Erza
"Aunt Erza, wake up!" I can hear Meredy's voice while she keeps shaking my body to wake me up. I'm already awake, like 2 hours ago. It's just that I don't have the urge to go downstairs and eat breakfast with them. Plus...I just can't believe that it's been one and a half year since I lost Gray. Today is his 26th birthday, and this is our first time to celebrate his birthday without him.
I don't know if I still can...if I still can wake up in the next more infinite number of days without him. We still have more birthdays, christmases, new years, valentines and wedding anniversaries to come. I don't know if I can survive celebrating those occasions every year without him. I just celebrated our second wedding anniversary without him, and it hurts so much. Can I still celebrate our next wedding anniversary without him?
"Hey, Aunt Erza, rise and shine." Meredy kept shaking my body. "I'm coming down." I said, then she jumped out of the bed and ran out of the bedroom.
Seriously, I really feel lazy to stand my legs to go to the shower and get dressed. That's what I feel every single day since Gray died. Before I'm always looking forward to a new day of my life, excited for a new thing that might happen in my life. But now, I don't think so. As more days passes by, the more pain is just being added in my chest, knowing that I'll have to live on my own without him.
Even if I feel lazy to do so, I forced myself to get up from my bed and walk towards to the shower. I removed my pajamas and underwear and stepped inside the shower.
After showering and getting dressed, I finally went downstairs. I wore a plain white dress because we're going to the cemetery to visit Gray's grave. Ul, Meredy, Ultear, Lyon, Natsu, Lucy and Juvia are in the living room, probably waiting for me.
"Erza, you're late for breakfast." Ul approached me as I walk down the staircase. "It's okay, I'm not hungry." I said and stopped at the end of the staircase.
"Not hungry? You haven't eat dinner last night." Meredy said, who's playing with her dolls on the couch. "She's right, you haven't touch your dinner last night, Erza." Ultear agreed to her daughter. I didn't respond to what them. I'm really hungy. But do you know that feeling that you're hungry, but you don't have any appetite to eat? All I want is to be alone. All I want is space.
"Just grab a toast before we leave." Ul told me. I just replied to her with a nod.
Jellal
I don't know what time is it already but I'm probably late for school. I can tell that it's probably 7 or 8 am because of the sunlight that passes by from the window in my bedroom, which means I'm already late for school. I really don't feel like going to school today.
I'm not the type of person who takes everything around me seriously. Like focusing on my studies or simply get a job. Though I'm already twenty six by now and too old enough to be in Freshman college, I still want to finish my studies after I stopped going to school when I was eighteen. I want to fix my life. I want to continue achieving my dreams. But how can I do that if the only person that gives me the reason to fix my life is already gone?
My thoughts were interrupted when I heard my cellphone on the bedside table beeping. I lazily grabbed my phone from the bedside table to check who sent a message.
From: Ultear
do the research in the library. cant go to school today, gotta visit my brother
I just released a deep breath after I realized I can't have some hang-ups again. That I have to go to school and stop gawking at the ceiling while I lay in my bed whole day.
"Daddy..." I heard a voice from my back.
"Hmm?" I mumbled.
"You're late for school, again." She said, wrapping her arms around my waist, embracing me.
"I know. I'm still sleepy." I faked a laugh to hide my true feelings and emotions from her. I don't want her to see me sorrowful again.
"I don't want you to fail in school. I want you to achieve your dream just like what you said to me. You wanna be a successful man like grandpa, right? And you wanna be a painter too, right?" She told me, as if she's trying to make me realize something again. That's what I love about you Wendy.
I don't know what to say to her. All I can do is to take a deep breath, close my eyes and think of what she said.
"Come on, Daddy. You have to go to school. I'll be fine in here. You don't have to call Aunt Milliana or Aunt Kagura to take care of me." She giggled. "If you don't go to school and do the research, Aunt Ultear will kill you." She added.
"Fine, fine. I'll go to school." I laughed softly. "Will you be okay?" I asked her.
"Daddy...you won't leave me alone in here." She sighed, leaning her head on my shoulder. "I'm always here beside you, everywhere and wherever you go. In here..." She said sweetly and pointed at my chest, which means she's talking about my heart. "I will never leave you, daddy. I love you..." She said and gave me a soft kiss in my cheek.
"I love you, too..." A tear fell from my eye after saying those words to her. My hand slowly crawled up to my shoulder to touch her face, but I haven't touched anything but my own shoulder.
