A/N: This is the first chapter with Erza's POV, now all I have left is one with Natsu. Also I miss the old animation. Bridge animates it ok but sometimes characters' muscles end up looking like bricks. Or rocks. xD The first season is golden and it always will be.

Chapter 6 – So That's The Reason Why

"Erza dear, come downstairs for some fresh baked chocolate chip cookies!" calls the woman who I love more than anyone else in the world.

"I'm coming," I yell back from my room. I try to get up from my desk, but my knees feel weak and they can't hold up my weight. I'm slowly losing sight of my calm, quiet room painted light green. My head is dizzy, my vision is blurry. All I see is smoke; all I hear is hysterical laughing.

"Erza!" a familiar voice yells and shakes me by the shoulders. "We have 5 minutes until our show."

I rub my eyes and look around. Where am I? Memories come flooding back of pulling all-nighters to practice, and of surviving them by drinking Natsu's seriously sketch coffee connection. For some reason beads of sweat has collected on my forehead. I try to remember why, but I can't place my finger on it. Kind of like hearing your old favorite song but not being able to remember it's name. I try to get rid of the foreboding feeling that is gathering in the pit of my stomach. I have more important things to think about. I practically propel myself from the floor, which is not the best idea as I feel nauseous from the sudden movement. I grab Gray's wrist. "Let's go Gray, stop lying around and being lazy."

"I thought I was the one reprimanding you," Gray mutters indignantly as I drag him upstairs to meet up with Lucy and Natsu backstage.

When we arrive Lucy and Natsu jump on us like a pack of wolves, "Gosh guys, don't run off again. Now is not the time to elope," a rather exasperated Lucy scolds.

I shoot her one of my best glares, ready to wipe that pretty smirk off of her face when Laxus's voice booms onstage. "Thanks for everyone who has shown up here! These guys are amazingand this is their big debut. Are you guys ready to rock? Please welcome Underrated!"

All four of us walk onstage, leaving all nervousness at the door. That is, all of us except me. I thought that I had it under control until I notice all of the pairs of eyes staring at me. The whole staff had helped us rearrange tables and chairs beforehand so we could fit in more people, but I regret that decision now. There are easily 100+ people inside Makarov's tiny restaurant.

I hear Natsu's beautiful piano intro for out first song, but it sounds like it's coming from another world. No matter how hard I try, nothing comes out of my mouth. One time a teacher told my third grade class to imaging the audience in their underwear to ward off stage fright, but being the sassy little girl I was I told her she was an idiot.

The lump in my throat pulls my back from my nervous musings. My throat is constricting and it is getting hard to breath. Gray notices that something is wrong, and without warning he is behind me. He leans over my shoulder and becomes my savior, singing the lyrics I should have been. I let him take my place, and as I start my guitar riff he gives me a thumbs up sign before returning to the mic.

He always told me he wasn't the singer type, but that was hard to believe when right now I was hearing the most passionate, warm voice I've ever heard. His voice pervades the whole shop, seemingly seeping into every nook and granny. Our play consists mostly of covers, but no matter what genre it is Gray rocks it.

Turns out we were only supposed to play from 9 to 10, but time slipped and the concert wasn't over until midnight. It definitely did not help that at the end Natsu grabbed the mic from Gray and promised everyone a free sandwich for the after party. Makarov was furious, but what else could he do but comply?

When everyone had finally left, my friends and I scream with delight like a bunch of groupies or fangirls. "We were so epic! When will out next concert be?" Natsu asks excitedly, not noticing that the rest of us are dead-beat tired.

"Well Natsu, your band has proved to be quite successful," Wendy squeals. "In fact, two weeks from now, the International Cheesecake Festival is going to happen. They have a battle of the bands, and whoever wins gets a free mini-cheesecake every day for a year from Magnolia's top bakery, Puff Pastry. Erza and I thought entering is a splendid opportunity to gain experience."

I curse under my breath. Wendy, you klutzy 12 year-old, you weren't supposed to mention me! It was too late to cover up what she said, as everyone turns to stare at me, mouths ajar.

"So that's the reason why you wanted to form a band, to get your hands on the cheesecake! Forget this I'm chasing my dream crap!" Gray accuses me.

Wendy tries to reason with everyone, "Well you all will benefit too if you win!"

"You don't know this girl at all if you think she'll share," Lucy groans. "It'll all be gone by the afternoon. We're lucky if we ever get a crumb." Wendy looks at me like I'm some kind of monster, mortification evident on her face.

"This is so like you." Gray walks towards me until we're almost touching noses, but he uses his height at an advantage to look down on me. He breaks out into a big grin, "Now you not only owe me for saving you from stage fright, but also for helping you win this ridiculous tournament."

I want to slap him so badly, oweing Gray was never a good thing.

Let me just say the International Cheesecake Festival tournament was the weirdest thing ever. The host was a pumpkin-man thing, Lucy slipped on a banana peel onstage that almost led to our elimination, and this guy named Ichiya kept following me until I finally punched his ugly mug. Despite all the drama, I am happy to announce we won and I am currently using my newfound power to order Puff Pastry's most expensive mini-cheesecakes.

To make it up for hogging the prize, I announced to my friends the day we won that next Tuesday (the 31st) we're all going to go to Ryuzetsu Land. Everyone screamed like groupies for the 100th time this March (a habit we've been doing lately) when they heard the news. I saw Natsu and Lucy exchange mischievous glances, but I'm really not that worried. Gray and I have made some plans of our own.

A/N: If you're wondering what the heck is going on in the beginning, I can't say other then that you'll find out in the next chappys. Sometime! Also the shout-out corner is looking quite bleak, oh well.

Justineroxful - Ahhh thanks so much for saying this is one of your favorite stories! It means a lot! Gruvia makes me so annoyed too. I really just don't see them as compatible at all.