DISCLAIMER: I don't own Fairy Tale. Period.

WRITER'S BLOCK: Don't for get to read Another Shot at Love! Thank you and R&R!

LOOK AT ME

Chapter Two

If I could think up of one down side to this part-time job I took, it would probably be the 'No Student-Teacher Relationship' scheme. I mean, who thinks up of such an unrealistic rule anyway?

I remained starting at the ceiling inside my dark room. Since I announced that were no classes today, I won't be able to see her.

I sighed. One of the reasons why I get up so early in the morning and today I just won't have it my way.

Yes, I like of my students, Lucy Heartfilia, a rich blonde girl on whom I've had my eyes on since she cheered for our football team in senior high. I thought it was just some sort of child's crush—at that time I was head-over-heels for Erza Scarlet—but over time, especially when she started putting on make-up and got through puberty, I realized that it was too intense for a crush.

Of course, I didn't have the guts to approach her and I don't even think she saw me. She was always around that Natsu Dragneel, that lucky bastard. Maybe they're in a relationship? If they are, then that would be such a waste.

I grabbed my coat and my bag before going out of my apartment door. I'd have to get to the classroom and take their test papers. I forgot to take them yesterday.

"It's gloomy today…" It could rain anytime and so instead of walking to the classroom, I took my car.

I squinted my eyes to check if I was actually seeing right. The lights in our classroom were turned on.

Did the janitor leave them open? Maybe. I didn't want to think about the supernatural causes since that would be absurd. However, there were some stories about a male student who committed suicide in that room.

I chuckled. How childish of me to scare myself with those thoughts. I'm already twenty-three, for goodness' sake!

CREAK.

I closed the door behind me and took of my coat. The heater seems to be faulty since it's still a bit cold inside and no thanks to my fitting top, I felt the air just stick to my skin.

Suddenly, at the corner of my eye, I saw a female figure sitting near the piano. I remembered another story of a female student who died in the piano because of a harmless hide-and-seek game. Unfortunately, she was asthmatic and couldn't take the dirt inside.

The hair at the back of my neck stood on end. I courageously turned my head to look. It was all blurry because I didn't have my glasses on but I saw a familiar steak of gold.

"Heartfilia?" I asked, just to be sure. She wasn't really this early before and so I wasn't putting my hopes up. I just hope whoever was sitting there was a person and not a spirit.

I scrambled inside my bag to look for my glasses and immediately wore them on.

"So it is you!" I said in relief.

"Good morning, sir," she replied. I wonder what she's doing here.

"What are you doing here today?"

"Did you drop me already?"

"No, that's not what I meant..." She sure knows how to lighten the atmosphere around here. I put my bag on the teacher's chair and continued, "I announced that there won't be classes today."

"You did?" she looked surprised. I really loved that look of hers. I think it's when she looks prettiest. That's why I always call her when I catch her dozing or dazing or being inattentive.

"You must've been sleeping..." I said.

I looked at her intently. Her golden blonde hair was so beautiful it complimented her brown eyes. Her lips looked so soft and naturally pinkish. Her body, though there were still some baby fat left, was starting to take its shape and her skin was so flawless.

Too bad she was doesn't seem to notice someone like me. I've heard her saying that I was a weird geek to her classmates and that I was so strict to her, always noticing her whenever she was sleeping or making mistakes. She doesn't even know that I only do that so she'd be able to get into the university and I'll be closer to her.

And besides, her types are the likes of Natsu Dragneel, who was a sporty hot dude, now and actor-model who enrolled under cooking class. Why can't she notice, for once, that even though I was a geek, I could be equally handsome as Dragneel.

"What about you, sir? What are you doing here?"

Oh, yes. I almost forgot. Thinking of her made me lose my concentration and forget what I really came here for.

"I came to pick up some papers—your class' test papers."

She looked nervous at my statement. I'm guessing she didn't study again, as she usually does. What a waste. She's such a smart girl, too, but doesn't put that brain to work.

"You're early, though. That's something new…" I said. I had to make her feel good. After making her suffer during all my classes, this is probably the only chance I'll get to talk with her privately. And I won't waste this moment. "If you're always like that, you may actually have a chance at the university."

She suddenly fell into deep thought at this statement. Did she have some problems with study?

"Why that look? Don't you want to go to the university?"

"No, that's not it, sir! It's something…personal," she answered somewhat shyly. Could she be talking about crushes and stuff?