I rose up from lying in my bed. My eyes wandered around my bedroom. Then, I found myself once again talking to no one, imagining that I can still talk to my daughter. In other words, Wendy talking and lecturing me earlier is just a figment of my imagination.
Erza
Here we are, standing in front of Gray's grave. Ul handed me a bouquet of flowers, so I'll be the one who'll place them in his grave. This is the first time I stepped in front of his grave. Well, the truth is that I didn't come with them during the day they buried Gray. I just spent my whole day that time, locking myself inside our bedroom. I didn't even visited his grave during his death anniversary, still couldn't accept the fact that he's already gone. It's been one and a half year, and until now I still couldn't accept it. I don't want to see his grave because I keep believing and telling myself that all of this was just a horrible nightmare.
I want to wake up in our bed, wherein the first thing that I'll see is Gray. He'll kiss me good morning, bring me breakfast in bed and cuddle with me. We'll take a bath together in the morning before he goes to work. Before he leaves, I'll kiss him goodbye and remind him to drive safely and bring me some strawberry cake.
I want to go back to my old routine everyday, when I was able to be with him. Please...somebody wake me up from this horrible nightmare.
I took a deep breath before placing the flowers in his grave.
In loving memory of
Gray Fullbuster
May you rest in peace
I failed to stop those tears from falling down my cheeks as I read those engraved words on the tombstone. I knelt on the grassy ground as I place those flowers in front of his tomb. I slowly moved my hand towards to the tomb and touched it.
"Hey, hon..." I sighed. "...happy birthday. I'm sorry if I didn't visit you during our wedding anniversary...and your death anniversary...I-i just couldn't...I want to celebrate our wedding anniversary in our house and in those places where we used to build good memories..." I continued, forcing a smile and with my voice crocked. "...Gray...I'm already twenty five and I told you that's the time we're gonna start making a baby, right? It's just disappointing that we weren't able to make one before you left..." Tears started streaming down from my face. I wonder when will my tears stop falling from my eyes. Sooner or later my body will probably ran out of water because of me crying everyday.
"Erza..." I can feel Lucy's hand on my back. "You left me all alone...and you don't know how much it hurts!" I started crying out loud. I really don't care if I cry out loud in front of them. All I want is to release the pain inside me, to shout what I wanted to say. I can feel Lucy massaging my back, probably to calm me down. "...but Gray...I'm still hoping that one day you'll come back home...I don't want to believe all of this. I believe this all just a nightmare. That's why Gray...please...you need to wake me up from this nightmare because I don't know how long I can bear the pain..."
Jellal
Here I am, walking through the corridors of the campus, heading to my second class. Well, it's already nine thirty and my second class for this day is about to start in just a few more minutes.
"Hey, Fernandes!" A heard a man's voice calling me. I glanced at the left to see who spoke. "Mr. Lahar wants to see you in his office, he says." It's Zancrow with his gang. "As soon as possible, he needs to talk to you, he says." He added.
Right now, I'm sitting in front of Mr. Lahar's desk inside his office, waiting for him to return. Why did I do this time? Is it because of me skipping classes, often late for school and absent several times? Mr. Lahar is responsible for disciplining students here in Crime Sorciere Academy.
Crime Sorciere Academy is a school for people who are going in the wrong path. Crime Sorciere Academy is almost like a support group. Like for depressed people, suicidal people, rebellious teenagers, people who wanted to change and more. They have the best people who can help out those people, including me. It's really cool that someone thought of building a school like Crime Sorciere. Those teachers and counselors are all psychology graduate, which is really good because they'll be able to help out those people, including me.
I heard the door opened and saw Mr. Lahar entered the office. "Good morning, Mr. Lahar." I stood up and greeted him politely. "Mr. Fernandes..." He sighed as he looks at me seriously. "Sit down, we need to talk." He said and sat at the swivel chair in his desk. I sat at the chair in front of his desk where I just sat earlier.
A silence occurred between the two of us, his fingers tapping on the desk is the only sound that can be heard. "Do you have any idea or hint about what I'm gonna tell you?" He asked with his fingers tapping on the wooden desk. "My class attendance?" I asked. "Yes, that's one. But actually I want to talk to you about a lot of things." He said. "Like what, Sir?" I asked.
He chuckled as he removed his hand on top of his desk and crossed his legs. "Like, why do you often skip classes? Be absent for like three times a week. You often go to school late, like now, you're late. You barely participate in class. You always submit your projects late or sometimes you don't even submit your projects." He enumerated.
