I am so sorry it's taken forever to upload this chapter! I had writers block for what seemed like forever and I just couldn't finish this chapter - as much as I wanted to get it up weeks ago.
I've also been busy with house stuff as I bought a place (with my boyfriend) and we've both been sorting out everything to do with that (I have a mortgage and ugh, I feel like a proper grown up now!)
I'm going to try and get chapters out every Friday if needs be. Mostly because I don't actually work on a friday and thus this gives me time to look over and edit parts out :)
But in the mean time enjoy this chapter :)
Magnolia was beautiful in spring. Nothing else could compare to the sight of the cherry blossom trees that had bloomed all over the town. The parks were filled with fallen petals that the light spring breeze had taken from the trees. In fact spring was Lucy's favourite time of the year; because there were festivals celebrating spring and the the large cherry tree celebration was her favourite, mostly due to Loke and Natsu explaining all the stalls that were located in the park selling endless amounts of food.
Lucy had been watching the festival set up from the window seat she took that afternoon for her last class of the day and one of the longest too.
Both her and Levy had promised one another that they would meet up at the bar and walk down to Magnolia park where the festival was taking place. After all she was sure everyone else would be in the bar also; that saved time looking and wasted phone calls.
I hear there's a trip to the festival tonight.
Lucy smiled at her phone, she knew it wouldn't take long before a certain orange haired guy would pick up on the fact there was going to be a going out session.
Word really travels fast these days. But you are correct.
Good, you can hold my hand the whole evening - because I'm pretty sure Gajeel will be securing Levy's ;)
A small giggle erupted from Lucy's lips, causing the teacher to frown at her, before she quickly put her head back down in to her book; cursing at Loke for getting a death stare at one of her scariest teachers. Thank you Loke..
As Lucy left the room, she was greeted with Loke's warm arms. Or more the fact that she had bumped in to his arms and Loke took it upon himself to wrap them around her.
"I didn't expect you to walk straight in to my arms," he laughed
"I didn't expect you to be waiting for me," Lucy replied, looking up to him and seeing his bright smile towards her.
"What kind of boyfriend doesn't wait for his girlfriend after her class?" He playfully mocked, causing Lucy to shake her head and roll her eyes at the comment.
The sun had just started to set when the group had arrived at the park, Mira had told them it was magical when the sun was just starting to set because a few of the trees began to glow dimly before night was upon them.
Lucy had never seen anything like it before; the park was filled with cherry blossoms as well as other species of tree; but none of them had the beauty like the cherry trees. And what more could she ask for? Her friends, boyfriend and herself were experiencing this beauty.
"You know, the cherry trees are beautiful, but they have nothing on your beauty," Loke spoke, only so the two of them could hear; a blush crept up on to Lucy's face, stupid Loke she thought.
"That was terrible, but for tonight I will take it." she laughed, tucking her arm around his waist and resting in to his chest. Loke laughed
The stalls around the park lured people with the smells and sound of laughter as the group walked past many; of course they were stopping too frequently for Lucy as Natsu instead he had to try the food at every stall - that and the fact Erza was drawn to the stalls where sweet things were being offered.
As much as Lucy loved her friends she was beginning to get frustrated by the fact they were stopping and starting before they even had a chance to get to the main event; the huge cherry blossom tree which was located in the middle of the park. It was the tallest and oldest tree in the park and during this season it was foretold that you could see the blossom change colour, not from one shade but all the colours of the rainbow. And frankly Lucy was not going to miss out on the chance to witness this.
"Natsu, can you please stop eating the festival? I at least want to be able to see the blossoms change colour today." Lucy sighed, as Natsu walked back to the group with a pile of food in his arms, much to Lisanna's dismay as she had her arms full with food from the previous stalls he had ventured off to.
"But the food here is amazing! And it's only this time of the year when most places have—" Natsu was cut off by Gajeel and Gray hitting his head
"If Bunny Girl wants to see the god damn blossoms on this tree then I suggest you that you eat that food and follow shut up."
"Because the last thing we want is a pissed off Lucy.." Gray finished.
Lucy frowned at the nickname Levy's boyfriend gave her, but none the less they were somewhat correct in the fact she would Lucy kick Natsu off in to space if they had to stop once more.
"Gajeel is right. If anything we should make way towards the middle of the park and find a decent place to sit," Erza spoke, holding a large box which Lucy could only think of it holding a large strawberry cheesecake. And if she knew Erza well enough then she knew it would contain that cake. Whilst her other hand was interlocked in Jellal's, maybe a little too tightly by the showing on his face.
"You have to be kidding me!" Both Natsu and Gray shouted; Lucy sighed and Levy patted her on the shoulder. The whole park had filled up instantly and there was not a spot spare to sit in for the group.
"I knew we shouldn't have stopped for Natsu," Lucy mumbled, causing both Levy and Loke to hold back a snigger.
"This is all your fault you pink haired, food eating bastard!"
"How is it MY fault?! My stomach told me it was hungry what was I suppose to do?!" It took a mere minute for Natsu to register what Gray had called him.
