Tommorow I'm having a college trip, and I'll not be able to upload the new chapter. That's why I'm uploading it today. Thanks for all your support until now. :)

Up on melancholy hill

She hid her busty features in the oversize, thorny rose bush not far away from the dormitory. From here, she could've seen the large dormitory building, dark against the fading sunlight. Wendy saw Cana's figure; she was brokenhearted, pulling her feet behind on the tiny, crackling cobblestone. Only sound now was crackling of the cobblestone, rustling of the branches, chirping of crickets and Cana's bellowing cry. She held her face but the tears kept flowing through her fingers. Deep, below her bosom, Wendy felt a stupefying pain – it was horrible, clenching on her heart, making her chest felt tight. She wanted to help Cana, but couldn't for the obvious reasons.

"What should I do? Everything is falling apart. Cana hates Erza. Erza probably hates me. I've lost two friends, and I'm to lose two more! What the hell is with this damned curse?! I can't do this anymore. I don't want to hurt anybody, ever again! It's best if I simply erase myself from existence!"

Suddenly she felt something close to her. Some invisible, unnatural existence crouched behind her and frightened, girl turned around. Alas, nothing except her was hidden in the bush. Still, the feeling of somebody being next to her was overwhelming. Suddenly, a whisper woke up inside of her head, becoming a clear voice. It had a familiar tone, almost motherly kind and forgiving.

"Wendy! Have you already given up?"

"W-who is that?!"

"Your friend."

"Very funny. Tell me!"

"I'm somebody who will always be watching over you. With my name no longer being important, I guess that the answer on that question will remain in your heart. I can see you've been cursed. It's very unfortunate. Yet, it's the only way for you to stop being such a little brat."

"Brat?! What the hell?"

"I'm sorry, I just got carried away. Yes, you indeed have to grow up. Whether this curse is a coincidence, or not, it doesn't matter. What matters it what you'll keep in your heart. This shadow, this doubt that taunts you is passing away. Few years from now, when everything settles down, you'll be glad that you've been through this."

"Grandeeney, is that you?" Wendy asked, but no voice answered.

"Don't just leave like that! Grandeeney! I want to ask you so much more! Please, come back!"

But still, there wasn't any answer. Wendy was quite sure that it was her deceased friend and foster mother, but couldn't be sure anymore. Maybe it was Mavis? Or maybe it was just her mind playing tricks on her?

"Please… Grandeeney… I'm so lonely… I need somebody to take care of me…" Wendy sobbed, kneeling in the bushes all alone. But the reality was cruel and nobody came to offer a consolation. Charla was probably angry or still searching for her. Alas, Wendy couldn't see her face now. Natsu and Lucy were far away. Gray and Juvia were her "targets", so to say. She was, truly, alone.

Still, she couldn't stop now. Deciding to not give up, Wendy stood up and stumbled from the bushes. Thorns grabbed on her calves and hands, digging the rows in her skin. Bloody roses bloomed all over her body.

Alone and hurt, Wendy searched for Gray and Juvia, but couldn't find them. Night was already encroaching upon Magnolia and in the end, she saw Gray standing all alone in front of some restaurant. Having his eyes closed, he didn't even realize that Wendy was here. Girl quickly hid herself, not wanting to risk being exposed before this is all over. Suddenly, idea passed through her mind.

Not a long time ago, she saw an interesting potion when she was out in the town. A shady vendor sold a magical potion of appearance altering. It promised a desired appearance for a whole day. She could impersonate Juvia like this, and since they already looked similar Wendy was sure about lack of any drawbacks. And if she can impersonate Juvia, Wendy can also make Gray believe that she hates him.

One hour later

"Oh, Gray-sama! I'm back from the toilet!" Juvia mused, taking Gray under the hand. Gray turned around, giving her a light kiss on the lips.

"Ah, Gray-sama! Juvia will melt!" Juvia almost fell down.

"So annoying. Anyway, where shall we go now?"

"You already forgot? We'll go to the planetarium! By the way, that quest was awesome!" Juvia chirped.

"Aye. I have to agree with you on that. That thief sure didn't know what hit him!"

"But don't you feel bad about the guy, Gray-sama?"

"He got what he deserved."

Gray suddenly stopped in his tracks as they passed the bridge over the river. He looked flabbergasted and his eye twitched in shock.

"Gray-sama, what's wrong?" Juvia asked.

"Well… you'll think I'm crazy but… I just saw you."

"We're together for a whole day! Of course you've seen Juvia!"

"No… I saw you over there." he pointed in the direction of the street just on the other side of the bridge.

"But there's only one Juvia…"

"Yes. Something's wrong." Gray whispered.

