Hope you enjoy this chapter! :D :D Please review as well! This was really rushed, and I think it's sorta confusing….
PLEASE READ!
Also, at first it was going to be a NaLu story… but should I hold a vote for a Nalu, LaLu, Sticy, Rolu or 'none' ending?
Not sure, review your thoughts!
% % % % % % % % % %
"Great! See you all later!" Lucy gave a cheerful wave to the band and left, checking quickly to make sure no one had seen her leave the building.
"Phew, I'm dead tired now!" Natsu exclaimed, flopping onto the ground like a dead fish.
"Jeez, you're in everyone's way now." Gray prodded the pinkette with his foot.
"Anyway, now we have our new song, we have to get Karen over and learn the lyrics; you guys are going to be singing it at the premiere." Erza said.
"Ugh, do we ever get a break?" the lead singer groaned.
"No, of course not."
% % % % % % % % % %
"Levy!" Lucy called out, waving at her friend.
"Sorry I called you out, I'll pay today." Levy said, looking crest fallen.
"Are the others coming?"
"Nope… we're going to the library café."
"Really?!" Lucy now looked worried, the library café was quite expensive, but it was worth it since they let you read the books there and offered great services and food. In fact, you were really well paid, and it would take forever to get offered a job there, since they go out and scout you, rather than you applying for a job there. But even so, Levy would only invite her to go there if something bad had happened to her.
"Levy, what's wrong?" Lucy asked, placing her hand on Levy's shoulder.
"I overheard my mum and dad talking about me…" Levy sniffled.
"Oh no, that can't be good." Lucy exclaimed. Levy nodded.
"They were talking about marrying me off!" she sobbed.
Lucy's eyes widened and she quickly pulled them into the quiet café. Sitting them down at a table she faced Levy seriously.
"Tell. Me. Everything."
There was a long, pregnant silence as Levy looked at Lucy in the eye. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears until she suddenly smiled.
"Gotcha!" Levy cheered, laughing loudly and earning a pointed glare from one of the waiters.
"Wait… what?" Lucy leaned back in her chair, confused.
"I was kidding, I called you out here to talk about you. I mean, what's up with you lately? First of all is when you left my house that day when you forgot your keys. You almost always try to never leave somewhere alone. And then second is that guy from the other day. He seems way too familiar." Levy spoke, throwing her arms around animatedly.
"H-huh? You're kidding me right?" Lucy tried to process everything her best friend had just explained.
"Something is up with you and you're not telling me! I'm your best friend here!"
"I suppose… but it's as I said, I got a job at the amusement park…" Lucy 'confessed'.
"Don't lie! I went there the other day and they said there was no 'Lucy Heartfillia' working there!"
"Ugh! I give up! I got offered a once in a life time chance, and I'm not allowed to tell anyone about it! Not even you! I'm sorry Levy, but that's just the way my job is…" she trailed off, hoping Levy would take pity on her and at least understand, or if she didn't… she could pretend to and just let the topic go.
"Oh come on! Can't you just give me one teeny, tiny clue?" Levy begged.
"I'm working as a… as an assistant for a few guys. That's all I'm telling you."
"Are they hot?" the bluenette looked at her slyly.
"Oh! Don't become all Mira on me. She tried to set me up enough in High School."
"Hey, you've never had a boyfriend before so I was just implying that maybe it is time for you to find one."
"Like you can talk!" Lucy stuck her tongue out, "You spend too much time fawning over Gajeel to find one!"
"Hey! That's Gajeel-sama to you! And I do not!" Levy retorted, "Also, since when did you even start to remember anything to do with IGNITE? You even contributed to the conversation about Karen, which is something you would probably complain about and try to change the topic!"
Lucy kept her mouth shut, not sure of what to say. Was she really that obvious?
Levy gave a sudden gasp.
"Don't tell me… the guys you assist are IGNITE?" Levy covered her mouth, unable to believe it.
"W-what?! Where did you get that idea? I- I- I mean, that would mean I have to speak to them face to face! You know I could never do that!" Lucy said, glad of her quick thinking.
"But that doesn't mean – " Levy was cut off as Lucy's phone started ringing.
Lucy reached for the phone, but Levy beat her to it. Snatching it off the table, she checked the ID and gave Lucy a pointed look before answering.
"Hello?" Levy put on an overly cheerful voice. Lucy sat there in an uncomfortable silence as she watched Levy talk over the phone. She was unable to hear the person on the other end, and tried to pick up the pieces from what Levy was saying.
"No, sorry." Poker face.
…
"Call later… Or I could leave a message." Poker face.
…
"Are you sure?" Slight frown of confusion.
…
"Ok –"
…
"I know, I'm sorry. But I thought I should since it seemed important." Poker face.
