"Hey Mira" Gray called to the eldest take over mage as he took a seat at the bar.
"Oh hello Gray!" Mira happily greeted. "Do you need something?"
"Well, actually yeah! Have you seen Lucy around? I needed to talk to her about something!"
"Yeah! She, Natsu, Happy and Erza went off an a job." Lisanna said popping up from behind the bar.
"You're working the bar today too Lisanna?" Gray asked, briefly changing the subject.
"Yeah! It was pretty busy earlier so I offered Mira a hand. So...what do you want to talk to Lucy about?" Lisanna asked curiously.
"Uh...well you see...it's just I invited Lucy to Acane Resort a few days ago and I was going to talk to her about it." Suddenly Mira's eye's lit up, "Are you two going on a date? Don't tell me you've fallen for Fairy Tails very own celestial wizard" she teased a bit to loud causing some of the guild members to look in their direction.
"N-No it's just that she's seemed stressed lately so I thought a trip to Acane would be good for her. Gray explained.
"I've never been to Acane before" Lisanna blurted out "Could I go too?" Not wanting to be rude Gray tried to think of the nicest way to tell her no. "Ah.. well.. you see it's just that.." Lisanna could tell by the way Gray kept pausing that his answer was going to be 'No' but there was no way she was going to accept that so she said what she knew would change his mind, "Oh I get it." She said interrupting Gray mid-sentence "You say it's not a date but in fact it actually is a date."
"N-No it's not." Gray tried to argue. "Then why can't I go?" Lisanna asked. Knowing if he said anymore he would be digging himself into an even bigger hole so he decided to give in, "Okay fine! You can go!"
Hearing that Lisanna suddenly felt very excited. "Thank you Gray" she said appreciatively "And you don't have to worry about my ticket, I'll pay for it myself."
After all that was said and done Lisanna and Mira went back to working the bar and Gray went to the table that Elfman and Cana were sitting at, and almost soon after was joined by the blue haired water mage Juvia who took a seat right next to Gray.
Meanwhile at 8 island
"Hello and welcome" Lucy greeted a young couple who were sitting at one of the restaurants booths "Have you decided on what you'd like to order?"
Just like the first time they worked at 8 island Lucy wore an orange waitress uniform with frills on the top that stopped a little above the knee, the restaurants name written across her chest and a white apron wrapped around her waist, leg high stockings and brown heels. She stood there and wrote down the couples order as they listed what they wanted to eat.
After she finished with that table a table full of women who looked to be in their mid forties called her over to take their order.
As she was taking the third womans order Natsu walked up behind her. Since what drew him into doing this job again was the food he would get to eat it was no shocker to see his mouth stuffed with food as he brought the customers their food, or what was left of it anyways.
At that moment she couldn't help but admire how handsome Natsu looked in his waiters uniform. Even though his sleeves were rolled up a bit the white dress shirt, the black vest he had over it, the black dress pants and his dress shoes suited him well. Of course Natsu wouldn't be Natsu if he didn't wear the scarf given to him by Igneel, which he wore religiously.
Turning to head to the kitchen Lucy noticed Erza, who wore the same waitress uniform she did, strutting to a table that held to men and seductively placing her leg on the table asked that what they would like to order.
Since the restaurant had opened business had been booming. People from all over were coming by to eat the delicious food that was made by Yajima.
Compared to the first time they worked for Yajima things this time were more fast paced since the tables would fill up so fast. The good thing about it being busy was that it made their day go by quick.
The sun was starting to go down by the time 8 islands was cleaned up and closed for the night.
Standing outside Natsu, Happy, Lucy and Erza stood infront of the carriage with Yajima. "Thank you for all your hard work today." Yajima said appreciatively "It never cease to amaze me how hard you youngsters work."
"It was our pleasure Yajima. It seems like everyone really enjoys your food." Erza complimented.
"Yes." Yajima nodded his head in agreement "It's hard to believe how popular my food has become over the short amount of time."
"You got that right ~I'm stuffed" Natsu said sitting on a bench rubbing his belly.
"Geez Natsu! It seems like you ate more food today then you did the first time we worked here." Lucy stated staring at the dragon slayer sat rubbing his oversized belly.
"I couldn't help it." Natsu answered with a bored tone causing the blonde to roll her eyes. She had expected him to eat some of the food but throughout the whole day it seemed like he was picking food off of every single plate.