I didn't respond from what be said. I just looked down at the desk, avoiding an eye contact with him. "As a result, you're grades are very low." He sighed disappointingly. "Am I gonna fail this semester?" I asked worryingly. "Hmm, you're not gonna fail, but...I'm so disappointed. Knowing you are a very intelligent person. I was really shocked when I checked out your grades yesterday." He said. I remained silent cause I have nothing to say or reason out, he's right.
"Gerard...I know what you're going through..." He sighed. "...I understand whatever you feel right now, but it isn't a justification for you to be like this. The reason why you are here in Crime Sorciere is to help yourself to move forward. We're here to help you to move forward in the future. But how can we help you if you keep insisting doing these things to yourself? You know, Gerard, you can talk to one of us if you really needed someone. Some people asks you if you're okay, you will always say you are okay, but you aren't really okay. Gerard, the point is...you can't just keep pretending to be okay all the time and hide the pain inside you. There's no harm if you'll talk to someone and release all the pain inside you..." He lectured me.
"I-is that all, sir? Can you dismiss me right now because my second class is about to start in a few minutes?" I asked politely.
"One more thing..." He grabbed something under his desk. He placed a painting on top of the desk. It's my painting and there's a red ribbon on the upper right corner that says "1st". "On the other hand, I'm proud of you, Gerard. Congratulations...you won. First place." He smiled at me as he grabbed my hand lightly for a handshake. "T-thank you, sir." I said.
"Out of thirty students from different schools in Fiore who participated in the art competition, you got the first place. Crime Sorciere Academy is proud to have a student artist like you. The judges liked your work." He praised me. I looked at my painting. I painted a girl with a long scarlet hair, dressed as a knight and has an angel's wings. The girl lights up the area as she stands in the midst of the darkness while helping a helpless boy.
"What made us wonder is that why is the angel dressed as a knight?" Mr. Lahar said. "Anyways, congratulations once again. You're dismissed. You may proceed to your class."
"Thank you, sir." I said politely as I stood up with a small smile. I took my painting and walked put of the office.
While walking on my way to my second class, I pulled out my cellphone from my pocket.
To: Simon, Milliana, Sho, Wally, Ultear (5)
You guys free tonight? let's go to bottom's up. My treat :)
After a few minutes, I felt my phone vibrating in my pocket.
From: Simon
sure. what's gotten into you? why are you planning to treat us?
From: Ultear
maybe next time. mom needs me right now :( why are you planning to treat us anyway?
From: Milliana
what time? :))
From: Sho
Sure!
From: Wally
what time? what's with you?
To: Simon, Milliana, Sho, Wally
I won in the art competition :)) maybe 7 pm. let's pay Kagura a visit there
To: Ultear
first place :D my condolences btw. maybe next time
I slid my phone inside my bag before I enter the classroom.
Ultear
"Erza!" I called her as I knocked on the door of her bedroom. "Erza, go down for dinner already." I knocked on her door for the third time.
It's already eight-thirty, we're almost done eating dinner and yet she hasn't come out of her bedroom.
No response from her, until I got impatient and barged inside her bedroom. But she wasn't there. I checked the bathroom in her bedroom, but she isn't. I quickly went out from her bedroom and head towards to the bathroom in the hallways to check if she's there. I also went to the balcony, but no sign of Erza can be seen.
I ran downstairs back to the dining room. "Where's Erza?" I asked. They all looked at me wonderingly. "Aren't you suppose to call her upstairs?" Lyon scoffed at me. "Well, she's not there. I checked the balcony and the bathroom, she's not upstairs." I retorted.
"We haven't seen her down here since we ate lunch." Lucy said. "Then, where is she?" I wondered. "Oh, Aunt Erza went out right before we eat dinner." Meredy said. We all looked at her wonderingly. "But we haven't seen her come out from her bedroom." Juvia says.
"Oh, because all of you are already sitting in here eating dinner, unlike me earlier I'm still outside and I spotted her on the gate. She went out, but I have no idea where she's going." Meredy explained. Ugh! Meredy you-!
"Then, why didn't you tell us?!" I suddenly raised my voice. "Sorry, Mom..." She looked away from me. "I'm also thinking about Uncle Gray. Just like Aunt Erza...I miss him too." She said.
She's right, all of us are mourning Gray during his birthday today. We can't avoid reminiscing our moments with him. This whole day everything is about Gray.
