Chapter Thirteen: Sick

I woke up the next morning with the sun shining in through the windows again. I rolled around sleepily and thought about sleeping in, but forced myself up to go to the guild. I put on my pink camisole and green skirt with the white jacket and black boots.

I yawned sleepily and tied up my hair. I had barely gotten any sleep because I'd been worrying about Gray's big surprise and how I would explain to Juvia if it was needed. I went into the bathroom and splashed water on my face to wake me up. Then I grabbed my new belt with the keys securely hooked on and my whip as well. Then I went out and thought of someone who could help me.

That's it! I clicked my fingers.

…

I walked into the guild, knowing exactly who could help me, apart from Mira who looked busy today, modelling for Sorcerer's Magazine apparently. I walked to Levy who was reading a book at a quiet corner table, carefully picking the path farthest away from Gray. I knew Jet or Droy would be here any minute so I would make this quick, "Hey, Levy?"

"Nani?" asked Levy, looking up and putting her book down. I sat down opposite her and began explaining, "Hypothetically, if person A were to supposedly like person B but B didn't like A until very recently and person C was unhappy about this because C liked A, and B and C are friends so B said a possible lie that might really hurt C, how would person B take care of the problem?"

"What?" said Levy, "I honestly didn't get any of that."

"Basically, it's a messed up love triangle," I said, "B and C both like A but he possibly likes B more. C is upset so B tells her a possible lie that may hurt her a lot. So, if you were person B, how would you handle the situation?"

Levy smiled sympathetically, "Luce, I'm not an idiot. You're talking about you, Juvia and Gray."

"Yes, yes, I am, but that's beside the point," I said, "The point is I don't know what to do about this problem."

"So what is the problem, specifically?" asked Levy.

I explained most of the problem with Levy listening the whole time without interrupting. It was just one of the things I liked about her.

"… And I told Juvia there's no way Gray would love me but I'm not sure that's true because of Gemini. If Gray does love me by some chance and Juvia finds out, she'll be really hurt and I don't want that to happen because then I have to choose between my friend and the person I love. Either way, one person will be really hurt. What am I supposed to do, Levy?"

"Have you been avoiding Gray?" asked Levy.

"No," I answered.

Levy looked at me, "Really?"

I thought of how I'd chosen the path farthest away from Gray, "A little… But that's just because I don't want any awkward situations with him!" I defended myself, "Thanks to Happy, I know of this great big surprise that Gray is doing for my birthday tomorrow and I'm really nervous about what it is!"

"Well," said Levy, "At least you know it won't be a proposal on one knee," she snickered. Seeing my face, she was serious again, "Don't worry Lucy, it's probably just a cute little gift he got from the shops and a cute card. Don't worry about it so much."

"I'm still worrying," I said, my head plonking on the table top, "My head hurts…"

Levy laughed, "Well, I'm sure it's not that bad. Take the rest of the day off; I'll let Master know you were sick."

"Thanks, Levy," I smiled, getting up. As I walked down the stone edge of the little river, the usual man rowed by and warned me. I called after him I was fine and walked into my rented place.

After slipping under the covers, not bothering to change clothes and kicking off my boots, I quickly fell asleep.

When I woke, I saw my team around me like the time I woke in the infirmary. Sitting right in front of me was Happy who called to the others, "She's awake!"

I sat up and heard the slam of a chest. I blinked and saw Erza, Natsu and Gray standing in front of the chest where I kept my…

"Are you kidding me?" I yelled, leaping straight out of bed, "Do you HAVE to go snooping around in there?"

"Don't worry, Lucy," said Erza, "Although I honestly wonder how the heck you can wear underwear like that. Actually, I have no idea if it's even underwear?"

For some reason, I was blushing like crazy when I thought of Gray looking at my undergarments. Although I minded that Natsu and Erza were looking at them, I was absolutely embarrassed that Gray had looked at them.

"We just came to see if you were OK," said Erza, "Levy told us you were sick."

"Not really," I said. The nap had mostly taken care of my throbbing headache, "It was just a headache. Were you guys that worried?"

"Yeah," said Natsu, "Especially Gray. Ha, ha, ha!"

"Nani?" I said, turning red again.

Gray looked away, "I was not that worried."

"Come on!" said Natsu, " 'I wonder if Lucy's all right', 'can we go visit her?', 'hope she's going to be OK by tomorrow'…"

"T-Tomorrow's your birthday, you know," stammered Gray. I stared at him. I had never once heard Gray stammer, "It's not good to be sick on your birthday."

"Oh, crap!" said Natsu, "You just wanted to make sure she was OK so you could still spring your surprise on her."

"Would you just shut up?" said Gray to Natsu. Natsu still snickered.

"Thanks for worrying, everyone, but I'm OK," I insisted, "I should be fine by tomorrow on my birthday."

"Good," said Erza, "So until then, just get some rest and have some medicine. If you're really feeling terrible, Master said you could go see his old friend, Porlyusica. You know, the one who gave me my artificial eye?"

"Oh, OK," I said, lying back down, "Tell Master thanks, but I think I'll be fine."

"OK," said Erza, "Well, we just came to make sure you were OK. Come on, Gray, Natsu, Happy."

"Bye!" said Happy and Natsu but Gray hung back a bit and looked at Erza.

Erza rolled her eyes, "Fine. But don't bother her too much."

"See ya Luce!" cried Natsu, glomping onto me and hugging me. As he did so, his lips accidentally brushed by my cheek. I started blushing madly again.

As the others left, Gray took a seat by my bedside. I smiled, forgetting all the awkwardness I'd thought I'd feel, "Thanks, Gray."

"Nah, it's all right," said Gray, but there was something else in his expression, "I'm going to make sure you're all right before I leave."

I smiled and slowly drifted back to sleep as I knew I was safe with Gray.

…

I was sleeping in that way that all you see is pitch black and ten minutes later, it's already morning. Although I was, I somehow felt really cold despite the hot weather.

Suddenly, something warm touched my cheek and trailed down my neck. It seemed to warm up the rest of my body and I woke up with a gasp. I touched my cheek where the warm feeling had first started and looked to the bedside. Gray was gone. I got out of bed and went to the slightly ajar window, opening them all the way. I looked at the huge clock on the cathedral in the middle of town. A quarter past midnight. I had been asleep for a long time.

As I closed the window, a bit of frost had gathered on one glass square. I looked at it. In fancy writing in the frost, said 'Get Well Soon…'

I looked down from the window and saw a shirtless figure, leaping onto the ground and walking away. I smiled at him, "Arigato, Gray."

I walked back to bed and watched as the writing on the window slowly evaporated away.