Author's note: I'm not even sorry. Surprised? Yeah, you read it right. I'm not even sorry for the delay I made.
I could hardly get on my computer. But I'm sure no one gives a fuck about my useless and full of luck (sarcasm), life since down here there's a long awaited chapter. So, enjoy your reading while I go punch something to ease my anger. *sighs*
In a peaceful hallway, of the quiet and perfectly normal Fairy Tail high school:
"Hey, soooo, are you free tonight? Wanna go eat something?" Said a boy to his friend, while playing with his phone.
"Yah sure, I'm free. Do you know if by chance-"
"MOVE THE FUCK AWAY!" Natsu yelled, running as if he were chased by the devil with Lucy on his left shoulder. He kept the blonde still, with his left arm around her waist and the other free hand holding her legs close to his chest to prevent her from falling off.
"Run! Run! Ruuuuun! I'm telling you to run faster!" Lucy screamed while punching on his back.
"I'm running as fast as I can, woman! Stop being a bitch and shut up, unless you want me to shut you up!"
"Natsu, Lucy!" Erza's voice roared in the corridor, and soon after her voice the demon's body appeared. Literally. She was wearing her purgatory armor and her hair was flying up in the air in every direction while her eyes were red with anger. She was throwing swords left and right trying to hit the fleeting couple.
"Hyeeeek! Death's coming! Run faster, dammit!"
You're probably wondering why an enraged Erza is running after Natsu and Lucy, with an instinct to say the least 'murderous', right? Let's go back in time to that morning. Okay?
Lucy was walking towards her school with her headphones in her ears when suddenly she felt lifted off the ground from behind and with a little shriek she was spun around.
"Wha- what the-!?" The surprised blonde girl stuttered, struggling to break free from the grip. Then she felt something warm like a breath against her neck.
"Good morning Luce, slept well?" The 'not-so-mysterious' attacker purred in a smooth and sensual voice, making a shiver run down Lucy's spine.
"L-l-let me go!" Lucy screamed, struggling even stronger than before.
"Oh, there's our famous couple. 'Morning. Slept well? "Gray yawned, approaching the couple only in his underwear and a shoulder bag.
"Oh god, I slept like I was in heaven, you know, 'cause an angel gave me a goodnight kiss." The pink-haired boy replied, winking at Lucy who managed to turn over in his grip and now was pushing herself against Natsu's chest with one hand and with the other against his cheek.
"Let me go or I'll call the police, stupid pervert!"
"Well, I don't care what you've been through, flame ass, I was asking Lucy."
"Hey, morning losers." Gajeel asked, approaching them from behind. He was holding his bag on his shoulder behind him and with his other free hand scratching his head.
"Morning to you too, roadside billboard." The topless boy said, throwing a friendly punch at Gajeel who stopped in time with a smirk.
"Good morning!" Said a cheerful little girl.
"Morning, Levy."
"Morning, shrimp."
"Stop calling me shrimp!" Now that Lucy looked better at her, she remembered her. She was the petite girl that on her first day of school had asked her about the book she was reading before she glared daggers at her, making her run away.
Small body, so fragile that one may think that by touching her with a finger she would immediately fall apart. Small chest, messy blue hair kept away from her big brown eyes by a yellow bandan, wearing a clean and tidy uniform of the school. She had a sweet and joyful smile painted on her lips. In other words, she sprayed happiness out from every pore. Lucy knew that she had already felt this intimidating feeling before, but where?
The little girl's eye shifted around towards Lucy that, without realizing, was now staring at her intently. Levy flushed under her intense gaze and smiled shyly before extending her hand and coughing. The other free hand covering her mouth politely.
"Hello, I'm Levy McGarden. You can call me Levy! "She giggled, grinning widely. Lucy looked down, a little surprised by her angelic face, towards her hand. Biting her lower lip, the blonde girl unconsciously raised her right hand to her chest as if to defense herself from an upcoming attack. A confused Natsu, who was still holding Lucy in his arms bridal style, bounced the girl in the embrace to get her attention.
When Lucy glared towards him, he smiled his toothy grin, ignoring for now her strange reaction. Lucy blushed slightly and looked back at the girl's hand. Slowly, as she were afraid that something would happened to her, she reached out towards Levy's hand. As fast as a panther the girl took her hand with both her hands and shook it strongly.
"Nice to meet you Lucy! Ehehe "Lucy looked at her with wide eyes before she manage to do something that people would call a modest smile.
"Heeeey, howish goin'? Levy, Natsu, Gray,wow you bad boy...hehe... Oh, Gajeel and... Blondieee? "A drunk voice, followed by a strong smell of alcohol was heard behind them. Everyone turned around to see Cana dragging her feet towards them, staggering as if she were dead drunk. She held in a hand a bottle of what looked like booze, high up in the air. The girl had long dark brown hair, she was rather tall and Lucy thought that she was even taller than her. She was wearing a long skirt that stopped at her ankles and her shirt was open, so that everyone could see her cleavage. (just like in the ova) She gave the impression of a real delinquent.
"Woah, Cana, did ya at least go home last night?" Gray asked, scrunching his nose from the reek.
"Ahaha, something tells me no." Levy answered in Cana's place while putting her small hands on her hips and shaking her head as the taller girl fell on the ground, dead sleep.
"Oh my, everyone's in such a good mood, it makes me feel happy too." Said another voice as sweet as honey. Immediately Mirajane appeared with Elfman walking behind her.
"Making noise early in the morning is manly!"
"Oi, muscles head you're not making any sense." Gajeel growled, looking toward the giant who glared down at him.
"You want to fight, like a man?!"
"Tch, against you? There ain't even the satisfaction of winning 'cause it always happens!"
"Now, now, we must go to school, remember? "Mirajane said with a cute scowl, scolding the 2 guys as if they were a bunch of small kids to her.
"Gray-samaaaaaaaaa!"
"Woah!" Gray exclaimed, shuddering when he heard himself being called in that way. As a ninja a beautiful girl, like all the others of course, has appeared next to the guy in his underwear.
"Juvia! Stop coming out of the blue! You're gonna give me a heart attack sooner or later, ya know?!"
"But Gray-sama, Juvia was always behind that tree... looking at you... " The girl with long wavy blue hair, pointed to a tree behind her.
"Ahaha, joyful as always those guys!"
"There they are! The most loud and lunatic gang of the school!"
"I wonder what they're gonna destroy today, or burn down... "Lucy watched the scene with huge eyes in surprise. Everything happened so quickly that it was difficult to have a normal reaction. In no time, she was surrounded by people with whom she had never spoken and never cared about before and now here they were, talking to her in a friendly and warm way, that almost scared her to death. Inhaling deeply Lucy closed her eyes and tightened the grip around Natsu's shoulders.