For the past one and half year since he died, Mom was depressed just like Erza. It's a good thing mom got recovered from her depression just last month. But Erza is still depressed until now. Lyon also got depressed, but just for a few months after he died. It's a good thing he managed to help himself get over it. Me...well, I didn't have to go through depression just like Mom and Erza, but I really felt bad and sad about it. It kind of traumatized me too, the way I saw how Erza and mom was sorrowful at the hospital and during his funeral. During Gray's funeral, it's the first time I saw Natsu cry out loud. Seeing everyone crying including my own daughter because of Gray's death kind of traumatized me. It's like I can't bear seeing anymore sorrowful anymore. Erza is right. I hope this is just all a horrible nightmare.
Erza
If you're wondering where I am, I'm here at Bottom's up, a known resto bar in the city of Magnolia.
"Give me your most alcoholic drink here." I told the bartender, the bartender left, probably gonna prepare my drink.
I forgot to tell them I'm planning to go out and divert my mind from Gray. This whole day, no! Not just this day, but ever since Gray died, almost everyday is about him. I can't take him off my mind, so that's why I thought of drinking. Maybe I could get him off my mind, just for a moment. I don't know how long I can bear with this pain.
"Here's your drink." The bartender placed the glass of alcohol in front of me.
I took a sip from my drink. My face suddenly wrinkled as the bitterness triggered my taste buds. But I didn't mind, this drink will take the pain for a moment.
I don't drink actually, but right now I feel like drinking every kinds of alcohol just to divert myself from the pain.
While I kept taking a sip from my alcoholic drink, I just listened to the two girls having a duet on the stage.
I have died every day waiting for you
Darling don't be afraid I have loved you
For a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
And all along I believed I would find you
Time has brought your heart to me
I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more...
The song is relaxing, though ever since Gray died, I don't want to hear any kind of love songs because it just reminds me of our love story.
Jellal
"That's my sister!" Simon cheered on his Kagura who just finished singing on the stage. "Kagura is really a good singer." Milliana praised Kagura. Kagura seemed to love her job in this bar as a singer. Kagura and the white-haired girl with her received a round of applause from the audience, from us.
These are my friends since childhood, Simon, Wally, Sho, Milliana and Kagura. And I'm thankful to have friends like them. They're always here beside me during happiness and hardships. Talk about having true friends.
Kagura stepped down from the stage and walked towards to our table just in front of the stage. "What's up, guy?" She approached us, grabbing the vacant chair beside Milliana and sat. "Hey, Jellal, why did you asked us out all of the sudden?" She asked, glancing at me. "First place, art competition." I answered. "Wow, congratulations." She gasped surprisingly. "Thanks." I replied with a small smile forming in my lips.
"I guess you should thank your so-called 'knight in shining armor'." Simon teased me.
"That girl brings luck and inspiration to you." Sho added.
"Guys, come on, don't tease him." Milliana giggled. "I'm sure one day he'll be able to prove us that his 'knight in shining armor' do exist. You never know."
"Whatever, you all just envy me because I have one." I rolled my eyes at them, looking away from them.
"Because you're suppose to be the knight in shining armor, not the redhead girl that grandpa Rob is talking about. I know grandpa Rob is kind of a psychic, but not all people like him can be correct in predicting all the time." Wally says.
"Jellal...maybe, she's just a figment of your imagination that time. How can you expect us to easily believe that there's a redhead girl dressed as a knight suddenly appeared and helped you in the darkness that time? Then, after you built memories with her she just suddenly disappeared without a trace or whatsoever. You can't even tell us what her real name is. Oh, she has a name...you named her 'Scarlet' or 'Knightwalker', right?" Kagura chuckled, patting my back.
"Maybe, she is..." I sighed. "I always keep seeing things, you know. In my dreams, reflection and when I'm alone. Earlier I just spoke to Wendy, she told me she's always with me..." The moment I said 'Wendy', they all remained silent. "And last night, I think I just saw Siegrain in the mirror. He really looks like me you know..." I added.
"It's okay, Jellal. We understand." Kagura spoke, breaking the silence. "But it's a good thing you're not locking yourself inside your bedroom all the time. And I'm glad that you're not pushing us away anymore." She added.
"We missed you, Jellal." Milliana says. "Just remember that whatever happens we're always here for you. Now cheer up."
"Thanks, guys." I smiled a little. One of the main reasons why I'm thankful to have friends like them. Despite the pain inside me, they're able to make me smile a little.
