What...an update...?

AND IT'S A GRAY POV? WHERE'S MEH NALU OR GAJEVY?

don't worry lovelies...soon...very soon.

Chapter 19 - Gray POV.

It was so god damn early, and his parents had both gone to work. Why did he have to get up when there was no need to? The very thought caused him to wonder, but then remembered.

He had a date…. with Elfman.

No no, nothing like that. Apparently the big Strauss guy was out looking for a birthday gift for some girl, and being embarrassed he didn't ask either of his sisters for help. Instead he had asked Laxus first to help him out, whom only gave him horrible advice. Something along the lines of all a girl needs is what's under the belt…? Sounds like Laxus. Then Elfman tried Gray, who was the second most likely of the Tails group to have experience with girls. But if Gray was being honest, he had pretty minimum luck with the opposite gender, despite his popularity. This whole 'idol' group thing at the academy was total bullshit. Him and his friends never intended for such a thing to happen, it kind of just did along the way.

It was the weekend, and the morning was crisp and cold. Gray found it to be refreshing as he left his house in only shorts and a navy blue t-shirt. In the middle of the shirt was a snowman which was frowning. Apparently it was supposed to be a smile but, it was a misprint. Nonetheless, Gray liked it since it was special…and navy blue was his favorite colour. The man with such a shirt found himself standing alone in the town center, aware of the fact he was getting several stares from girls – and a few boys.

Why was he the one to wait when it was Elfman that needed the help? Gray was honestly thinking about ditching until he finally saw the big guy make his way through the crowd, an apologetic face plastered on.

"Seriously Elf? Making me wait here, makes it look like I got stood up or something." Gray grinned though, knowing whatever that made Elfman late he was sorry for it.

"Ahh, gomen Gray. This man got a bit side tracked by the sisters.." The look on his face following his statement made it clear to Gray it was something he defiantly did not want to know.

"Right right… anyways let's get going." The pair walked side by side, both getting attention whether it was because of looks or size. But neither of them were fazed, since they were both used to such attention. Gray supposed Elfman simply wanted the attention of one certain girl. After all, he was getting her a gift and refused to tell the group who it was. Mirajane had tried her best to scout out which girl had gotten her brother's eye but to no prevail. Perhaps Gray could get it out of him. "So Elfman…"

"I'm not telling." Dammit.

"Come ooon, why not! There's no harm, I probably don't even know her." Gray was never the one to care much about whose dating who, but this was Elfman! The guy who really only worked out or volunteered at several functions if it involved excessive muscling. Even Gray had to wonder what kind of girl it was who managed to turn Elfman into such a pudding cup.

The immediate image of an extremely tan girl with white spikey hair flexing, who also happened to hold a cup of pudding entered the poor iceman's mind. No… well….

No! Gray would have definitely noticed someone like THAT at the academy.

Finally, they had made it to the grand open paced mall, vendors selling goodies on each side. Gray hadn't really needed to buy anything, but there was no problem with a little window shopping. The pair of men entered a small store named The Cait's Meow. It was quite popular among female students, it always holding cute little charms that claimed to help with tests or love lives. But it was quiet today, probably because it was so early and most people on the weekend enjoyed sleeping in.

Gray found Elfman looking at decorated karate belts and funny animal masks, causing Gray to constantly remind the big idiot what they were doing there in the first place.

"I highly doubt this girl is going to like some piece of black cloth or a scary face of a baboon. Now get over here and look through this girly pieces of sh-"

"Hey Ever! Juvia thinks this would be perfect for you!" Wait a second. What? Gray quickly looked near the entrance of the store, his head whipping faster than Elfman's.

"Ugh, seriously? Blue is not my colour! I said green! GREEN." Evergreen sighed loudly, taking the pair of sapphire earrings out of Juvia's hands and placing them back on the earing rack. "I can't believe you dragged me out here to buy ME a present. My gift is supposed to be a surprise!" Gift? Gray took a few moments to think. Ah. I see. Gray turned to Elfman and flinched to see the man shake. And he meant SHAKE. His face was colourless for a second, than returned with a mad blush. The big man looked around and quickly put on the baboon mask to hide is identity. It was clear now. So, it was Evergreen.