"Hmm? Somethin' wrong, Luce?"
" Let me ... "
"Huh?" The fire user's eyebrows were knitted together.
"What did ya say? Can't hear ya!" The girl took his ear and pulled it to her mouth to scream inside:
"For how long are you going to touch me, you fat ugly pinky pig! Let me gooooo!" Stunned by Lucy's voice, the poor guy with the super hearing released his grip around Lucy, who landed on the ground easily and quickly took his bag from the floor. With a swift move she turned around to throw it against Natsu's face.
"You really have to stop touching me, or I'll cut your fingers!" Lucy yelled before she stomped away.
"Woah, quite the temper today, that Blondie!" Gajeel snickered, joined by a wave of laughter.
"Was there a time when she wasn't? Ahahahaha Anyways, let's go. The first bell has already rung." Gray said, walking toward the school followed by the crowd. Natsu still lying on the ground K.O.
In the classroom:
"So...Lucy Ashley?"
"Present."
"Good. Loki...Loki?"
The professor raised his head to look towards Loki's desk and find it empty.
"Does anyone know what happened to Loki?"
"We don't know, yesterday we saw him run away with Lucy..." And with that comment everyone turned to look at her. Even Natsu and the others who had bullied him, were staring at her suspiciously.
Hmph, before they beat him to the point of death and now they're all fake, innocent and fucking friendly? Tch, liars... The blonde thought trying to hid a scoff.
"Ms. Ashley? Are you going to answer me?"
"He left. He went to visit some ...old acquaintances. I was only asked to remind him that his train would leave immediately after the school ended. "
"I understand. Do you know when he's going to come back? "
"No. "Lucy replied curtly, trying to show how much that professor was boring her with all those questions and underneath it all, strange accusations. It was as if they had understood that she and Loki were friends and she didn't like that at all.
"... O-okay ... Absent, check ... Ok, let's start the lesson. "
"Oi! Lucy, ya didn't have to hit me with your bag, ya know?!" Natsu snapped, rubbing his nose on which now he had a band-aid. At one point of the lesson, immediately after the teacher started speaking, the boy magically landed in front of Lucy.
"Shut up. I'm reading. "
"Buahahaha, did ya hear that, loser? Ya've got to be quiet when the princess is reading!" Gray laughed, from behind the ice princess.
"What did ya say king of creepy pants?"
"He said, that you're more insignificant than a book, ash brains!"Gajeel explained sitting at the desk next to Lucy. (the tables were arranged in rows, not one next to another, therefore Gajeel was in the row next to Lucy with his body turned around to face her)
"Gajeel! Books aren't insignificant!"The Levy said while crossing her arms over her small chest and pouting cutely, making Lucy raise her eyes from her book.
"Yeah, it's tru-!"
"Therefore, you can't compare books to Natsu!"
"Yeah-Wait, WHAT!?"
"Then what could ya compare a man so useless, with?" Elfman asked, walking next to Gray with his arms crossed over his chest.
"Hmmm ... A shark's cartilage!"
"How did you come out with a shark's cartilage, Mira...?" The shirtless boy asked, shaking his head. Sometimes that girl could say some really strange things, it got to a point where he had even given up. He couldn't figure out if she was actually smart or substantially stupid.
"Sorry to burst your bubble, but the shark's cartilage is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine, being a natural source of calcium and phosphorus." Lucy said in a monotone, looking with a blank expression at her book while everyone stared at her with open-mouths.
"W-wow, Lu-chan! You really are smart!"
"Lu-chan?"
And what do you mean by 'really' smart? She thought, shooting a dark look at the little girl, who laughed sheepishly blushing as if she had read her mind.
"And anyways, it's only a coincidence. It was written in the book, here." Lucy said pointing to a line of the book, but closing it before anyone could read what was written.
"Hey! I didn't read anything!"
"There's no need. It would be like another language for you. " The blonde girl sighed, standing up with her eyes closed and with the book under her right arm.
"Lucy Ashley." Said a fierce voice, while the absolute silence immediately made its way into the room. Opening her eyes, she saw the class representative in front of her with her arms crossed over her chest and a stern look in her eyes.
"And Natsu Dragneel." She continued, looking away for a second, to direct it towards the poor guy who was now trembling in his chair.
"In the council room. Right now. "The council office was also known as the room that leads to hell. Why? Because anyone who has set foot in there, never came out normal. If you understand what I mean by NORMAL.
"I'm sorry but I can't now. I want to go to the library and read. Maybe another day. "Everyone gasped backing at least 5 meters away. Erza raised an eyebrow and asked in a threatening voice:
"Are you disobeying my orders?"
"I don't obey anyone. Especially you. "Lucy replied with the same tone of voice. They were like two deadly monsters.
"You have three seconds to shut up and move your ass." The red-haired girl glared at the blonde one, who in turn glared with the same intensity.
"One."
"I have no intention-"
"Two."
"Of movin-Argh! ..." Lucy fell powerlessly forward over Erza's arm, who caught her in time, after she had suddenly punched her in the stomach.
"Lucy!" Natsu yelled but in a second, he found himself knocked unconsciously on the floor. Hovering the blonde girl on a shoulder and pulling the boy by the scarf, the scary red-haired monster left the room without saying another word.
"They're sooo dead." Gray said, dropping from the ceiling along the wall. Somewhere during all that ruckus, the boy landed on the ceiling.
"Let's go make their graves!" Gajeel shouted before jumping out the window followed by the whole class except for a few girls and boys who called themselves humans, and couldn't jump from the third floor.
"Oh my, what do we do now?" Mirajane asked in a motherly tone with a hand on her cheek.
"Sigh ... I'm going to buy some white Japanese cherries, to put on their graves ..." Levy said walking towards the door.
"Ehehe, wait, I'm coming with you~"
"Ugh ..." Lucy grimaced, feeling a sharp pain in her stomach. As if someone had beaten her countless times with a baseball bat made of pure iron, perhaps she also had a broken rib. (eeeeh now, let's not get carried away, Lucy. Imagine, Erza that punches you in the gut. What can she do? Leave you a bruise? send you unconscious, make... you spit blood ? ... d-destroy an organ? ... *shudders at the thought *)
Slowly opening her eyes, she tried to raise a hand and cover her eyes from the strong blinding light, but something was blocking her. Feeling her senses get back into her body she felt something heavy on top of her body, squeezing her tight and thus blocking her from moving her arms.
"Ugh! W-what the-!? " The angry blonde girl puffed as she looked down trying to understand what was attacking her face. It was something soft and pink.