"Well we better get going" Erza said sternly staring at the carriage that had arrived and was waiting on them.
After much fighting in the end Natsu had to be dragged onto the carriage by Erza. The trip back to Magnolia was the same as always. Erza sitting across from the motion sick fire mage who was spread out across the carriage with his mouth puffing out every so often like he was going to throw up, and Lucy sitting next to him with Plue in her lap.
They reached the guild hall Lucy along with Plue, Erza and Happy got off the carriage with a still nauseous Natsu trailing behind them.
After walking through the guild doors Erza and Lucy walked throughout the almost empty guild hall. It was pretty late and most of the members had gone home. "Well Hello!" Mira cheerfully greeted the group. "Hey Mira" Lucy greeted back "What are you still going here?"
"Oh, I was just finishing up" Mira answered "I'll be heading home shortly. What about you four? You must be exhausted from your job today shouldn't you be home resting?"
"We just came to give the master our report." Erza said with a stern tone before putting the fork full of cake into her mouth. "The only reason it took so long is because someone" Lucy looked back at Natsu, who was talking to Cana, then turned back to Mira "didn't want to get on the carriage so we could head back. It wasn't until Erza said something that he finally got on it."
"Goodness" Mira said with a soft chuckle "Well while you're here would you like something to eat? There's still food left if you're hungry."
"No thanks." Lucy declined politely "I'm pretty tired so I think I'm gonna head home." Just as she turned to walk away Mira called out to her, "Oh Lucy" after turning back to face her she leaned over the bar so what she told the celestial wizard was said in a whisper, "I forgot to tell you that Gray stopped by here earlier today looking for you."
"Did he say what he wanted?" Lucy asked Mira in the same hushed tone. "He said something about talking to you about your trip to Acane Resort. So..." Mira's tone changed from a casual whisper to a suspicious yet teasing whisper "When were you going to tell me that you and Gray were dating?"
"W-What?" Lucy said in shock as a blush crept onto her face "M-Mira you've got it all wrong. It's not a date. Y-You see Gray ran into me while I was at the beach the other day and he saw I was pretty stressed so he invited me to Acane Resort to get away and relax. T-That's all"
Letting out another soft chuckle "Okay" Mira said as she winked to the still blushing blonde. "I-I'm serious Mira. We're just going as friends." Lucy tried to defend herself but knew full well that Mira had her suspicions. "I'm heading home." Lucy said feeling even more exhausted then she had before. "See you guys tomorrow."
"Can you believe that Plue?" Lucy said as she walked along the side of the canal "Gray even said it himself. The trip was a way to help me relax and nothing more."
"Puu-Puun"
"Yeah I know." She replied back as if she understood what her little celestial spirit had said "I know Gray had expressed his feeling towards me the other day and we still hadn't talked about it, but..." She stopped walking for a minute and looked up at the night sky thinking back to Natsu and Lisanna and what she had witnessed Monday.
"I just don't know if I'm over him yet." She said looking down at Plue "Does it seem right for my heart to move on so quickly?"
"Puu-Puun"
"You're right!" Lucy said continuing her one sided conversation "It's not fair to Gray to be kept in the dark. I'll have to find some time to sit down and talk to him about it, soon."
"Puu-Puun"
"You're so smart Plue" Lucy said with a smile as she brought up the spirit to her chest and hugged him. Now standing infront of the stairs to her apartment she looked up the the section that she lived in then back down at Plue "Come on lets go inside and take a nice relaxing bath."
Once she was in her apartment she sat Plue down on the floor, grabbed a towel and went to the bathroom to undress. When she walked into the bathroom she walked over to the bathtub and started running the warm water. While the water filled the tub Lucy took off her clothes and wrapped a towel around her body. After checking the water to make sure it was a good tempterature Lucy grabbed Plue and they got into the bath.
What's wrong with me? Lucy pondered as she sat in the path with her legs pressed against her and her arms wrapped around her legs /Why can't I let myself fall for Gray? He's a great guy, an amazing friend and an awesome wizard. From what I saw at the guild hall it looked like he had clearly accepted her offer to go on a date. Meaning that whatever shot I could of had is gone. So what's holding me back from letting Gray in?/
Laying her head back against the tub Lucy couldn't help but think back to when her feelings for Natsu first appeared.