I too a deep sigh, looking away from them. I roamed my eyes around the place, studying it, looking at whatever every people is doing. Then, all of the sudden a girl with a long beautiful scarlet hair in the bar not so far away from where we are sitting captured my attention. Actually, our table is just a few meters away from her.
My attention to the girl was broke when someone in the stage spoke. "Kagura and I will take a break for a few minutes, so I would like Kagura to call someone from the audience to sing here in front. It's just for fun." The white-haired girl said, in a sweet voice which made some guys squeal at her like fanboys.
"Mira, we love you!" A guy from the back squealed.
"Kagura, you call someone from the audience." She glanced at Kagura who's sitting with us. "Oh, right." Kagura stood up. She looked at all the audience, choosing someone who'll replace them in the stage for a moment. I looked back at the redhead girl. There's something wrong with her. I can see her sobbing while she keeps drinking alcohol. I wonder why a beautiful girl like her crying?
"I choose Jellal!" My eyes widened after hearing what Kagura said. I glanced at her and saw her smirking at me. "What?!" I gasped.
"Go, Jellal!" Sho cheered me. "Oh, come on, you're a good singer." Kagura pulled me up from my chair and dragged me up to the stage.
Kagura made me stand in the stage, in front of the microphone. "Kagura, this is embarrassing." I muttered. "Oh, come on, you can do it." Kagura giggled and patted my back softly, as if she's giving me a 'good luck'. Great, what if I screw up in front of many people and...in front of that redhead girl?
I keep looking at the girl, then I noticed she glanced at me. She's looking at me. Another redhead girl...
Erza
"Another shot, please!" I told the bartender. I don't care how much is the content of alcohol in this drink, it's an advantage for me. I want to forget the pain for a moment.
"Cana, you're here!" I saw the white-haired girl from the stage earlier heading to the bar. "Mira, you're really a good singer." I heard a girl's voice from my back.
I just looked back at the stage, to watch who'll be singing this time. So, a guy will sing this time? I hope he won't sing a love song because if I hear another love song, I'll cry out loud.
Wait, a minute...The alcohol is not yet taking effect on me, so that guy staring at me suddenly bothered me. The bar is on the left side of the whole place, instead of him looking at the audience, why is he looking here in the bar and I'm pretty sure he's looking at me.
"Erza Titania?" I heard a voice from my back. I turned around to see who just mentioned my name. It was the white-haired girl in the stage earlier.
"You know me?" I asked her. "Umm, Mirajane Strauss. We're classmates way back in high school." She says. Mirajane, oh I remember her! One of the popular girls who doesn't like Gray before, how can I forget. But, honestly, she looks so different right now, unlike before. Before, she used to dressed like a punk, but now she looks so descent.
"Oh, Mira..."
"And me, Cana? The fortune-teller and the heavy-drinker of our class?" She said, laughing softly. Oh, Cana...I remember her. She used to tell me that Gray and I are not ending up together, based on her cards. She was never wrong in fortune-telling, but Gray and I tried to prove her wrong. Well, I guess she was right.
"Hey, girls..." I forced a smile. "How are you?" I asked.
"We're good. H-how about you?" Cana says.
"W-we heard what happened to...Gray. I-i'm sorry for your loss. My condolences, by the way." Mira said, bowing her head down.
Gray, again! Gray, when are you gonna get off my mind?! Everything is about you. It just adds more pain inside me every time I'll remember that you left me!
I just nodded as I response. "I know you don't want to talk about it. We better go. But, Erza...I hope you can move forward after what happened." She said and headed back to the stage, followed by Cana.
Move forward? How can I live my life without him? He's my husband, he's half of my life! Without him, it's like living without two arms and legs. How can I achieve our dreams without him? There's no one here beside me to love me, take care of me, support me, until I grow old.
I looked back at the blue-haired guy in the stage the moment I heard him singing.
I recall when you said that you would never leave me
You told me more, so much more like when the time you whispered in my ear
There was heaven in my heart
I remember when you said that you'd be here forever
I suddenly remembered Gray...
"Gray, how long do you think our relationship will last?"
"Hmm, five, ten, fifteen, twenty, forever and ever!"
"Till death do us apart, Erza..."
Then you left without even saying that you're leaving
I was hurt and it really won't be easy to forget yesterday
And I pray that you would stay
But then you're gone and, oh, so far away
"Where's Gray?" I asked them, but all they gave me was a sorrowful look. Ultear stood up from the bench. Her eyes were puffy from crying. She embraced me, hugging me so tight and I can hear her sobs. "He's gone, Erza..." She sobbed.
