I do not own Fairy Tail or the characters.

Chapter 4: Facing Reality

She felt numbed

"You go first," Gray and Lucy said in unison.

They both blushed.

"Lucy?" Gray asked, "You never told me why you were crying earlier."

"Oh, I didn't?" Lucy said. She didn't want to tell Gray the reason. She didn't want to sound jealous.

"No, you never told me," Gray said, "What was bothering you?"

"Oh, uhm, it was nothing. Everything is better now, trust me," responded Lucy. That may sound like a lie, but it wasn't. Lucy was actually feeling better because Gray was there. She wanted to confess, but she didn't want to ruin their friendship. Despite that, she felt happier.

"Okay," Gray smiled. "Lucy, are you having a tough time feeling asleep too?"

"Yeah, but we should really be getting to sleep soon," Lucy claimed.

"Yeah you're right," laughed Gray, "Goodnight."

"Goodnight," replied Lucy.

*The following morning*

Lucy woke up and she had the biggest smile on her face. She couldn't believe how yesterday turned out.

She looked over to her couch; Gray was gone.

"He must've left. Maybe he left early so he could get ready to go on his job with Juvia." Lucy thought.

She sighed; she was a little disappointed, "I should get ready."

*Few hours later, Lucy arrives at the guild.*

"Hi guys!" Lucy greeted.

"Hey Lucy!" her guild members responded.

Lucy looked around for Gray. She didn't see him; she didn't see Juvia either.

"They must've already left," mumbled Lucy.

"Hey Lucy, did you say anything?" Erza asked as she walked towards Lucy.

"Oh, I didn't say anything," Lucy lied.

"If you're looking for Gray, he already left," responded Erza. "He and Juvia left an hour ago on a job."

"I– I know," Lucy said looking a little upset.

"Do you like him?" Erza asked.

"N– No, no, of course I don't like him." Lucy was so red that it shocked Erza.

"Lucy, you do like him. Why didn't you tell me?" Erza questioned.

"Erza, I don't like him. He may be really cute and an amazing friend, but I'm not interested in him like that." Lucy spoke faster than usually.

"I get that you don't want to admit it, but you should've told Gray or either me," Erza looked at Lucy with a serious look on her face. "Lucy, there's something you need to know."

"What is it, Erza, what's wrong?" worried Lucy.

Erza, unsure whether or not she should tell Lucy, took a deep breath, "Juvia told me that she was going to tell Gray something important today."

Lucy knew what Juvia was planning to tell Gray.

Lucy didn't say anything, hell she didn't even shed one tear. It was time for her to face reality.

Lucy Heartfilia had run out of time.

*Gray and Juvia are walking on a path in the woods together*

Their job was to capture some thieves. They had already completed the job in a matter of minutes. Gray couldn't believe that the thieves were complete amateurs.

Juvia spoke softly, "Gray-sama?" She stopped walking. She blushed and stared at the ground.

Gray stopped and looked behind him at Juvia, "Yeah Juvia?"

"Juvia wants to tell Gray-sama something that Juvia has wanted to say," Juvia walked closer to Gray.

"Is there something wrong?" Gray asked. He was confused about what was happening.

"Juvia . . ." Juvia started, "Juvia loves Gray-sama. Juvia felled in love with Gray-sama the first day Juvia met him."

Gray was shocked. He was completely oblivious towards her actions. He only thought that she admired him, not in love with him. He thought that Juvia was cute and that she was a good friend, but he didn't know what to say. He knows that he loves Lucy. Or do he? He does think that Lucy likes him a little, but does she love him? Did he truly love her? He was confused about the whole situation.

"I can't believe she told me that she loves me." Gray thought, "Do I love her back? Gray, you love Lucy, right? Why am I having second thoughts about that? I think that I really love Lucy, but I don't want to hurt Juvia's feelings. What should I do, Juvia is waiting for a response."

Gray looked at Juvia, "Juvia I . . . ."

*30 minutes later*

Gray and Juvia walked into the guild together. Juvia looked so happy, as if she was a god. Gray looked happy too, well sort of happy.

Juvia ran up towards Erza and hugged her.

"Juvia has a date with Gray-sama," Juvia said happily to Erza.

"You do?" shocked Erza. She couldn't believe that Gray had feelings for Juvia.

"Yes! After Juvia told Gray-sama her confession of love, Gray-sama said that he wanted to go on a date with Juvia to see if he's love for Juvia is as strong as Juvia's love!" shouted the overexcited mage.

Mirajane overheard their conversation and dropped the glass that she was cleaning.

Everyone in the guild looked at her.

"Sorry guys," Mirajane apologized as she started cleaning up the glass.

"Gray loves Juvia? I could've sworn that Gray and Lucy would start dating soon." Mira thought. She looked at Lucy.

Lucy's face was emotionless. Her mouth was open a bit, like she was going to say something, yet no words came out. She stared directly at Gray. It looked like her whole world came to an end. Lucy couldn't think straight. She realized that her prediction earlier was true. Gray loves Juvia not her. She has to live with that for the rest of her life. Never will she find someone like Gray, never will she be happy as she was later last night, and never will she be able to confess her heart to him.

Juvia was now holding Gray's hand. They both smiled at each other. The way Juvia looked at Gray and the way Gray looked at Juvia, they looked so happy. But were they? Of course Juvia loves Gray, but does he truly love her? Gray glanced at Lucy and waved at her. Lucy didn't move. She didn't wave back or even smiled. Instead she just turned around and sat at the bar. Mira gave her a hopeful smile, but Lucy remained emotionless.

Mira looked at Lucy, "Lucy, they are only going on a date. I'm pretty sure he loves y-"

Lucy slammed her fist on the counter.

Everyone in the guild looked at Lucy, even Gray and Juvia.

"Lucy," Gray said calming.

Lucy got up and walked out of the guild. She felt numbed.

She walked home. Alone. No one followed her. No one chased after her. No one was there to see her tears.

I actually cried while I wrote this. Sorry the sad chapter; maybe the next time will be a happier chapter. I'll update either tomorrow or the next day. Thanks for the support!