Flashback
I had been an unusually boring day in the guild hall. Lucy had sat with her head on the bar when Mira came over and started talking to her. She had brought up the topic of taking a job which Lucy answered with a pout, "Because Natsu said he needed a little rest."
"Why don't you take a job by yourself or with another team?" Mira asked while drying a plate. "The thing is I kinda feel obligated to team up with him..." Lucy answered back. After Lucy said that is when Mira started thoughts into her head.
"You do get along rather well" Mira said before placing a hand on her face, "Just like a couple in love!" After hearing Mira say that Lucy tried to deny it but then Mira went on and added, "But, Natsu might have feelings for you..." Before Lucy could say anything they were interrupted by a bunch of laughing. When she turned around she saw Cana, Elfman, Levy among other guild members laughing as Natsu, Happy and Plue stood atop one of the tables doing some sort of weird dance.
Seeing that display Lucy said, "Even if he did, I wouldn't be interested." Of course being the romantic optimist she was Mira had her hands intertwined in each other as she watched Natsu's little dance happily before looking at Lucy "But I think the two of you would make a lovely couple."
Even though she would deny it Mira was very insistent that they would make a lovely couple. After leaving the guild Mira's words seemed to taunt her the whole way back to her apartment.
After entering her apartment she was surprised to see Natsu sitting in one of her chairs greeting her as she walked in the door. "Yo!" Natsu said with a smile as he stuck his hand in the air.
After she lectured him about entering peoples houses as he pleased he had mentioned something about needing to talk to her. Letting a sigh escape she spoke "You really like it here, don't you?" It was then that Mira's words had came back to haunt her. Suddenly a blush and suddenly she felt really nervous. Now she was starting to panic and all Natsu could do while she did was stare at her and make her feel even more nervous.
"G-G-Get out" she said with a stutter. But Natsu kept insisting that he needed to talk to her. "GET OUT!" she yelled not wanting to hear what he had to say to her. She didn't know how she could handle a confession from him so the only thing she knew to do was kick him out before he could say anything.
Seeming a bit surprised by her sudden out burst Natsu got up and left her apartment by jumping out the window leaving Lucy to calm her fast beating heart.
The next day hadn't been any better. While she was sitting at the guild eating with Plue while reading a book when mid-bite Natsu came up behind her and wrapped his arm around her causing her to freak out and push him away. As soon as she started walking away Gray passed her and she could hear Gray gripe at Natsu about getting back to work. Which started another fight between the two but she didn't stop to watch. On her way out she passed by Macao, Wakaba, Warren and Max who were talking about Natsu having a crush on a girl. Which made her even more nervous about it being her.
But what had really sent her mind into over drive was when Natsu walked up behind her and asked her to meet him at the Sola Tree in Southgate Park at night and when he told her to come alone he blushed. Which made her heart thump even faster. After he ran out of the guild she excused herself for the day and went home.
After readying myself I approached the tree where Natsu was waiting for me. My nerves were about to take over when all of a sudden he mentioned something about bringing out Virgo. Standing there in disbelief I listened to him go on and on about some embarrassing photos of guild members that had been buried a long time ago. He had wanted her to meet him there so Virgo could dig the hole for him which had set her off. After slapping him she ran off feeling some what disappointed.
End flashback
Even after all that the feelings that had developed in that short time span didn't seem to disappear they only grew gradually as the time progressed.
When the water started to feel cold was when she realized that she had been in the bath to long.
After grabbing Plue out of the water, she started draining the water from the tub then she wrapped a dry towel around herself and exited the bathroom.
After she changed clothes she said goodbye to Plue as he went back to the spirit world. Just as she was about to lay in bed she noticed something laying on her pillow. Picking it up she looked at it closely. It was her ticket to Acane Resort. Looking at the ticket she read that the ticket was for a three day two night trip. Attached to the ticket was a note.
Here's your ticket. Meet me at the guild tomorrow to discuss the rest of the details. -Gray
Looking down at the ticket she couldn't help but smile.It may take some time but maybe it's about time to open up my heart to someone other then Natsu.
After putting the ticket on her desk Lucy went to sleep.
Uh oh NaLu fans... Lucys thinking about moving on from Natsu. Do you think she'll be able to do it or will her heart stay with him. The only way to get the answer is by reading next chapter.