"No, the doctors are suppose to revive him. Ultear, please tell me he's just in the emergency room." I faked a laugh. I pushed Ultear away and approached Lyon who's standing beside Ul. "Lyon, please tell me Gray is still alive!" I cried. "He's gone, Erza. Dead on arrival..." Lyon sobbed.
"No..." My whole body kept trembling. "No!" I screamed.
Tears started streaming down from my face. I wiped them away with my handkerchief, but another batch of tears came out from my eyes. The bartender placed another shot of alcohol in front of me. I quickly grabbed the glass and took a sip. Please, take this pain away...
I was afraid this time would come
I wasn't prepared to face this kind of hurtin' from within
I have learned to live my life beside you
Maybe I'll just dream of you tonight
And if into my dream you'll come and touch me once again
I'll just keep on dreaming till my heartaches end
Jellal
Here I am, stuck in the stage, singing a love song requested by one of the audience. But, while singing, instead of looking at the audience, I couldn't take my eyes off that scarlet haired girl. She's watching me, so I'll do anything not to screw up in front of her.
"Go, Jellal!" I heard Kagura cheering on me.
And then you left without even saying that you're leaving
I was hurt and it really won't be easy to forget yesterday
And I pray that you would stay
But then you're gone and, oh, so far away
She looked away from me. I can see her forcing herself to finish her alcoholic drink. And I can see how she keeps crying in front of the bartender.
I was afraid this time would come
I wasn't prepared to face this kind of hurtin' from within
I have learned to live my life beside you
Maybe I'll just dream of you tonight
And if into my dream you'll come and touch me once again
I'll just keep on dreaming till my heartaches end
I really couldn't take my eyes off her, as if there's something about her that I couldn't explain.
Woh oh yeah
I was afraid this time would come
I wasn't prepared to face this kind of hurtin' from within
I have learned to live my life beside you
Maybe I'll just dream of you tonight
And if into my dream you'll come and touch me once again
I'll just keep on dreaming till my heartaches end
Keep on dreaming till my heartaches end...
The song finally ended. "Thank you." I said through the microphone and stepped down from the stage. A round of applause can be heard throughout the place after I sang. It's been a long time since I sang in front of many people. That night...the night I sang with a girl I barely knew. I walked back to our table and covered my face with my palm.
"Thanks a lot, Kagura." I groaned in annoyance. "What's the matter? You did great." She giggled while patting my back. I suddenly remembered the crying scarlet-haired girl earlier. The moment I put my hand down on the table, I spotted the crying scarlet-haired girl earlier. Her face buried on her arms and you can see how she keeps sobbing.
What is this? It's like something is forcing my feet to walk and go after her. I don't want to bother the girl, but something is really telling me to comfort her. A beautiful girl like her shouldn't be crying...
"Umm, I'll be right back. I'll just order a drink there." I stood up from my chair before going to the bar.
"Me too, I'll be right back. Break is over." Kagura stood up from her chair and headed back to the stage with the white-haired girl she's with earlier. Me, I slowly walked towards to the bar with my eyes nailed on the scarlet-haired girl. I...couldn't take my eyes off her. As I reached the bar, I climbed up and sat on the high stool beside her. "One shot of tequila, please." I told the bartender while I keep peeking at the girl beside me. As the bartender left to prepare my drink, I glanced at the crying girl beside me, but I immediately glanced away from her when she raised her head up. "Another shot of this drink, please..." She told the bartender, sounded as if she's begging for more alcohol. Her face is almost red as a tomato, she's having hiccups and she's kind of out of her mind already because of the alcohol.
Though I can only see the sideview of her face, I can say she's got a pretty face, but she could have been perfectly beautiful if she isn't crying. Her hair is a little bit messy, her eyeliner is messed up in her eyes because of crying and her eyes are puffy.
All I need is a courage to approach her.
I took a deep breath before saying a word to her. I patted her shoulders to get her attention. She glanced at me. "What?" She asked, glaring at me. "Are you okay, miss?" I asked in a polite way. "Do I look okay?" She scoffed at me. "It's been one and a half year since the most important man in my life left me, does that make me look okay?" She said sarcastically and glanced away from me. I can't blame her she's already drunk, and probably depressed.
"I'm sorry." I sighed, scratching my head, not knowing how will I comfort her. "Whatever your going through, you can open it up to me right now, just to release the pain in your chest."