"W-what?"
Pink?
Trying to move, she heard a scary low growl, like that of an angry beast, against her chest and immediately stopped struggling, fearing that it would kill her.
Pink.
Gulping, she felt the strange thing moving over her body before stopping and hearing some snores, along with something wet drooling on her exposed collarbone.
Pink!
"PINKYYYYYY!" Lucy's scream was heard throughout the building, scaring the hell out of everyone. Natsu's eyes shot open before the boy could suddenly stand up, pulling Lucy also with him, holding her tight to his chest as if she were a precious thing ready to fade.
"WHO?! WHAT!? WHERE'S THE CHOCOLATE COW!?" Vein after vein started to bulge on Lucy's forehead. This person's stupidity made her tremble with rage as she had never done before.
"Stop ..." Lucy whispered in a low and menacing voice, while taking Natsu by his t-shirt.
"TOUCHING ME SO FREELY!" After hearing those words, Natsu found himself soon enough knocked down on the floor and as he turned around to look at the angry blonde chick, his face once again slammed on the ground with a pulsing red mark of an open hand on his left cheek.
"W-what the hell's wrong with you, Blondie!?"
"What the hell is wrong with me?! I'll tell you what-"
"That's enough! "A voice boomed into the room, making the 2 teens turn towards the front door. Erza made her way into the room, passing by them and leaning on the edge of a desk that was in there, to glared fiercely at them.
"Sit down."
"Like hell! I'm leavin-" Lucy shouted, but just as she turned her head to look toward the door, halfway through, a sword passed close to her face cutting a bit of her fringe.
"I said. Sit. Down. Next time, you won't be lucky enough to dodge that sword. " Gulping audibly the 2 guys threw themselves on the couch and straight as a pole, they stared at Erza. Lucy was shaking and now she finally understood why. She could almost touch the murderous aura that the girl was giving off and feel her sharp words cut the air. She certainly didn't want to test her luck again.
"You know why you're here, right?" She asked, her voice powerful and daring.
"B-because, we put ya in trouble with G-Gramps?" Natsu asked mindlessly, shaking like a leaf and making Erza frown deeper.
"What did you say?"
"Nothing!" The boy screamed, backing into the couch, hugging for his dear life Lucy who was doing the same thing, while sweating a fountain of cold sweat. The red-haired girl took a few steps towards them, materializing a sword in her right hand.
"Have you forgotten, what you did yesterday?" In the blink of an eye, between Lucy's and Natsu's head there was Erza's sword and her face just above theirs.
"Yesterday. You have interrupted... An important 'meeting' that was between me ... And the vice president of the school board. Do you understand how much of a hindrance you were?" The two teen nodded enthusiastically, while you could see beads of sweat run down their faces.
"Don't tell me that you thought you could run away without receiving a punishment, you didn't right?" Lucy looked towards Natsu, who looked back at her and as if through telepathy, together they gulped down a lump in their throat and headbutted the girl, making her stumble back a little with her eyes closed and a hand on her forehead.
"Noooow!" Natsu screamed taking Lucy's hand and jumping over the couch. As soon as they left the room, they heard Erza's roar.
"Natsu, Lucy- I will kill you!" Lucy foolishly looked behind her to see the door fly from its mainstays and Erza coming out as fast as light with a spear in her hand.
"Waaaaaaa!" The blonde screamed, making Natsu scream together with her for no reason. Suddenly it was no longer Natsu pulling Lucy but, Lucy pulling Natsu.
"Stop right there!"
"I don't wanna die young!" The boy shouted, running in front of Lucy.
"It's all your fault, stupid pinky! If it wasn't for you I'd be in a quiet place reading, instead of running for my dear life! " The scared girl surpassed Natsu as she slid on the ground trying to quickly turn towards right, and run towards the second building.
"What do ya mean it's all my fault!? You were the one who wanted to know what the fuck they were sayin'!"
"Natsuuuuuuu!"
"Shit! "Natsu swore, as he pointed to Lucy the railings that famous bridge. With a nod, the 2 teen jumped at the same time landing in the fountain.
"Woah, this reminds me of the first time we met."
"Shut up and run!" Lucy shouted, pulling Natsu towards the fountain's edge. Once outside, they ran through the garden but suddenly an axe appeared out of nowhere in front of the 2 guys scaring the shit out of them.
"T-this way!" Natsu shouted, pulling a Lucy ready to pass out at any time, towards his right and into the first building again.
"Stop right now!" Running left and right, up and down like crazy, the red-haired monster was always on their steps, without showing even the slightest sign of fatigue.
"S-she's a monster!" Lucy shouted with her eyes closed, trying to keep up with Natsu, but her legs were asking. No. demanding a break.
"Well, welcome to reality! Hope you're fuckin' having fun!" Natsu shouted before a sword flew by a whisker above his head. Suddenly a halberd cut their way shocking them just as they were to go down some stairs. Natsu was able to dodge it but Lucy lost her balance and fell, rolling down the stairs before bumping into a wall.
"Lucy!"
"O-ouch! Don't stop! R-run! "Lucy shouted, standing up and as she reached out to Natsu, she cried out in pain when she heard a scary sound of cracking bones. Falling to the ground, the blonde girl clasped her hands around her ankle as she bit on her lower lip trying to hold back another scream. Her eyes squeezed tightly.
"Natsu, Lucy!"
"S-shit! Looks like I have no other choice!"
"What do you-"Natsu ran for a fire extinguisher and turning back towards Erza, he created a big and strong white mist, that even Lucy had trouble seeing something. Suddenly there was a loud thud followed by another one.
She felt two large hands take her by the shoulders and touch her down her back, along with a couple of cursing until they had found their way to both sides of her waist. Lucy gasped, dumbstruck as to how suddenly they lifted her in the air as if she were made out of feathers. Coming out of the fog, Lucy opened her eyes and noticed the scaled scarf.
Natsu! She thought, but soon her attention was drawn to a black human silhouette that was making its way out of the fog. Erza was coming out with a red face as if she had been struck by something, before ex-quipping in one of her armors. The purgatory armor.
"I'm so done with you Natsu! I shall end you, right here and now!" Lucy shrieked loudly when she saw Erza lash down towards them at an immeasurable speed.
"Ruuuuun!" And here's where we return to the present. (presses the 'play' button)
"Shit, shit, shit- Oh! Gramps! "Natsu shouted, running back into the garden. Every time she saw that old man, whatever they were doing, would immediately stop. She felt a hint of hope sparkle inside of her, as a tired smile yet full of relief made its way to her glossy lips, which disappeared as soon as Natsu stopped in his track.
