Chapter 3
Lucy whistled happily as she skipped over to her locker. It was a few days after she first arrived. Her and Levy had, as expected, became best friends, and Erza and Juvia weren't far behind. Of course, the yells of 'nerd' and 'geek' followed her for a while. Well, until it was common knowledge that she was friends with Erza Scarlet. After Erza violently threatened that she would impale them all (and Lucy learnt that you do not make Erza Scarlet angry) everyone stopped immediately. Well…almost everyone.
"Oh look! The nerd's here!" Lucy hissed under her breath. Lissana pranced over flicking her white hair over one shoulder. Her minions (as in Kira, Kayley and Emma) followed close behind. "Hey ugly, is it just me or have you got fatter?" she sneered, picking at her manicure. Her minions chortled in laughter behind her. Lissana had been a god damn pain in the ass since she got there. Despite Erza's threats she continued to antagonize Lucy with every opportunity she got.
Lucy understood Erza didn't want to hurt the richest and most popular girl in the school. Lissana would probably tell her parents some lie, and Lissana's parents were rich and powerful people. It would be best if they didn't get involved. Lucy knew that was what stopped her from doing anything. She told Erza it was fine and she could handle it. Lucy shut her locker door, ignored Lissana and made her way towards the Library.
Lissana followed. Lucy knew that she would have tried to trip her (it wouldn't be the first time. Lucy had managed to avoid falling flat on her face so far) if it wasn't for the fact Natsu Dragneel chose that moment to walk by. Lissana forgot about Lucy in an instant, taking to her favourite hobby with gusto – Flirting with Natsu. Lucy took that opening to slip away, quietly making her way up the stairs. She felt Natsu's eyes burning at her back as she did.
•••
Lucy sat beside Levy on the bottom bench of the stands. They were supposed to be doing PE, but Lissana had decided that it would be a brilliant time for cheerleading practise. Their teacher didn't argue. So, Lucy and Levy sat chatting, wearing the Fairy Tail PE kit – light blue shorts, light blue shirt bordered with white, with the Fairy Tail insignia in white on the left breast (Lucy's were all extra baggy of course) – and watching as the cheerleading squads irritatingly high pitched voices echoed through the large hall.
Some of the boys – who were having their class in the adjacent hall – were drifting in and out, stopping to observe the cheerleaders. Lucy puffed out a bored breath. "I'm going to go get a drink" she said. Levy smiled in reply. Lucy made her way across the hall to the water fountain on the opposite side. She bent and took two long slurps. The refreshingly cold liquid trickled down her throat.
She wiped her mouth quickly, and turned to observe the flurry of motion. She caught a yell of "Heads up" and out of the corner of her eye spotted a basketball hurtling towards her. Now, before this scene continues, there's something you should know. Lucy could have easily dodged that basketball. Before she died, her mother made her go to self-defence lessons ever since she was little. She hadn't gone in years, but she practised herself so her skills were still sharp.
Her arms and legs appeared slender and weak, but she was a lot stronger than she looked. The lessons also improved her agility, flexibility and speed (that's how she could easily bypass Lissana's attempts to trip her). So yes, she could have avoided that speeding basketball. But nerds don't dodge basketballs. They're nowhere near fast enough. They curl up and get a bruise that doesn't go away for a week. So that's what Lucy did. She raised her arms over her face, turned away and waited for the blow to come. But it never did.
Instead, she felt a rustle at her side, and a warm body brushed against her arm. She peeked up, to see Natsu standing beside her. He easily caught the ball with one strong had and threw it in the other direction. "Watch where you're throwing that thing!" he yelled. Then he turned to Lucy. Her heart thumped loudly. He was also wearing a similar PE kit. He must have been playing basketball or something, because a fine sheen of sweat clung to his tan skin.
His shirt moulded to that delicious torso of his, and Lucy had to forcefully tear her eyes away. His hair was slightly damp, and his dark eyes glittered mysteriously. "Are you ok?" he asked. Lucy really liked his voice. She nodded and smiled brightly. "Yeah thanks" she said. He grinned back, and turned to go talk to the other boys. Lucy watched him go, and Levy suddenly appeared at her side. "OMG! Natsu Dragneel talked to you!" she squealed. Lucy shrugged. "It's not that big of a deal" she said. Levy's mouth dropped. "Not that big of a deal! He's the most popular guy in the school! And he's smoking hot!"
