A/N: Well I don't have much to say, just that worms are evil. One time my sister chased me around the kitchen with my science book that had pictures of them. Worst. day. ever.

Chapter 4 – Whit

Gray looked in the mirror and ran a hand through his dark hair, glaring at his reflection. No matter how much he tried, he could never tame down the ever-present spikes. Normally he couldn't care less about what he looked like, but the girl he was spending time with tonight was worth his every effort. He had made sure to "borrow" Natsu's heavenly smelling cologne, iron his best white jacket, and buy her a small rose.

As he stepped out of his dorm he was greeted with a slight breeze that rustled his hair. Gray closed his eyes, breathing in the crisp, fresh air that blew off from the Tiger Tall Mountains. His chest that was erratically beating a moment ago from apprehension and nervousness slowed down to an even rhythm. As he walked to Larson Hall he gave himself a pep talk. All he could come up with was what Coach Elfman pounded into his head every practice, "Be a real man!" As he rounded the corner he easily spotted Erza's elegant contour standing outside of the front entrance. She was wearing a floral print sundress that flowed down her long legs. A cropped denim completed the look and complimented her figure. It took all his strength not to kiss her right then and there, if he did he would surely get a black eye, or worse. "You are stunning," was all he could say.

Erza blushed, "You don't look half-bad yourself." Wait, this is suspiciously looking like a first date of sorts. We are just friends going on a friendly outing. Gray stood there looking like a model. He had perfect windswept hair, red cheeks that were flushed from the cold, and his signature white jacket that . This is supposed to just be an apology for ruining Levy's book, she chastised herself. It really isn't my fault I think Gray looks super attractive right now. Erza took a deep breath of the refreshing nighttime air. It's all hormones.

She was about to chew him out when he leaned in and gently tucked a trimmed pink rose behind her ear. Erza gingerly fingered it, a blush starting to creep up her neck again. Gray grinned and grabbed her hand, taking off at a slow jog. Despite his cool demeanor, his hand radiated warmness, sending a tingling sensation throughout her body.

Gray stopped at Magnolia Fountain and pulled out two old scooters that looked like a lot of care had been put into restoring them. "We'll be using these to get to the ice rink." He looked at her sheepishly, "I hope your ok with this, I would take you on my motorcycle but long story short my big sister confiscated it. Now she has it and there is probably girly decals all over it."

Erza burst into pure laughter, her sweet voice gasping for breath. "I can totally imagine you on your new, pink Harley. Perhaps you need a matching leather jacket, princess?"

"It's not that hilarious," he grumbled. "Just for that, I'm gonna beat you so badly to the ice rink that all you'll be tasting is my dust." He took off at full speed, charging down hill with ebony hair flying in every direction. His fading voice called out, "Just try to get me now!"

Gray had been so confident he would win, but at the last minute he just had to trip over the parking block, his weight thrusting him into a bush while Erza gracefully cruised past him to the finish line. She looked pleased with herself. "That my dear is why you don't challenge girls."

His pride had been dealt a blow, but he soon forgot about what happened as he and Erza glided around the ice arena for what seemed like forever. They talked about everything, from swapping stories about the crazy antics of Natsu and Lucy to bantering about which popular teen thriller was better. They also had racing re-matches, but every time Erza won. "How in the hell do you ice skate so well," he jokingly demanded. "You make me look like an amateur." He had called for a break and now they were sitting on a small, metal bench. He was wiped out, but Erza wasn't even breaking a sweat.

"Well, I used to ice skate a lot when I was younger…" Erza trailed off, offering no further explanation. Her happy demeanor faded away for a moment and was replaced with a remembrance of some sad event that happened long ago. Gray could see her going down memory lane and he had to pull her out and lighten up the mood for her sake.

He snapped his fingers to get her attention. "I've come up with the perfect nickname for you."

His announcement brought her back from the past. Curious eyes stared at him, "So, what is it?"

"Whit," he answered simply.

"Why that?"

"It's because that word describes you spot on. You're funny, sarcastic, amazing, pretty, and most of all," he paused for effect and smirked, "a smart-ass."

"I am NOT," fake anger rising in her voice. She roughly pushed him off the bench and used the now defeated Gray as a foot stool. "That's not how to talk to a lady," she teased. Erza didn't let on how happy she was. The way he genuinely listed off her qualities showed her the thought he had put into her name, except maybe for the last one. But if she was honest with herself, she knew she was a smart-ass too.

Gray saw right through her and knew she loved it. She seemed to glow, with eyes that shone like a kid in a candy store. A big smile danced on her lips. Heh, I'm about to make that smile a whole lot bigger. "You know that surprise I told you about? Well I have it right here."

She lifted her feet from his chest to let him stand. Out of his back pocket he pulled out two, fifth row seats to her favorite band. She screamed with delight and hugged him fiercely. As Erza pulled away from the embrace she couldn't help but notice he smelled like freshly fallen snow, like sweet peppermint with warm undertones of cinnamon. "How did you know I liked them so much?" she inquired, voice filled with awe as she fingered her ticket.

"Well all those posters in your rooms are a dead giveaway. Oh and all throughout 7th and 8th grade you always gushed to Natsu and me about how cute the lead front man was and you were gonna have six babies with him and live in Colorado and-"

Erza was thoroughly embarrassed and cut him off, "That's enough from you glacier boy, I should never have asked." Gray could've teased her more but he could see Erza's alertness was slowly fading. She tended to act like a drunk when she got really tired. "Ok, It's time for us to go," he said gently, leading her out of the arena and helping her change from skates to shoes. He helped Erza into her jacket and he realized she was cold. He wrapped his much bigger jacket over her delicate frame. It was a funny yet cute sight, the almighty Erza in an over-sized coat that fell to her knees.

Ever the gentleman he led her back to her dorm, charging Lucy to help get Erza to bed. Lucy wasn't too happy to be woken up at 3:00 a.m. but when he promised her a new key for her necklace she was ok. Right before he left Erza at the door she stumbled toward him. Erza was so close to him he could feel her breath by his ear, her scarlet hair tickling his face. She whispered softly. "Thank you so much."

"Get some sleep Whit," his voice lingered on her name, he found it rolled off his tongue smoothly.

The next evening starting at 6:00 p.m. Erza and I had the time of our lives. Energy coursed through our veins as we sung our hearts out, voices harmonizing yet blending in as if they were one. I didn't know much about Relient K, but Erza knew every word.

As we were walking back to campus Erza said the most ridiculous thing ever, she was wide awake and very serious. We locked eyes and she couldn't contain herself any longer. "We're gonna form our own band with Natsu and Lucy!" My jaw dropped to the ground, her announcement not even disguised as a question. That's so like Erza. I was about to protest when she continued on, "How hard can it be, dreams are meant to be chased right?" She sounded so full of hope, I couldn't turn her down. I shook my head, an idiotic smile on my face, the things I do for this girl.

A/N: Gray is such a pushover, what a cutie. xD Ever since the beginning I've wanted the gang to start their own band, and now it's happening! Also if you have a band name suggestion I'd gladly consider it. If I don't get any suggestions I suppose I'll just have to pick one myself. Lol. But I thought asking you guys would be cooler. Anywho, the shout-out corner strikes again.

GrayzaLover – Was their date a yea or nay?

PsychoticFreak8080 – I'm so happy you like my story. :) I'm trying my best to make it original!