"Oh I see, you're having fun ditching classes. Ehehe. "
"Gramps save us! Erza is trying to kill us!"
"Oh, really?" The principal asked, putting his small and old hands behind his back.
"Principal-!" At that time, Lucy felt a shiver run down her back and looking up at the sky, she saw Erza ready to cut them into small pieces with a pretty big sword.
"H-here she cooooomes!"
Attention the scene that you want to read has been censored due to too much violence and gore, which would have traumatize you for the rest of your life. So the author decided to skip it and make a big jump in time, thank you for your patience ... Ahaha, joking, joking! I'm not so sweet :)
"Aaaah!" Erza screamed, while she was ready to unleash her shot. Thankfully Natsu was faster and miraculously managed to take a step back.
"Gramps help us!"
"Hmmm~?" He said, looking up at the pleading boy with a obviously fake smile and closed eyes.
"What did you say? I couldn't hear it. Too much noise."
"Grrrr!" Erza was now running towards them. Biting his lip, Natsu shifted Lucy in his arms to carry her bridal style.
"He asked if you can stop that monst-... I-I mean, Erza!" Lucy shouted, pointing towards an angry Erza.
"Hmmm ... Let me think ~..."
"Oh, please! We'll do anything you want!" Natsu and Lucy cried together trying to survive.
"Oh? Alright. Erza you can stop. "The girl suddenly stopped her sword right above Natsu's head, and jumped back. The two teens sighed in relief only for a short time.
"You said you would do anything I want." The little man approached them with an evil smile. Gulping Natsu said, even if it sounded more like a question:
"Y-yeah?"
"Very well. First I want you to take Lucy to the infirmary then I want you in my office, as soon as possible. Erza, you're coming with me. "He explained, before turning on his heels and walking away, followed by Erza. Natsu looked down at Lucy with a confused expression and she looked back at him in the same way. Something was wrong. And they could feel it.
A hand knocked on the large doors, before the old man's husky voice was heard on the other part.
"We are here, Gramps..." Natsu shouted, coming in while holding onto Lucy's arm, even though she was elbowing him, so he would let her go.
"Sit down." Makarov ordered and the boys sat on the armchairs at the same time. Makarov stared at the 2 teens and the 2 teens stared back at Makarov.
"Ummm ... P-principal?" Lucy said while raising her hand.
"Yeah, Lucy?"
"We came here, as you told us. Can you tell us what you want us to do?"
"Oh, right. I forgot about it. "
He forgot about it!? So why the heck was he staring at us?! The 2 youngsters thought at the same time, trying hard not to face-palm.
"Erza." The man said, extending a hand towards the girl who handed him some papers.
"I want you to sign these papers." Natsu looked at the paper with a raised eyebrow.
"I'm nobody's whore." He snapped, crossing his arms over his chest, making Makarov sigh and frown at the same time.
"Sigh ... no, Natsu. You're not going to be a 'slave'. Slave." The old man emphasized the word 'slave', while glaring at the young boy.
"Then what is it?"
"It's a contract. Through which you will accept whatever I ask you to do, without any objections. And if you, by any chance, damage something, the blame will go to you and not to me nor the school. "
In other words, he's retreating from his responsibilities as a principal. Lucy thought glaring at him.
"Come on. Sign. "The man said, moving the sheets in front of them.
"If Gramps says so, then I'll sign it." Natsu took his papers and raising his index, on the tip of it he materialized a flame in the form of a circle, that was actually a dragon spitting fire on his tail circling a burning red flame. Ignorantly the boy signed, but Lucy was smarter and took her papers to read them carefully.
I can't believe I'm losing all this time like this! I have other important work to do! She thought reading the papers and earning a funny look from the guy next to her.
"Umm...Luce? What the hell are ya doin'?"
"I'm reading the papers. Shut up. "
"Why don't ya just sign it?"
"Because, I'm not stupid enough to sign a paper without knowing whats written on it. "
"Hey! Are ya doubting Gramps' words!?" Lucy didn't bother to answer that question and continued to ignore the guy who was practically screaming various insults in her ear by now, making her lose her concentration over and over again. Reaching the end of her patience ...
"So? Are ya going to sign that damn paper yes or no? You bald duck!"
"That's enough! I-"
"Enough with these tantrums!" Makarov shouted, stopping Lucy before she could say anything else. Behind him, Erza was struggling to keep from laughing, but you could see on her face that she wasn't going to make it any longer.
"But Gramps, it's Blondie's fault! She's the idiot who's making us lose time!"
"What?" She hissed glaring at him.
"And what do you have to do? Go to class and follow the lesson?"
"Yeah!" Natsu replied enthusiastically with his eyes closed and arms crossed over his chest, to show his determination and power. All three looked at him surprised and amazed.
"What?" Natsu said, 10 seconds. No less. 5 seconds before that room got filled up with laughter.
The first to explode in a hectic laughter was Makarov, who lost his balance and fell backward with his chair. Erza fell to the ground, holding her stomach with one hand and slamming her other fist on the floor, while Lucy immediately tried to cover her mouth, doing everything in her power to hold back her laughter but failing miserably.
"Hey!" The poor guy yelled, standing up.
"What the hell are you laughing at? I'll burn ya all to crisps!"
"Pfff- Buahahahahaha!" Makarov rose, holding with both his little hands onto the desk. He tried to look at Natsu seriously, but only laughter came out of his mouth making it seem like he was laughing in his face, on purpose. Natsu's left eyebrow twitched with rage and biting his lip, he crossed his arms over his chest as he fell back in his armchair.
"Assholes ... Burn in hell ... "
"Ahahaha!"Natsu turned his head toward his left and saw Lucy laughing with her eyes closed as she wiped away a tear. Her laughter was strangely like a melody for his super-developed hearing. Unbeknownst to him a slight blush made its way to his face as he watched her. She was so beautiful when she laughed, why not laugh instead of always showing that same cold expression? After all, it's easier to laugh than hiding your emotions, right?
"Ahahaha, sorry ...Ahaha... " Makarov breathed, taking a handkerchief and wiping his eyes, soon after handing one to Erza who accepted it immediately, and one to Lucy who refused it with a slight gesture of her hand and a head shake.
"Tch, damn right you're sorry ... "
"I'm sorry, Natsu." Erza said gaining a grimace from Natsu but she knew he couldn't stay angry with her.
"Now. Back to us and let's forget about ... Pff ...that ...thing ... " The old man said the last part with swollen cheeks as he tried to hold back the laughter that threatened to burst through his lips again.
"Ahem, so. Mrs. Ashley. Have you decided?"
"Still 2 lines." Lucy answered, going back to read the last page.