"Oh Levy! I thought you were infatuated with Gajeel?" Lucy giggled, waggling her eyebrows. Levy flushed and shrugged. "I'm just stating the obvious". Lucy laughed and hooked her arm through Levy's. "Come on, let's go get changed". As they walked out, Lucy did allow a small smirk to crawl onto her face, once she saw Lissana's furious scowl. This was soon followed by Lissana losing balance and toppling off the top of the human pyramid formation they were practising. Lucy and Levy both stifled their hysterical giggles as the exited the hall.
•••
Lucy lay on her back on her bed. A book rested in her hands above her. Lucy relaxed in the peaceful quiet, the only sound being the faint rustle as she turned a page. The silence was shattered as Lucy's phone vibrated loudly beside her. She curiously slid her bookmark into the page she was at and set it gently on her bedside table. She reached an arm lazily over and plucked up the pink phone. (Italics is texting)
Levy: Hey Lu! Want to come with me, Erza and Juvia to Magnolia Mall? Lucy: Meet outside Mira's in 20 mins? Levy: See u there!
Lucy heaved herself up from the comfortable position she had on her bed, grabbed her white jacket, purse and headed out the door.
20 minutes later, she found Levy, Erza and Juvia waiting outside Mira's Café. She waved merrily as she approached them. "Ready to go?" Levy asked. "Can't wait!" Lucy replied with a grin. The four girls manoeuvred their way through the town and were soon standing outside the majestic Magnolia Mall. Chattering away they made their way inside.
•••
Joyous laughter filled the air as the four girls slipped inside a French Café. Lucy couldn't remember ever having as much fun when she used to go to the mall with her old friends as she did today. She didn't have the money to buy anything, but they had great fun trying stuff on, teasing each other and trying on silly hats and glasses (Lucy now had a picture of the four of them making silly faces while wearing huge glasses and ridiculous hats saved as the lock screen on her phone)
"You guys go ahead I have to use the bathroom. Get me a strawberry milkshake, and save me a seat!" Lucy called as she broke away. "Ok!" Levy called back. Lucy grinned as she made her way to the bathroom. A few minutes later she exited, and walked straight into someone. "Sor-" Lucy began, but her words caught in her throat when she saw who it was. Lissana.
Lissana was wearing thick make-up and designer clothes, which a stylish handbag swinging from one arm. She looked up at Lucy. Shit! There goes the nerd disguise! Lissana will tell the whole school by Monday! (Btw it's Friday) What the hell should I do now- "Oh sorry!" Lissana said politely. Lucy gaped at her in shock. What!? Lissana mustn't have recognised her! "Oh no, it was my fault" Lucy said quickly, ducking her head.
Lissana smiled, and then asked "You wouldn't have seen a guy with pink hair around here would you?" "Nope, sorry" Lucy said with a polite smile. "Oh." Lissana's politeness dropped. She crinkled her nose and walked away. Lucy was pretty sure she muttered 'useless nobody' under her breath. And there she was thinking Lissana might have had a change of heart. Ah well.
Lucy walked quickly back to the diner, only to almost run into another person. She looked up and realised it was Natsu. He was entering the Café with the Gray, Gajeel and Jellal. Lucy choked and dived around a corner before he saw her. She pressed herself against the wall – why was she hiding from Natsu again? - and waited until he'd gone before slipping away to join Levy, Erza and Juvia.
Natsu plopped down on the seat next to Gray and let out a sigh of relief. Lissana had been stalking him all day. It took forever to finally lose her. He ran a hand through his hair and sucked in a deep breath. "That woman has a problem" Gray commented from beside him. Natsu nodded in agreement. "I know how you feel flame brain. I have a stalker myself". Natsu snorted and decided to let the flame brain insult slide for now. "Yeah, but you actually like your stalker" he said. Gray growled slightly and muttered "Do not".
He rolled his eyes – because he knew for a fact that Gray so liked that blue haired girl – and looked at Gajeel and Jellal. They were both staring at something behind him. He turned to see the famous Erza Scarlet sitting next to Levy McGarden. He couldn't see who was sitting opposite them. Well that explained it. "You two should really grow some balls and ask them out already" he said.
"What did you say about me Salamander!?" Gajeel instantly roared. Jellal remained silent. "You heard me metal head" Natsu replied. "You have a crush on that short girl, and you" he said turning to Jellal, "have a death wish, as you foolishly have decided to have a crush on the infamous Erza Scarlet" Both boys flushed and started to deny it. Natsu smirked, slumped in his chair, closed his eyes and let the noise wash over him.