"But… Juvia doesn't know what Evergreen would like and Juvia was worried! So Juvia though perhaps it be best if Evergreen came with her to buy her gift…"

"Baka! … W-well, I heard they sell some pretty nice things here… I guess since we're already here we might as well look around. How annoying." Evergreen spoke all of this with a blushed face, her face pouty. This was what Elfman yanked off to uh.. Gray let a sweat dropped until he realized the girls where coming closer. Quickly he took grabbed a masked at random, and without looking at what it was he placed it on his face.

As the girls passed by, they glanced up at the men's faces, their masks hopefully hiding their appearances. Evergreen looked disgusted and well… Juvia?

Juvia looked…different. It was Gray that couldn't stop looking at her. She wasn't wearing her usual uniform. Instead, she wore light blue worn out shorts and a simple navy blue shirt with a silver soda pop brand labeled onto her chest. Her usual uniform boots made her look taller than what she actual was, and here she was just wearing white flats. But, Gray had to remind himself. This….this was the Juvia that stalked him…worshipped him to a creepy level. Even if she looked this hot upclose – wait… no. Even if she looked this different up close, she was still the same Juvia who would probably freak out if she knew who he was under the mask….. Thank you mask.

But it seemed like Juvia had noticed how the both of them had continued to stare at each other. She became shy and flustered, and quickly seemed to gather her confidence.

"Um… are you going to buy that mask?" It was weird how Gray never realized how nice her voice sounded. But, then he thought over her question. He shook his head, not wanting to reveal his own voice. "Then… could Juvia have it?" Oh shit. Why the hell would she want this mask? Gray hadn't seen what was on the front of it, but he was damn sure it was something ugly. He knew it, she was a weirdo.

Gray shook his head, he couldn't give her the mask!

"What?! You aren't going to buy it but you won't give it to her?" Evergreen raised her voice stepping forward and pointing a long finger. She quickly looked back at Juvia, an eyebrow raised. "This better not be my birthday present." Juvia shook her head, claiming that it was simply because she liked the mask. "Huh, you have weird choices…. Both of you…" She looked at Juvia and Gray, and then finally looked at Elfman who was still wearing his baboon mask. "ALL OF YOU ARE WEIRD. Nonetheless, hand that mask over buddy. She's a paying customer and she wants the goods." Evergreen looked like a mobster boss all of a sudden, her eyes glaring underneath her petite glasses.

Gray panicked, he didn't want to nor could he reveal who he was! Just imagine, Juvia posting this on the school newspaper, Evergreen as an alibi, and Natsu and the gang tormenting him about him and this stupid mask! Finally, Gray did the only thing a man could do. In his highest pitched voice ever, he spoke.

"Oh..hohohoho… gomen~"

Inner thoughts: Oh my god. Kill me now.

"I decided to buy this…AFter all."

Did my voice just crack?

"Ohohoho…"

He would never be the same. How could this get any worse? Evergreen simply backed up from him, Juvia was speechless and Elfman… Elfman was crying?

"Okay…ma'am… Juvia…let's go to a different store…" Evergreen grabbed Juvia's hand and forcefully pulled her out with no hesitation. Ma'am? Now that's just rude… the mask only hid his face, not body!

Gray finally took off the mask and sighed, an irritated glare targeting Elfman, who also took off his mask.

"What the fuck, why are you crying?"

"You… are a REAL MAN's BEST FRIEND. Sacrificing your dignity just to conceal yours and mines faces. A TRUE MAN!" Elfman bent down and punched the floor, getting looks from passing by strangers. Gray couldn't take this no more. He just wanted to go home, and sleep.

"Eh…don't worry about it." Finally, after all of that, Gray was still curious. What did his mask look like that Juvia seemed to like? He had actually even considered really buying the damn thing until…

"GAH. NO. BURN IT. BURN ITT!" Gray threw the mask down, catching even more bewildered stares. Elfman raised an eyebrow and went to pick it up.

"…Seriosuly Gray? What a baby. It's just a…"

just...just a WHAT?! TELL ME DAMMIT.

what do you think it is? :) Please review! Would love all comments ;;w;;