-And through this contract I, the undersigned _ Adhere to the facts listed above, without any later objection.
SIGNATURE _ -
Well, there was nothing about stripping, or being someone's servant or worse, for who knows how long. It looks like a simple contract. Although this paper is giving me some strange vibes. Lucy thought, grimacing.
"Is there something wrong?" Makarov asked, looking seriously at Lucy with crossed fingers under his nose.
"... No. Everything's perfect ... Too perfect ... "The blonde whispered the last part, raising her other free hand. Raising the index of it, around the tip she materialized a glowing gold circle which then turned into a key, with a star inside of its bow.
Placing the finger on the sheet, it magically filled in by itself with the girl's data, before the old man ripped, literally speaking, the sheets from Lucy's hands. And during that action she could have sworn she saw an evil smirk on the old man's lips.
"Wha-"
"Thank you for finally-" The man said, emphasizing the word 'finally'.
"Signing these sheets. Are you ready to accept your assignments without any complaints? Although now, you can't step back anymore. Ehehe. "The two ignorant teen nodded at the same time before the sheets began to shine. Words came out of them as Lucy's eyes widened.
"H-huh?"
"Ehehe, so young and so ignorant." The man smirked, shaking his head. As the sheets returned to normal he threw them back in their owner's lap. White. The sheets were completely and simply white, except for the last sheet. In the middle of it there was a single phrase, that is, their own assignments.
"A magic spell... You ... You put a magic spell on these papers!?" Lucy yelled angrily, standing up but grimacing as she fell back into her armchair due to her sprained ankle.
"Chill out, hulk. If ya don't want to loose your vocal cords." Natsu grimaced, scratching his ear with one hand's little finger, trying to get his hearing back.
"Why you little-!" Lucy hissed glaring daggers at the boy.
"Ahaha, come on, come on don't get angry. It was the only way for you to accept without any complaints. " Makarov said, opening his hands in a welcoming and warm gesture.
How silly of me! And to say that I also felt something wasn't right! fuuuuck! Lucy thought scattering her hair in despair, while bowing forward.
"Now, now it's not the end of the world! What can happen to us? I have to study and you make friends with at least half of the school? "Natsu laughed, running a hand down Lucy's back. The blonde girl turned her head slowly towards the boy, looking at him between some strands of her hair. Natsu gulped and flinched back when he saw the girl's murderous eyes, before pulling his hand away.
"Well, it's not that different from what you said."
"...What?" Makarov cleared his throat and raised his eyes to look seriously at the 2 surprised teens.
"Natsu!"
"Yes!" Natsu jolted a little.
"You'll have to be in the top 10 of the school. If you can't accomplish this task you will be subjected to that thing. "
"... W-what!?" The boy yelled, standing up with his fists clenched at his sides. Despair and surprise written all over his pale face.
"B-but it's impossible!"
"No, it's not impossible."
"I'll die if I use my brain too much!"
"Don't be silly, that, is impossible."
"To be in the top 10 it's too much to ask principal. Especially for an idiot like him ... "Lucy said, scoffing and crossing her arms over her chest while looking away from Natsu and the others.
"What did you say, you talking light bulb?"
"T-talking light bulb!? How dare you, you ignorant walking lighter!? "Lucy screamed trying to get up, but Natsu suddenly hovered over her body putting his hands on the armrests forcing her to sit in the armchair.
"Repeat it, if you dare." Natsu growled and Lucy closed her eyes shut as she could feel his hot breath on her face.
"much pleasure!" Lucy tried to snap back stressing the word 'much'. The boy opened his mouth to say other insults but was stopped by Makarov who slapped his body away, of course with his giant hand, sending him into a wall.
"That's enough, brats. I'm sick and tired of your games. You. Lucy Ashley!"Makarov spoke, pointing a finger at the girl who jerked into her chair, scared as hell.
"You'll have to take a picture with at least 200 boys or girls of this school. And in the photos everyone has to be happy and smile. "
"E-eh? B-but-"
"Do you want to say something?"
"No sir, no! " Lucy cried, saluting.
"Good. And now disappear. I have work to do. Unless you want me to give you other tasks. "Lucy enthusiastically shook her head, trying with all her might to show a perfect smile. Standing up the scared blonde, quickly limped towards Natsu to take him by the scarf and drag him out of the room. Before she closed the door, she heard Makarov say:
"The due date is the end of this month. If I were you I would hurry up, if you don't want to face the punishment that our dear beloved Erza, would willingly perform." After hearing Lucy's shriek, Erza smiled and said:
"Good job, master. It was indeed a better punishment than the one that I came up with."
"No ...Yours wasn't a punishment ... It was something that went beyond the word torture ... "Makarov murmured, looking away from the young girl as he shivered in his chair.
"What did you say?"
"Nothing! Ahaha, h-however, don't worry. In the end, I also wanted to teach those brats a lesson. " The man turned to smirk at the girl who smiled back.
"Thank you, even if I doubt they will manage to accomplish something. Especially Lucy ... "
"Hmmm? Lucy? Why not Natsu? Hello, we are talking about him in the top ten of the school, it's impossible. "Erza looked at the man, shaking his head and sighing with a smile.
"But you asked Lucy to take a picture with at least 200 students."
"It's not even half of the school's students. What are you complaining about?" The man was now serious and was looking at Erza with his arms crossed over his chest.
"It's not about with how many she will do the photos. But with who she will make them. "
"Hmmm? What?"
" ... No...It's nothing. Let's see how they will finish those assignments within 2 weeks and a half. "
"In my opinion, neither of them will be able to finish it. "Another voice was heard in the room before Erza and Makarov turned around to see the vice president's school student council, Jellal Fernandes hiding behind a couple of fluttering curtains.
"Don't be so pessimistic. I bet that Lucy will make it."
"In other words you're saying that Natsu will never make it."
"Of course!" The old man replied, getting a chuckle from the 2 teenagers.
"Ehehe, Principal. You're so mean to your students, what would the school board do, if they heard what you just did? "Jellal smiled, watching the old man stare at him blankly before becoming white as a sheet paper.
"Nooooooooooooooo! What have I done!? " He screamed as he ripped his hair from his head.
"What do I do, what do I do!?" Lucy shouted desperatly, as she rested her forehead on her crossed fingers. Sitting down at a table of their school's library she didn't care if everyone was telling her to keep it down.
"What are you complainin' about? I have to get into the top 10 of this school. Y' know what this means? That it has already been decided that my ass won't be saved!" Natsu glared at her. Annoyed, he sat in front of the poor blonde with his legs spread open and with his right cheek resting on his right hand that was on the table.
"200 photos."
