A/N: I am extremely sorry for the late update. Life got complicated with people, essays, track, and shin splints. :P I will forever try to keep on task with once a week updates.

Chapter 8 – Falling Apart

"Really, Jellal?" I hear Gray's voice dripping with annoyance. "How low are you? You act like I'm not even here." Jellal responds with his arms crossed and a scowl that emphasizes his scarred face. I take a moment to examine both guys and conclude in 3 seconds they need to separate now or both of them will be at each other's throats. Seeing Jellal brings on a wave of emotions, but I suppress them so I can think clearly. I have to look tough even though right now I am scared out of my mind. I have to take control of the situation.

I drop Gray's warm, familiar hand and I quietly ask a simple request. "Can you give Jellal and me a second? We have things to settle." He opens his mouth to say something but I give him a small smile before walking off, motioning for Jellal to follow me. I feel Gray's eyes on my back as I leave; I so desperately want to know what he thinks of all of this. Jellal and I walk in tense silence for a few minutes until we can go no further, wooden posts mark the end of the pier.

It is a windy day and the air smells of salt and fish. I also catch scent of Jellal's haunting, yet still sweet smell, the smell of Grand Firs and cinnamon. What a sick joke, I think. To have him smell like Christmas. I turn to him and do the only natural thing to do when someone has hurt you deeply; I slap him.

He barely flinches from my hit that has left a red mark on his left cheek. It is as if he was expecting that kind of a greeting. "Are you done now?" is all he asks in a calm manner. That ticks me off more and I want to slap him again, but I resist the urge.

There are so many questions I want to shout at him. Where were you all this time? Why didn't you stay in touch? My heart seems to be pumping at an erratic rate. I clench my hands so tightly I can't feel them anymore.

"Gray is using you," Jellal states point blank. He is the master of poker faces and I wish that I could elicit some emotion out of him because I can't read him at all.

I stare at him stubbornly. "After all this time, three years to be exact, and this is all you have to say to me. No calls, no visits. I know nothing of you anymore; didn't you know that I cared for you?" A small question uninvitingly pokes itself into my conscious. Do I still care for him?

I look at him, waiting for his reply and I am holding back tears because I know they will not help me. "Erza, listen to me. For a minute think with your head and not heart." He grips my shoulders and stares down at me. "Tomorrow at precisely 10:00 a.m. Gray is playing on the ice, not sitting on the bench like freshman always do. National Hockey League scouts are at the game, and he potentially could get himself a contract right after he graduates senior year. Do you know how he got this killer chance?"

"What are you talking about? Gray hasn't said anything about scouts or games tomorrow." I shrug his hand off my shoulders, and I stand up straight, looking him in the eyes.

"I know because his coach Elfman told me that in exchange for keeping the extremely smart freshman whose name is Erza Scarlet at college he would get his chances earlier. I sat next to him on the plane, and he took advantage of the free drinks a little too often. Believe or don't believe me, perhaps you should ask the raven haired boy himself." He leans on the railing and contemplates the view. It is beautiful with the sun almost done setting. It casts a warm orange glow on the unusually calm ocean surface. "Think Erza think, why am I telling you this?" He brushes past me and again I am reminded of Christmas.

That boy drives me crazy. He thinks that he can ask me questions but he hasn't answered mine. What gives him the right to waltz in and out of my life? I run aimlessly, trying desperately to get away from his memory. I need to find Gray; I need to know the truth. Erza, stay strong. I think that over and over again, reminding myself I am not helpless. I lose myself in the crowd, pushing people in order to find my Gray. My, since when did he become mine? I finally spot him at the entrance. Though hundreds of people are here, there is only one person was can pull off wearing navy blue and black together. I sprint towards him and 20 feet away I shout to him, "You would never use me to advance your ice hockey career right?" Seconds later I wrap my arms around his steady torso and lean into his chest, inhaling his refreshing scent.

