Chapter 10
Lucy sat beside Levy on the blue plastic chairs placed in neat rows inside the large hall, as Igneel and Grandine stood on the black stage before them, voices echoing in the far corners behind them, as they described the different aspects of the business world. Natsu's parents had been invited to give Lucy and Natsu's year a speech on business and marketing etc. which they happily accepted. Lucy, having been used along with Natsu as the audience while Igneel and Grandine did a test run at home, had already heard it. She looked to her right, where Levy was sitting beside Gajeel, Juvia was clinging to a reluctant Gray's arm and Erza and Jellal were holding hands and quietly whispering to each other.
It was three weeks since her date with Natsu (who she was now glad to call her boyfriend. Erza and Jellal had announced they were dating after a week, and Natsu and Lucy revealed the news the day after, although they asked their friends not to mention it to anyone at their school, as they were keeping it a secret for now). They were the three happiest weeks of her life.
Natsu was the best boyfriend a girl could ask for. Regularly he surprised her by hugging her from behind, which was usually followed by kissing. Lucy now spent her nights in his bed (Btw they have not done it yet, but since Natsu's bed was bigger and more comfortable than Lucy's – and the fact that Natsu couldn't sleep unless Lucy was with him and vice versa – she slept in his) and was greeted when she woke up by Natsu telling her how beautiful she was.
They wasted nights and mornings just cuddling and talking about random things. Lucy almost always ended up in Natsu's lap whenever she sat down. They sometimes spent evenings just having heated make-out sessions, and kissed at practically every possible opportunity. At school, they spent their mornings kissing and snuggling until other people started arriving. Then they acted like they normally did (but Natsu made sure to hold her hand every possible time he could when no one could see)
He also got her the most stunning necklace she'd ever seen in her life. It was a ruby heart, which was a locket with their pictures inside. Lucy loved it to pieces, and after a very happy Lucy passionately kissed him so hard it left him gasping, Natsu made a mental note to buy her presents more often. She had only taken it off when she took a bath or shower. Lucy looked to her left, where said boyfriend was looking incredibly bored. He caught her looking and smiled at her, and she smiled back.
Igneel and Grandine's lecture finished a few moments later. The students filed out of the hall and went straight to the canteen, since it was now lunch time. Just as they entered the canteen and made their way to the base of the stairs, Lucy felt a something heavy drape over her shoulders. She looked up to see Igneel's grinning face. He had one arm around Lucy's shoulders and the other around Natsu's.
"So…What did you guys think?" he asked. "It was brilliant Igneel" Lucy laughed. "You were fine Dad, like we told you five million times already" Natsu said exasperatedly. Igneel shrugged and Grandine appeared in the doorway with Wendy beside her. "Lucy!" Wendy squealed, running to her. Lucy laughed and caught her under the arms, swigging her up in the air then putting her back down again and hugging her. "Wendy!" she laughed.
Beside her Natsu pouted. "I don't even get a hello?" he huffed. Wendy giggled and turned to hug his legs. Natsu ruffled her hair fondly. "Lucy! Have you heard?" Grandine rushed over excitedly and clasped Lucy's hands in hers. "Heart Kreuz is having a huge sale this weekend!" she squealed. "Really?" Lucy squealed back. They both started jumping up and down in happiness while Natsu and Igneel sweat-dropped.
"Ummm…" Levy mumbled. Lucy and Grandine turned to look at her. "Since when did you become so familiar with Natsu's parents Lu?" she asked quietly. Grandine practically beamed as she hugged Lucy. "Didn't you hear? Lucy's my new daughter" she said, giggling as hearts flew around them. Lucy found herself being snatched from Grandine's arms and hugged by Igneel. "No!" he protested childishly. "Lucy's my new daughter!"
Next thing she knew Wendy was clinging onto her leg. "Don't be ridiculous! Lucy's my big sister!" she chuckled. Lucy was again dragged through the air and ended up in Natsu's warm arms. "You're all imagining things" he snorted. "Lucy's mine. She loves me so much more than you losers" he said sticking out his tongue. Lucy blushed. "She does not! She obviously loves me more!" Igneel declared. "In your dreams old man" Natsu countered. "You're all delusional, Lucy loves me the most" Grandine stated. "No! Me!" Wendy wailed. The Dragneels then started a loud argument over who Lucy loves the most.
During it all, a very baffled Lucy suddenly burst out laughing. The Dragneels stopped their squabbling to stare at her. "You guys are nuts" she laughed. "But I love you all" Natsu grinned and hugged her. "We love you too Luce" he said. "Group hug!" Grandine announced, and the three of them wrapped their arms around Lucy. "Well, we've got to go kids. Have a good day at school!" Grandine called as she pulled Igneel and Wendy from the canteen.
Natsu and Lucy waved as they left. Turning, they both stopped dead when they realized that the whole canteen (which contained practically the whole school) was completely silent and had witnessed the whole thing. Several females looked ready to rip Lucy limb from limb. Natsu and Lucy turned to look at each other, silently agreeing. "RUN!" they simultaneously screamed, bolting from the canteen as a mob of angry fangirls ran screaming after them. One particular female followed Lucy's movements from the back of the canteen. She muttered darkly "I have to get rid of the blonde bitch".
•••
Natsu's feet drummed against the shining tiles of the corridor as he walked quickly to the front doors of the school. He had an after school basketball practice, and was anxious to get back to his beautiful girlfriend. His lips curled into a soft smile and he bounded down the front steps with a spring in his step. His footsteps abruptly stopped when he saw someone was waiting at the bottom of the stone steps. She twirled a piece of white hair around her finger and looked up at him with a sneer.
"Lissana" he said shortly. "What do you want?" "Not even a hello?" she said sweetly. Natsu narrowed his eyes at her. She huffed and flicked her hair over her shoulder. "I found some interesting information I wanted to share with you" she said, folding her arms over her chest. "It's about that ugly nerd. What's her name? Lucy?"
Natsu snarled fiercely at her. "What do you want with Lucy?" Lissana giggled. "Oh nothing. I just discovered some very interesting information about her. If I give it to the right people, your little friend's life will be ruined. I doubt she'll be able to get a job, get into university…They'll probably throw her out of the school. Poor thing. She'll be finished" Lissana pouted.
Natsu grabbed her arm tightly. "Do whatever the hell you want with me, just leave Lucy out of this!" he growled. "She's done nothing to you". "Actually, she has" Lissana sneered. "So this is how it's going to work. Either you go and tell the little bitch that you hate her guts and never want to see her again, or it looks like little Lucy's life will be over before it's even started" She dragged her arm out of his grip and strutted down the street. "You have until tomorrow" she called over her shoulder, leaving a raging Natsu standing alone on the street.
•••
Lucy looked up at the soft knock on her door. Grinning, she put her book down, deciding it must be Natsu. She opened the door with a huge smile on her face. Her smile dropped slightly. Natsu's bangs covered his eyes and he was trembling, his hands clenched into fists. "We need to talk" he said, voice laced with bitterness.