"Eeeh?" Lucy looked up and stared blankly at the boy in front of her. Her lips pressed together in a line.
"I have to take a picture with 200 boys in the school. "Natsu looked at Lucy with her same expression for a couple of seconds, before screaming like a madman and climbing up with one foot on the table:
"WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU SAY!? " Everyone in the library jumped from their seats, others hid under the table some ran away, but those who remained looked toward the couple glaring intensely.
"Stupid! Stop screaming for the love of God!"
"I DO- MPFH!" Lucy stood up on time and flat slapped her hand over his mouth. Before looking around and seeing the library's manageress making a sign to her that if she heard their voice only one more time, they would be thrown out from the library and banned forever.
Cursing trough her teeth, the blonde girl looked around to find another free table and saw that her favorite spot was free. It was in the back of the room hidden from the big shelves full of books. (to explain better the room, the tables were placed in the shape of an L ...)
With her hand firmly slapped on his mouth, Lucy pulled the idiot off the table and brought him to her table, where she sat on the bench against the wall. Also her favorite seat.
Why? Because from there she could see everyone and no one knew it. Not that she was a stalker, but sometimes when she made breaks from her readings, she liked to lift her head and look at the others being all cheery and happy...Not knowing a single thing about the scary world outside...
(Master, master, how's the world out there?)
Of its dangers, and its mercilessly...
(Well, Lucy there are loads of things like dragons, fairies, monsters to battle and so on, but mostly magic. Do you believe in magic, Lucy?)
Of the people you would have never expected, to hurt you without even feeling... The slightest resentment...
(Don't be silly! My daughter is incapable of doing that nonsense called 'magic'. She's only a human being. Stop putting stupid ideas in her head. She must become the heir of the Heartfilia family, and give birth to a son. It has already been decided since her birth!)
"Heeeello? Lucy? Are you okay?" Returning to her senses, Lucy felt Natsu's big and warm hand holding hers tightly on the table.
"H-huh?"
"All of a sudden ya blackout-ed and you started to bite your lip while staring intently at that table, as if you wanted it to exploded!" He whispered, pointing behind him. Through the gaps of a couple of shelves, a free table filled with some open books could be seen.
"A couple was sitting there and when they saw you, they ran away in panic. God, Lucy I never knew you were so jealous of other couples flirting! " Natsu said the last part with a small hint of flirt in his voice. A strange glint in his eyes made the girl shiver and shake her head before slapping his hand away. She growled at him, receiving a chuckle.
"Anyways what did you say before, with doing 200 photos with some boys?" The blonde girl sighed before falling back against the wall. She slowly looked up at the ceiling with her eyes closed.
"This is my job. Do 200 photos with 200 boys. Now tell me, where the hell can I find 200 guys that want to take a picture with me, and among other things smile with me!"
"Smile?"
"Yes ... Sigh ...Waaah ... How the hell did I get caught in this mess!?"
"... Every picture has to be taken with a different person, right?"
"I don't know, I couldn't ask for more details because I would have risked receiving another task because of someone's fault... " The blonde lowered her head to glare at the boy, but her expression turned into a confused one, when she saw Natsu with crossed fingers under his nose, staring at the table with a serious and blank expression, as if he was thinking about something. A thing that made him seem strangely very sexy.
"What are you planning to do-"
"So, it doesn't matter how you take it, as long as each picture shows you with a new boy, right?"
"I already told you that I don't know plus what do you care? Not that you're in a better situation than me to start worrying about me! If I were you I would start studying. "She scoffed, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Then we just have to ask Gramps." Natsu said with a side smile, taking his phone from his pocket and pressing on random keys.
"Y-you .. You have the principal's private number?"
"Yeah?"
"... W-why?" Natsu raised his head, a confused expression on his face.
"Why shouldn't I? Gramps is like a father to us-Ah! Shut up, he answered. Hello? Hey, Gramps, look, I wanted to ask you something. Yes ... yes ... Y-yeah I know. Don't worry, Gramps! Anyways, Lucy was asking is she has to be alone with a boy-... Oh yeah? Oh really? " Lucy was now watching Natsu carefully, trying to hear their conversation while slowly leaning forward. Natsu noticed her and after putting a finger in front of her face he got up and left, leaving a pouting blonde alone at the table.
After a few minutes the boy returned and Lucy looked away from the window, to look at him and ask in an annoyed voice:
"So?"
"Good news! I managed to persuade the old man. Kekeke "He said, grinning like an idiot.
I have a bad feeling about this. I'm dead sure about it. Lucy thought, shifting uncomfortably in her position.
"A-and?"
"Ah-ah-ah. I want a deal, before. "
"A deal? "Lucy asked raising an eyebrow at the boy before her.
"Yes. A deal. I'm gonna help you make 200 photos, if you help me to be in the school's top 10."
"... IN YOUR FUCKING DREAMS!"Lucy screamed, standing up but she suddenly pretended to explain to Natsu the difference between a monkey and a camel when she saw the headmistress just around the corner glaring daggers at them.
"Y-you are very wrong! You see, a monkey is a lot moooooooooore smarter t-than a camel-Sigh ... God, that witch! Why is she always around the corner?!" The blonde girl sighed heavily once she saw the old woman go away.
"Oh? I thought camels were more intelligent than monkeys. "Natsu said, amused by Lucy's sudden outcome. He looked at her with teasing eyes, leaning on his right palm with his cheek.
"Sigh, Natsu. Men are monkeys' descendants. "
"And women?"
"Also. "
"Eh? But didn't you say that men were monkeys' descendants, before? "
"Ugh! Listen, the whole human race descend from monkeys! And no! I don't want to explain how they transformed from monkeys to humans because it would take me 10 years until it would finally get into your thick brain. " The blonde said quickly when she saw the boy open his mouth again before closing in a cute angry pout. She sighed again as she fell in her seat in despair.
200 photos with 200 boys, within 2 weeks. Pff, look how easy it is! Come one, you're not even testing me! Isn't there aaaaanything more difficult, hmm? Oh my, look at this! Out of the blue, this idiot asked me to help him achieve something impossible, it must be my fucking luckiest day! What more can I ask for? She thought sarcastically.
"Stop sighing like that. Geez, what's wrong with my idea? I help you and you help me. It's not that I asked you to go out with me, or at least not right now. "
"Ugh, you're so sick!"
"Hey, I'm totally healthy! Literally speaking, look here!" He said, standing up before pulling his shirt up, showing off his perfect abs and pecs. Lucy bit back a squeal, and turned her flushed face away from the exhibitionist, covering it with her hands.