…
"Well, of course I'm surprised." Still no other emotion.
…
"No, I won't tell anyone." Nod of Levy's head.
…
"I'll ask Lucy about it though. I must say, I would never have thought something like this would happen to her, of all people." Levy raised an eyebrow, causing Lucy to panic mentally.
…
"Yes, good bye." Levy hung up and held onto the phone.
"Who was it…?" Lucy said, almost afraid to even ask.
"It was someone you should know really, really, well." Levy replied.
"L-like who? I mean… I know lots of people." The gears in Lucy's mind turned.
"Say," Levy changed the topic, "don't you think Karen's voice sounds awfully familiar?"
"Really?" Lucy kept a calm façade up.
"Yeah, someone from choir in High School maybe?"
"True…" Lucy mentally sighed, she hadn't been in the choir group, so maybe she was in the clear… for now, "That was a few years back though, so maybe that's why we can't remember."
"Maybe…"
"Anyway, so what was the call about?" Lucy brought the topic back up before Levy kept digging.
"Ah, from your Uncle."
"My Uncle? You mean Mest Doranbolt?" Lucy asked.
Levy nodded.
"Yeah, he said he's getting married soon."
"To who?!" Lucy's eyes bugged out. Mest had always seemed to be quite a player… and now he's finally settling down?
"Ummm, he said someone called Grandine, she has a daughter named Wendy?" (A/N: ok, ok, I know you might think… 'uh, weird' but I think Wendy and Mest have a nice father/daughter relationship. Hahaha, me and my retarded thoughts.)
"Wow, I met her a year ago, both Grandine and Wendy seemed nice, but I thought they had broken up long ago. Mest isn't the kind to actually get married. Not to mention, Wendy is adopted since Grandine can't give birth."
"People change." Levy shrugged, "Also, he said that Grandine wanted you to be the bride's maid. So make sure you're definitely free in four months on the 8th."
"But why not Wendy?" Lucy wondered.
"Maybe she's going to be the flower girl?"
"Maybe. Ah, well I'll have to call him later to discuss some things. Oh, and I need to think about their gift." Lucy caught sight of the clock, "Wait, Levy, don't you have work in a few?"
"Eh?" Levy checked her watch, "Oh crap! I do! I gotta go, see ya!" she slammed a few notes down on to the table and rushed off, leaving a light breeze behind her, and a shocked Lucy.
% % % % % % % % % %
"3, 2, 1!" the cameraman called out. The light flashes several times as the band switched poses from time to time. Karen, being the only girl, stood in the middle, her arms looped through Gray's and Natsu's, while Gajeel and Jellal stood on each end, striking seductive poses.
"Alright!" the director called, "Now we're going to have a few other models come in for the couple shots since White Day is coming up."
Three other girls and a handsome boy emerged from the prep rooms and they quickly paired up as told. The charming brunette boy pulled Karen towards him, causing her to blush and the cameraman sneakily took a snap.
Gajeel and Jellal had similar girls, both being strawberry haired. One had sharp green eyes, her hair styled into a cute bob and an outfit to fit her petite body. The other with almond eyes, was much taller and had a fuller bust. The last girl, a blonde beauty, advanced towards Natsu, but the director held his arm out, stopping her.
"I also forgot to mention," He said slyly, "Natsu and Gray are sharing the same girl, a bit like a love triangle."
They nodded as Karen finished her set of photos and Jellal and his partner walked onto the shoot. Thank heavens Erza wasn't there since she was busy trying to contact Lucy, but other than that, the shoot continued smoothly. If only.
"Great job today guys! You're free to go!" the director called, satisfied with the photos.
"Wait! IGNITE! Before you go! Please perform a song for us! Please!" the girls called, looking on with shining eyes.
"Guys… Erza's not back yet – "
"Of course!" Karen drawled, batting her eyes, "We'll totally sing for you guys!"
"Wait… what?"
"PERFECT!" the director shouted in glee, "I actually was hoping for something like this! Draw the curtains!"
The drapes flew open and a set of drums, an electric keyboard, bass and guitar were set up, along with two microphones.
"I, uh… need to use the bathroom!" Gray quickly said, scurrying off – probably to find Erza.
"R-right! We need gray, so… I guess we'll have to wait." Natsu said awkwardly.
"Fine! Well in that time then, I'll perform an acapella for you guys!" Karen jumped up onto the stage and reached for the microphone.
"Ah, crap! I totally forgot Erza said we have an interview across town in about twenty minutes!" Jellal lied, smacking his forehead.
"Really? We better get going then… ha ha ha... Gajeel go get Gray and we'll find Erza… meet you at the car!" Natsu leapt forward and snatched hold of Karen's hand before racing off with Jellal and Gajeel.
