~~~Chapter 7: Best Friends~~~
(AN: God damn it Lucy, way to screw it all up last chapter! Sorry it was so short, I hope a two in one week could make up for that. ~Dragon)
I don't know how Levy and Gajeel got involved, but they apparently were as they plus Gray and Juvia joined me in my apartment. The raven-heads chased after Natsu, though were unsuccessful in dragging him back. Happy went after him, but never returned as we can only assume that he stuck to Natsu's side.
"So why are all of you in my house?" I deadpanned at the five people (Lily was sitting on my dresser).
"Lucy-chan is in the middle of a crisis, of course we'd come over to help," Juvia said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"I'm still trying to figure this whole situation out," Levy said. "So, Natsu just said that you'd break up? Just like that?"
I sighed, knowing that I would have to explain in detail this time, "When Gray and Juvia locked the doors behind them, I got right to the point and asked if he was upset because I didn't kiss him. He said that he didn't know if he could trust me anymore and I got a little defensive that I would've turned anyone down because it was a stupid game and I was foolish enough to think that I could play. So he got angry and started yelling. One thing led to the next and he said that he didn't want to be in a team anymore and we were disbanded. After that, he just left."
Gray replied, "I told ya that he actually cared about that stuff, Lucy. I know he's an idiot, but still…"
I returned, "You told me after the whole game thing!"
Juvia sighed. It was easy to tell that she was a little disappointed in me for not telling Natsu what I told her. My head shrunk on my shoulders in disappointment of myself. The rest looked sympathetic as I looked to my feet and twiddled my fingers together.
Lily stated, "After this whole situation, I doubt that Happy nor Natsu will be the same. They may start to become more distant to the guild. Happy at least will more than likely hold a grudge that Natsu is so upset about this."
I whined, "Not really helping me out here."
"Gray-sama? Can't you try talking to him?" Juvia asked.
"I tried that, remember?" Gray replied, doubting that anything may help the situation.
"Juvia means actually talking to him," Juvia huffed. "Not brawling and arguing, but actually talking to him. Or at least listen to what he has to say. We need someone that understands both sides before we can deal with this."
Gray hesitated before responding, "Yeah, I guess you're right. I keep treating him like the Natsu of the past and not just Natsu."
Juvia nodded in agreement and said, "Juvia thought that there would be a difference, but we shouldn't treat them any differently than our friends."
Gajeel snorted, "What, like we could've changed that much. 'Sides, I get that Salamander breakin' the team's bad 'n' all, but don't ya think gettin' involved is a bit uncalled for?"
"Juvia will protect the future as much as she can because everyone was happy there. She will do whatever it takes to keep the future able to be true," the bluenette defended with crossed arms.
"Still trying to piece together everything," Levy deadpanned at the confusion she was left in.
"And I still don't understand why ya dragged me here," Gajeel added. "How is this my problem?!"
"Because Gajeel-kun is a friend and should care about what transpires between friends," Juvia answered. Gajeel grumbled something about not caring, but didn't move to leave.
I didn't know what to say. They were trying to help me with whatever is happening between me and Natsu. Somehow, it gave me hope that maybe we weren't going to split after all. Honestly, I couldn't even think about it because every time I did it sent me to tears.
How could Natsu want to split up? He's my best friend and after this whole first kiss thing he just wants to split up? This was Natsu, the guy who's so ignorant that anything he does that actually resembles something romantic was on accident! Somehow he freaking kissed most of the women I know and never showed any sign of interest at all! There was no way that he could be set so off kilter because I didn't kiss him! Yet, somehow, he was…
"Lucy? What's wrong?" Gray asked, Juvia and Levy echoing his question and I realized that tears were streaming down my cheeks.
"S-Sorry," I swallowed, whipping at the wetness and trying to suck it up. I couldn't cry while my friends were right there in front of me. I had to be strong.
"What are you apologizing for? It's okay to cry, Lucy-chan," Juvia soothed.
"Hey, we'll straighten things out for ya," Gray added. "I promise."
I sniffed, "Thanks, guys. I really appreciate it."
Levy said, "It's what friends are for. I know that Natsu will turn around. Just you wait! He'll be back to destroying stuff by your side in no time!"
Gajeel added, "And if he doesn't then at least I get to kick his ass, right? Gihi."
I deadpanned, but replied, "Thanks, but that won't be necessary," all the same. It was a hope that he wouldn't at least. Even if Natsu did have final thoughts about us splitting up, I didn't want Gajeel to beat him for it. It was his choice, and I should respect that. Though that thought didn't help the already streaming tears traversing down my cheeks.
Juvia embraced me with a tight hug. I didn't know what to do because no one did that before except save… Well, Natsu. I never thought that Juvia and I would become so close like this. She always seemed to hate me because of some false proclamation that I liked Gray. Perhaps going to the future for her changed her mind about that? Either way, the comfort felt nice.
"Lucy-chan should try to smile. You have so many friends that have your back. And we're not going to give up on you," Juvia announced upon release, though her arms stayed latched to my own.
"Yeah," I returned, lifting my lips in an attempt to smile back.
"So, do I have to call Lucy my Love Rival now?" Gray commented on the fact that Juvia was still holding me and the bluenette instantly let go, dening with her arms flailing around her to reassure that she didn't love me like she loved him.
I chuckled at the interaction. Juvia wailed as she clamped her arms around his torso in a sure death grip. Her face red in embarrassment as she listed different things that she loved about the ravenette. Everyone joined my laugh as the scene continued until Gray finally pulled Juvia off of him saying that he was just joking around. Juvia pouted at the humiliation, but her frown didn't last long as she couldn't help but smile and giggle along with the contagious laughter.
"Alright, I guess we should probably get going then," Gray said. "See ya at the guildhall tomorrow guys. Take care, Lucy."
"Get a good night's sleep," Juvia wished as she joined Gray, leaving my apartment.
"Everything'll be fine," Levy promised as she and Gajeel left with Lily on his shoulder, closing the door behind them.
I sat on my bed and couldn't help but look out my window to watch the five walk down the sidewalk. Levy, Gajeel, and Lily heading in the direction of Fairy Hills where they had their own apartments as Gray and Juvia held hands and seemed to both be going for Gray's house. Juvia swooning on about something, more than likely that Gray invited her over for the night. They were so cute together, but something in me hated to watch them be so close. Could it be jealousy? They had a perfect relationship now but for me: Natsu and I were splitting, I still didn't have a boyfriend, and there were no doubtedly so many taunts about that first kiss thing!
The least I could do for my friends was at least try to get a good night's sleep. I owed it to them to try. Though something told me that that is a bit easier said than done.
(AN: Thanks to the following people: Crimsonlink310, Johnny Spectre.)