But soon, the embarrassment was replaced with anger. From behind the boy, a group of girls began to scream, others to faint or even bleed, when they saw the pink-haired idiot's back. And to make matters worse, Natsu slightly turned around to smile at them, making them scream even more.
"Pull down that shirt right now, if you don't want me to kick you out the window!" Natsu 'tsk-ed' and pouted lowering the shirt reluctantly, insulted by the girl's reaction.
"So?" The girl sighed as she shook her head.
"G-give me a second. I really need to see the pros and cons about this question."
"All the time ya want, but not 2 " Lucy glared looking up, only to see Natsu yawn before falling on his side followed by some snoring. Lucy was shocked. They were discussing an important matter and what does he do? He lays down to sleep? In a way it was better, he spared her other countless fights with the library's manageress and besides no one could see him lying on the bench in that position, making it seem that she was alone.
Quickly the girl got up and went to get a paper and a pencil. She was ready to write down everything that came to her mind. This was her way to decide something important. (also mine :D)
Pros:
- Be able to do 200 photos with 200 guys in a short time and return to my business as soon as possible.
- Erza won't kill me.
Cons:
- Having to spend 2 horrible weeks with an idiot, to help him become one of the school's top 10.
- Nervous breakdowns all the time because of the thing above.
- Small chance of him not helping me.
- Wasted time for nothing.
- Direct contact with the people of this school.
...Lucy frowned looking down at the paper. There were more cons than pros, and accepting it seemed like the worst stupid idea.
"Hey, why did you write only two sentences under the pros?" The blonde jumped from her seat when she heard Natsu next to her. Seriously, this school's guys did nothing but scare her to death with their sudden appearances. Natsu took her pencil and made a large 'X' on the cons, before writing under the pros:
- Be able to do 200 photos with 200 guys in a short time, and return to my business as soon as possible.
- Spend 2 unforgettable weeks with the one and only awesome Natsu Dragneel.
- Fall in love with him
- Kiss him and slee-
Lucy almost shouted again when she read what the idiot was writing. She quickly snatched the pencil out of his hand and threw the sheet in his face. but it didn't even him as it stopped midway and went in another direction.
"Ugh! I can't take it anymore, I'm going crazy!"
"Sigh, Luce, what's wrong? Ya just have to teach me a few things, and it's done. I didn't ask ya to run naked around the campus!" Lucy turned toward him with a raised eyebrow.
"Seriously, Luce? Do you really think that I'd ask you to run naked around the campus? " The boy's serious tone of voice took Lucy by surprise and she shyly looked away from him scratching her neck.
"Sigh... Oka-"
"OKAY, MY ASS!" Lucy screamed, slamming her book on the table before raising up.
"Oi, Blondie lower your voice, we're in a library here, y'know?"
"This coming from the one who was screaming like a spoiled shitty brat, that he was dead hungry, a second before..."
"Shut the fuck up, stripper!"
"Ah, Gray-sama~! Wonderful even when wearing only a tie!"
"Whaaat!?"
"Ugh! Can you shut up? I'm trying to decipher this book here!"
"Ahaha, I can't wait to go out on a picnic with everyone here~ "
"Nee-chan, y'know that we're here to study, right? "
"Hey, hey Luce, Why the fuck '-2 +2' doesn't equal to 4!? "
"Ugh! EVERY ONE SHUT THE HELL UP, RIGHT NOW! "Everyone jumped in their chairs and looked at Lucy with huge eyes.
"One, why the heck are you all here!? Two, Erza? Where the heck did you pop up from!? Three, are you really stupid or are you just trying to make me angry?! "Lucy roared, pointing a finger towards Natsu's face, who flinched back.
"But we're here to study." They all said in unison, angering Lucy even more.
"Rubber head...I remember very well, that I told you I'd help you, not that I would help everyone!"
"Aww, come on Lucy, don't be so cold. We also want to learn somethin' here!" Gray said, leaning back on the bench.
"Ugh! And why should I help you all!? "
"Because you are the smartest among us. " They said again in unison, with an innocent look in their eyes.
"Come on, Luce we don't have time for this shit! We have a math test in 5 days and if I don't pass it with at least 80% ya can forget about your stupid photos!"
"Are you perhaps blackmailing me!? " The blond haired girl gasped, surprised.
"Yes! And now tell me why it isn't 4. "Lucy was speechless. Simply speechless.
"Lucy, dear, close your mouth if you don't want flies to enter." Mirajane said with a hand on her cheek. A little bit embarrassed, Lucy put a hand on her hips and the other over her eyes as she shook her head.
"And what do I get from this?"
"Nothing." They all said in unison.
"GO TO HELL!"
"Ahahaha, Luce, c'mon, we were joking. Don't go. "Natsu said, laughing and taking Lucy's wrist to pull her back to the table.
"Die ..."
"Look, we don't want to waste your time, but we're not kidding here either." Gray said, crossing his arms over his chest.
"Juvia agrees with Gray-sama."
"And besides ..."
"We don't want Natsu to get ahead of us in acts of intelligence." The teenagers said in unison, with a very determined face.
"What the-!?"
"Even so, it's none of my business." The blonde sighed, sitting down again in her place, next to Levy.
"Lu-chan, I hope you understand what 'Natsu smarter than us' means..." Lucy looked at the girl with a blank expression before closing her eyes trying to imagine it.
-The imagination-
"Buahahahaha, I'm smarter than ya all! How can you be soooo damn stupid? "Natsu shouted raising at the top of a mountain made out of his friend's bodies.
"Y-you bastard!" Lucy growled, standing up with great effort, as if she had fought against a very powerful wizard. Natsu turned towards her with an annoyed expression before a smug smirk made its way onto his lips.
"Hey, Lucy what did ya say 'bout a monkey being more intelligent that a camel? Pfff, bullshit! From now on, I say that camels are the most intelligent animals on the planet, next to the llamas of course!"
"This can't be happening! How can an idiot be smarter than me!? "
"Aww, our little girl feels sorry that she's too stupid for this world~ Then do you want, by chance- Pfff- me to help you out? Buaahahaha! " He laughed, mimicking a monkey, and slapping his ass.
"No! This must be a dream! A really good nightmare! Just close your eyes, Lucy...Breath...And you will get back to reality-"
"Hey, Lucy look here! A banana! I almost mistook it for your head!" Lucy turned around, to see Natsu upside down attached to a tree eating a banana, in a very ugly way.
"Noooooooooo!"
-End of the imagination -
"Noooooooooooo!" Lucy screamed with both her hands in her hair, as she suddenly stood up.
"Never! This will never happen as long as I'm still alive!"
"O-OI! I'm right here, you know!?"
"That's the spirit Blondie, gihihi! "
"And you would call yourself, my friends!?"