"Pink haired food eating bastard?! WHAT KIND OF A NAME IS THAT? AT LEAST BE MORE CREATIVE PRINCESS PRICK!"
"Say that again, I dare you."
"Juvia loves it when Gray stands for his rights—"
"Stand aside Juvia, I shall sort this out!" Erza said, pushing Juvia out of the way more forcefully then she intentioned. It was scary how strong the scarlet haired woman was.
"ERZA! DON'T HURT MY BELOVED—" Juvia cried out, but was cut short once more by the sound of clashing and all three of them had begun a fight leaving the others to watch.
"I'm sure we can find some space, I'm sure Mira said she would be here tonight as well.." Lisanna said trying to get everyone's attention back towards the festival. Lucy sighed away from the idiots she called her friends before smiling at Lisanna.
"That would be amazing if you could get hold of her and see where she is amongst this pool of bodies."
"I'm sure she mentioned something about being with a friend as well tonight—" a small blush appeared on Lisanna's face before she continued "But I'm sure she would be fine with us sitting with them, after all we would all be there for the same thing."
The other's nodded in agreement, and once Lisanna had received a message back from her older sister confirming their whereabouts the group set foot towards the direction.
"What are we going to do about them?" Levy asked, pointing back towards Erza, Gray, Natsu and Juvia as well as Jellal, who was now holding Erza back whilst she flung her legs in the air trying to hit Natsu as he had punched the box containing a now broken and non edible cheesecake.
"We could leave them behind," Gajeel snickered, "After all I think Erza is capable of handling that group." The girls sweat dropped as they heard a battle cry come from Erza's mouth.
"I agree with Gajeel, if anything they'll catch up to us once we've got seated…" Loke replied smiling towards Lucy who returned the smile back. She knew him too well, he was planning something, but what it was she had no idea.
"Okay fine, we can leave them behind. But don't blame me if Natsu kicks up a fuss about being left behind…" Lucy replied, causing the others to laugh and Lisanna to giggle.
The mass of people had proven to be difficult to get through, Gajeel had improvised and had Levy sit on his shoulders to look out for Mira, although he wasn't afraid to throw in a few jokes about her height whilst she was sitting on his shoulders.
While Loke was being battered away by Lucy because he thought having her ride on his shoulders would increase the chances of finding the white haired woman. Although Lucy was sure he had another reason in mind.
"For the last time Loke, I am not sitting on your shoulders," she mumbled, as he poked her on the back several times.
"Levy get's to ride on Gajeel's and I would be a terrible boyfriend if I didn't have my girlfriend ride on mine…" Lucy shook her head once more, causing Loke to pout. Lucy sighed, there was no stopping this guy to getting what he wanted half the time.
"Fine, no funny business whilst I'm up there, other wise you shall regret the day you were ever born." Loke nodded, the smile back on his face instantly, too happy to even care of the consequences Lucy had set.
"I fully accept these terms and conditions, now hop on my back." Lucy sighed as she did as she was told, followed by a squeal as Loke stood up right - there was not enough time to even consider hitting him for his outburst of speed. Although she felt him chuckle under his breath.
"Well hello there," Levy waved as she greeted Lucy.
"You know Luce, you really do live up to your nickname of bunny girl." Gajeel snickered as he and Loke shared a smirk between them, it was unsettling as to how close those two had become over the last few months.
"What ever metal face. Let's just find Mira and get some god damn seats. The quicker I'm down on the ground the better chance I have of enjoying this festival."
"Look! I think I see Mira waving!" Lisanna pointed, both Gajeel and Loke eyed one another before both smirking once more.
"Race you there Gajeel," Loke laughed, Gajeel chuckled to himself, both Lucy and Levy looked at one another, both terrified of what was about to happen.
"By the time you've started running I would already be there!" Gajeel called as he began to run, whilst Levy clung to his neck screaming and protesting that she would get her revenge for this.
Lucy gulped, Loke was never one to get involved in a fight, she saw that when it came to Gray and Natsu's outbursts. But when it was a competition then the proud Loke was in full swing. She had remembered Gray talking to her about it - he had told her he was always a little competitive when it came to sport, not just womanising. That and he was a fast runner.
"Promise me one thing Loke," she spoke softly as she felt his muscles loosen up, "Just don't drop me."
Loke laughed as he kissed both her arms before dashing off after Gajeel.
Once both boys had reached the finish line; and when Levy and Lucy had recovered from the nauseous feeling in their stomachs, let alone sorted their hair back to normal. The race had been decided at a draw, or more to the point Mira had called it a draw that both boys were equal at speed.
"I—I think my stomach hates me right now." Lucy moaned as Loke brought her down to hard ground, no moving what so ever.
"Luce—ugh—" Levy held her hand in front of her mouth momentarily, "Let's never let them do that again."
Both girls nodded to one another, agreeing on the statement made before they both regretted the decision on movement.
"So, this is the group you were talking about." A dominating voice spoke, instantly capturing the group to the large figure it came from.
I thought I would throw in someone familiar ;) Maybe you can already guess who it is?