You people are all so wonderful, I sometimes wonder why I'm so lucky to have you with me.

It's been a long while since I've updated, but I'm back now! Hope you guys have a great Christmas and enjoy your New Year!

Love you.

LOVING SANTA

"I expect you all to be in class tomorrow. No skipping allowed." Ezra looked at her friends pointedly.

The group had finished their (huge) meal and after splitting the (humongous) bill, they decided that it was getting late.

"Yeah, yeah. Don't worry. We only have two more days until break anyways." Gray said while yawning.

"Gray, your pants." Lisanna sighed while picking up the discarded clothing. Ezra glared at the black haired man, and he immediately stiffened after seeing her gaze.

"Don't worry, I'll make sure to keep my clothes on... probably." he stated while whispering the last part under his breath.

"Well, I guess we should be heading back." Lisanna spoke while buttoning up her coat. Natsu glanced back into the cafe and his expression softened when he saw a glimpse of blonde through the window. Gray didn't fail to notice the small action. The icy male quickly looked at his silver haired friend to see if she had seen it too. To his relief, it seemed as though only he had witnessed it.

"Natsu, Gray, are you guys coming?" the blue eyed girl questioned while looking at the two.

"You go ahead, I think flame-brain forgot something inside." Gray said while looking at his fiery companion.

Natsu, you're gonna owe me for this.

After everyone had left the scene, Gray sighed while turning towards the pink haired male.

"I didn't leave anything inside. What're you talking about?" Natsu asked. Just then, the sound of a door swinging open reached their ears. The noise rung out in the calm and snowy night. Both turned towards the alley beside the restaurant. Gray saw that the cafe had turned off most of its lights.

He just shook his head at the other's question and smirked. Natsu narrowed his eyes.

"Don't mess up." Gray said, while pushing the pink haired male into the alleyway. Natsu widened his eyes and was about to run after his friend before his back hit something.

He spun around quickly, looking to see what he had bumped into. His onyx eyes met a pair of warm brown orbs.

As soon as she saw the pink hair, she knew something troubling was going to happen soon. Even after she had understood the events from the morning, her mind still was uneasy from the shock. After all, he had been in her BEDROOM. It was easy to misunderstand that.

"Watch out!" he suddenly yelled.

"Huh?" Lucy looked around and noticed that the ground was coming closer to her face with each passing second.

I'm falling...Wait, how did I not see that coming?

She shut her eyes tightly and tried to bring a hand out to cushion the impact that was going to occur at any moment.

Suddenly, something firm wrapped around her waist. It pulled her forward and away from the dirty floor. Her nose hit something warm.

"Ow." she winced while bringing a hand up to her face.

"Are you ok?"

She looked up and almost choked from the sight.

The moon was shining brightly, and there wasn't a single cloud in the sky. Lucy could even see the stars shining brightly in the distance. There was a pale glow of light surrounding Natsu's face, and she could see his dark eyes looking into hers. She had never really paid attention to his looks before, but in that moment, the female really thought that he was handsome.

He reminded her brother, who was a huge playboy. The way he caught her so smoothly and held her close to his chest immediately put her guard up.

Lucy had never been one to submit to someone's looks, but this was the first time she had ever become shocked by someone's facial features.

What was wrong with her today? Maybe it was just because he had been in her room, and she was more conscious of him because of that. Was she getting too tired? Or perhaps it was stress.

Lucy kept trying to reassure herself that it was nothing until Natsu spoke up.

"Lucy?"

She snapped back into reality and supported herself up. She picked up her bag, which had dropped when he bumped into her, and avoided looking at his face.

"Thanks." she said in a soft voice. The girl just stood there awkwardly, not sure whether to go, or wait for him to move.

Just as she was going to speak up, Natsu walked out onto the sidewalk. She hesitantly left the alley and was about to just go home before the male's hand shot out to hold her arm.

"Um...can I walk you back?" he asked. Lucy paused and stood still.

Natsu himself was surprised that he had suggested that, and he almost felt like smacking himself in the face for it. Why would she want him to walk her back? His cheeks were burning.

"You know, because it's not safe right now." he quickly elaborated.

"Y-you don't have to. I have to go through the subway and-" she spoke while shaking her head.

"I'm taking the subway too. Besides, it's nothing." he grinned while looking at her for confirmation.

"But-"

Natsu suddenly remembered a conversation he had with Gray one day.

Look, why're you so nervous around her anyways? Just be the straightforward idiot you always are. If she doesn't like that, then that means she isn't the one.

He put away all of his worries and took a deep breath.

"Let's go!" he said, and the happy male took her hand while walking to the station.

The blonde let out a gasp and started a running a bit to keep up with the male's eager strides. She gave him her silent consent while trying to keep up.

Besides, it wouldn't be bad to have protector for once.

Lucy looked at him and felt a bit strange. Sure, he was a classmate and they had exchanged one or two greetings at one point,but why was he going out of his way for her?

Her eyes wandered over to their linked hands. She could definitely feel the heat from his fingers, and it seemed to warm her whole body.

Lucy remembered that in class, he always had everyone around him. From what she had seen, he was an outgoing and charismatic person. He was never left alone.

They had never even held a lengthy conversation. It was strange to see him suddenly get involved with her.

Lucy felt something brush against her arm. She looked up from the ground.

Natsu had slowed down to keep up with her. She saw his pink cheeks and noticed that his hand around hers had become comforting. Her legs also stopped jogging, and they settled into a relaxing walk. She almost smiled at his actions. He didn't seem like such a bad person.

Meanwhile, the male was trying to keep himself from grinning like a madman. He had always been too shy to confront her, but in these two days, things that he never thought could happen actually occured. He glanced towards Lucy.

Why was she able to affect him so much? It was really pathetic sometimes, when he would keep thinking about her nonstop for hours on end.

Even now, he could distinctly feel her hand in his. His heartbeat beat loud and clear. Natsu secretly smiled to himself.

He wasn't supposed to go on the subway, but who cared? At least he could spend some more time with her.

And perhaps this year, he wouldn't have to wish (again) for a certain girl to be his girlfriend.

Ok, it's been a while, but I wrote this chappie! SO HAPPY (that rhymes!)

Anyways, even though it's been a year and even though Christmas ended yesterday, remember that CHRISTMAS IS ALWAYS LESS THAN A YEAR AWAY!

Have a happy new year!

-SkyFairies