"You expect me to open up my problem to a stranger, like you?" She chuckled. "Well, I don't want to tell you my story, but I wanna ask you something."
Ask me something?
Erza
I don't know who's this blue-haired guy talking to me right now, I can't see his face clearly because I'm drunk and feeling woozy already.
"Have you lost someone important in your life?" I asked him. My eyesight are starting to become clear, so I was able to see how his eyes widened, his facial expression and reaction when I asked him. He looked shocked, as if my question hit him deep inside.
"Hmm?" I mumbled.
He exhaled deeply before answering. "Well...yes." He answered.
"How did you feel after losing that person?" I asked him for the second time.
It took him a few seconds before he says something. "Well, of course I was sad at first, but then I managed to...move forward."
How can he easily move forward after losing the most important person in his life? I want to move forward, but I can't...
The bartender placed our drinks in front of us. I quickly grabbed the glass and took a sip from my drink. It doesn't matter to me right now how bitter this drink is, all I want is to take the pain away...
"How can you move forward without the most important person in your life?!" I asked sarcastically. "Is that person really important to you? Because I believe that if you easily get over from losing someone in your life, that person doesn't really mean to you. Because you don't have to go through the kind of pain I'm feeling right now."
Silence hulled between us. Instead of talking to him, I forced myself to drink the alcohol straightly despite its bitterness. But drinking it straightly made me cough loud.
Jellal
This girl's mouth is harsh. But I just don't want to judge her for speaking like that to me, she's drunk and she's probably in so much pain.
I was surprised when she grabbed her drink and forced all the alcohol substance down to her throat straightly. She must be heavy-drinker. She ket out a loud cough after drinking. I massaged her back as she keeps coughing.
"Why do you even bothered to ask me whether if I'm okay? Do you want to comfort me? I appreciate if ever you're concern, but no matter how great you are in comforting people, the only thing that can stop this pain is that if Gray comes back to me..." She sobbed.
Gray? That name sounds familiar.
My eyes widened, surprised she just fell into my arms and kept crying. Her head leaning on my chest as she keeps sobbing. I slowly snaked my arm around her and massaged her back while she keeps sobbing. I stroked her long scarlet hair with my fingers. Her hair is tangled at the end as if she doesn't have enough time to fix her hair.
"Stop crying...please." I whispered in her ear.
3rd Person
"What's taking him so long?" Simon asked, wondering why Jellal hasn't returned for so long. They all glanced at the bar, and voila! They were all surprised to see Jellal hugging a redhead girl.
"Not another redhead girl, Jellal." Milliana sighed.
"I think he wants a new girlfriend again." Sho added.
Jellal
This girl won't stop crying. My shirt is almost wet because of her tears. But I like this girl...she doesn't care if she cries in front of someone, unlike me...
"A beautiful girl like you shouldn't be crying..." I told her.
Erza
"A beautiful girl like you shouldn't be crying..." He told me. I gasped and pulled away from him. I couldn't see his face clearly this time, but I know exactly who's this guy comforting me right now...
Gray...
Those are the words he told me when he comforted me when I was crying after I found out my parents are divorcing. During our Prom...the night we confessed our love for each other and the night we first kissed.
"Gray?" I gasped, with my tears falling down to my cheeks from my eyes. I cupped his cheek with my hands. I couldn't see his face because my eyesight is totally blurred, but I'm sure it's Gray. "Gray...I knew you'd come back." I smiled at him. I missed him so much.
I pulled him closer to me and pressed my lips on his lips. I kissed him passionately just like the way we kiss each other before, biting his lip and aiming for his tongue.
Jellal
Holy sh-!
She's kissing me and she thinks I'm Gray! Where did I just get myself involved?
But who cares? She's a good kisser. Damn...
This is the first time someone kissed me in this way. Damn, it's so passionate...full of love.
Wait, snap out of it, Jellal! You barely knew this girl! You don't even know what her name is!
I pushed her away. She looked at me wonderingly, surprised. I looked at our table and I was surprised to see them watching us.
"I have to go." I quickly jumped down from the high stool, heading back to our table, but I felt her arms snaking around my torso.
"Please, don't leave me..." She sobbed. "I don't know if I can still last one more year in this world without you."
Who's this Gray and why does he mean so much to this girl? Her boyfriend? Did he dumped her or is he dead?
But on the other hand, I know exactly what kind of pain she is feeling. I don't want to leave her in here all alone, especially she's drunk and crying. But as the same time, I don't want her to think that this Gray came back to her. It'll hurt her more.