"A boy you like, perhaps?" I said as I approached the cabinet behind her. Somehow, this conversation turned out to be very interesting.

"W-well... You could say that..." She's actually blushing! I struggled to regain composure as my stomach released its vicious butterflies.

"A case of one-sided love?" I asked. It's probably Dragneel. Who else would she be falling for? To my surprise, she nodded. I don't know when I did it but somehow, I unconsciously unlocked the cabinet door. I randomly took an envelope out to avoid any suspicion.

"I think I understand."

I pretended to look at the files but in reality, I was waiting for her reply.

"You do?"

Yes, of course I do!

"Hm… Yeah… I guess… I'm old enough to have experienced something like that."

Sloppy. Very sloppy. Ugh! I hate myself for being so corny! I put the envelope back in the cabinet. Apparently, it wasn't the right folder and so I pulled out the right envelope and pretended to scan it.

"You've experienced one-sided love, sir?"

"Huh?" I flinched. Oh, God, I hope she didn't notice. "Yeah… Once…"

"With whom?" Crud… Think, Gray! Think!

"Don't tell anyone, okay?" I put a finger on my lips. I hope that I'm a good enough actor.

Think faster! I can't think of anything!

I got it!

"Dr. Scarlet from the university, you know her, right?" I blurted out. Whew! That was close! I won't be lying to her anyway since I was once in-love with Erza.

"Well, Dr. Scarlet is very pretty. But isn't she married with a businessman?" she asked. This girl is too curious for her own good!

"Yeah… Jelal… My second cousin…" I forced out a laugh. I hope it wasn't obvious that I was actually very nervous.

Then, I turned my back on her and locked the cabinet. I've got to change the subject before my tongue starts slipping.

"Well, I'm leaving. Are you going to stay here?" I asked coolly.

"Huh?" she said. She always says 'Huh?' whenever I snap her out of her trances. "Oh, yeah… I'll be leaving, too."

"Let's go out together, then," I invited then walked ahead of her.

I secretly huffed out of relief. Apparently, the Erza-as-my-one-sided-love plan worked.

"Do you know Natsu Dragneel?"

What? Why did I even ask that? I hate myself sometimes. My mouth has a mind of its own!

"Of course!" she enthusiastically said. And she was smiling!

I rolled my eyes secretly. That idiot Dragneel. He's still taking everything I liked, from the VIP title during senior high to the lead role in the school play and now, Lucy!

"Is he, by any chance, the boy we talked about?" I asked and feigned a smile. Right now, she was blushing which annoyed me. Blushing meant 'yes.'

"N-no…" she said. Lucy, I know you're lying!

"It seems that he is," I asserted. I have to know whether or not my hunch is correct!

"But he really isn't—"

All of a sudden, the rain fell down heavily. I knew it from the start that it was going to rain. Seems like laundry will have to wait until tomorrow.

"Oh no…" she said.

"Is something wrong, Lucy?" Cr—! I shouldn't have called her by her first name! Stupid Gray! Stupid!

"N-nothing, s-sir… I just realized that I left my umbrella at home."

"Oh, I see…" I said, pushing the glasses to my nose. It's become a habit whenever I'm tensed. "I could take you home if you want."

Please say 'yes!' C'mon, Lucy! Just this once!

"That's really nice, sir, but nobody's home right now and I even left my keys…"

"You're such a scatterbrain, Lucy…" Again with the first-name-calling! Oh, well. Let's stay calm right now and try not to look too obvious.

"Oh, and, when we're not in class, you could call me Gray."

"I-I'm not used to it, sir… But I'll try..." she smiled.

Oh, yes! This is great! A disaster turned advantage! Gray, you are a genius!

"Well, if you don't have anywhere to go, do you want to help me check your test papers?" I couldn't help myself from smiling and inviting her home! My heart beat fast as I waited for her reply.

"Really, G-gray?" I see she's still getting used to it. "Where?"

"My place," I said.

"Though I'm not sure I've cleaned up," Wait, did I say that aloud or to myself?

I looked at her and she looked confused which was really cute and it made me laugh.

Oh, Lucy. I'm sorry I'm such a coward. If only I'm brave enough to confess to you but I'm just not. I guess I'll just be contented like this… You and me, talking casually…

I just hope that someday… Maybe, someday…

You'll look at me.

Gray's POV… What do you think?