The new semester began at Juvia's school and not much changed except that now she had P.E. as her final class of the day. She didn't know what to expect since she never had P.E. before, but she wasn't hopeful. Gajeel wouldn't be in her P.E. class because he was in wrestling. Outside of Gajeel, she still didn't really have any friends. The girl who sat in front of her, Levy, was nice enough but they never talked outside of class. She always seemed to have a book with her, stopping Juvia from trying to talk to her. She didn't want to be an annoyance.
That is how Juvia came to be standing alone while the other kids gossiped to each other, waiting for their P.E. teacher to show up.
The gym doors swung open and in walked a very tall muscular man. His had a frown on his face, but judging by the wrinkle lines around his mouth and the twinkle in his eye Juvia guessed he was actually a pretty kind person.
"Hello brats, my name is Gildarts and I'm your P.E. teacher this semester. In this class we are going to be learning and playing different sports. It doesn't matter how well you play the sport, you will graded in participation and effort. That means if you skip class you will fail gym. Don't be the person who fails gym 're going to start with swimming. So go suit up, your swimsuits will be found in your designated lockers. Your suits should be the size you chose in the beginning in the year but if it doesn't fit go-"
No. It was the only thought Juvia could muster. That word swirled around her head and threatened to drown her. She can't. She can't, she can't.
Juvia realized her lungs had closed up and she forced herself to breathe. She didn't have a swimsuit, she already checked her locker and she can't swim without a swimsuit. The thought eased her for now, but she'll have to think of a better excuse if she was going to get out of swimming.
She forced herself to stay calm as she followed her classmates to the pool. She noticed Zanecrow and his friends were in her class. He wasn't paying attention to her though. She positioned herself as far away as she could from the water's edge and from Zanecrow as she could.
Her teacher gave out instructions while eyeing Juvia. When he was finished and the other kids had started their laps, he walked over.
"Why aren't you wearing a swimsuit?"
"Juvia didn't receive a swimsuit."
Gildarts nodded like this was a common issue. "Okay, well go talk to Mrs. M in that office over there and she'll get you one by tomorrow. I won't mark this against you."
Juvia nodded and started over to the office while glancing back at the who turned back toward the pool. When she was sure he wasn't looking, she ran back to the girl's locker room. If she didn't talk to Mrs. K then she wouldn't get a swimsuit.
She hid out in the locker room until the girls from her class came and went. When she was sure her teacher was gone she crept out.
Juvia slowly opened the locker door and peeked out.
No sign of her teacher. Juvia inhaled slowly. She bought herself another day, but how many more could she buy?
She walked out by the pool and stared. Steeling her nerves, she slowly made her way to the water's edge. She looked over into the glistening water. The water was so still and clear, so unlike the ocean, Juvia thought. Suddenly, she heard voices and footsteps, but before she could move the boys locker room doors swung open. Out emerged Zanecrow with his cronies. His smile widened when he saw her and his eyes twinkled with malice.
"Thought I didn't see you leave."
There was no where for Juvia to run. They blocked her only exit, she could only step back, except the pool prevented that. Angry tears filled her vision. She had gotten herself cornered by the pool, the one place she couldn't escape to.
"Noticed you and loner freak spending a lot of time together. Too bad he's not here now to save you."
Zanecrow and his friends surrounded her now. Juvia's back was to the pool and one step backward she would fall in.
"You didn't go in the water today. That's not really fair to us who had to. Don't you guys agree?"
Zanecrow's friend smiled and snickered at Juvia.
"Zanecrow, stop being a jerk."
Juvia looked up and over one of Zanecrow friends shoulders. A boy with blue swim trunks on stood over by the bleachers calmly unpacking his towel.
"This isn't your fight, just stay out of it."
The boy just rolled his eyes and stared at Zanecrow.
"Just let the girl be, Zanecrow." His voice held no emotion though it was strong and firm.
Zanecrow just grinned. "I will, just have to do one thing first."