"I'm not Gray. I have to go, I'm sorry." I told her and removed her arms around me. It's a good thing that no one is looking at us, except for My friends earlier. The whole place is a little bit noisy because of the band, people cheering on Kagura and her bandmates. I quickly walked away from her and headed back to our table.
"Why did you leave her? It seems like she likes you, Jellal." Simon teased me, trying to muffle his laugh. I looked back at Scarlet. Yeah, I'm gonna call her Scarlet, so I won't forget the girl who first kissed me in that way. "Well...I just want to comfort her, but then she thought I was someone else." I shrugged.
I saw Scarlet leaving the bar and probably walking towards to the exit. Obviously, she's woozy and she can't even walk straightly.
"Jellal...I think you shouldn't leave her alone." Sho said, watching Scarlet walking away.
I do want to follow her. But I don't want her to think that I'm Gray.
"Hey, guys, my shift is over. So, are we going home already?" Kagura who just got back at our table, asked. "Yeah, let's go. you guys still have work tomorrow, right?" I said, looking at them. "Come on, let's go. So, you could follow that girl." Milliana teased me. "Right!" I groaned and stood up from my chair.
Erza
I don't know where my feet are taking me right now. Earlier I was talking to a stranger and then afterwards he started to sound like Gray. Those words...it was Gray. It was Gray who always comforts me in that way, by making me realize that a beautiful girl like me shouldn't be crying. I'm sure, it's Gray! I have to find him.
I walked out of the resto bar. I don't think drinking out myself is really a good idea. I couldn't even walk straightly and my eyesight is so blurry. Everything around me is whirling.
"Gray, where are you?" I muttered.
I just kept walking, not knowing where my feet are taking me, without realizing I'm already walking in the part of Magnolia where there aren't many people.
"Hey, miss, you alone?" I heard a man's voice beside me. I glanced at who spoke. Though I can't see anything clearly, I can say that there's white van beside me and the man who just spoke to me is looking through the open windows of the vehicle. But I glanced away from him, ignoring him and continued to walk.
As I keep walking, I noticed the van is slowly following me. "Come with us and have some fun!" I heard him chuckle evilly. Though I'm drunk and out of my mind, I felt nervous. I started running away though I can't even manage to stand straight.
"Ahh! Help me!" I screamed as two men carried me. I struggled from them, but they were too strong and I don't have enough strength to fight back. The alcohol has affected me too much. "Please, don't! Let me go!" I pleaded. But they successfully took me inside their van. The man inside the van pinned me on the door. "What's a hot lady like you doing out there so alone?" He grinned at me evilly.
He started ripping off the strap of my dress, until my bra got exposed. "No, please! I'm married! I have a husband, please!" I cried. The next thing I knew is that everything went black when the other man punched my stomach so hard.
I slowly opened my eyes, blinking them several times, until they get used to the light around the room. My head and body hurts. What happened last night? The last thing I can remember is there's a blue-haired guy who came to comfort me and I saw Gray! Gray! Where is he? Is he already beside me?
I found myself hugging a half-naked guy beside me, I probably fell asleep on his chest. Gray, is that you? I can feel him stroking my hair with his fingers.
I slowly looked up to look at Gray's face. I miss him so much.
But wait...something's wrong...
Since when Gray had a red tattoo on his face and dyed his hair blue?
Then, I realized...I'm not with Gray! This was someone else!
I was awaken by my thoughts about Gray, that's when I realized I'm not in our old bedroom, I'm not in my bedroom at Ul's house. I have no idea where I was! I quickly pulled myself upwards to sit on the bed. I realized only the white blanket is covering my body. I quickly lifted the blanket to check my body, then I found myself in my panties only.
My heart started beating faster. Please...whatever I'm thinking that happened to me, please don't let it be true.
I slowly turned around to look at the man I just slept with.
As I successfully turned around, my eyes were unintentionally nailed on his muscular body, on his six-pack abs. He has a perfect body, just like Gray.
Wait, a minute!
I quickly glanced at his face. I'm right, he was someone else! He's the guy who comforted me last night.
He smiled at me. "Good morning, beautiful." He said in a sexy voice.
"Kyaaaaaa!" I screamed out loud at the top of my lungs. I was about to jump out of the bed, but I lost my balance causing me to roll down to the floor, hitting my body on the carpeted floor.
"I-it's not what you think! I can explain!" He stammered, trying to approach me.