Juvia and Gray were at the planetarium now. The night was already out, skies were starry and two have enjoyed their special day together. Standing just below the telescope, Gray held Juvia in arms so she can reach the scope which was set too high.

"Gray-sama is so romantic! I can only see Gray-sama's face in the sky!"

"Ugh… you're embarrassing me, Juvia!" Gray said, not looking very angry. Juvia hopped down, and Gray watched the stars as she embraced him around the waist. She looked truly content, and happy. After some time, both of them sat on the grass just outside the building, watching the stars all alone. It was a quiet night, and moon was a daredevil – showing his face to everybody who wanted to watch. It made Gray wanting to walk out of the comfort zone, too. Taking a deep breath, he turned around to look at his girlfriend.

"Juvia, I…"

"Yes, Gray-sama?"

"I… I… I guess I love you."

Gray muttered, hiding embarrassed face. He became reddest Gray Juvia had ever seen. Alas, her face was even worse.

"G-G-G-Gray-sama! Juvia's so happy!"

"Mhm." Gray said, looking somewhere in the distance, as Juvia continued melting away.

"Gray-sama doesn't mind Juvia being annoying stalker?"

"In the beginning, I was constantly annoyed by your behavior. But by the time, I came to realize that in the days you weren't around, I felt lonely. And thus, I realized I started loving it."

"It's good Juvia hasn't given up." Juvia smiled, leaning on his shoulder. He embraced her and two watched the stars together.

"Gray-sama…"

"Yes, Juvia?"

"Juvia needs to pee."

"Well, you have bushes everywhere around."

"Juvia… Juvia wants Gray-sama to go with her."

"I'm right here. Just go."

"Ugh, fine… don't go too far away. Juvia's watching you!"

After some time, Juvia came back. Brushing her clothes, she sat next to Gray, without a single word. She blushed hard, fidgeting, playing with her fingers.

"What's wrong, Juvia? Accidentally wet your pants?"

"N-no. Gray… sama, want to go somewhere else?"

Gray let a little confused "huh" out, looking at Juvia like she's ill.

"Are you sure? You said you wanted to watch the stars with me. It's unusual for you to suddenly change your mind like this."

"I suddenly feel… anxious. Let's just go! Please, Gray-sama!"

"This is strange." Gray muttered, sitting up.

They have walked downhill, on the road which leads to Magnolia. City lights glimmered in the distance, air had a scent of pine and lavender, and it was a warm summer night. Yet, Juvia was strangely silent. Walking by Gray's side, she just looked down without a single word.

"Juvia, has something happened? You can tell me." Gray took her palm.

"I… I want to say something."

"I..? Juvia?"

Gray was even more worried now. Juvia never referred to herself in the first person.

"Juvia…?" Gray nudged her again. She turned her face up, leading him to the meadow by the road. They were all alone, Gray was looking truly worried and she kept staring down.

"Juvia… doesn't love Gray-sama anymore."

Gray just stood like that, staring. He had a deadpan face, looking totally unaffected. Or he just looked like that. His eyebrow twitched, as much as the corner of his lips.

"Oi, Juvia, stop messing with me! If this is some kind of joke, it's really bad!"

"I'm not messing with you, Gray-sama."

"Stop messing with me, Juvia! You would never say such a thing! I refuse to believe you would!" Gray suddenly yelled out, with a despair and shock in his voice.

"Juvia… is sorry. Juvia has planned this whole day so she can tell you. Juvia's breaking up with Gray-sama."

"Juvia… you're lying, right? You're playing a prank with me, like you usually do? Come on, tell me that I'm naïve Gray-sama! Please! I will not mind your Gray blankets, or Gray towels!"

"Seriously… men are so pathetic when in love." Juvia said, walking beside, without even turning her head up. Gray turned around and his fingers were literally shaking.

"Juvia, come back! Come back, right now! I deserve an explanation, at least!"

But girl just sped up in the direction of Magnolia. Gray fell on his knees, feeling almost the same despair he felt when Ul died in front of his face. It felt like one piece of his being was torn away from him. His chest literally hurt from all the pain. Gritting his teeth, he felt salty tears falling down his cheeks. As he grabbed his calves, he let a loud yell of pain. But the pain wasn't getting weaker. It kept getting stronger, and stronger.

"Juvia! Juvia! JUVIA!" he yelled to the night sky, remembering the stars they have watched just fifteen minutes ago. Falling on his side, he grabbed his legs, staring in front of himself. Gray felt like a pathetic creature right now, but couldn't move from this place. And it happens just at the day he confessed and actually meant it. First time he said it only to get her of his back, but now it was serious. And it was already over. What a joke.

"Juvia… come back…" he whispered.