"O-oi!" Karen spluttered, "We so do not have an interview! Erza said that we're free after the shoot!" she complained, wanting her time to shine.
"Well too bad! You're going home!"
% % % % % % % % % %
"Ah, crap, my phone's dead." Lucy held up her mobile and sighed, "Let just hope there no emergencies."
"Lucy." Someone said from behind.
"Argh! Crap Rouge! Why are you here? You scared the hell out of me." She shrieked.
Rouge was a victim of Lucy's clumsiness in her first… second… or was it fourth, job. The too hadn't hit off with a great start (cause, you know, spilling hot tea on a customer isn't the best of ways to meet).
"Hey, you didn't stutter." He muttered.
"Y-yeah… I've been working on that… I'm getting better I guess." She scratched her cheek, "So how've you been lately?"
"Same old." He shrugged.
"Yeah… not so much for me, I've gone through maybe three or four more jobs after I was fired from the one I met you at." She giggled, "But I've finally got a job that I haven't been fired from yet! I've lasted maybe a month or so now!"
"That's good." Rouge smiled inwardly, he was proud of her, after all.
"That reminds me, do you happen to know any stores that sell some nice wedding gifts? My uncle's getting married. Finally." She rolled her eyes, but her smile said otherwise.
"Sorry, can't help you there… my cousin might be able to though, I'll message you if I find something." He spoke quickly.
"Really? Thanks! And that's probably the longest sentence I've ever heard you speak!" she patted his shoulder playfully, "Alright, I'm off, I have some things to do. Bye!" she waved and ran off.
% % % % % % % % % %
Talk to me, pick up the phone,
Walk with me, we'll take the throne,
We're in this together,
Now that we have each other,
And we can dance to the music –
"Ugh, who the hell would make such a song?" Gray groaned, covering his ears.
Gray, Jellal, Erza and Natsu had gone out to snack at a cake shop after the photo shoot with Karen. Gajeel – much to his dismay – had been given the honours of making sure she made it home safely, since there were paparazzi and lustful fans everywhere.
"Umm, I think it was Flare from Raven Tail." Erza said, shovelling cake into her mouth.
"Is she the one that looks like a Barbie doll?" Natsu questioned.
"Nah, I'm pretty sure that's… Wait, who was it again?" Gray said.
"Either way, this song is completely and utterly horrible." Jellal chipped in; his arm snaked around Erza's waist.
"Don't you think her voice is really nasally?" Gray wondered.
"Looks like were all on the same page here." Natsu said when everyone nodded in agreement.
"So, when is the premiere of the TV show?" Jellal looked at Erza.
"The 8th in four months, I cleared that day so that you all have time to rest and get ready, since the following few days after that are pretty tight on schedule."
"Thanks Erza! You're the best, and this is why we rely on you!" Natsu gave her thumbs up and a goofy grin, "Is Lucy going to come?"
"Hmm, I think it's best that we don't tell her, or invite her to come. No one knows her and everyone would be wondering why she was there. It could cause suspicion."
"Yeah, you're right." Natsu looked sad, but nodded in understanding otherwise.
% % % % % % % % % %
"Uwah!" Lucy grunted as she face planted into a wall, "Now how the heck did I do that?" she asked herself, rubbing her forehead.
"You tell me." A voice spoke; it was cocky and had a smirk behind it.
"W-w-w-w-w-w-w-w-w-w-w-w-w-w…" she gave up and looked away.
"W-w-w-what?" he mocked her.
He had blonde hair, but it was paler than hers. Striking blue eyes bore into her chocolate brown ones. There was a scar above his eye, but it made him look hotter, rather than disfigured.
"S-sorry I bumped into you, goodbye!" she bowed down as low as possible then turned and raced off.
"Hey! Wait up!" he called, recalling her from somewhere. A small piece of card floated down as he reached out to catch it.
"SPARK's Agency?" he read, "What? Is she famous or something?"
He almost jumped in shock when his phone started ringing. Quickly searching his vibrating pocket, he pulled out the device and flipped it open, placing it against his ear.
"Yo, what's up?" he said, smirking.
"I can't believe I'm calling you, Sting, of all people. I've got girl problems." The voice on the other line sighed.
"Well, that's a first. I just met someone too." He thought of the blonde girl from earlier.
"Really? Who?"
"I got no idea; she just bumped into me then ran off, a real looker. What about you?" He shrugged.
"No way, I'm only saying if Rouge is there too!"
"Fine, fine, fine, I'll call him… meet up at the café in an hour."
"Whatever." The person on the other end grunted and hung up.
Sting pulled the beeping phone away from his ear and smirked, "Rouge's gonna be pretty surprised to hear this."
% % % % % % % % % %
CHAPTER FOUR :)