Chapter 2

"Thank you for flying with Magnolia Airlines and have a nice day!" The captain's voice went through the speaker as the plane touched down.

Almost immediately, most of the passengers unfastened their seatbelts. Lucy Heartfilia silently wondered why they were so eager. I mean, come on, the plane hasn't stop moving yet, what's the rush? The airplane headed towards the terminal as some people on board already started to stand up and grab their things from the overhead luggage compartment.

Lucy went to stand at the edge of the plane door to greet the alighting passengers. You won't believe how many times she had to say "thank you and have a nice day," while wearing a smile. She felt that her mouth was going to fall off from all the smiling.

Lucy went down the aisle, making sure that there were no more passengers in the plane before taking her own luggage and getting off. She walked through the connector which connected the plane to the second level of the airport. "Lucy!" She heard her name being called and turned around to find a redhead woman tugging her luggage walking towards her.

Her name is Erza. Erza Scarlet. Like her name, she has beautiful long scarlet hair and she is a senior stewardess. She is the purser of the plane and the most terrifying person you would ever meet. What she said must be done, must be done; no one can disobey her. Even though some glares from Erza did give Lucy goose bumps, Lucy was not scared of her.

Erza was a dear friend and sister to her. She was strict yet so kind. Her motherly figure made Lucy feel safe and secure. Erza was always there for her, even during tough times. When her father ran away, Erza took the first flight from New York right to her side and to comfort her while offering to lend some money which Lucy declined to. It was also Erza who suggested the air stewardess job.

"Erza!" Lucy's eyes lit up immediately upon seeing her friend. She stopped for a moment for the woman to catch up. "We're all so busy with our jobs nowadays that we don't really talk anymore. We seriously need to catch up. So far how's being an air stewardess? Do you need any help with anything?" Erza asked kindly.

While walking towards the customs, Lucy and Erza chatted almost about everything. From difficult passengers to homesick, they felt like they hadn't talked to each other for years. They took the bus for the stewardess, stewards and pilots to the hotel they were assigned to.

Los Angeles was a big city. It was quite late at night so Lucy got the chance to see all the bright lights of the buildings they drove past. "Ahh.. So pretty!" She exclaimed. She couldn't help but feel a little childish. "It is, isn't it?" Erza had her arms folded and legs crossed, sitting like a professional. "This is your first time here?"

Lucy nodded. "I see." A small smile formed on Erza's face. "Los Angeles is one of my favourite places, it's really beautiful and special in its own way. Plus, it's a paradise for shopping," Erza winked as a grin spread across Lucy's face. How long has it been since she last stop by a mall and squeal over a pair of shoes she most probably couldn't afford? Since she was with Erza, maybe she can just relax for a day or two…

"Oh crap, I feel like I overspent!" Lucy suddenly regretted all the bags of clothes and shoes she was carrying. But she couldn't help it, there was a sale! "I don't regret anything." Erza said carrying her own bags, which were at least twice as many as Lucy's. Surprisingly, Erza was a much bigger spender than Lucy ever was.

It had been two days since their flight to Los Angeles and they were each expecting a call any time now. And true enough, Erza got her call when they were sipping coffees at a café near their hotel. Her next job will be a flight to Beijing the next day. Lucy got hers much later, when they were relaxing in the hotel right after lunch. Her cell phone buzzes ever so violently before she answered the call.

"Hello, Lucy Heartfilia speaking…Yes…Yes…Alright…Yes…Okay, thank you," she said before ending the call. "So what's your next flight?" Erza asked, looking up from the magazine she was reading.

"A Boeing 777 to Japan…"

"Japan?"

"Yea."

Japan is both Lucy's and Erza's homeland, but over the years so many things happened. The death of Lucy's mother and the debts left by her father and the humiliation that her friends had to go through such lengths to help her.

"Lucy, you will be alright, right?"

"Uhm… Yea. I have Levy to keep me company and I'll visit Mama's grave. I hadn't spoke to Mama in a very long time." Lucy smiled, hoping it didn't look too fake. Erza didn't seem too convinced but she didn't pry on it. Instead, she headed on to a different conversation. "Are you serving Economy Class?"

