Chapter 5
"Bye Mom! Bye Dad!" Natsu called as he shut the door behind him. He slung his red bag over on shoulder as he walked down the street, towards Lucy's apartment. He grinned evilly as he approached, thinking of what the look on her face would be when he screamed in her ear and woke her up, since he was pretty sure she'd be asleep as it was pretty early (he convinced himself that he was he did not actually just want to see how cute she looked when she was sleeping, and so he could stare at her like a creepy stalker without her noticing…Cause that was TOTALLY NOT the reason!)
He bypassed her front door and went straight to the window (so much more fun). He quietly slid it open and crept inside. Frowning, he noticed her bed was empty and neatly made. "Luce?" he called out. A loud bang from the kitchen told him all he needed. Grinning, he burst through the door. Lucy was hopping around on one leg, clutching her foot. She was already dressed in her uniform. She gingerly put her foot down, mumbling a stream of colourful curses.
"Natsu? What are you doing here? And how'd you get in?" Natsu pointed behind him. "Window" he said. "And I go to school at this time, so I thought I'd see if you were up". "Really?" Lucy asked. "School doesn't start for another hour. I didn't think you were a morning person". "Well you're up. And I'm only a morning person on weekdays" he added. Lucy shrugged. She turned back to the stove. "The window? Can't you use the door like a normal person?"
"That takes away the fun!" Natsu grinned. He dropped his bag by the table and stood beside her. Lucy was currently frying bacon. Natsu sniffed in the delightful aroma as a sizzling sound filled the sir. "That smells awesome" he moaned. Turning to Lucy, he donned the most adorable puppy eyes she'd ever seen, complete with small whimpers. Lucy giggled. "Fine" she said, popping more bacon into the pan. She couldn't resist those eyes.
"YAY!" Natsu yelled. He wrapped one muscular arm around her neck and pulled her into a hug. "You're the best Luce!" "I know" Lucy grinned, blushing. Before long two delicious looking bacon sandwiches sat in front of them. Natsu guzzled his down in seconds. He hummed in joy as the delicious taste flooded his mouth. "You have to cook for me more Luce. You're an incredible cook". "They're only bacon sandwiches" Lucy laughed. She cleared the table, grabbed her satchel and slipped on her glasses.
The two of them set of towards Fairy Tail Academy. "So what has you up so early?" Natsu asked. "I prefer to get there early. I usually go to the library and read, or rest until school starts. It's really peaceful in the mornings, and the library's always warm. What about you? What has you up so early on weekdays?" "The fangirls" Natsu said gagging. "Once, I came in at the time Gray and everyone comes in and I got attacked. I think they were waiting at the gates for me. Lost half a shirt over it. So I come in early, before them all and just hang about. You also get better parking spaces if you're early"
"Must be annoying, having so many girls throwing themselves at you" Lucy mused. "Someone gets it!" he exclaimed in glee. "Everyone always says 'it must be great having a fan club' but it's bloody annoying! I mean come on, I know I'm amazing and hot as hell, there's no need to assault me every 5 seconds!" Natsu said with a charming and cheeky grin. Lucy snorted. Natsu gasped, held his heart and pouted. "That's hurtful Lucy! Just because you're blind!" Lucy huffed and folded her arms across her chest.
"So you are saying I'm not hot?" he asked. Lucy smacked him on the arm. "I didn't say that". Natsu's grin grew wider, and he shifted closer to her. "So you do think I'm hot" he smirked. Lucy muttered something under her breath. "What was that?" Natsu asked, leaning closer. "What I think is none of your concern" she said. "You so think I'm hot" Natsu chuckled, while his heart danced around his chest at the thought of Lucy finding him hot. Lucy huffed again. Natsu started chuckling, and Lucy couldn't help but join in. He was too damn adorable for his own good.
•••
Lucy entered the canteen, her eyes quickly scanning for the blue hair of her friend. She and Natsu relaxed in the library for most of the morning. Lucy had already claimed the hidden comfy booth at the back. She was the only person who was in the library in the mornings. After realizing that no students actually were there in the mornings, the librarian usually had a nap or something inside the little storage room. Either way, the librarian decided she could trust Lucy and left her be. So Natsu and her were alone.
They decided to rest, and just lay down beside each other (both were elated with being so close) and whispered questions. Lucy now knew much more about Natsu, and he knew much more about Lucy. He even gave her his phone number, which had a contact photo of them both making silly faces (he insisted on taking it, so Lucy ditched her glasses for it.). He took a similar one on his phone and added it as a contact photo to her phone number, which she gave him. Now, back to the present.
Upon not finding her bookworm friend Lucy frowned and bit her lip. Where was she? Her question was answered seconds later when a flying Levy jumped her from behind. "Lu!" she squealed happily. "Levy! You gave me a heart attack!" Lucy gasped. Levy grinned and started jumping up and down in excitement. "Guess what?" she squeaked. "What?" Lucy asked. "Gajeel asked me to come sit with him at lunch!"
Lucy's eyes widened. "You mean up there?" she said, referring to the popular boys table. Levy nodded, her cheeks glowing. Lucy couldn't believe how happy her friend was. She'd been telling her about how wonderful her date was this morning. Lucy was incredibly happy for her friend. "Well come on! Let's go!" Levy said, pulling Lucy along with her. "Wait what!? Me too?" Lucy stammered. "Well I'm not going up there alone, and I'm not sitting anywhere without you. I already told Erza and Juvia they could come up. Gajeel said it would be fine".