For a moment we stay in an embrace, until he slowly loosens his grip on me. He mildlly asks, "You found out? I could tell you what you wanna hear but that's not how I roll. Yeah, coach and I made a deal. It's just too bad that the ruse couldn't keep up until after the big game tomorrow, but I'll still be in it. Thanks, I guess." Gray starts walking away and I am hurt beyond belief.

I start after him, "Gray, wait- explain it to me. I'm sure your actions are for a good reason!" I spot him flinch and I try to push myself though the crowds but this time they are unforgiving. I lose sight of his contour, and just sit on the nearest bench. I have a slight light-headed fell. Then all my thoughts and emotions have clashed and there is only one thought that resounds throughout my head. This is all a mistake.

"Sho, please don't leave me alone. I'm sure we can find a way to survive living with our parents. We've done it all our lives. I promise to do some of your chores, and not to steal your left sock, and eat my veggies and-" little 5 year old Erza was cut off gently by her 15 year old big brother.

"I promise I'll come back home when I've made enough money. Then you can live with me and we'll be parent-free." He lifted her up and spun her around three times before setting her back carefully on the ground. He gave her one last enveloping hug. "Now I've got to go, remember I love you Erza. Stay strong."

Erza watched her only family member who cared about her leave. As she waved goodbye with tears in her eyes she called out, "Sho, you'll always be my role model. Don't forget to come back for me!"

At Erza and Lucy's Dorm

Lucy and Natsu found me staring blankly at the crowds. They could tell that something was terribly wrong. I couldn't say what happened because my mind refuses to believe Gray would pull a stunt like that. In bits and pieces I told Lucy the whole stinking truth. What should've been a 10 minute story became an hour long session of Lucy coaxing me to open up. I may have made her life miserable by refusing to talk to her until she made me a strawberry cheesecake, but that just proves what a gem of a friend she is.

Now I am cross legged on my bed and listening to the first song that was on my phone. I see Lucy out of the corner of my eye and before I realize what she's doing she pulls out my ear buds and tosses my phone on her bed. That jerk, she knows I'm too lazy to get those things back.

"Erza, I think you really need to talk to Jellal again. You need answers, and right now he's the only one who has them. Gray is unresponsive, but don't worry, I've sent Natsu out to look for him. Now I'm sending you to see Jellal."

I groan and throw my head back onto my pillow. "I never wanna see him again. He acts like he knows everything and he's like the man with the slicked back hair who sells shady cars."

Lucy sighs in exasperation at my stubborn ways and attitude problems. "Stop acting like he hasn't hurt you and stop pretending that you have closure. Believing that is a lie and only fools believe in lies." She pulls out from my sweater a piece of paper with his distinct scrawling hand writing. It has Jellal's phone number and a short note. "12:30 lunch - your choice where to eat –J" That punk snuck that note in my pocket when he brushed past me!

That one sentence hit a nerve so deep I had forgotten it was there. I want to yell at Lucy, she has no idea what I've been through. She has no right to declare me a fool. But my best friend does not deserve my crap. "I just some explanations really, I sigh,

Her browns eyes stare back at mine, her gaze not wavering at the slightest. "That's why you need to meet him," she says quietly.

I know what I have to do.

A/N: Geez this chapter has a lot of angst, but that doesn't mean there isn't Grayza moments! Ya just have to look a little deeper. Relationships take work, they aren't all fun and easy. Random sidenote, it's 3:43 a.m. and I really should sleep cuz my first track meet is tomorrow. xD Alright, here's the shout-out corner.

BridgeBurn100 - Sorry for the confusion, I suppose I could've made it a little more clear. Thanks for saying that though! Proofreading is key. :)

GrayzaLover - Jellal is such a jerk, he just has to interrupt at the worst time! This won't be the last you see of him, he makes life interesting.

xXRoxxaneXx - Your reviews are so fab and funny! haha you saw Jellal coming a long time ago

DragonIceFeather - Thanks for all your awesome reviews!