Lucy fake smile turned into a real one. "Nope, this time it's First Class. It will be my first! Geez, I'm so excited." She giggled while imagining herself serving the rich.

"When do you leave?"

"First thing in the morning. The flight is at 8am. Argh! I have to wake up at 4 again…" Lucy groaned.

Erza raised an eyebrow. "Hmm? I thought you would be used to it by now."

Lucy shook her head and grinned. "Naw, I'm too lazy."

"Flame Brain!"

"Underwear!"

"Squinty eyes!"

"Ice Princess!"

Bickering could be heard at a particular Los Angeles Fairy Tail five star hotel, room 1508. Why? Simply because Natsu Dragneel and Gray Fullbuster were occupying that room. "Ano… I think we're disturbing our room neighbors, lower your volume…" Wendy was trying to calm them down desperately but was pitifully ignored.

Gajeel was munching on some hard snacks again, not caring about the fight that was going on. Natsu and Gray were holding each other's collars, with their faces barely inches apart, having the look that they just want to punch the lights out of the other.

"If they argue so much, why did they even want to travel together?" Gajeel mumbled. Just then, Natsu's IPhone rang. "Hey, Ash Brain!" The nickname caught the said boy's attention. "What was that?" He said, with the tone of annoyance.

"Hey, don't turn away from our fight!" Gray shouted but was ignored.

"I think you got a call. Gee hee." Gajeel tossed the phone at Natsu which he swiftly caught. He glanced at the caller ID before tapping on the answer button.

"Old man!"

A 'tch' could be heard on the other end of the line. Igneel's voice boomed,"Hey, stupid son! I'm not that old!"

"Yeah, you're forty-eight!"

"That's not old!"

"Whoever is older than me is old!"

There was a slapping sound and Natsu can only assume Igneel face palmed. "Whatever, I didn't call to argue about age. You're next flight is to Japan tomorrow right?"

"Yeah! I'm going back home to visit Mum and my old man!"

"Haha! I can't wait to see you children; the house is getting a bit dull and lonely."

"But uhm… There's just one teeny weeny problem."

"I heard. The engine of the jet got destroyed because of one of your fights with Gray and it'll take some time to get repaired. Seriously, I could do with you kids not constantly breaking stuff."

"Heheh… It's okay, you can send another jet here or we can stay for a few more days! Los Angeles is awesome!"

"Nope, I'm taking this chance to let you experience airplane."

"You mean those big aircrafts with all those people I've never met in my entire life? No!"

"Relax, I booked First Class for you guys. Be grateful, before I started the business, I had to take Economy Class. Trust me; your delicate toes wouldn't want that."

"Oi! I'm not delicate! And what's Economy Class?"

"Sigh. Doesn't matter, you'd find out on your own."

"Fine… So when's the flight?"

"It's at 8am tomorrow!"

"Daheck! That early?"

"If you miss that flight, I swear I will ponder you to death!"

"Alright, alright!"

"Your tickets should arrive, right about… Now."

Just as Igneel said the last word, the hotel door bell rang. "I'll see who it is!" said Wendy, scurrying to the door. She opened it, revealing a man wearing the Fairy Tail clerk uniform. "You must be Wendy, your father told me to pass you this," he handed an envelope to the teenager before bowing slightly and walked off.

Gray and Gajeel looked at Natsu, holding the expression of are-we-really-taking-a-public-plane? "Yep. The gate and seat number are all written on the ticket! Have a nice flight!" Natsu swore Igneel sniggered before he hung up.

A/N: So this is the first real chapter. Hope you like it! R&R please!

For those who do not know:

A purser is a senior air stewardess who holds more responsibilities on the plane.

Boeing 777 simple means an aircraft with Economy, Business and First Class but not the double-decked planes or the planes with beds for First Class. (Okay… I kinda suck at explaining this one but you get the picture.)

~xXVanillaVictoireXx~