Juvia looked at him unable to produce any words so she stayed silent.
"I thought that you might need an umbrella and an escort." He smiled slightly.
Juvia allowed him to cover her with the umbrella and walked forward without a word.
"It's not raining too much now." He glanced at her from the corners of his eyes. Her blue bangs covered her eyes again, the ends of her hair dripping with rain water.
"No. Gray-san is wrong."
"Eh?"
"It's raining really hard."
Gray looked at the light sprinkle in front of him, and when he turned around to ask what she meant, he fell silent.
Even though droplets of water covered her face, he could clearly see the mess of tears sliding down her face.
"See… It's raining really, really hard."
His eyes softened. "Yeah I see."
The two walked in comforting silence.
The sound of their splashing footsteps resounding through the light pitter patter of the rain.
Hahahha, I hoped this chapter kinda matched the gloomy atmosphere. I'm not sure if it kept up with it. . oh wells what can I say :/
I'm tired? xD
Hope you enjoy, but I'm in the midst of writing a new story, so prepare yourself xD
Well til then.
Marina chan and her writers block for her other stories :P