"Shut up, Natsu! We need to study! " Lucy snapped back, pointing a finger at him as she put on her gale-force reading glasses.
"Oi, oi, oi, you're the one who has to help me to study, ya forgot!?"
"Change of plans!"
"What the-?! Stop sayin' bullshit and explain this thing to me! "
"No, I don't have time. Go and ask it to someone else. "
"Luceeeeeeee!"
...After a few minutes.
"Gajeel, stop playing that guitar, you're make too much noise!
Gray if you're going to get up and pick up a book at least put on some fucking pants!
Mirajane grab Elfman and take him home, he's practically flooding the table with his saliva!
Erza, how can't you see the difference between an equilateral triangle and a scalene one!?
Juvia, you're here to study, not to stare at Gray's ass!
Levy! We're doing math here, not literature and look! You're starting to write things backwards!
And Natsu-" Lucy screamed, turning towards Natsu to glare at him before hissing slowly:
"How dare you eat while you should study?!"
"But I was hungry! We've all been here since forever! "
"And you would call 10 minutes, an eternity?!" The blonde yelled taking the poor boy by the collar, who smiled back shyly.
"I can't do it. Enough. I give up!" The girl fell down in her spot with her head on the table. She was tired and stressed out. One more stupid question coming from any given direction and the poor blonde would have lost her sanity forever.
"At least... Can I know your scores from the last math test?!" Everyone raised a sheet, at the same time.
Erza- 56 %
Levy- 68 %
Juvia- 47%
Mirajane and Elfman- 58 e 30 %
Gajeel – 33 %
Gray -39 %
Her surprised eyes shifted from one sheet to another before they fell on Natsu, who was now standing by the table with his hands on his hips. Grinning widely at her.
"You already know mine's!" He said, doing a thumbs-up. And here's the final blow.
"How the heck ..." Lucy whispered as she started to tremble.
"HOW THE HELL DID YOU DO THAT TEST AND TOOK THOSE MARKS!? DID YOU PERHAPS DO IT WITH YOUR EYES CLOSED?! "
"Tch, seemed like a good damn idea at that time ... "Gajeel mumbled, looking away from the group with his arms crossed over his chest.
"I couldn't finish it because my necklace got stuck in my shirt and as I tried to take it off I fell on the ground with my shirt blocking me from breathing..."
"J-Juvia was unable to look away from G-Gray-sama's body during the whole time..."
"I'm sorry, I'm good in literature, math is not my thing, I ended up writing magic spells here and there ... "Levy said with a guilty expression.
"It's my fault. I am not worthy enough to be the class representative, if I can't even do math with the highest grades, I don't deserve this role ... "Erza dramatically punched her chest while shaking her head. Lucy looked towards the white-haired girl, scared of what was going to come out of her mouth.
"Elfman ran away when he couldn't take it anymore, and I had to run after him to bring him back! Ehehe!" She giggled with her eyes closed.
"And I-"
"No. Don't say anything. I don't want to know what you did. Or rather what you didn't do. "Lucy sighed, shaking her head.
"How? How, it is the only thing I can ask. "
"To defend ourselves, that test was damn hard!" They all said in unison, seriously. And to their words, Lucy fell back dramatically with one hand on her forehead.
"Lu-chan!" Levy yelled jumping to her rescue.
"It's too much. I can't do it... "
"Don't give up Lu-chan! We know that you can do it!" But the blonde girl quickly shook her head.
"It's impossible. Impossible I tell you. "
"Lucy. We believe in you. "Erza said seriously, nodding at the girl. Looking at everyone in the eyes, she couldn't understand how they could be so full of hope in that situation.
That wasn't normal. It wasn't normal at all! How can everything change out of the blue? How can some people with whom she had never wanted to talk with, believe in her so much? Being surrounded by these people, talking to them, yelling at them, laughing with them. It was like ... It was almost like they were-
"Friends, no?" Lucy looked immediately towards Natsu with huge eyes in surprise.
"H-huh?"
"We are Friends, no? Friends always help one another in times of need. "He repeated, with his typical toothy grin. Startled she stared into the boy's eyes with big trembling eyes. Without saying a word she looked at the others smiling or smirking at her.
Friends. How long has it been since Lucy heard a sweet and good word like that?
"Friends?" Even, trying to say it, it was sweet and warm. Too warm for a girl who has been hurt deeply. It's almost as if she's discovering these feelings for the first time in her 'life'.
"Yeah, Luce friend- Woah! H-hey, why are you crying, Lucy!?" Natsu began to panic when he saw the girl beside him start to cry silently and then aloud.
But she didn't hear them. She couldn't hear anything. Because her dead cold heart, abused for as long as she can remember, chained up in a cage surrounded by iron walls, now, finally after many years of hell, began to beat again. And all this thanks to one word.
Friends.
To one smile.
- "We are Friends, no? Friends always help one another in times of need. "He repeated, with his typical toothy grin. -
To one person.
Natsu Dragneel.
This devil of a guy managed to get under her skin and warm her from inside with a warmth that she had never felt in such a long time. And why? Why was this guy trying to break her armor and make her cry so much?
Why couldn't this guy leave her alone like many others did before him? Why was this guy so much different from all the others whom she had met before? What was so special about him that made him shine more than the others, in Lucy's eyes?
What did he do to bewitch her and her iced heart in a so magical yet mysterious and almost unnoticeable, way?
Lucy silently closed her house's door, behind her. For the whole trip back to her house, the girl kept her head low. Her eyes hidden behind her fringe. Her bag slipped from her shoulder down to the ground with a thud, pulling her out of her thoughts. Blinking a couple of times, the girl suddenly slapped her cheeks and sighed.
"Must be something wrong with me. Should I call the doctor? "
"Nah, I don't think. You're just fine. " A male voice answered to her whisper.
"... If you say so. "
"Oh, I see you have beer in the fridge, neat! "
"Well, of course. Where do you want me to put it? "The blonde scoffed, with her eyes closed as she took off her shoes and the ribbon from around her high, side ponytail.
"Oh, by the way, nice house! Very cozy and welcoming!"
"Hah! It might be beautiful, but this beauty costs a lot, especially if you are the only one to pay for it. " Lucy continued to speak, never opening her eyes, as she went to sit in the living room on the couch. Sighing heavily she began to open her shirt in a lazy way. She bounced on the spot as if something or someone heavy had jumped next to her on the couch and then the tv being turned on.
"So, now you live alone in this huge house. Don't ya feel alone? "
"No, Loki. I don't feel alone. And what's with all these questions? You never asked me so many questions about my house! "
"What? Loki? "
" ... What? "