Next thing she knew, Juvia was falling. But she didn't feel one with her body anymore. She was separate from what was happening to her. She watched as water surrounded a girl named Juvia and submerged her down to the depths of the pool. She felt what Juvia felt, her limbs impossibly heavy, too heavy to move, and heard what she heard, some shouts and splash. She watched Juvia scream underwater, and as her last air bubble escaped to the surface. She watched as the boy in the blue swim trunks grab her and pull her up to the surface.
Their heads broke the surface of the water and she was snapped back into her body. But she couldn't breathe. She gasped and pulled but there was water everywhere and she couldn't see.
Then she was on land again, and someone was grabbing her shoulders telling her it was okay. But it wasn't. She heard herself cry out and noticed her hands were shaking. Her whole body was shivering.
Finally, after what felt like a lifetime, air filled up her lungs and she could breathe. She was still shaking, but her vision focused. Kneeling beside her was the blue swim trunks boy. He was steadying her shoulders and telling her she was alright. He noticed her focus on him.
"Hey hey, you're okay. It's okay." He looked calmed and steady. Juvia watched the water drip from his black hair numbly. Drip Drip Drop.
"You alright now? That bastard. You're okay right?"
Juvia nodded. She looked back at the glistening water. Ripples glided across the water's surface.
"You saved Juvia." She looked back at him and her heart fluttered a little. He was very handsome. She blushed when she glanced down at his exposed chest. Her heart beat faster now so glanced back and the pool and immediately tightened up again.
The boy's eyes widen. "Uh yeah, guess so. It was nothing. Here." He wrapped his towel around her shivering body.
Neither of them moved for a while. Juvia couldn't move and the boy quietly waited for her.
"Can't swim, huh?" he asked.
Her throat closed up but she choked out one word. "Yeah.."
The boy nodded.
"I'm Gray by the way."
"Juvia."
Gray looked out over the pool like Juvia.
"You saved Juvia." She said again, wearily.
Her body ached all over. Every muscle, every tendon, every cell, screamed in pain. Her eyes and heart were exhausted. She was ashamed and she was tired, so very tired of absolutely everything in her life. But most of all she was tired of being afraid all the time.
"Are you okay to stand now?" He asked eying her over with concern.
Juvia nodded as Gray stood up. He lent out a hand and Juvia blushed. He helped up the still shaking Juvia and lead her outside.
—
Gajeel stood out front of the school at the bottom of the steps. Juvia was 45 minutes late and Gajeel was anxious. He wasn't one to normally be left waiting, but he had to tell her about Pantherlilly attacking Natsu's face after the moron mocked him. He grinned to himself as he thought of Natsu's terrified expression. He wished he had a picture of it.
Gajeel frowned as he glanced back toward the doors. Still nothing. He turned back toward the street, arms crossed and scowl on his face, waiting for his friend.
Finally the doors to the school opened and out walked Juvia. She was sopping wet and her eyes and nose were red. She was shaking violently. Then Gajeel saw who accompanied her and his jaw clenched.
"What the hell did ya do, you jerk?!" Gajeel shouted at Gray as he walked closer to them.
Gray clenched his jaw as well. "I didn't do anything, metal head. Get your facts straight before you jump to conclusions."
Juvia could have sworn she heard Gajeel growl as he got closer.
"The hell you didn't!" Gajeel stomped right up to Gray and pushed him back away from Juvia.
"Gajeel stop it!" Juvia shouted.
But Gajeel was too busying glaring at Gray, who for his part stayed collected except for the fire in his eyes.
Juvia grabbed Gajeel's arm and pulled him back. "Gray saved Juvia from drowning!"
Gajeel looked at Juvia confused. "Zanecrow pushed Juvia in the pool and Juvia was drowning so Gray jumped in and saved her."
Gajeel looked over at Gray, unbelieving. "It's true." is all Gray offered.
Gajeel cursed loudly then pulled himself free from Juvia grasp. "I'm gonna kill that scrawny bastard!"
"Get in line." Gray snarled.
"No! Gajeel it's fine. Juvia is fine. See!" She spread her arms out in front of her.
Gajeel growled. "Let's go, Juvia." He turned and started off.
Juvia turned to Gray but couldn't meet his gaze and instead chose to stare at cracks on the ground. "Thank you Gray, for everything."