Lucy allowed Levy to drag her up to the table. Natsu and Gray were sitting beside each other on one side, and Gajeel was sitting beside Jellal on the other. All four looked up in interest with their approach. Natsu's smile was blinding once he say her, but he kept his mouth shut. No one else knew that Lucy and him were close (and though they'd only knew each other for about a day they already considered themselves as being very close)
Levy instantly sat down beside Gajeel, and Lucy pretended to think of where to sit, before sliding in beside Natsu (like she already knew she would). Gajeel gave Levy a quick kiss on the cheek before turning back to his lunch. "Hey Luce" Natsu breathed softly in her ear. "Hey yourself" she breathed quietly back. Natsu's grin grew bigger, and he lightly bumped her side with his own.
"Oh yeah, you guys this is Lucy" Levy introduced, and Lucy remembered that they hadn't met her yet. "Hi!" she greeted, raising a hand. Gajeel grunted in response, Jellal offered a "Nice to meet you" and Gray said "How's it goin?" Erza and Juvia appeared at that moment. Juvia instantly shot over to hug an alarmed Gray's arm, leaving Erza to sit beside Jellal, a faint blush on her cheeks. Lucy giggled softly.
Levy introduced them both, and they all got to chatting with their respect male partners (well, more like Juvia rambled on about 'her handsome beloved Gray' and Gray just stared at her). Erza and Jellal were getting along well, and it sounded like they were having a conversation about fighting techniques. Lucy reached down to pull out her lunch. She made noodles for diner last night, and accidentally made far too much, so she took the extra in for her lunch.
There was still a large amount of noodles though. She brought extra chopsticks so she could share with Levy, but Levy looked entranced with the Spaghetti Bolognese she was sharing with Gajeel (cliché I know.) Lucy set the noodles on the table, and Natsu was leaning over instantly. He sniffed and almost started drooling over the table. "I think you want to kill me Luce" he whined. He hadn't got lunch yet, and now Lucy was waving delicious noodles under his nose.
"Well it is a bit much for just me" she said. Lucy extended the extra chopsticks. Natsu blinked once then grinned widely. "Ok, you're my best friend from now on!" he exclaimed, giving Lucy a one armed hug. Everyone turned at hid little outburst. "No! Lucy's my best friend!" Levy complained instantly. Natsu scowled and pulled Lucy closer. "No! Lucy likes me way better!" he said, childishly sticking out his tongue at Levy. Erza, Jellal, Gray, Juvia, Gajeel and Lucy sweat dropped.
Levy huffed and opened her mouth to argue, but Lucy intervened. "How about Levy's my best girlfriend and Natsu's my best guy friend?" she offered. Natsu and Levy shrugged and went back to eating. "But I'm your bestest best best friend, right Luce?" Natsu whispered in her ear. Lucy chuckled and rolled her eyes at him. The two of them dug in to the amazing noodles. A thought crossed Lucy's mind as they shared noodles. "Won't your girlfriend be upset?" she wondered out loud.
Natsu froze and turned to Lucy in confusion. "You know, Lissana" Lucy quickly explained, as a twinge of envy shot through her. "Won't she be upset that you're friends with the nerd? Or that there are now girls at your table?" Natsu snorted in amusement. "Lissana's not my girlfriend! I don't have one. Where'd you get that idea from?" Lucy ignored the relief she instantly felt and said "Well she sure acts like it".
Natsu glowered. "You're right there. She seems to think she's my girlfriend. I've told her I'm not interested, but she won't leave me alone. I agreed to go on a date with her once to get her of my case". He growled in exasperation. "I almost jumped out a window. It was horrible. I told her after that I was sorry but I didn't want to date her but she still wouldn't leave me alone. She's just so bloody annoying".
Lucy smiled, and said "Agreed". Natsu smiled back. He looked up and his face fell. "Speak of the devil" he muttered angrily. Said devil was sashaying up the steps, her white hair bouncing. All four boys simultaneously groaned. "Natsu!" she cooed, flinging her arms around his neck. She made sure to push her breasts as close to him as possible. Natsu and Lucy simultaneously gritted their teeth and clenched their hands under the table.
Lissana shot Lucy a dirty look and whispered in Natsu's ear (but Lucy heard every word) "What are you hanging around with these losers for? Wouldn't you rather come with me that stay here with the ugly nerd" she purred glaring at Lucy. A muscle in Natsu's jaw twitched and silence descended on the table. Before he'd even moved, Lucy knew Natsu was going to stand up and yell at her.
Not wanting to make a scene, or make Natsu look like a bad guy, hidden below the table her hand shot out and caught his. Natsu stopped, and glanced at her through the corner of his eye. Without looking at him, she locked her fingers with his and gently rubbed soothing circles in his tan skin. Natsu visibly relaxed, his tense muscles unwound. He clutched her hand tighter. "At least none of these losers have to throw themselves at a guy to get him to notice them" he said coolly, jerking so Lissana lost her grip. Sniggers filled the air, and a red faced Lissana stalked off furiously.
Lucy bit her lip as snickers flew from her mouth. Natsu received pats on the back, and 'good ones' by Gajeel, Gray, Jellal, and even Erza. Natsu smiled at them, then leaned over and whispered in Lucy's ear. "Thanks for that Luce". "Anytime" she whispered giving his hand a gentle squeeze before letting go.