Gray nodded. "See you tomorrow."
Juvia nodded too and turned and ran to catch up with Gajeel hoping she would be able to calm him down.
—-
She was standing on a boat.
Light blue water was gently lapped at the boat's hull. The air was still. The sun radiated it's beams onto the ocean which sparkled back out into the world.
Suddenly she heard their screams. She clawed at her ears to drown their cries but it pierced through and echoed in her mind. Then, there was white flash and she was back that night. The rain was swirling around her and the boat pitched sideways. She was launched off the boat into the depths, being dragged down farther and farther into the black abyss. Her lungs burned and she kicked and fought but to no avail. The water was sweeping her further and further until she her lungs exploded and -.
Juvia lurched forward on her bed.
Sheets tangled around her legs, preventing her from moving and sweat beaded her brow. She was so hot as she raked in air. She put a hand over her heart and pushed down fruitfully trying to manually calm her heartbeat.
Breathe. She told herself.
She laid back down and tried to fall back asleep but she couldn't. She felt enveloped by a feeling of smallness. The insignificance of her life burned through her. It felt like her organs were slowly burning into ash and one false move would cause her to crumple into herself. The world was growing around her but she was shrinking into nothingness. She clutched her pillow desperately against her to try and quell the feeling. But she was alone, always so alone. Tears swelled in her eyes because she would never have a family again, she didn't deserve a family, not after what she caused. Her caretaker was wasting his time looking for a family for her, no one would ever want a broken child like her.
Her mind turned hazy and with tear tracks on her pillow, her insignificance engulfed her and she fell asleep.
—-
Gajeel didn't show up to class the next day and Juvia was worried. She sat at her desk, tapping her pencil and watching for the door to open. She hadn't managed to calm Gajeel down yesterday and she was hoping he didn't do anything rash.
That hope burned away as Zanecrow stepped through the door during third period.
A bandage was wrapped around the left side of his face, covering his eye. He had a nose brace on.
The whole class watched in silence as he walked over to his desk and sank into his chair.
Oh no no no. Juvia whipped her head away from where he was sitting and looked out the window, connecting Gajeel's absence with Zanecrow's newly aligned features.
Would Gajeel really beat up someone who had hurt her? Did he really care about her enough to risk suspension?
Once the class's surprise died down the teacher continued with her lesson.
For the rest of day Juvia avoided Zanecrow's gaze like the plague.
When school finally ended Juvia ran out of class, the first one out the door. She wanted to leave before she ran into her bruised bully, only to trip on none other than Gajeel.
"Gajeel!" Juvia cried staring down at him.
He was casually leaning against the steps.
"Oi! There you are- OW! What was that for!?" He rubbed his arm where Juvia had just hit him.
"You shouldn't have hurt Zanecrow! You cannot stoop to his level!" Juvia stomped her foot.
Gajeel looked up at her shocked before grumbling and standing up. "...was just teaching him a lesson."
"Juvia doesn't want you to that ever again."
Gajeel shook his head. "Fine, fi-OI" Juvia engulfed him a hug, squeezing him with all her strength.
"But Juiva is so glad you stood up for her! You dummy!" She wailed, tears welling in her eyes.
"Oi! It was nothing. Now get off me!" Juvia pulled back and saw the light blush across his face as he pointedly avoided her gaze. A lightness filled her heart. He really did care. She didn't know why or how it could be possible but someone cared about her and she was never going to take it for granted.
Gajeel straightened his jacket. "Now come on. I wanna show you somethin'", he grumbled.
Juvia happily followed him as they twisted and turned down streets and sidewalks.
They filled the walk with small talk until Juvia mischievously started to skip besides him.
"Levy seemed really disturbed by Gajeel 's absence today." She teased.
She watched him as he again pointedly avoided her eyes.
"Yeah, so?"
"And Juvia has caught Gajeel staring at her on more than one occasion in the past."
His face lit up with a blush."Shut up!"
Juvia giggled to herself at his flustered reaction while they turned the corner.
Standing in front of her was a giant brick building with gold and red trimmings.
Gajeel walked out in front of her and swung open the large doors.
"Welcome to Fairy Tail!"